Grass roots, politicians differ on immigration

Arizona Republic ^ | February 14, 2002 | Jerry Kammer

[AzJohn]

WASHINGTON - Roy Beck does immigration by the numbers. He produces charts to show that if newcomers keep arriving at the pace of the past decade, more than 1 million legal and illegal newcomers annually, the population of the United States will grow by 300 million by the end of the century. Almost all the increase will be because of immigrants and their offspring.

[AzJohn]

The story describes a left-right pro-immigration coalition. I think the author is right that this coalition has been effective. Here's my question: why isn't a coalition of cultural conservatives and blue-collar Democrats just as powerful, if not more, on this issue?

[AzJohn]

ping...

[Sabertooth]

Here's my question: why isn't a coalition of cultural conservatives and blue-collar Democrats just as powerful, if not more, on this issue?

Because we let them take our votes for granted.

Loyalty means their piss in our coffee.

[AzJohn]

Because we let them take our votes for granted.

You're probably right. But I still don't get why it seems to be one-way. You'd think that sometimes pro-immigration voters would be taken for granted. Maybe more of them feel intensely about the issue, though.

New signature graphic?

[Shermy]

AFL-CIO captured by the guilt-lefty complex. Actually support increased immigration which will lower union members wages.

[AzJohn]

AFL-CIO captured by the guilt-lefty complex.

Labor unions do seem to be further to the left these days on a lot of issues. I think that part of this is also that an increasing proportion of the union movement, as opposed to the AFL-CIO specifically, is in the public sector. Teachers are not worried about losing their jobs to immigrants, nor is your average government worker.

[Shermy]

Grover Norquist alert! "Intensity trumps preference."

Remember this one:

Grover Norquist's Strange Alliance With Radical Islam

Read this article to see where this man's allegiances are bought.

[Sabertooth]

Norquist, who has urged Republican leaders to be enthusiastically pro-immigration, said the 2000 presidential primary proved that calls to limit immigration don't produce votes. He noted that Pat Buchanan, a fervent advocate of limits, failed miserably at the polls.

"Meanwhile, the two strongest Republican candidates were George Bush and John McCain," Norquist said. "They were both strongly in favor of immigration and free trade, and they left Buchanan in their dust"

Bad analysis, Grover... Buchanan's failure had to do with baggage, blood enemies, and poor telegenicity. Not immigration.

Speaking of Norquist, he're the little back-stabbing, pro-cowardice lickspittle...

Grover "Surrender" Norquist

"Norquist dismisses immigration restrictionists
as politically irrelevant"

Well?

Who here will help Grover Norquist show the GOP that the political gravy train needs more colonistas? Who here will vote to sell our country down the Rio Grande?

Here's a sweet factoid about this... "strategist"

He's with the NRA. He's the stinking camel in the tent. Freep them HERE.

He needs to lose his job, title, and livelihood... yesterday.

He needs to hurt.

Let poster child Grover Norquist define "politically irrelevant."

[Torie]

With a bit of age and perspective, you might become a bit kinder and gentler. I speak from experience. Cheers.

[Shermy]

Very good point about teachers, et al. They can have the benefits of a union, and impose their unrelated guilt-oriented lobbying that undermines other unions and workers and feel good about it at the same time.

[Shermy]

Don't back down. You're totally right.

[Sabertooth]

With a bit of age and perspective, you might become a bit kinder and gentler. I speak from experience. Cheers.

With age and experience, Ben Franklin helped lead a revolution against a government that didn't respect it's citizenry.

I'd like to avoid that being a necessity for us.

[Sabertooth]

Norquist is also President of the Americans for Tax Reform.

Email here: friends@atr.org

[Orange Peel]

Sabertooth, you are 100% correct. I know most pro-immigration types spend huge sums of money avoiding the immigrants they love so dearly. Whether it is very expensive gated communities or very expensive private schools or very expensive vacation spots they avoid immigrants! Just don't let the anger get you in trouble, but keep the fire burning.

[AzJohn]

Grover Norquist's Strange Alliance With Radical Islam

Thanks for posting that link. The article was a real eye-opener for me. Definitely worth reading.

[FreedomFriend]

Well, it's funny, for I believe that some governments have hired illegal aliens for construction work. It's kind of odd when you see country roadwork being done a crew that is half-Mexican in an area that is only 7% Mexican.

[PRND21]

I'd like to avoid that being a necessity for us.

Is the new logo a means to that end? ;)

[WRhine]

I always had an uneasy feeling about that guy and now I know why. I find it amusing that his anti-tax advocacy is at direct odds with his unlimited immigration position. Unless of course one is deluded enough to believe that massive 3rd world immigration is a boon to the Republican party.

And what is it with him and the Muslims? Norquist has impaired through WH influence the FBI's ability to investigate and incarcerate know Muslim terrorists. For what? To buy votes? LOL. Despite all his lobbying efforts in Michigan to get Muslims to vote for Bush in 2000 the state when solidly for Gore. This guy just likes lobbying and cutting political deals...often in direct opposition to his own self-proclaim ideologies and IMO America itself. He is just another money for favors guy on K-Street…though he has quite the Rolodex.

[brat]

"Few Americans make voting decisions based on immigration policies, he said." Perhaps its time for that to change!

[junta]

bttt The guy is a weasel who like most pro- open borders types rely on name calling namely "racist."