How can illegal immigration not be considered the LINCH PIN for all other Conservative issues by a Conservative voter?
Very simple. These are clearly not conservatives, as they are not concerned with our borders or our sovereignty. The truth is, those from both beltway parties have demonstrated this lack of conservatism and lack of respect for the rule of law for the past 25 plus years. Protection of America should come first and should be their first priortiy, but it no longer is.
For the first 100-125 years of America we had no INS or border security. Anyone who wanted to come here and get a job was welcome. About 100 years ago, in the middle of a global Great Depression, people like yourself became paranoid about the Chinese over running America and demanded limitations. Since that time the INS has regulated immigration. Not on the bases of need for workers, but which ethnic group we like the least.
You are correct that both parties view immigration as a benefit to America. If a majority of Americans ever decide that immigration is a problem, new laws will be passed to keep out the wretched Mexicans. Fortunately that day is not yet here.
IMO, it's not that cut and dried.
I believe that while these folks do lean in the Conservative direction on some key issues, they haven't figured out that out of control illegal and legal immigration is their 'poison pill'.
It's our Nation's 'Jone's Town' grape Kool Aid.
Bush and Rove are pouring them big tumblers of that grape 'Kool Aid' and they're fighting for refills.
They want to hold the rest of us down and make us drink it, too.
Some of them might be beyond saving, but maybe our efforts will keep someone else from suiciding. ;^)
In one of the most conservative states in the country, in one of the most conservative districts in that state, and in the primary with the most conservative voters, Cannon won and Throckmorton lost.
Assuming, that Throckmorton is correct on protecting our borders and Cannon is incorrect on protecting our borders, then why the hell should any politician care about protecting our borders, when the electorate -- DOESN'T CARE!