Ultimate explanation for George Bush's immigration & amnesty push - by John Derbyshire

National Review ^ | July 2, 2007 2:20 PM | John Derbyshire

[dennisw]

What a Waste. Steve Sailer said it all.

[L]et's stop and think about what an enormous waste of six years it has been for the President, aided and abetted by the almost the entire American Establishment, to pursue his delusion of imposing his immigration obsession on the citizenry. Even leaving aside how much better the immigration situation would be if Bush had followed his oath and simply enforced the damn laws, imagine what he would have been able to accomplish legislatively in other areas without wasting time, energy, and political capital on a losing proposition like this.

Well, why did he? Why did the president push this appalling bill with such passion and such arrogance? A number of theories are current. On a realist-to-romantic, or prose-to-poetry, spectrum, they are:

Machiavelli. Bush has been persuaded, probably by Karl Rove, of the following theorem: Hispanics are now a large proportion of the electorate, and are destined, via differential birthrates, to become a larger one. It’s important for the Republican party to win over these voters by doing Hispanic-friendly things. As a rough first approximation, Immigrant=Hispanic, so that a kind’n’gentle policy on immigration should be pleasing to Hispanics.

Bicycle. Someone — perhaps a visitor from the Wall Street Journal editorial page — has persuaded Bush that the U.S. economy would come to a juddering halt and fall over if not fed by a steady stream of unskilled immigrants working for below-minimum wages.

Pauline Kael. Bush has never in his life mixed socially with any person whose job or neighborhood quality is threatened by mass unskilled immigration. To the people he does mix with socially, unskilled immigrants are a good source of servant labor, or a way to “socialize the costs, privatize the profits” of enterprises they own or invest in. This puts us in somewhat the same zone as Pauline Kael’s famous bafflement on hearing that Nixon had been elected president: “How is that possible? I don’t know anyone who voted for him.” Can elite Americans really be that out of touch with reality? Believe me, gentle reader, they can.

Noblesse oblige. Bush’s childhood experience of friendly, deferential Mexican servants and employees, and of his Dad’s elite Mexican friends in the oil business, disposed him so kindly towards Mexicans in general, he is keen to do anything to (a) please the Mexican authorities, and (b) avoid any appearance of unkindness or lack of generosity towards Mexicans in general (e.g. by apprehending illegal Mexican immigrants). The first approximation here is even rougher than the Rovian one: Immigrant=Mexican.

Evangelical. The president is known to cleave to a generous and universalist (if you like it), or naive and sappy (if you don’t) style of evangelical Christianity. He sees himself, in his own mind, holding out his arms, murmuring: “Suffer the little immigrants to come unto me.” While by no means despicable as a personal lifestyle choice, this may not be a good foundation for national policy.

My guess is that there is some combination of all these at work, but with the center of gravity down in the romantic zone. W is an intelligent man, but he’s a feeler more than a thinker, consulting his heart before his head, and sometimes forgetting to consult his head at all. This can be an endearing trait under some circumstances. The forming of national policy is not one of those circumstances.

[Bernard]

Pauline Kael. Bush has never in his life mixed socially with any person whose job or neighborhood quality is threatened by mass unskilled immigration. To the people he does mix with socially, unskilled immigrants are a good source of servant labor, or a way to “socialize the costs, privatize the profits” of enterprises they own or invest in. This puts us in somewhat the same zone as Pauline Kael’s famous bafflement on hearing that Nixon had been elected president: “How is that possible? I don’t know anyone who voted for him.” Can elite Americans really be that out of touch with reality? Believe me, gentle reader, they can.

So the lesson learned here is, maybe the first question we ask any candidate for President is, "What was your first part-time job while you were in high-school, and did it involve a paper hat or a paper route?"

[WorkerbeeCitizen]

"Maybe he was consulting his pocket book and those of his friends. I think Bush and his rich friends are scared to death of an overthrow of the Mexican government. Had our government not turned a blind eye and allowed millions of young Mexicans to invade us, Mexico, in my opinion, would be involved in a civil war. That's the reason government leaders say "we can't deport 14 million people". We can, it's Mexico that can't take back nine+ million people, and do without $23 billion in remittances. And, if the government goes down, foreign owned companies will be subject to nationalization. It couldn't happen to a better bunch than those who sold America out."

Interesting point. I haven't seen this point made before - another piece of a puzzle to examine. I'm not sure which puzzles this piece will fit in -

[AmericanInTokyo]

It may finally come out in some of Bush’s aides memoirs, if they chose to be honest with us, otherwise it will take Freedom of Information Act filings by us in flyover country. I DO hope we get to the bottom of it and why he did this to us.

[WorkerbeeCitizen]

Those are my hopes also - sooner than later though, I feel a sense of urgency in this.

[Proud_texan]

And it goes beyond that. When the effective interest rate is 0% year after year something weird is going on. Interesting situation and hopefully someone with a better understanding of economics can expand on it as I know there are other factors that have been at work.

But still that sub-replacement population thing has to be a factor...

[dalight]

rogue yam writesI read NRO daily and my understanding is that Derb is a capitalist who believes in God and America. I don't understand how you came to such a contrasting understanding.

Quote from this article: "Fundamentally (if you’ll pardon the expression) I can’t take religion that seriously. I see it the way Marx saw it, as an epiphenomenon, part of the “superstructure” of human society. (Though I disagree with Marx on the nature of the substructure.)"

This was embedded in "Derbs' riff on why Islam isn't a threat to the west, because scholarly books about Islam's roots bore him. This guy is obviously a heavy thinker.

[Liz]

N-i-c-e take-----your summation nails it.

And if Americans pondering 2008 think the "North-South corridor globaloney" is bad, they oughta take a look at candidate Rudy Giuliani's globaloney---this guy Giuliani is globally-connected up to his eyeballs.

Giuliani is involved in multinational businesses, revolving around global security, and international legal representation and investment banking. Giuliani companies (that we know of) include:

(1) Giuliani Capital Advisors, LLC (AKA Giuliani Partners LLC),
(2) Giuliani Group,
(3) Giuliani-Kerik (re-named Giuliani Security and Safety, after the departure of the tainted ex-Police Commissioner),
(4) Giuliani-Van Essen, and,
(5) Bracewell & Giuliani LLP law firm (based in Texas with global interests).
(6) Giuliani Security & Safety Asia

Attorneys Bracewell & Giuliani's January Closings in Kazakhstan Total US $1.625 Billion
lawfuel.com | February 22, 2007

FR Posted on 02/26/2007 by Jim Robinson
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1791780/posts

ALMATY, Kazakhstan-- LAWFUEL - Law News, US Law Firms --Bracewell & Giuliani LLP closed three cases in January for a total of US $1.625 billion, acting as international counsel for the offering of corporate debt and solidifying their place as the premier legal authority on Kazakhstani business affairs in the Caspian region. “We continue to thrive and grow in Kazakhstan, mirroring the country itself,” said Greg Vojack, managing partner for the firm's offices in Kazakhstan. “As Kazakhstan transitions into a prosperous free marketplace after the fall of Soviet Russia, its fine-tuned monetary policies are helping the country’s financial sectors grow faster than New York.” ~snip~

Established in 1994, Bracewell's presence in the Republic of Kazakhstan has helped clients capture significant opportunities in the Caspian Region. The firm's energy and finance attorneys provided groundbreaking guidance to create the legal and financial infrastructure in that emerging nation and today actively advise energy and financial companies in the region and the government of Kazakhstan. ~snip~

MORE BACKGROUND Giuliani firm has Venezuela ties
MiamiHerald.com | Thu, Mar. 15, 2007 | BETH REINHARD
Posted on 03/15/2007 3:26:41 AM PDT by Condor 63
The law firm headlined by presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani does business with a company tied to Venezuelan leader Hugo Chávez, who has called President Bush ``the devil.'' Bracewell & Giuliani lobbies on behalf of Texas-based Citgo Petroleum, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Venezuelan oil company controlled by Chávez. The Bush administration said last year that Venezuela was ''not cooperating fully'' with antiterrorism efforts, stopping one step short of grouping the country with state sponsors of terrorism like Iran, Syria and Cuba. Giuliani, the former New York City mayor best known for his leadership after the Sept. 11 terrorism attacks, does not personally lobby for Citgo, though he is a senior partner at the firm and shares in its profits. (Excerpt) Read more at miamiherald.com ...

FYI: About Bracewell & Giuliani
Bracewell & Giuliani LLP is among the nation's most prominent law firms. With 400 lawyers in New York, Texas, Washington, D.C., Kazakhstan and London, we are distinctively positioned to serve clients concentrated in the energy and financial services sectors worldwide. In 2005, former New York City mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani joined the firm as a senior partner. His international reputation for leadership and problem solving is a unique asset for our clients, which include Fortune 500 companies, major financial institutions, leading private investment funds, governmental entities and individuals. For more information about Bracewell & Giuliani, visit www.bgllp.com. (Excerpt) Read more at inform.kz ...

GILT-EDGED GUARANTEE Any candidiate who does not perceive issues through the prism of the red, white, and blue will get his/her walking papers.

[Caipirabob]

One I look at is real estate. In Japan in 1989 the average dwelling sold for something like 420,000$ USD. In 2006, seventeen years later it sold for 220,000$ USD.

Good point on the Japanese. I have to go OT for a moment...I wonder how their salaries increased in proportion to their realty prices?

The critical factor in the US markets is that the salaries have not increased in proportion to the cost of living/housing prices.

No way could local salaries sustain the cost of a home without outside buyers coming into the market with cash, or multiple investors cooperating on a speculative purchase.

I can only deduce that the dramatic reduction in the Japanese market was due to the same conditions. In the US market, however, we can still anticipate an influx of outside buyers, foreign or otherwise. Moreso than the Japanese could.

But the difference is the bubble in that market. I suspect our adjustment will be somewhat softer than the one the Japanese experienced except for those who stretched themselves beyond reason.

Just yappin'... now stop making me think. : )

[saganite]

Shades of Atlas Shrugged in this mess. I remember a passage about Mexico in the book and how some were willing to support her.

[ran20]

I think the effective 0% or below interest rates are to do with the Japanese culture of saving combined with a debt backed money system, along with what you said a falling or even stagnant population. Tons and tons of capital chasing little opportunity. People always have to accept the best available return on capital.. even if it goes negative. A -1% rate of return, is still better then a -5%.

A similar thing happened in the black death. In some places 50% of the population died off. It sucked to be one of those dead 50%.. but for the survivors it was great economically. Instead of 4 sons splitting a family farm, or 1 getting it and 3 having to work for a pittance for a lord.. 1 son often inherited multiple farms from relatives. Farms and related buildings and equipment was most of the capital of those days.

The surviving son didn’t need loans to finance new construction.. and he didn’t have to accept servitude to survive as he had his own lands.

[Ditter]

I think the point that President Bush doesn’t want to get across because it is scary is the fact that if Mexico doesn’t have an escape hatch (the US) for it’s people, that a communist dictator will take power.

I don’t care who you are, that’s scary right there!

[garbanzo]

This has been GW's failing all along, he doesn't get the most important point across because it would be shrill and scary.

It is isn't that he doesn't get it across - it's more that people don't want to believe it. Like the Soviet Union, we are in the midst of a mass delusion about the true nature of our economic system. Except that instead of having The Party do it to us, we're doing it to ourselves.

[garbanzo]

Actually, Derb “came out” as an atheist about a year or so ago.

[Tucson]

I doubt seriously anyone here fails to face the relationship of our unemployment rate with need for additional labor. However, what is certifiable is the idea we need to amnesty some 12-20 million illegals to ensure we have sufficient low-end labor to keep the engines turning.

We have as a nation utilized various legal and managed guest worker programs for these purposes. Turn the labor shortage over to companies like Kelly Services on both sides of the border; let American companies requisition the necessary numbers and categories of workers they need and have the staffing agencies locate, hire and provide the labor. When the need is satisfied, they are returned to their country of origin or the next job. It’s really not rocket science.

[garbanzo]

A lot of America’s economy has always been based simply on growth.

Productivity equals wealth and to first order a nation's (or business') economic productivity is its manpower, that is, more people is more productivity. If we make sharp and sudden decreases in our national labor force, we can expect sharp decrease in productivity and wealth.

[cb]

"Even leaving aside how much better the immigration situation would be if Bush had followed his oath and simply enforced the damn laws"

So..............when are they going to impeach this clown?

[azhenfud]

"W is an intelligent man.."

"My heart and my best intentions still tell me that's true. But the facts and the evidence tell me it is not."

[Raycpa]

I suspect this is one of the factors

Exodus 12:49
The same law applies to the native-born and to the alien living among you.”

Exodus 23:9
“Do not oppress an alien; you yourselves know how it feels to be aliens, because you were aliens in Egypt.

Leviticus 19:33
“ ‘When an alien lives with you in your land, do not mistreat him.

Leviticus 19:34
The alien living with you must be treated as one of your native-born. Love him as yourself, for you were aliens in Egypt. I am the LORD your God.

Leviticus 23:22
“ ‘When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Leave them for the poor and the alien. I am the LORD your God.’ “

Leviticus 24:22
You are to have the same law for the alien and the native-born. I am the LORD your God.’ “

Leviticus 25:35
“ ‘If one of your countrymen becomes poor and is unable to support himself among you, help him as you would an alien or a temporary resident, so he can continue to live among you.

Numbers 15:15
The community is to have the same rules for you and for the alien living among you; this is a lasting ordinance for the generations to come. You and the alien shall be the same before the LORD :
Numbers 15:14-16 (in Context) Numbers 15 (Whole Chapter)

Numbers 15:16
The same laws and regulations will apply both to you and to the alien living among you.’ “

Deuteronomy 10:18
He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the alien, giving him food and clothing.

Deuteronomy 24:14
Do not take advantage of a hired man who is poor and needy, whether he is a brother Israelite or an alien living in one of your towns.

Deuteronomy 24:17
Do not deprive the alien or the fatherless of justice, or take the cloak of the widow as a pledge.

Deuteronomy 24:19
When you are harvesting in your field and you overlook a sheaf, do not go back to get it. Leave it for the alien, the fatherless and the widow, so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands.

Deuteronomy 24:20
When you beat the olives from your trees, do not go over the branches a second time. Leave what remains for the alien, the fatherless and the widow.

Deuteronomy 24:21
When you harvest the grapes in your vineyard, do not go over the vines again. Leave what remains for the alien, the fatherless and the widow.

Deuteronomy 27:19
“Cursed is the man who withholds justice from the alien, the fatherless or the widow.” Then all the people shall say, “Amen!”

Psalm 146:9
The LORD watches over the alien and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.

Ezekiel 22:29
The people of the land practice extortion and commit robbery; they oppress the poor and needy and mistreat the alien, denying them justice.

[hinckley buzzard]

but I know, that the 4.5% unemployment number is only sustainable in the presence of illegal immigrants. If these people were to up and leave, the US would sustain the worst inflation we have seen since Jimmy Carter.

You don't know that, you just think it--based on what, who knows. The rise in costs by "legalizing" wages would be a mere patch on the forces of past inflation.

Folks are just not willing to face this fact and Big Business and the President aren't willing to admit it either.

Actually Big Business probably has convinced Bush of this canard, and were slobbering at the mouth with the prospect of a sudden windfall of cheap legal labor. Too bad Bush swallowed it whole.