[Cacique]

That because we have allowed it to become merely a conservative issue. And Conservatives share part of the blame since they only want to awaken fellow conservatives to the issue. In reality this should be a bi-partisan issue. We have many potential democrat rank and filers out there, rank and file union members whose wages are being eroded. The vast middle class that is fast disappearing. This issue needs to be sol;d to a broad front and it cannot be allowed to be painted by the MSM as merely an issue of the right. The vast center has more to lose that either extreme. The sad truth is that some conservatives view it as an issue of cheap labor and free trade and are willing to swell the ranks of the left for short term gratification of their profit motive. Blacks and other minorities that have been here longer will be left out when the cake is cut and will see what little influence they have erode. The sellouts like the Jacksons and the Sharptons will push for amnesty because socialism is more important to them than the fact that blacks are the biggest losers in all of this. The same holds true for Puerto Ricans who are American citizens by birth. I could write a much longer piece on this and perhaps I will. This battle right here is in the long term much more important than whether Iraq is run by despots or not.

It has been my experience that people show up to the polls for two basic reasons, both have an emotional element to them. One is the pocketbook, the other is simply fear. Both of these triggers must be used in the coming months as tools to oppose amnesty. But it cannot be just a conservative movement, we must ally ourselves with people who have a common ulterior motive in fighting this battle and we may find that some of our best allies in this matter will turn out to be far to the left of us.

People seem to forget that conservatism is a movement, NOT a political party and as long as both parties are beholden to special corporate and other interests they will not be listening to us until we are knocking at their doors and flooding the mailboxes with tons of snailmail in which citizens will have invested a 39 cent stamp and actually took the time to write something original. Emails and faxes are a waste of time and politicians long ago decided to ignore them. Pull up in front of their office with a truckload of mail and they will know there is an angry electorate out there.

[raftguide]

"The vast middle class that is fast disappearing."

Where is this "disappearance" coming from. Are there facts to support your thesis? I submit that home ownership is at an all time high. That's middle class for the most part. More people own stocks then ever before; that too is middle class.

[johnthebaptistmoore]

This full response truly needs to be the story that's discussed in another thread and as soon as possible! The upcoming problems with the increasing influx of illegal immigrants alone-and I mean all of the upcoming problems as they relate to illegal immigrants-truly need to be front and center! All of the '08 GOP Presidential candidates must also fully respond to the best of abilities to all of this "upcoming damage" to this country! bttt!