Posted on 04/22/2013 8:40:59 AM PDT by robowombat
I Have Seen Shameful Things By: Erick Erickson (Diary) | April 22nd, 2013 at 04:30 AM | 30
I am an immigration squish.
There are jobs Americans won’t do at the existing price point. We have a real need in this country for unskilled workers who will pick domestic crops and do jobs Americans will not do for a low wage. I know a number of people who came here illegally who are harder workers than me, who love this country, and who just want a job.
More specifically, I know a number of illegal immigrants — a few of whom I represented as a lawyer — who have no intention of staying in the United States, but work here and send money back home. Most of them wind up staying because of the difficulty of coming back into the country. Contrary to the opinions of many, it is not an easy thing to come and go as an illegal alien.
I think we need a program that is easy to administer, easy to apply for, and easy to use for individuals to come and go as they please during seasons of work to do jobs Americans won’t do at the price point these immigrants would.
Saying all of that, I am deeply, deeply disturbed by the games being played by pro-immigration advocates on the right, including staff in Senator Marco Rubio’s office, Grover Norquist, and others.
They are attacking other conservatives who disagree with them as racists, slavery supporters, bigots, haters, baby killers, un-Christian, etc. They are waging a coordinated attack between Senator Rubio’s office and others against conservative stalwarts like the Heritage Foundation and Jim DeMint.
They are proposing a plan that thus far appears to be unworkable, is wholly too complicated, and is a distraction from issues that we could all agree on in the name of getting a plan acceptable to Democrats. In the process, their attacks on conservatives designed to intimidate, browbeat, and silence them opens old wounds and does exactly what the Democrats hoped to do — divide the right and play directly to the fears of Hispanic voters who have for so long seen political leaders of both parties demagogue the issue.
Many of the people who want an immigration solution frankly could care less about hispanic voters. They see this as an issue the GOP has to get right on and they will do whatever it takes to get right on the issue. They are playing political games. Seeing self-styled conservatives and libertarians trying to pass any legislation that is labeled “comprehensive” should always be a red flag.
I have seen friends paint others as racists, as sympathizers to abortion advocates, and as haters all to try to steam roll through their preferred policy solution. I have seen good conservative organizations attacked and lumped in with fringe groups. I have seen mainstream groups characterized as fringe. I have seen people whore their faith in the name of immigration reform.
I have seen shameful things. What will be the cost paid in these attacks? These are not liberals attacking, but other members of the center-right. They now claim that maybe Boston would not have happened had this bill been passed or, at worst, at least with this bill millions of new immigrations coming into the country will be known instead of unknown. I’m sure the dead eight year old and his family will be consoled by that.
I want an immigration reform plan that will solve the problems we now have with unskilled workers who come here illegally. I am not sure that the proposed plan will do that. What I do know is that conservatives should be deeply skeptical of Republicans who call upstanding conservatives racists and baby killers while allying themselves with the race baiters and baby killers of the left on this issue.
The damage Lindsey Graham, John McCain, and Bush staffers did in 2005-2006 has not been undone. They called many Republicans bigots and racists who were not, but who stood in the way of their comprehensive approach to immigration. That created a great deal of distrust and animosity on this issue. Instead of trying to understand the legitimate concerns of those who opposed their plan, they tarred and feathered them all.
Without ever trying to heal those wounds, those behind this latest push are tearing open new wounds.
I think Senator Marco Rubio wants to do the right thing. I think he set before himself a good, but unpopular task. He should be commended for trying, at least, a Nixon goes to China moment on immigration. But I think the actions of some members of his staff coordinating attacks on solid conservatives is undermining the cause he and I both believe in. Ultimately, they are playing right into the hands of President Obama and the Democrats.
Count me out. The cost of this to those who should be united against the Democrats is too great.
“You have to choose between unions and foreigners.
It sucks, but there it is.”
Now you get them BOTH! Unions and lobbyists are the only ones making out on this amnesty.
[snip]The Senate’s bipartisan “Gang of Eight” oozed confidence on Thursday that they could deliver on their promise to pass the most significant immigration bill in a generation.
Organizers gathered over 20 leaders from business, labor, religious and civil rights groups in order to display broad support for their plan. In an unlikely pairing, renowned anti-tax activist Grover Norquist stood alongside AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka, the leader of the nation’s largest labor coalition. Senators from both parties yukked it up with jokes throughout the hour-long affair.
And you get insulted just for good measure!
[snip]”In an unlikely pairing, renowned anti-tax activist Grover Norquist stood alongside AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka, the leader of the nation’s largest labor coalition. Senators from both parties yukked it up with jokes throughout the hour-long affair.
After the conference ended, Norquist predicted the Gang of Eight would succeed, arguing that opponents like Sessions and Vitter, who sunk the last immigration bill in 2007, have been marginalized.
Restrictionists, Norquist said, are people who merely “think of themselves as conservatives.”
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3009500/posts
well who decides what jobs at what pricepoint? I suggeest we import lawyers an pay them minimum wage and also politicians to replace the ones we have. What a self serving selfish attitude of the writer. Why should someone who picks crops be paid less than a lawyer? which is harder work? I know which one takes less conscience and honesty for the most part.
Since you clearly have “investigated how the Koch brothers run their businesses and why they are sucessful”, give us your plan to make progress. You could offer some options.
BTT!
Some people out there are finally seeing it!
How do we get Rush, Hannity, Levin, Beck to expose it?? Or are they part of it??
Please send them this article!
http://www.hannity.com/contact
I heard a while back that the labor for picking lettuce is 3 cents per head. So with Americans it might go to 5 cents a head, big deal. I will pay 2 cents more for a secure border. The social programs alone cost us more.
The idea that people in their natural state are a burden is a leftist, collectivist mentality.
Free people are an asset to a society. I believe that all men have the capacity to be free though too often they are convinced to give up their freedom for the "security" of slavery.
If someone has a problem with immigrants coming to this country and abusing the welfare state, then fix the welfare state. Don't keep out productive human beings who want to better their lives because people engaging in such behavior will better everyone's lives.
“Of course, we could also lower welfare payments, food stamps, housing assistance and free cell phones. Then folks might be more interested in working to provide for themselves.”
Exactly.
“I don’t know any Americans who would bend over in the hot sun and bugs and sweat to pick crops as fast as they can all day. I can’t imagine many Americans who want to kill and gut chickens all day (as immigrants do around here)”
What if it paid $50/hr?
$25?
$15?
What if it paid the above, and people were not getting free welfare junk? Then we’d work.
People aren’t stupid. We basically don’t work if we don’t have to. Unless we have some sort of passion we are involved with. Produce picking is rarely any kind of passion.
What if we just quit paying people to NOT work?!
As long as the welfare lifestyle remains relatively easy, people will choose it over working time and again.
Yes, I remember well. And Romney rode this well-learned lesson straight into the GOP nomination for President in '12. Which is the same thing as saying he successfully piloted the plane all the way to the crash site.
Romney was doing such a great job of nailing down the nomination, he completely failed to notice *how* he was doing it. He did it by destroying the opposition. Did he fail to notice he was creating voters who wouldn't vote for him if it were their last votes on Earth?
Is this the path Rubio is choosing?
http://kochenergy.com/Newsroom/EconomicFreedom.aspx
“Economic freedom is a system in which private property rights are fully respected under an impartial and beneficial rule of law; where people are free to voluntarily trade for what they need and want; that they have sound money which gives people an effective medium of exchange. Finally, government is kept small and limited to those activities that contribute to societal well-being, rather than undermine it.”
http://kochenergy.com/FactsSheets/KochFacts.aspx
Koch Overview
What is now Koch Industries, Inc. began as Wood River Oil and Refining Co. in 1940. Based in Wichita, Kan., Koch Industries is one of the largest private companies in America with annual revenues of about $115 billion. Contributing to the company’s continued financial strength is the shareholders’ long-time policy of reinvesting 90 percent of earnings. Since 2003, Koch companies have invested about $50 billion in acquisitions and other capital expenditures.
With a presence in nearly 60 countries, Koch companies employ about 60,000 people worldwide. In 2012, Koch companies directly employed more than 47,000 people in the United States, and supported more than 200,000 jobs and about $11 billion in compensation and benefits.
http://kochenergy.com/Newsroom/news_releases.aspx
Koch companies in the U.S. supported a total of nearly 200,000 jobs and $11 billion in compensation and benefits.
Koch companies constantly seek to create the greatest value by:
Applying Market-Based Management®, Koch companies’ unique business philosophy that brings the power of the free market inside the businesses to maximize value creation and succeed long term.
Fostering Principled Entrepreneurship™ and a culture that empowers employees to produce results and create real value.
Operating efficiently and safely, with a steadfast commitment to environmental excellence and 100 percent compliance.
http://kochenergy.com/Perspectives/
Perspectives from Koch company leaders
We need more Principled Entrepreneurship
by Charles G. Koch
1/30/2013
Instead of supporting government policies that undermine the power of a free economy, Koch Industries’ chairman and CEO recommends that more businesses practice Principled Entrepreneurship.
The value of courage
by Charles G. Koch
10/2/2012
Koch Industries’ chairman and CEO, expresses his belief in the value of courage and standing on principle.
A trillion here; a trillion there
by Discovery newsletter
10/1/2012
The governments spending addiction is not the only challenge. U.S. policymakers also tend to do too much, and try to control too much.
Perspectives on economic freedom
by Charles G. Koch
7/1/2012
Koch Industries’ chairman and CEO, talks about the importance of economic freedom, how it benefits society as a whole, and the harmful effects of cronyism.
http://kochenergy.com/Newsroom/news_releases.aspx
Koch companies in the U.S. supported a total of nearly 200,000 jobs and $11 billion in compensation and benefits.
It is not the 30s now and people have an entirely different mentality. Cut off welfare benefits and they will riot, and will not stop until the environs are razed, at least in the big cities.
Billions of people want to immigrate here. It is a privilege not a right. This country is very special because of its Bill of Rights and Constitution which recognizes the power of the individual and the danger and the power of a leviathan (which our federal government has become).
Since you clearly have “investigated how the Koch brothers run their businesses and why they are sucessful”, give us your plan to make progress. You could offer some options.
The topic is stopping illegal immigration to save our jobs and culture.
No immigration bill until the borders are 99% secure. Then go back to immigration law before Kennedy effed things up. Coming to this country is a priviledge not a right.
I didn't realize the Koch brothers were such a danger to this country. My post indicated their conservative business POV. All I see are attacks on these guys. Obviously they are more dangerous to the American way of life than Soros, et. al.
“I do not think it is worthy of FReepers to put the Koch brothers in the same category as Soros.”
I didn’t do that...did you do that, donna??? Don’t think so. Must have been you, chgogal.
But since YOU bring it up...they buy influence, be it good for the nation or not, just like Soros does. It may be a bit more palatable for conservatives, but there it is.
Done with this waste of time.
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