Posted on 09/16/2007 9:38:52 AM PDT by DCPatriot
Given the responses I got the last time I focused on this issue, I almost hate to bring it up…but here goes.
I think Tony Snow is exactly right when he says here:
“I deeply admire what [Mr. Bush] did on immigration and I think he’s right,” Mr. Snow said. “I think the policies the president outlined generally are the ones that eventually this country is going to adopt.”
Let us hope so, because the alternative “solutions” out there - “let everyone in and register them all Democrat” on the left and “ship them all back to Mexico no matter how long they’ve been here or how productive” - are neither workable nor just.
Snow also says, here,
“the White House was not prepared for the anger of foes of illegal immigration
For crying out loud, that’s a staggering statement when even I - a lowly and not terribly bright housewife - completely understood the mood of the illegal immigration extremists. They were not interested in any sort of “half-measure” by President Bush - they did not want Bush do what Reagan always tried to do, “get 75% of what you want and come back later for the rest.” No, the extremists on this issue, crying, “we’re the base, you better dance with who brung ya,” were relentlessly uncompromising on the matter of illegal immigration and President Bush - and any other politicians who disagreed with them or sought a more workable solution than “ship them back and build high, high walls” had their rhetorical heads smashed repeatedly against the rhetorical curbside.
I still have a few dents, myself.
The illegal immigration hardliners demanded “all or nothing at all,” from President Bush and the GOP leadership. And now, they have nothing, and no political power to do much of anything. Illegal immigrants are still entering the nation mostly unchecked. The useless NIS is no closer to being reformed and retooled into something useful. There are no plans to design as sort of Ellis Island West, to actually process potential citizen immigrants “the way my grandfather came into New York - legally!” as the hardliner crows. Nothing is being done. But hey…at least the folks with the high, strong principals can sleep at night knowing they didn’t compromise!
A long time ago I wrote that the blood of many may well rest on the heads of those who would not get serious about the War on Terror. By the same token, I think it would not be completely unfair to state that the increases and excesses of illegal immigrants - and whatever political fall-out or legislative impotence comes from once more refusing to deal realistically with an issue that has been ignored for decades - will rest on the heads on those who took a hard, uncompromising line; those who managed to drop-kick the first president to try to effect positive change, and further weaken his entire presidency, while still getting nothing done. This issue was not well-played, folks. And just because the only ones still talking about it are the one-noters in internet forums doesn’t mean the issue is put to bed. Far from it. The reckoning - and the issue itself - has simply been kicked down the road for the time being, launched by a tantrum of “conservative anger”, which sent it nowhere good.
In the Wall Street Journal today the editorial writers take a look at how the hardline stance against illegal Mexican immigrants (come on, you never hear about the illegal Irish all over Boston or Long Island) can hurt the GOP and conservatives politically. They’re right to be concerned. When conservative and Republicans find themselves further weakened politically because they’ve managed to give the back of their hand to what every year becomes a more substantial portion of the electorate, who will they blame? They’ll have no right to blame George W. Bush - who tried to deal with the issue - but they may try to. It’s easy to blame Bush for everything, after all. But the truth is, they’ll have no one to blame but themselves.
I have a suspicion, just a little one - it’s anecdotal and nothing I can cite - but a suspicion nonetheless that some of the folks who jumped on the “all or nothing, ship them back, Bush has betrayed the base” bandwagon are beginning to regret the ride…turns out it was just a merry-go-round, after all.
NAU just like daddy.
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In his own words our very own dcpatriot is one who profits from illegals, hires illegals, hires companies that he knows hire illegals, is 'hopelessly liberal' on the topic of illegals and when asked to comment on the price paid by American victims of illegal murderers, rapists and thugs has said repeatedly, and I quote, "YAWN".
There are many words that accurately our dcpatriot but the use of most of them would get me banned so I'll use just one...a dcpatriot is the enemy.
It was amnesty. It allowed those who entered here illegally and committed other crimes like ID theft, tax evasion, to stay and work here legally without being deported or jailed. It was no different than the 1986 bill in that regard. No matter how much you repeat that it was’t amnesty, we all know that it was.
i think you might be right about the ...gets out my umbrella and puts plywood on all my windows.
Bumpity Bump!
There was an entire section of the bill that described the absolute culture of corruption that pervades every level of both the public and private sectors in Mexico. This section further outlined where and how US tax dollars should be spent (in mexico) to help change this outlaw cultural mindset (an effort akin to ridding America of hip-hop, MTV, baseball and McDonalds, voluntarily).
The section ended with the warning that unless Mexico drastically changed its cultural fabric then we would continue to see waves of illegals crossing the border, even if the bill passed.
““let everyone in and register them all Democrat” on the left and “ship them all back to Mexico no matter how long they’ve been here or how productive” - are neither workable nor just.”
Shipping them all back to Mexico is most certainly the law. Those on the left, as they nearly always do, take an issue that is truly black and white - that illegal immigrants are illegal under the law - and try to turn it into shades of grey - by invoking some magical god of “justice” that supercedes the laws of this land.
On immigration, you either do it legally or you don’t. It has nothing to do with being just....the rules for compliance are arduous and complicated - but those are the laws. It is “just” to expect compliance. It is “just” to expect consequences borne from lack of compliance.
All politicians, if they serve the constitution and the laws that they make under the constitution should officially say that they expect compliance with laws, even as they seek to change laws that they do not like.
They failed to change the law, therefore illegal immigrants must be sent back to their home country. To do anything else is by definition unjust.
What compromise? The dialog seemed to something like this:
Pro: Here is our bill.
Anti: We don't like it.
Pro: We don't care. Take or leave it.
Anti: Fine. Leave it. It's dead.
It wasn’t it isn’t, it failed, and you can go cry in the corner.
You took the words right out of my mouth. Thanks !
Absolutely ridiculous.
“What compromise? The dialog seemed to something like this:”
And we were told over and over how we had to pass ‘comprehensive’ reform, how nothing else was possible or desirable. Now that their ‘comprehensive’ bill was rejected, they’re weaseling around at present trying to pass the very uncomprehensive Dream Act and Ag Bill, both of which would grant amnesty to several million, and trying to attach this garbage to defense appropriation bills.
.
ANY solution, includes “Ship Them Back”, or we will be subject with an unlimited invasion.
She’s wrong on this. You cannot reward lawbreaking in any form, or you’ll just get more of it. 1986 proved that conclusively. “Compromise” on Amnesty is essentially surrender on illegal immigration. We should never give Amnesty to those that thumb their noses at our legal system, and let it be known that no matter how long it takes, ICE is going to find you and deport you.
We want immigrants here. But play by the rules and get in line like everyone else.
But punishing peaceful, hardworking illegals and their employers will destroy the economy and lives along the way.
You unfortunately, for some reason, don't comprehend that. Perhaps you need to be self-employed, an independent contractor...to appreciate it. To be a small business owner who is the very backbone of the country, creating wealth and jobs.
Like it or not...there was a severe shortage of available, willing, ready and able workers.
The illegal is rebuilding New Orleans...not the native American US anglo or african.
I guess $100 @ day isn't enough for some people. /s
In any event, I took your "common sense" to have a broader meaning. Can't read your mind...despite the years I've 'known' you.
This is a classic "moderate" vs "extremist" argument.
The "moderates" are being "reasonable". The "extremists" are asking for too much.
However, this illegal immigration argument is subject to Barry Goldwater's famous tautology: "Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice. Moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue."
Why? Because the stakes are so high. As in the survival of the rule of law and the American culture...
The Anchoress is one of the best blogs on the planet. If immigration wasn't a headline, most in here would love her.
And that goes for you too, NTI. Outside immigration threads you're a well-balanced, fun to read FReeper.
And the only reason many more than the base...not 80%, IMO...were stoked was because of the flood of talk radio and cable hosts and pundits that have money to make.
For example, you can't tell me Rush Limbaugh actually agrees with Tancredo and the rest of the anti-illegal mob.
I don't care what he says....he's a self-made guy who never finished college. He can surely appreciate the inner strength it takes to leave your country with only the clothes on your back.
I would give a two-year period while the borders are being secured to give both parties time to transition. I realize that reality. You, however, fail to realize the reality of the impact of illegal immigration on neighborhoods that ain't quite as nice as yours.
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