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.
Well, if we REALLY do not want to end up with Obama or Clinton, we had better not let ourselves be torn apart by this and start working hard to ensure the better opportunity for GOOD judges and an intelligent national security program.
I sometimes wonder if the Dems are sowing the seeds of their own little ‘operation chaos’ among us.
You left out that the DEA was preparing to seek prosecution of Cindy for stealing drugs from the nonprofit when McCain cut a deal with clinton to call off the dogs. He was extremely cooperative with clinton from that point on.
“I sometimes wonder if the Dems are sowing the seeds of their own little ‘operation chaos’ among us.”
The dems don’t need to do the job the perpetually disgruntled and 3rd party hacks on this side of the spectrum are willing to do themselves.
Well a statement like that by you is always easier than addressing what was posted to you but thanks for trying this time.
“You left out that the DEA was preparing to seek prosecution of Cindy for stealing drugs from the nonprofit when McCain cut a deal with clinton to call off the dogs. He was extremely cooperative with clinton from that point on.”
Do tell. Do you have any hard evidence or do we file this in the conveniently tinfoily lateral?
My husband and I were staunch supporters of Fred Thompson in the primary, but we both believe we must now stand behind McCain (though we disagree with him on a few issues). We KNOW the potential at this particular junction in history for a far more horrible outcome with the Democrats in power.
What would you do to change the primary process?
Nah, no need for that, mccain has a record that we all know and see and every time he opens his mouth we hear it. I'm personally resigned to the fact he'll probably win through the votes of liberals and independents unhappy with the choice of their own candidate, guaranteeing that for the next four years at least conservatives will have little voice in government. Again it's those open primaries.
You left out that the DEA was preparing to seek prosecution of Cindy for stealing drugs from the nonprofit when McCain cut a deal with clinton to call off the dogs. He was extremely cooperative with clinton from that point on.
See what I mean--liberals NEVER print the whole story (snicker).
What you posted was, unfortunately, what I’ve come to expect from many in this crowd, lazy. Why not go back and read the question and think of it interms of what you can do rather than what someone else is going to do for you while you sit in your easy chair sipping buds.
BTW - I doubt anybody wants your vote. Too much work, too little return.
You are quite right about that. Unfortunately, I think people tend to allow their frustrations to override their brains.
One only has to look at the potential for destruction that Democrat control of the government would cause.
Interesting. It conforms with things I've read about the peasantistas who back Chavez who lost patience with the capitalistas in spreading the wealth around. So, they empower a thug who is possibly more corrupt than Castro to exert the external force 'they' feel is needed to get things done.
Well, who would know someone better than themselves, I guess. If they are culturally incapable of respecting laws and 'driving within the lines', it suggests they lack an internal motivation (force) that is readily replaced by an extenal one provided by the State.
Keep liberals and independents from choosing the candidates in the primaries. I don't know why that's allowed, why call it a GOP primary when anyone can vote in them?
The problem that you are having is that you have purposefully blinded yourself to McBackstabbers’ history (and I’m not talking about 40 years ago) while many of us have not. Therefore we see ANY promises that he makes through the prism of his “aisle crossing” and backstabbing.
IOW, AT THIS MOMENT IN TIME, many of us don’t trust him, and we have good reason not to.
It’s a bit more complicated than that in Venezuela (understatement). The poorest Venezuelans were promised an end to poverty under Hugo and the elections were full of corruption (despite what Jimmy Carter says!). However, the majority of educated Venezuelans love the USA and ARE impressed with what we have here in the U.S. Part of the problem is that their government has been corrupt for so long...from the top to the bottom that is is very difficult to change. They DO now understand that what they had before Chavez (even with its disgusting level of corruption) was much better than what they have now. But now, Hugo (and his appointed thugs) have control of almost everything...and a huge number of educated Venezuelans have fled their country.
I agree with this and so does my husband.
“Unfortunately, I think people tend to allow their frustrations to override their brains.”
I agree but it goes deeper than that. I think many of them got turned down to go to the prom by the high school hottie and never got over it.
It’s like a death wish. It’s not enough that they wallow in perpetual disgruntlement and victimization, they want it for everyone else as well. Psychologists have a name for that kind of syndrome, it has something to do with pulling everyone else to your level of mental or physical squalor so your situation doesn;t look asbad.
Misery loves company?
Here’s a perfect example. At the top of this thread I asked a perfectly reasonable (and positive)question. McCain is obviously the GOP nominee and will have a good shot a winning the White House. If that happens, then it is might be a better use of our time to start devising a winning strategy that confronts what we know he is going to do on the immigration issue.
Only one of the anti-McCanians has bothered to even admit the challenge and that one didn;t even answer the qeustion but fell back on the easy, lazy response.
Rather than engage their brains and think of the problem in terms of how it might be solved or at leasy mitagted, they immediately lurch back into the lazy yet comfortable position of condemnation, bitterness and victimhood...from the cheap seats.
Thinking is hard. Too hard for some people particularly for those that have always let others do the heavy lifting for them but are always there to share in their “portion” of the “Little Red Hens” baked goods.
If McCain is successful in getting his/Kennedy's amnesty bill signed, he will go ahead and switch his party affiliation to Democrat, because he has to realize he is further assisting in the death of the republican party.
Now that's a good reason, in fact I can't think of a better one to go through life miserable.
If you support mccain that's fine, and he's probably going to win so why the hostility? Or do you believe he needs conservative votes? If any energy should be expanded it's on making sure incumbents like Liz Dole are re-elected. She's been fantastic on illegal immigration and a loss in NC to a democrat who thinks like mccain would be devastating.
“IOW, AT THIS MOMENT IN TIME, many of us don’t trust him, and we have good reason not to.”
Fair enough, but how does perpetually mulling around in that mulchbin possibly do you any good tomorrow AND as I have asked many times, how does pulling other people into it do THEM or anyone else any good?
It’s like all you all want to do is whine and complain. I ask how are we going to get out of the mess and is there a strategy for possibly making some of this work for us.
You’re (this anti-McCain cabal) only answer is “let obama screw to country for 8 years, capitulate in the war on terror and reverse every single conservative gain for the last forty years because in ‘12 or ‘16 the country will be demanding conservatives again”.
What an idiotic and completely brain dead, not to mention unlikely, philosophy or strategy. Do you REALLY believe this or is just the handiest excuse when people ask what the benefit will be to an obama or hillary presidency?
As far as I’m concerned you’re either in total denial or just lying.
I don’t want you dragging me down to your level and it upsets me when I see you dragging other FReepers down.
Not mine personally, but no doubt a hot-button issue for those whose livelihoods are threatned by cheap, illegal, labor.
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