The false dilemma behind the Bush Amnesty

January 17th, 2004 | Sabertooth

[Sabertooth]

Debate rages, and will through 2004, about President Bush’s “not an Amnesty” Amnesty proposal to legalize the 8 to 12 million Illegal Aliens his Administration has said are currently here in our country.

Amnesty proponents and enablers uniformly offer only three solutions to the Illegal Alien problem.

1. Coexistence: Just maintain the status quo through inaction.
2. Amnesty: This is appeasement, and surrender.
3. Xenophobia: Build a police state.

That’s a pretty thin list, and as we’ll see, not an accurate one. Its exclusive presentation amounts to a fallacy of False Dilemma.

It should be noted that Amnesty is a nearly inevitable consequence of Coexistence. Not surprisingly, therefore, Amnesty proponents commonly raise the specter of Xenophobia so that they can paint dark insinuations and distract attention from the symbiosis of their appeasement with the failed policy of Coexistence. Calling other people Nazis is a neat way of cloaking one’s own kinship with Neville Chamberlain.

If we had accepted the same false dilemma in the War on Terror, we'd never have fought it. We'd be the same as Democrats, who’ve made a willingness to appease a party litmus test.

The War on Terror didn’t begin on September 11th, 2001, it began with the first World Trade Center attack in 1993, and was conducted against us by Al Qaeda and our enemies all throughout the 1990s. President Clinton, however, opted not to take the fight to the enemy, and so the Clintonistas held throughout the 90s that terrorism was an intractable problem with which we'd just have to Coexist , and made their policies accordingly. Not surprisingly, when President Clinton had an opportunity to take Osama bin Laden into custody, he lacked the courage to do so. Clinton’s spine also failed him on three occasions where our Special Forces were in position to kill bin Laden. By the end of his Presidency, Clinton’s appeasement of terror was in full bloom; visits from uber-terrorist Yassir Arafat were a source of pride to him, and ultimately, he even granted pardons to Puerto Rican terrorists.

Pardons and clemencies, like Amnesties, absolve wrongdoers of further responsibility for past crimes. When a policy of Coexistence with wrongdoing is pursued long enough, absolution of wrongdoing will eventually become part of the negotiation to make the craven failure to confront it appear magnanimous.

On September 11th, 2001, the War on Terror changed. America didn't accept the false dilemma of Coexistence, Appeasement, or Xenophobia. Coexistence had failed, and with it went any thought of absolution for wrongdoing. Clintonian appeasement was over. Xenophobic notions of “kill ‘em all, let God sort ‘em out,” and “nuke Mecca” were also ruled out, because we’re Americans, and hold ourselves to higher standards of morality and ingenuity.

What then, of the fallacy presented in the false dilemma of the Coexistence / Amnesty / Xenophobia triad?

We rightfully threw it on the ash heap of History.

We took a fourth, Asymmetric approach to the Terrorists, and are now reaping the benefits. After wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, suddenly Libya is turning over their WMD programs without a shot being fired; Iran is on the bubble and contemplating the same thing; Syria and the PLA are increasingly isolated; and Saudi Arabia and Pakistan are finally getting the message that coddling Al Qaeda is a losing proposition. Early on in the WoT, it was understood that victory is a policy which reaps a sweet harvest. While the investment in the initial successes was relatively high, they generated a momentum that is making inexpensive windfalls of subsequent victories.

Yet none of this could have happened if we’d followed the appeasement tendencies of the Democrats. In ten years, we’d have been looking at a Middle East full of North Koreas, which was the crown jewel of President Clinton’s failed policy of Coexistence and appeasement.

Naturally, being innate appeasers, the Democrats and Clinton also have pursued Coexistence and Amnesty in dealing with the problem of the millions of Illegal Aliens currently living in our country. Three times in the 1990s, Clinton signed legislation enabling Section 245(i) of the Immigration and Naturalization Code, thereby granting Amnesties to more than a million Illegals Aliens (twice with at GOP House and Senate). Appeasement failed, of course, as it must, and by the end of Clinton’s eight years, there were millions more Illegals than when he started.

Now we have a Republican Administration, as well as a GOP House and Senate. The Clintonian policies of Coexistence with and Amnesties for Illegal Aliens have clearly failed. So, President Bush has taken the initiative and offered an “Immigration Reform” proposal that would legalize not just a million Illegals, as Clinton did, but millions of them. Rather than turning from the failed Clinton policies, President Bush is embracing an even more radical version of them.

So now, pro-Amnesty Republicans and their enablers are offering the same solutions on Illegals as the Democrats did: Amnesty (even though they split hairs and pretend otherwise. They are attempting to frame the debate with the same false dilemma that the Democrats did with the War on Terror: Coexistence, Amnesty/appeasement, and Xenophobia.

Where is the fourth option, Asymmetry? It has worked so well in the WoT; why are we not exploring Asymmetric solutions to the Illegal Alien problem?

We can effectively solve much of the Illegal Alien problem, without Amnesty, if we apply a similar, Asymmetric approach to that of the War on Terror. Obviously, it's not necessary or moral to conduct a war against Illegals, but by applying systematic pressure to all of the factors that encourage the Illegals to violate our laws and sovereignty, we can win early victories that generate and sustain a momentum whereby the problem starts to solve itself.

The key is to get the Illegals to leave our country on their own initiative.

They Will Deport Themselves

There are plenty of steps we can take to do this.

Eighteen Illegal Alien solutions that are better than any Amnesty

Not only is encouragement of Illegal Alien self-deportation humane and cost effective, there has already been considerable success in this regard with Pakistani Illegals.

25% of Pakistani Illegal Aliens Deported Themselves since 2001 -
Facts against the Bush Amnesty

If we project that modest 25% self-deportation rate of the Pakistani Illegals onto the the 8 to 12 million Illegals that DHS Secretary Tom Ridge concedes are here, we’re talking about 2 to 3 million fewer Illegals in a short period of time. However, the Pakistani Illegals self-deported in response to a set of incentives that was far from comprehensive. A much higher rate of self-deportation of Illegals is certainly feasible, if we simply roll up our sleeves and get on with it.

Historian Victor Davis Hanson recently said:

We never would have had this conversation [about Illegal Aliens] in 1950. There was no conversation about a wall or a fence. It was very simple: If you came across the border illegally, you were deported. The employer was not to hire people who were here illegally. It's very simple to do, but it just requires a degree of courage.
Paradise Lost? (Victor Davis Hanson comments on Bush's immigration proposal)
The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (FR link) - January 10, 2004
Bill Steigerwald with Victor Davis Hanson

As with the War on Terror, so too with the Illegal Aliens; it’s now time to throw the false dilemma of Coexistence, Amnesty, or Xenophobia on the ash heap of History. Amnesty failed under Presidents Reagan and Clinton, and will fail under President Bush if it’s attempted.

Rewards for lawbreaking beget more lawbreaking.

Diligent enforcement of our immigration laws succeeded in the 1950s, and would again; but we would be better served by a more humane, Asymmetric approach today, whereby relatively few deportations would result in a great many self-deportations of Illegal Aliens.

[moehoward]

Are you saying that Illegals would still come at high numbers if the Employee Verification system was mandatory? Even if they knew the only available work would be found hanging out in HomeDepots parking lot?

[moehoward]

Certainly is. Over 80% are unemployed but still thousands more come across every night looking for apparently nonexistent work.

[Amerigomag]

I have a number of proposals in addition to deportations to encourage Illegals to self-deport in the "Eighteen Illegal Aliens Solutions" link in the essay at the top of this thread.

In fact, forced deportation is the least among them.

The most effective is restoring the original intent of the 14th Amendment.

[Joe Hadenuf]

I was was quite proud of the President following 9/11, and am pleased overall with his prosecution of the war. However, the President's domestic agenda leaves me cold, for the most part. I want nothing to do with most of it, I think it's bad for the country.

I couldn't agree with you more.

I too want no part of this, and I will refuse to be an accomplice to it.

[Marine Inspector]

Are you saying that Illegals would still come at high numbers if the Employee Verification system was mandatory? Even if they knew the only available work would be found hanging out in HomeDepots parking lot?

Yes I am.

Verification is currently mandatory, has it curtailed illegal immigration?

Marine Inspector

[Joe Hadenuf]

California has at least 30 cities which have become third world ghettos....Too many freepers are unaware of what is happening in the western states.

Most outside the southwest are now starting to understand as their own communities are being invaded by thousands..

This invasion has gone far beyond the borders of Texas, Cal, and Arizona. Places like North and South Carolina, Gerogia, Vegas, Denver, Chicago, Indianapolis Indiana, Florida, Tennessee, Washington state, etc etc etc.

Check this out.

_____________________________________________________

15 States License Illegals To Drive

WorldNetDaily.com ^ | Wednesday, September 17, 2003 | By Jon Dougherty

Amid the outrage over California Gov. Gray Davis' decision to sign legislation allowing illegal aliens to obtain driver's licenses comes the stunning revelation by immigration experts that the Golden State is neither unique nor alone: 14 other states also allow illegal aliens to drive legally on their highways.

These states include, Alaska, Connecticut, Idaho, Louisiana, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Utah, Washington and West Virginia

_____________________________________________________

And this. There are hundreds of more articles, from coast to coast.

Hispanics Largest Growing Population In Idaho

Puts more pressure on public schools, must change

By Associated Press BOISE -

Idaho's Hispanic population grew three times faster than the state as a whole in the first two years after the last census.

Leaders of the state's largest minority say that puts more pressure on public schools.

According to new estimates from the Census Bureau, the state grew at three-point-two percent overall from mid-2000 to mid-2002, with the Hispanic population jumping ten-point-six percent. Only 13 other states saw higher percentage growth in their Hispanic groups.

Gladys Esquibel, who heads the state Commission on Hispanic Affairs, says schools must change to address the needs of Hispanic students in Idaho.

The results from the state standards achievement tests show that more than half of Hispanic high school sophomores failed.

[international american]

Believe it or not, I learned about the invasion of other states by you , Sabertooth and others here at Free Republic.
I know the south had been invaded from my friends, but I didn't know about Colo,Idaho, Montana Utah etc.

[txdoda]

Verification is currently mandatory, has it curtailed illegal immigration? >>>>>>>>>

Are you sure ??? Here's the link that I saw, it says the 'verification' is VOLUNTARY.

If this is so, it sure makes me believe that NO ONE in DC is serious about cracking down on iilegal workers, illegal employers, and ID theft.




http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1025355/posts

(snip)
As of today, the job of trying to figure out if the ID shown by a new employee is a counterfeit or not is just daunting. That is sometimes a legitimate excuse and sometimes a smokescreen for why so many businesses have illegal aliens working for them. But with the new system, businesses merely have to phone or type through the name, Social Security number or alien ID (for legal alien workers) of the person just hired. The feds then report back within a few days if there is something that doesn't match. This catches invented SS numbers, mismatches between SS number and name, etc. If the new employee can't clear up the discepancy, he/she is to be fired.

But the program is voluntary. The rotten, exploitative, unpatriotic businesses will still tend to keep the illegals or just not participate in the verification system. But polls show -- and our experience indicates -- that most business owners and managers don't really want to hire illegals, especially if they think their competitors aren't hiring them.

[Zipporah]

Harmless? Nonsense you say? Consider under the act, the power the FBI now has of search and surveillance. The undefined (infinite) detention of both aliens and citizens without any formal charges (not required), the principles of free speech and due process, no access to council. Possibly you have failed to read Supreme Court case

Possibly you have not considered Bush signing the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004 which grants the FBI power to obtain records from banking institutions, without a court order nor does it need one to prove a case. This law also includes the following in definition of 'financial institutions':companies, travel agencies, real estate agents, stockbrokers, the U.S. Postal Service and even jewelry stores, casinos and car dealerships.

Thus, you stating that there is no need for concern is complete and utter disregard for the facts.

[browardchad]

Bush is saying people can come here and stay legally iff they can show that they have an employer who's willing to go on record as hiring them. But employers who intend to skirt labor laws aren't going to do so with an employee of record.

I know what you're trying to say, but, with regard to current illegal aliens, you have your tenses wrong. Bush is saying that people who have come here illegally can stay legally if they can show they have been working here illegally.

BTW, the Ms. Spellings who is identified as a spokesperson for the Bush administration in the Cato Institute video referenced above admitted they "have no idea" of how many current illegals are currently employed. They also do not have an accurate count on how many illegals are in the country, so how can the success of this registration plan be quantified? Will the plan will be declared a success when an unknown percentage of the unknown number registers?

Having made the first option available may make it politically much easier to deport people of the second group.

Unfortunately, there has been no mention, in any spoken or written material from the administration or its spokespersons, of any form of punishment/deportation for those who do not register under this plan. It is apparently not politically correct to discuss what they would do illegals who refuse to register if this plan went into affect, but, again, if there is an unknown number, then they won't know how many didn't register.

This plan really does get pretty inedible when you look under the political whipped cream topping...

[Zipporah]

It is a bunch of Bravo Sierra!.. oh really? The only "invasion" in Idaho is the white supremacists up North and Keep you ignorance and bigotry to yourselves where they belong. These statements are enlightening.

[Ciexyz]

btt

[Southack]

"Harmless? Nonsense you say? Consider under the act, the power the FBI now has of search and surveillance. The undefined (infinite) detention of both aliens and citizens without any formal charges (not required), the principles of free speech and due process, no access to council. Possibly you have failed to read Supreme Court case"

That's correct. Contrary to the uninformed bluster of uneducated radio talk show hosts, the Patriot Act is harmless. I've read it.

You are welcome to point to a *single* sentence in that entire law that somehow harms your rights, and I'll willingly read it and consider it, but you won't.

And the reason that you won't identify such a single harmful sentence in the Patriot Act legal code itself is because there is noting in it that harms our rights.

I know. I've read it. On the other hand, I'm willing to bet that every single person who lambasts the Patriot Act hasn't actually read it.

Because the entire law is harmless. It is a paper tiger. The uproar about it is all sound and fury, signifying nothing.

[Joe Hadenuf]

I recently moved from Idaho and have a current view of this so called "invasion". It is a bunch of Bravo Sierra!

You seem to be a fast runner, from the facts.

______________________________________________________

For Immediate Release: September 4, 2003 Mike Tracy (208) 342-7985 Will Hart (202) 224-8078

Idaho Receives over $600,000 for Incarceration of Criminal Illegal Aliens

Washington, DC – Idaho Senator Larry Craig announced today that Idaho would receive over $600,000 under the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP) in order to assist counties and the state to cover costs related to incarcerating criminal illegal aliens held as a result of state or local convictions.

“These dollars are coming to Idaho as a result of the 2003 Appropriations to the US Department of Justice,” Craig said. “Based on briefings from local authorities in Idaho, these funds are desperately needed to handle the increased numbers of criminal illegals filling our jail cells.”

______________________________________________________

15 States License Illegals To Drive

WorldNetDaily.com ^ | Wednesday, September 17, 2003 | By Jon Dougherty

Amid the outrage over California Gov. Gray Davis' decision to sign legislation allowing illegal aliens to obtain driver's licenses comes the stunning revelation by immigration experts that the Golden State is neither unique nor alone: 14 other states also allow illegal aliens to drive legally on their highways.

These states include, Alaska, Connecticut, Idaho, Louisiana, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Utah, Washington and West Virginia

_____________________________________________________

Hispanics Largest Growing Population In Idaho Puts more pressure on public schools, must change

By Associated Press BOISE -

Idaho's Hispanic population grew three times faster than the state as a whole in the first two years after the last census.

Leaders of the state's largest minority say that puts more pressure on public schools.

According to new estimates from the Census Bureau, the state grew at three-point-two percent overall from mid-2000 to mid-2002, with the Hispanic population jumping ten-point-six percent. Only 13 other states saw higher percentage growth in their Hispanic groups.

Gladys Esquibel, who heads the state Commission on Hispanic Affairs, says schools must change to address the needs of Hispanic students in Idaho.

The results from the state standards achievement tests show that more than half of Hispanic high school sophomores failed.

Keep you ignorance and bigotry to yourselves where they belong.

Suggesting international american is a bigot is not funny. Quit running from the facts, as they will be waiting for you to arrive.

[international american]

I havent been in Idaho in 40 years...pick a fight with somebody else, professor:)

[international american]

Well, we can add psycho freep to the flake list:)

[international american]

"Keep you ignorance and bigotry to yourselves where they belong."

Get it right....I am a racist...a sexist....and a homophobe!!

[dcwusmc]

But the whole idea is (or SHOULD BE) to GET THE ILLEGALS OUT OF THE COUNTRY. That is their crime: Sneaking in the back door. So why should we reward that IN ANY WAY by punishment short of deportation and refusal to ever readmit? By deporting them and taking the biometric identifiers to KEEP them out, we tell them that their behavior was wrong and we will not put up with it. This is the ONLY fair way to do it, else the LEGAL IMMIGRANTS are being b*tch-slapped by FedGov.