What Jeb suggests is defacto open borders, which we've actually had in effect for some time. Only it's not enough to wink as they come across, it's not enough to turn a blind eye to the billions spent on schooling, medical care, welfare, or the billions paid for state subsidized college tuition.
It's not enough to ignore the effects on the non-elite...the ballots in 31 different languages, bi-lingual education and the consequent dumbing down of schools so that those who don't hablez Englaise can keep up, the need for translators in hospitals and schools and police stations and courts...now it's too INCONVENIENT for them to get along without documents and official status.
Talk to those who used to work in professions where they now can't make a living...because someone is willing to work under the table for much less. Talk to those whose lives have been shaken up and upended because of ID theft...related to illegal documents.
Talk to those who can't even find work, be they high school and college students or adults with less education, because someone with questionable documents is willing to work for less, because they don't pay taxes, but they get welfare and food stamps and free medical at the emergency room.
I've not even touched on the cynicism bred about the rule of law among those of us so foolish we believe in such an old fashioned notion...or about the willingness of some politicians to decide that since we aren't willing to vote for the policies they favor, they'll just import some voters who will.
I have no idea why you think you're a conservative, Mr. Bush. A conservative uses his own money and resources to bring about the change he seeks. A person who believes his vision justifies untold billions of dollars in government money (extracted from productive citizens at the point of a gun) is not a conservative, but a liberal, a progressive...by definition.
Mr. Bush, no rational person should believe anything you have to say, any of the assurances or guarantees you're prepared to make. We're told that immigrants only want to work and provide for their families, that they're willing to be responsible, law abiding citizens...we're told they will be no drain on our services or civic life. We're told we'll have a strong border at some point in the future.
Yet the facts put the lie to any assurances...if any of this were true, we wouldn't be feeling the anger we're feeling now.
You should move to Mexico and run for office, Mr. Bush. They seem to be your constituency. We obviously aren't, and we don't want you importing them as voters so you don't have to move.
Jeb has badly lost focus on what used to make America great.
It was more difficult to get into America in the past, but it was also more easy to succeed once you did.
In a way Jeb is quite correct. If you make yourself a welfare magnet, people will hustle their beloveds into your country. What that does to the country is little care to them for the time being. Oh the party will eventually collapse but what we worry?
My sentiments exactly.