The immigration debate features magical thinking

The Denver Post ^ | May 20, 2007 | Al Knight

[Zakeet]

The U.S. Senate, under the leadership of Sen. Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., embarks today on an exercise in magical thinking.

Reid and his Democratic allies - including Sen. Ken Salazar, D-Colo. - will attempt to convince the American people that the U.S. Senate is about to adopt "comprehensive immigration reform" that is (pick your favorite adjective) tough, practical, sensible, realistic and humane.

These words have been carefully chosen since last year when the Senate adopted a measure that was roundly rejected by the then much more conservative House.

Salazar, presumably because he is one of the few Hispanic members of the Senate, has been recruited to take part in this exercise. In an announcement the other day, the Colorado senator said, "We need to deal in a realistic and humane way with the 12 million people who are here and who are very much a part of the work force."

For those unfamiliar with the immigration debate lingo, that means we need to find a way to let them stay.

[Zakeet]

Denver slams the Kennedy-McCain BS (Border Security) Act.

Knight unloads with some good material on the BS bill. For example:

The idea that the architects of this failure are about to fix the mess they helped create is simply preposterous. This week's debate isn't even about immigration. It is simply an opportunity to again pander to the Hispanic voter and other interested groups with an eye to the 2008 election. In a sane world, it would be dismissed as the shameless political exercise it surely is.

IMHO, this editorial is a good read.

[philman_36]

BTTT

[united1000]

IMHO, this editorial is a good read.

 

agreed

[c-b 1]

"We need to deal in a realistic and humane way with the 12 million people who are here and who are very much a part of the work force."

If these 12 million people are part of the work force they are either in violation of income tax laws, or guilty of using forged documents to obtain employment. Senator Salazar, if it's ok for them to break those laws, what laws is it ok for me to break?

[2ndDivisionVet]

Call/email/write/fax and say NO to Amnesty!!

U.S. Senate switchboard: (202) 224-3121

U.S. House switchboard: (202) 225-3121

White House comments: (202) 456-1111

Find your House Rep.: http://www.house.gov/writerep

Find your US Senators: http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

[R.W.Ratikal]

But — If history has taught us anything it is that invasions are repelled in only one way, resistance. To slow and then halt the invasion of the U. S. by Mexico and other illegal aliens is simple.

1. Build a fence along the entire borders

2. Immediately deport every illegal aliens that can be rounded up. There are all off the place standing around, holding rallies, making demands.

3. Immediately stop giving benefits to citizens of other countries, including constitutional protections, welfare, food stamps, health care etc.

4. Declare an immigration moratorium of 75 years.

5. Enforce all immigration laws.

That’s it. Crisis over. Invasion ended.

[greenhornet68]

6. Repeal the ‘Anchor Baby’ provision

[Jim Noble]

The immigration debate features magical thinking

Magical thinking is the central policymaking feature of the Bush Administration.

[WilliamofCarmichael]

Hot damn! Another shiny new immigration reform law to ignore. Things go swimmingly in D.C. It’s great being monarchs!

[SE Mom]

Excellent. Thanks for posting..

[PGalt]

Great editorial by Al Knight. Thanks for posting.

[Gritty]

The idea that the architects of this failure are about to fix the mess they helped create is simply preposterous. This week's debate isn't even about immigration. It is simply an opportunity to again pander to the Hispanic voter and other interested groups with an eye to the 2008 election. In a sane world, it would be dismissed as the shameless political exercise it surely is.

It's worse than that. This bill will be the demise of America, not just a "political exercise".