Posted on 08/30/2006 4:50:28 AM PDT by RKV
The New York Times front page profile on my friend, Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN), "Star of the Right Loses His Base at the Border," is really all about the anti-immigration, far-right group led by Tom Tancredo of Colorado to oppose any broad-based immigration reform whatsoever--and to label any proposals for temporary workers, or even Pence's 17 year citizenship path, as "amnesty."
This word "amnesty" is being used to attack absolutely any conceivable immigration compromise. I could go on forever on this subject. I have written several columns on it. But at the end of the day, the Tancredo crowd, which includes Pat Buchanan, just wants border security to keep out immigrants.
They also want to deport all illegal or undocumented immigrants. "Border security" and "deportation" are their watchwords. They manage to completely ignore the economics of the problem, whereby Mexicans seeking higher paying jobs in the U.S. rather than the faltering Mexican economy can produce are coming here to work. After all, living conditions in the U.S. are a lot better for all but the richest people than they are in Mexico.
If we ever deported the 10-15 million undocumented workers, then the U.S. economy would be severely damaged. New studies show the Mexicans actually help the U.S. economy and wages actually rise overall, (though there are small losses in border town wages). Even unskilled American workers benefit from lower priced goods and services generated by these new Mexican worker-immigrants.
Pat Buchanan attacks me as "worshipping at the church of GDP." But in a CNBC Kudlow and Company interview, I reminded him that I also worship at the church of Catholic Mass, as do the vast majority of the Mexican immigrants. These faith-based folks would create a new blue-collar middle class that is sorely needed in this country if we let them.
They would also finance Social Security over the next fifty years. Though it should be noted that academic research shows that 2/3rds of them pay Social Security with phony ID cards and will never receive the benefit as matters now stand. And, of course, they pay the sales tax on whatever purchases they make in stores.
The problem will never be solved unless we legally permit roughly 400,000 per year to fill the demand for U.S. jobs that are currently available. This resembles the Bracero Program and it must be part of any solution. It's just plain common sense that at any given productivity rate, a larger labor force generates more GDP growth to the benefit of the U.S. economy. During the high tide of immigration, over the past twenty years, the U.S. has enjoyed unrivaled prosperity at low unemployment. So, again, I ask, if immigration is so bad, then why are things so good?
Yes, there should be tough border security. Yes, there should be foolproof ID cards, with biometrics, for Social Security and employment purposes. Former Sen. Alan Simpson of Wyoming, the co-author of the 1986 Simpson-Mazzoli immigration reform bill, has said the failure of that bill was a function of the lack of an ID card system.
But the intransigence of the Tancredo-Buchanan crowd is a remarkable political event which is all out of kilter with poll after poll that shows a substantial majority of respondents favor broad based immigration reform.
If these guys win, the Republican Party loses, and the nation loses. Unlike the big countries of Western Europe and Japan, the U.S. benefits from immigration that keeps our population rising. (In fact, harking back to the Catholic Mass, roughly 45 million unborn children have been killed since the abortion wave was launched by Roe v. Wade in the early 1970's. We have an opportunity to replace this extraordinary loss of human life with hard headed but compassionate and economically sound immigration reform).
Incidentally, I wrote the article for Human Events when that newspaper awarded Congressman Pence its "2005 Man of the Year" award. I know Mike. The man is a wonderful, Reagan-thinking conservative. His life is governed by religious values, a belief in a strong national defense, and a pro-growth approach to low taxes and less government spending.
This Tancredo-Buchanan backstabbing does this rising GOP star a great disservice. If allowed to go unanswered, it would represent another devastating blow to the Republican Party.
While the Pence-Hutchinson immigration reform idea is not perfect, it does represent a useful discussion point for future action. As diplomatically and kindly as possible, with all the greatest respect for differing points of view, let me just say that the Tancredo-Buchanan attack on Mike Pence is nuttier than a fruitcake.
Pence found out that Immigration is the current third rail.
It's only untouchable inside the beltway - mainly because it would hurt more than a few businessmen who rely on "cheap" labor. The other 99.8% of us have no problem enforcing our existing laws, and want the borders closed. Our political parties have failed us on this.
I'm sick of these people. Rule of law, Larry.
Ping read for later.
I think I will make "Border Security" and "Deportation" my two new watch words as well. I like the sound of them.
Tancredo and Bay Buchanan, Pat's sister, founded a PAC together and she's the director.
And Pat and Bay are joined at the hip. The association is perfectly valid.
As for Pence, the Pence-Hutchison plan is the ONLY plan that will pass both Houses of Congress.
Kudlow is right, Buchanan is wrong. What else is new.
I'm glad you aren't fooled by Kudlow and Pence. Lou Dobbs is a much better conservative though I do admit he needlessly inserts anti Iraq and anti Bush garbage into his broadcast. To build audience share and because he believes it.
1) We don't need a plan to pass Congress.
2)We need our existing laws enforced and the border closed with a fence.
3) Buchanan is a populist - Tancredo is not. Clearly not, irrespective of what you say.
Take a look at his legislative record (e.g. The Sudan Peace Act signed in 2002) and you will not find an inward looking nativist a la Pat. What you are doing is passing on the mainstream media meme, which is not supported by the facts.
http://tancredo.house.gov/issues/
Jobs Americans Won't Do? Think again.
By Rich Lowry
A core element of the American creed has always been a belief in the dignity of labor—at least until now. Supporters of a guest-worker program for Mexican laborers say that "there are jobs that no Americans will do." This is an argument that is a step away from suggesting that there are jobs that Americans shouldn't do.
President George Bush, a strong supporter of the guest-worker program, has long said that "family values don't stop at the Rio Grande." We are supposed to believe, however, that the work ethic does stop there—it is only south of it that people can be found who are willing to work in construction, landscaping and agricultural jobs. So, without importing those people into our labor market, these jobs would go unfilled, disrupting the economy (and creating an epidemic of unkempt lawns in Southern California).
This is sheer nonsense. According to a new survey by the Pew Hispanic Center, illegals make up 24 percent of workers in agriculture, 17 percent in cleaning, 14 percent in construction, and 12 percent in food production. So 86 percent of construction workers, for instance, are either legal immigrants or Americans, despite the fact that this is one of the alleged categories of untouchable jobs. [Excerpt]
If these guys win, the Republican Party loses, and the nation loses......... This Tancredo-Buchanan backstabbing does this rising GOP star a great disservice. If allowed to go unanswered, it would represent another devastating blow to the Republican Party.
Amen, Larry, and worth repeating even though it will be a decidedly minority view here on FR. (Asbestos flame-suit now in place.)
Tell you where I am on this. My experience is that Kudlow is a capable economist who is right a good fraction of the time. He is off on this one, like a number of people, because he has a mistaken understanding of the costs and benefits of illegal immigration. Like many, he sees the benefits and discounts the costs. For those of us who live outside the beltway, we see what has happened to our schools, hospitals and prisons - they have been beggared by illegals. A few people make money off the illegals, and they are powerful and politically connected (farmers, businessmen and (!) teachers). The rest of us have to pay what their employers do not pay for (medical costs, dumbed down education for our kids, the cost of uninusured drivers, etc.).
I'm not convinced. Tancredo's a one-issue candidate, whether he likes it or not (I think he likes it). Both he and Buchanan want to roll back the level of legal immigration, a sure sign of nativism.
No flames, but I do disgree. This is more about keeping Tancredo out, than about putting Pence in. Tancredo doesn't toe the line, and therefore is dangerous.
The media view of Tancredo is that he is a "one issue candidate." That is what they (M$M) want you to believe. Do yourself a favor. Don't.
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