Posted on 05/18/2008 12:17:10 PM PDT by Bob J
Immigration is one of those challenging issues that touch on many aspects of American life. I have always believed that our border must be secure and that the federal government has utterly failed in its responsibility to ensure that it is secure. If we have learned anything from the recent immigration debate, it is that Americans have little trust that their government will honor a pledge to do the things necessary to make the border secure.
As president, I will secure the border. I will restore the trust Americans should have in the basic competency of their government. A secure border is an essential element of our national security. Tight border security includes not just the entry and exit of people, but also the effective screening of cargo at our ports and other points of entry.
But a secure border will contribute to addressing our immigration problem most effectively if we also:
Recognize the importance of building strong allies in Mexico and Latin America who reject the siren call of authoritarians like Hugo Chavez, support freedom and democracy, and seek strong domestic economies with abundant economic opportunities for their citizens.
Recognize the importance of pro-growth policies -- keeping government spending in check, holding down taxes, and cutting unnecessary regulatory burdens -- so American businesses can hire and pay the best.
Recognize the importance of a flexible labor market to keep employers in business and our economy on top. It should provide skilled Americans and immigrants with opportunity. Our education system should ensure skills for our younger workers, and our retraining and assistance programs for displaced workers must be modernized so they can pursue those opportunities
Recognize the importance of assimilation of our immigrant population, which includes learning English, American history and civics, and respecting the values of a democratic society.
Recognize that America will always be that "shining city upon a hill," a beacon of hope and opportunity for those seeking a better life built on hard work and optimism. Border security and our failed immigration system are more examples of an ailing Washington culture in need of reform to regain the trust of Americans. In too many areas -- from immigration and pork barrel spending to Social Security, health care, energy security and tax relief -- business-as-usual politics prevents addressing the important challenges facing our nation.
2nd Push.
During the securing the border effort and prior to the immigration reform debate we build a nationwide coalition of like minded people ready to exert a full court press on McCain and Washington. The good thing is most of this coalition is already in place. The border groups, blogs, conservative organizations, etc. that took to the phones and streets last time are still there. What we need is one central organization/website where the planning, organization and symmetry can take place.
Then, the full court media and activism push, not only at McCain BUT EVERY SINGLE SENATOR AND CONGRESSPERSON. That was how it worked last time and that is how it will work again. No Senator or Congressperson, dem or pub, isgoing to side with McCain when confronted with an all out revolution and riot o the home front.
And don’t be mistaken. We were successful last time because this was an issue that absolutely cut across party lines and ideologies. The militant left and media can whine about it all they want but the fact is the grassroots on both sides of the aisle want the border secure and reasonable immigration plan that is enforced.
“I’m sure it’s purely coincidental that you’re posting that nonsense when you know Jim Robinson is not able to read this thread, right?”
Uhh, seriously, you have no clue about the relatinship Jim and I have, do you? Until you do don’t make ignorant comments. You look like a newbie and it’s hard for someone with a 2000 reg date to do that.
I've been here long enough to recognize that most of your posts drip with condescension. I'm hard pressed to believe Jim would be okay with your insinuation that those who oppose McCain do so out of xenophobia, Bob.
Unlike you, I don’t keep enemies lists because unlike you I don’t see other conservatives as enemies, just people who need to be convinced of the rationality of ones position.
You'll never get them though, that's the problem. All I can remember is how mccain led the way in trying to ram that last amnesty attempt through. He wanted it voted on in the same week it was introduced and without any debate. When some Senators objected he called them names. Imo all his talk of securing the borders is a sham, from day one his agenda will be nothing but amnesty.
Oh? Where's my "enemies list," pray tell?
unlike you I don’t see other conservatives as enemies
" [...] these stupid ass anti-McCainiacs who can’t engage their brain beyond 'McCain bad, McCain like brown people'."
people who need to be convinced of the rationality of ones position.
What's most important, ultimately, is that you genuinely believe that.
Unlike you, I spin *drivel* spin SNIP.
So you can't, then.
Okay.
You follow me that closely? I might have to alert the FBI that I have a stalker.
BTW - I never resort to condescension until forced to by ignorant “my way or the highway” types who don't think beyond their spleens.
“I'm hard pressed to believe Jim would be okay with your insinuation that those who oppose McCain do so out of xenophobia, Bob.”
Maybe you should recommend to him that he ban me?
BTW - It's not an insinuation, it's an outright accusation and indictment and one that I am proud of because I think there are too many knuckle dragging troglodytes around this site that give it and all the respectful posters a bad name.
“And lets not forget what he tried to get passed in the middle of the night.”
The way McCain & Co. tried to do that tells me all I need to know about him as a politician and as a man.
In effect it says:
1) The costs that are liable to be reported by the Congressional Budget Office during a proper debate are so horrendous they will never be acceptable to the public.
2) A true debate will expose some of our duplicity related to background checks. (There won’t be any)
3) We know the American public will never accept these things, so we’ll try to fool them by passing this crap without debate.
4) We know you won’t like this, but the hell with you! We want what we want, you bigots!
Seriously folks, should someone that thinks and behaves this way be our PRESIDENT???!!!!
Well some people don’t want to hear a rational argument and it is they to whom I reserve my condescension, satire and most penetrating adjectives.
Yes, illegal amnesty is unpopular on both sides, which is why the Dems needed Bush and McCain to take prominent roles in it.
Bernie Sanders, our socialist senator from Vermont, voted against the McCain-Kennedy amnesty bill because he could see that it took jobs from working Americans. I too great pleasure in thanking him for his vote, for perhaps the first and last time.
Why have you placed all your eggs into his basket???
And why ( pray tell) are you demanding that conservatives support him???
What part of his past voting record, comments against his fellow party members, and conservatives do you not know about?
You must be one of those who think that because he was a POW in Nam, we are supposed to forget about his crossing the "Isle" so many times during the past 20 something years in the Senate, that he now no longer realizes who's side he's on; and support him just because he says he's a conservative?
I contend that Hillary is more conservative than him, and I am certainly not voting for her!
No! I think it's time for you and the "Current" Republican party to get real, because unlike democrat voters, conservatives don't forget!
So McCain is back to amnesty and a promise of secure borders.
No Thanks!
Am I kidding??? Maybe. Maybe not. But, that one can't tell illustrates just how piss-poor a candidate Juanito really is.
Hey dude, if it works for the Democraps, it ought to work for the Repb's!
WRONG.
"-I think they are moving to Fabian Socialism. Whichever, it ain't good. "
And, we have a winner! This globalization bushit, even if they don't intend it to be, will naturally become the opening stage to global socialism.
George Bush and John MacCain: Useful idiots #1 and #2, respectively.
Immigration is one of those challenging issues that touch on many aspects of American life.
He can’t even admit it is ILLEGAL immigration. No need to read further.
“I don’t like McCain, wish it were someone else on the ticket,” Then why are you wasting your time defending him???”
This is what passes for critical thinking among anti-McCaniacs...request a reasonable debate free from mistruths. micharacterization and hysteric hyberbole...and you are “defending McCain”.
I defend the truth. If that is a foreign concept to you, I understand why you post stupid things.
Oh, yes, everyone of us who isn't goose-stepping in support of MacCain is on Soros's payroll.
We are not Girlie Men. We don’t understand hints or read minds. Cut to the chase and men and women both will understand McCain’s philosophy.
Do you want a wall built?
Are you going to deport illegal aliens?
Are you going to pursue legal visas?
Are you going to insure visa violators will be hunted down and deported?
Are you for Amnesty?
Are you for imprisoning illegal employers?
Are you going to change your affiliation to Democrat?
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