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Sentiment Against Illegals is Powerful and Growing
Townhall.com ^ | May 7 2006 | John Leo

Posted on 05/08/2006 12:20:20 PM PDT by Mount Athos

One of the bloggers suggests that 2006 may be the year of the Lou Dobbs voter. The blogger, the Influence Peddler, is no fan. He considers Dobbs a demagogue, but he wonders whether voters are ready for a Dobbsian program of opposing illegal immigration, "throwing the bums out of Washington" and staying wary of international trade.

On immigration, this suggestion may reflect a shift in public opinion after the May 1 marches, away from the belief that the pro-illegals lobby had decisively altered public opinion, toward the realization that the marches may have created a powerful backlash.

Citing Arizona's new anti-smuggling law, the sheriff of Maricopa County (Phoenix) announced that a posse of a hundred deputies and volunteers would begin patrolling the desert. This appears to be an act of official frustration, not one of those cosmetic attempts to placate the right. The Minutemen, denounced as vigilantes by President Bush but greatly respected in the state, are now building a fence on private land along the Mexican border. They are going national too, with chapters popping up in Virginia and elsewhere.

The frustration level in Arizona is so high that a local prosecutor, Andrew Thomas of Maricopa County, organized a national immigration conference and gave a fiery speech on the chaos, crime and cost of the tide of illegals. Last spring, I managed to get lost in one of the rugged canyons of southeast Arizona, and stumbled on two camping areas for illegals, each with about as much debris as you might expect from an airliner crash.

Mercedes Maharis, who lives near that canyon, has just released a documentary on DVD, "Cochise County, USA: Cries From the Border." The eeriest footage is infrared photography of illegals, maybe a hundred or more, swarming across the border at night. The turning point for one woman came when she set up a tepee in her back yard and noticed one morning that a group of illegals was living in it. The withering remarks in the film are not aimed at the illegals, but at Washington for abandoning its constitutional duty to guard the border.

The national news media, which spent most of its energies covering the marches as a heartwarming civil rights effort, is belatedly recognizing that much of America doesn't see it that way. As the Los Angeles Times reports, "Activists who take the toughest stance against illegal immigration have formed too many groups to count, and more seem to crop up every week."

Around 67 percent of Americans have been telling pollsters for years that they want illegal immigration curtailed. Soon the media will notice the populist appeal of this huge constituency facing off against two sets of entrenched elites, the corporate elites of the right, supported by Republican politicians, and the academic elites of the left, supported by Democratic politicians.

Editorialists seem to discuss the illegals mostly in terms of compassion and the impossibility of deporting the 11 million already here. But the core of the problem is that illegal entry is a never-ending process. An amnesty-light compromise in Washington is unlikely to do much more about this than the allegedly tough amnesty-light program of 1986. In a poll last August, about 40 percent of adults surveyed in Mexico said they would like to move to the United States. If so, there would be another 28 million people. Mexico has a high birthrate, a broken political culture and a government determined to dump its poor on the United States. It even publishes a comic book showing illegals how to avoid the U.S. border patrol.

High and continuous immigration is occurring under conditions of bilingualism and multiculturalism, rather than assimilation. In the name of diversity, the academic elites have encouraged immigrants to maintain their birth-country cultures and to adopt a stance of separatism and pugnacious victimization. Political scientist Samuel Huntington argues that this amounts to a deconstruction of American identity that has been "gradually created over three centuries." In his book "Mexifornia," Victor Davis Hanson says California is not quite Mexico, but not quite the United States either.

The political culture of Washington, focused on cheap labor and Latino votes, is nowhere near recognizing what is happening.


TOPICS: Editorial; Government; Politics/Elections; US: Arizona
KEYWORDS: aliens; bush; congress; hr4437; illegals; johnleo
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To: Mount Athos
Around 67 percent of Americans have been telling pollsters for years that they want illegal immigration curtailed. Soon the media will notice the populist appeal of this huge constituency facing off against two sets of entrenched elites,

Wrong! The "media" doesn't "notice" anything. They are active participants in shaping public opinion toward their goal of elite liberals running the entire world.

41 posted on 05/08/2006 1:17:17 PM PDT by subterfuge (Call me a Jingoist, I don't care...)
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To: in hoc signo vinces
The more I see the outrage over illegals, the more I get the sense that something sinister within this country is driving the ire...

National ID and tracking software modeled after NAIS.

As long as the problem grows, the people might even accept it, which is why we need border control sooner rather than later.

42 posted on 05/08/2006 1:18:12 PM PDT by Carry_Okie (There are people in power who are truly evil.)
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To: in hoc signo vinces
"However, I know I am right."

So what position of the administration and/or GW Bushes on illegal immigration do you support?

43 posted on 05/08/2006 1:21:27 PM PDT by Altura Ct.
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To: in hoc signo vinces

I bet you don't live near Laredo, or anywhere else right on the border. If you actually live on the border and don't see a problem with illegals, then you either have your head in the sand or you have some agenda for wanting the borders open.


44 posted on 05/08/2006 1:21:52 PM PDT by Tammy8 (Build a Real Border Fence, and enforce Immigration Laws!!!)
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To: L98Fiero
Interesting. I see something more sinister pushing the amnesty and "no borders" crowd. It's called socialism and communism.

You left off corporate greed. That is what is driving the President's thinking on this argument.

Bush is apparently so determined to get an unlimited supply of cheap labor for his corporate puppeteers that his willing to sacrifice the Republican majorities in Congress to get it.

45 posted on 05/08/2006 1:24:08 PM PDT by jackbenimble (Import the third world, become the third world)
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To: Carry_Okie

Bingo!


46 posted on 05/08/2006 1:25:39 PM PDT by Arizona Carolyn
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To: in hoc signo vinces
I am not in the "open border" crowd. I am in the anti-hysteria...this has been around for 30 years...why is this now being used to bash bush crowd, understand?

Quite odd that your tagline answers your own question.

47 posted on 05/08/2006 1:25:40 PM PDT by houeto (G.W. Bush's legacy: The largest Spanish speaking country in the world!)
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To: hosepipe
Why would anyone being upset with multi millions of propective democrats coming into the voteing ranks..

It's a guest voter program. They just want to vote for the Marxists that Americans won't vote for.

48 posted on 05/08/2006 1:25:54 PM PDT by MileHi ( "It's coming down to patriots vs the politicians." - ovrtaxt)
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To: Mount Athos

Nothing to see here. Move along. Please also ignore any threads about ballooning government largesse or increased corruption and fraud (especially if it involves those who put an (R) after their names). I mean, David Blaine is going to drown hisself!!!


49 posted on 05/08/2006 1:27:50 PM PDT by Spiff ("They start yelling, 'Murderer!' 'Traitor!' They call me by name." - Gael Murphy, Code Pink leader)
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To: Tammy8

And it's not just at the borders.

We were having some work done in my area and I asked the prospective contractor if his workers were all legal. He got very angry at me for asking. That tells me his answer.


50 posted on 05/08/2006 1:30:42 PM PDT by ladyjane
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To: Mount Athos

It seems like pro-illegals activists made the same mistake that Democrat politicians routinely do: they believed the pro-immigrant propaganda all over the news media. They thought it represented what the rest of us were thinking. They didn't realize that their original demonstrations were counter-productive, and got the idea from the media that they were helpful, and showed the political muscle of illegals. So they thought to do more of the same, which they did on May 1. They have realized belatedly that the media is full of it, and what they created was a backlash that's hurt their cause. I hope at this point no politicial is suicidal enough to support amnesty.


51 posted on 05/08/2006 1:30:48 PM PDT by winner3000
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To: in hoc signo vinces
The more I see the outrage over illegals, the more I get the sense that
something sinister within this country is driving the ire...


Well, in my case the "something sinister" is:
1. anger over an unsecured border (even five years after 9-11).
2. extreme displeasure at an invading force that expects me to
not only pay taxes to support my legal co-citizens AND for the health, education
and occupational infrastructure for ILLEGALS
3. Having illegal supporters hurl the lovely rhetorical devices of "racist",
"vigilante" and the like because I simply care about points #1 and #2 above.

I suspect that heat generated under point #3 is the "something
sinister" you seem to sense.
52 posted on 05/08/2006 1:33:12 PM PDT by VOA
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To: Altura Ct.


Bush has approached the issue on two fronts in the last couple of months...we can all debate the significance, but it's not like he has ignored the issue.

1. He met with Vicente Fox in Cancun and urged the Mexican leader to reform his country, which curroption and economic disparity drives illegal immigration in the first place....this must be done because it is the diplomatic route.

2. He has, in the latest DHS appropriation bill (a little research will point to this), increased funding to the border patrol. And has started the process, years back, to break the US up into military districts (much as we do the world)...may be the start of border militarization, which so many on FR advocate...

He has also by edict, (if not decree), ordered that current work laws be enforced...local businesses etc. shouldn't be employee illegals in the first place, however, being realistic a transitory measure is being advocated that allows illegals currently with a job, etc., to apply for work permits etc. (some are calling this amnesty, but that's not what it is)

There's a lot of hysteria going around, but this fact pattern has been around for decades...it's a political football now, because with the economy good, and no terrorists attacks on US soil, or embassys, etc...of late...immigration is the only thing Bush's enemies feel they can hit him on...and are willing to distort the facts, and pump up hysteria, to do so.


53 posted on 05/08/2006 1:33:52 PM PDT by in hoc signo vinces ("Houston, TX...a waiting quagmire for jihadis. American gals are worth fighting for!")
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To: Mount Athos
as seen on another thread

Dear Senator Frist:

There is a huge amount of propaganda and myths circulating about illegal aliens, particularly illegal Mexican, Salvadorian, Guatemalan and Honduran aliens.

1. Illegal aliens generally do NOT want U.S. citizenship. Americans are very vain thinking that everybody in the world wants to be a U.S. citizen. Mexicans, and other nationalities want to remain citizens of their home countries while obtaining the benefits offered by the United States such as employment, medical care, in-state tuition, government subsidized housing and free education for their offspring. Their main attraction is employment and their loyalty usually remains at home. They want benefits earned and subsidized by middle class Americans. What illegal aliens want are benefits of American residence without paying the price.

2. There are no jobs that Americans won't do. Illegal aliens are doing jobs that Americans can't take and still support their families. Illegal aliens take low wage jobs, live dozens in a single residence home, share expenses and send money to their home country. There are no jobs that Americans won't do for a decent wage.

3. Every person who illegally entered this nation left a home. They are NOT homeless and they are NOT Americans. Some left jobs in their home countries. They come to send money to their real home as evidenced by the more than 20 billion dollars sent out of the country each year by illegal aliens. These illegal aliens knowingly and willfully entered this nation in violation of the law and therefore assumed the risk of detection and deportation. Those who brought their alien children assumed the responsibility and risk on behalf of their children.

4. Illegal aliens are NOT critical to the economy. Illegal aliens constitute less than 5% of the workforce. However, they reduce wages and benefits for lawful U.S. residents.

5. This is NOT an immigrant nation. There are 280 million native born Americans. While it is true that this nation was settled and founded by immigrants (legal immigrants), it is also true that there is not a nation on this planet that was not settled by immigrants at one time or another.

6. The United States is welcoming to legal immigrants. Illegal aliens are not immigrants by definition. The U.S. accepts more lawful immigrants every year than the rest of the world combined.

7. There is no such thing as the "Hispanic vote". Hispanics are white, brown, black and every shade in between. Hispanics are Repu blicans, Democrats, Anarchists, Communists, Marxists and Independents. The so-called "Hispanic vote" is a myth. Pandering to illegal aliens to get the Hispanic vote is a dead end.

8. Mexico is NOT a friend of the United States. Since 1848 Mexicans have resented the United States. During World War I Mexico allowed German Spies to operate freely in Mexico to spy on the U.S. During World War II Mexico allowed the Axis powers to spy on the U.S. from Mexico. During the Cold War Mexico allowed spies hostile to the U.S. to operate freely. The attack on the Twin Towers in 2001 was cheered and applauded all across Mexico. Today Mexican school children are taught that the U.S. stole California, Arizona, new Mexico and Texas. If you don't believe it, check out some Mexican textbooks written for their schoolchildren.

9. Although some illegal aliens enter this country for a better life, there are 6 billion people on this planet. At least 1 billion of those live on less than one dollar a day. If wanting a better life is a valid excuse to break the law and sneak into America, then let's allow those one billion to come to America and we'll turn the USA into a Third World nation overnight. Besides, there are 280 million native born Americans who want a better life. I'll bet Bill Gates and Donald Trump want a better life. When will the USA lifeboat be full? Since when is wanting a better life a good reason to trash another nation?

10. There is a labor shortage in this country. This is a lie. There are hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of American housewives, senior citizens, students, unemployed and underemployed who would gladly take jobs at a decent wage.

11. It is racist to want secure borders. What is racist about wanting secure borders and a secure America? What is racist about not wanting people to sneak into America and steal benefits we have set aside for legal aliens, senior citizens, children and other legal residents? What is it about race that entitles people to violate our laws, steal identities, and take the American Dream without paying the price?

For about four decades American politicians have refused to secure our borders and look after the welfare of middle class Americans. These politicians have been of both parties. A huge debt to American society has resulted. This debt will be satisfied and the interest will be high. There has already been riots in the streets by illegal aliens and their supporters. There will be more. You, as a politician, have a choice to offend the illegal aliens who have stolen into this country and demanded the rights afforded to U.S. citizens or to offend those of us who are stakeholders in this country. The interest will be steep either way. There will be civil unrest. There will be a reckoning. Do you have the courage to do what is right for America? Or, will you bow to the wants and needs of those who don't even have the right to remain here?

There will be a reckoning. It will come in November of this year, again in 2008 and yet again in 2010.

We will not allow America to be stolen by third world agitators and thieves.

David J. Stoddard
U.S. Border Patrol (RET)
Hereford, Arizona

54 posted on 05/08/2006 1:34:34 PM PDT by TheOracleAtLilac
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To: jackbenimble

Here's something sinister.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simon_Bar_Sinister


55 posted on 05/08/2006 1:35:30 PM PDT by tumblindice
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To: ladyjane

One reason he probably got so angry is I bet he has been hearing that question more and more lately.


56 posted on 05/08/2006 1:35:50 PM PDT by Tammy8 (Build a Real Border Fence, and enforce Immigration Laws!!!)
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To: ladyjane
And it's not just at the borders.

Absolutely. Come to SW VA or Central NC.

57 posted on 05/08/2006 1:35:55 PM PDT by Altura Ct.
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To: jmaroneps37

You're onto something there......it explains the sheer arrogance of these mental midgets marching in our streets waving Mexican flags, preaching reconquista, and flinging around accusations of American imperalism.


These dum-dums actually think we wouldn't notice, but they also learned American law and they think they are protected by presenting themselves as a "civil rights movement."

These pea-brained nutjobs think they can undermine with complete impunity the very people and the very nation that is financing their needs and giving them shelter.

They are in for a very rude awakening.


58 posted on 05/08/2006 1:37:22 PM PDT by Liz (We have room for but one flag, the American flag." —Theodore Roosevelt)
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To: in hoc signo vinces

You keep calling pro-enforcement Freepers "hysterical" and
it makes me wonder, wonder wonder . . . . who's hysterical?


59 posted on 05/08/2006 1:37:43 PM PDT by tumblindice
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To: in hoc signo vinces
The more I see the outrage over illegals, the more I get the sense that something sinister within this country is driving the ire...

Yet, your tag line is "Houston, TX...a waiting quagmire for jihadis. American gals are worth fighting for!" So, it's ok to have illegals here, just so long as they're not middle eastern?

60 posted on 05/08/2006 1:37:54 PM PDT by mtbopfuyn (I think the border is kind of an artificial barrier - San Antonio councilwoman Patti Radle)
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