Insecure Borders: Let’s Give Blame Where Blame Is Due

There is only one person who has the power actually to do something about the egregious state of our immigration law enforcement and lack of border controls. As FSM Contributing Editor Peter Gadiel charges, that person is the President of the United States, George W. Bush.

For five years, members of 9/11 Families for a Secure America have lobbied in Washington and in many state capitols for immigration law enforcement and secure borders. The opponents of our goals are many throughout Congress and elsewhere, but during this period the most powerful of them has been that individual with the sole authority to require the federal government to enforce these laws and who, by his refusal to do so, has made that government a co-conspirator in undermining the security of this Nation. That person is of course, George Bush.

As chief of the Executive Branch he has under the Constitution not only the sole power but the duty to enforce the laws of our country, a duty he refuses to honor. He thumbs his nose at the obligations imposed on him by the Constitution, which, in the name of the God he claims to worship, he has sworn to uphold. Since the people of the United States have no recourse through the court system to make him enforce the law, he alone has the power to decide that illegal aliens will be permitted to prey on Americans, and he has made that decision.

The harm that George Bush has done to this country is seen by many but felt most severely by those who have been the victims of crimes committed by illegal alien criminals, many of whom, after all, are in the United States due to Bush’s refusal to enforce federal laws already on the books.

The president’s efforts to undermine the collective security of the Nation and the individual security of citizens have caused many to ask: “Why does Bush allow illegal aliens, every one a law breaker, to enter the United States freely? Why does he refuse to enforce existing law and to allow terrorists, violent felons and drug smugglers full access to their intended American victims? Why does he continuously ignore the Constitution and the oath he swore to uphold it? Why doesn’t he care about Americans suffering as a result of depressed wages and working conditions, or about the Americans who have been the victims of crimes committed by illegal aliens?”

Each time I speak with a person whose family has been shattered by the violent act of an illegal alien, an illegal who almost invariably has had numerous previous encounters with the law, I wonder anew what kind of man it is who occupies the White House and tolerates, and by that tolerance encourages, these crimes. What kind of man is this who lifts not a finger to acknowledge his role in these acts of violence and refuses to take action to prevent future crimes?

I have been meeting such victims and families for almost six years. As time passes I’ve grown more disturbed by what the Bush malfeasance indicates about his character. In part this is so because I meet ever more victims and see the list of victims grow longer. But there is another list that is also growing and this too affects my view of the man: the number of elected officials I have spoken with who, because of their positions in the government, have had one-on-one conversations with the president and who insist he is fully aware of the crimes inflicted by his illegal alien friends. There was a time when I gave Mr. Bush the benefit of the doubt; I believed he was insulated from the facts…that he didn’t know what was happening in the states. But now I grasp the truth: He does know. He doesn’t care: What kind of man must this be?

Shortly after September 11, I began encountering 9/11 family members who were convinced that George Bush had had advance knowledge of this conspiracy and that for his own purposes he refused to interfere. Vehemently, I disagreed for two reasons. First, I did not believe that George Bush would intentionally allow thousands of Americans to die. Second, I believed that the incompetence of our government was so highly perfected that it would be impossible to keep secret for very long the fact that officials had advance knowledge of such a catastrophic event.

Today, I have had over five years’ experience in meeting with bureaucrats and members of Congress. I’ve read Government Accountability Office (GAO) reports; transcripts of Congressional Committee hearings and testimony; the 9/11 Commission Report and its associated documents; reports produced by private think tanks and individual experts on crime, immigration and national security. These have confirmed my judgment that our government is staffed by so many individuals who are incompetent or corrupt that it is insane to believe that a secret such as advance knowledge of 9/11 could remain a secret six years after the event. (The 9/11 Commission, in an exquisite formulation of words succeeded in describing and excusing the pervasive incompetence and negligence of federal officials with the phrase “a failure of imagination.”)

But as to George Bush (and many other elected officials and bureaucrats) I have come to realize my original appraisal was wrong. His actions since 9/11 have, for me, established that he lacks concern for the lives of individual Americans. Three thousand people died on 9/11, but since that day far more than three thousand have been killed, individually or in small groups, by illegal aliens. And still he refuses to enforce the laws that would end the killing. Thousands of Americans have been killed in intentional murders, or as ‘by-products’ of robberies, rapes, beatings or auto accidents caused by drunken illegals driving automobiles. Thousands more lives have not been ended but have nevertheless been shattered by acts of violence short of murder, such as child molestation. (The Bush Administration makes a proper accounting of these crimes impossible by virtue of its refusal to require local police to inquire into the illegal status of those arrested.)

That George Bush’s refusal to enforce the laws of this Nation has been the direct cause of these Americans’ death and suffering is simply beyond dispute. He and the Tony Snows and Michael Chertoffs he hires can protest all they want about the “impossibility” of securing our borders. He and they can pretend to be merely incompetent for only so long before Americans wake up and realize they’re not just incompetent, they are misrepresenting the truth.

To the many who wonder why Bush is doing what he’s doing, I offer some advice. For a long time I wondered too. Finally, I realized the futility of spending another moment on this imponderable. The reason why doesn’t matter. The fact that it is so is all that matters. But for those who need to have an answer as to the ‘why’ of the Bush actions I suggest you look at the motives of others who have betrayed our country: ideology, revenge, greed.

One or more of these pretexts must be what Bush employs in his own mind to justify his tolerance of violence and death. In that sense he is undoubtedly conventional, typical of his breed. But in one respect Mr. Bush has carved out a place that is unique among corrupt politicians. In his obsession to pass his amnesty, a major tool in the permanent elimination of our borders, he offered what amounted to a bribe, in public, to members of the US Senate, telling them that if they would vote for his amnesty bill he would provide 4.5 billion dollars to build the border fence that a 2005 federal law he signed required to be built. In those two years Mr. Bush has managed to get only a few miles of that fence built, but suddenly he saw that enforcement of this federal law could be used as a payoff to be offered to Senators to vote for his amnesty. Presto, he promises to come up with four and a half billion to build it.

Of course Mr. Bush is far from the first politician to engage in illegal or immoral behavior. But it is customary for politicians to try and keep their corruption a secret. For example, Boss Tweed of New York; Sen. Tom Dodd (father of the current Sen. Dodd) of Connecticut, Ted Kennedy. These bribe takers, philanderers, drunk drivers and lady killers at least tried to keep their crimes hidden from the public. As reprehensible as they were or are, they at least comprehended that their actions deviated from the norm and felt sufficient concern for public opinion that they didn’t want their crimes exposed. Mr. Bush appears to be unique in this regard, for either he lacks awareness that his behavior is wrong, or his contempt for the people of the United States is so absolute that he is doesn’t care that we see him offering bribes.

Naturally, when corrupt politicians are discussed Bill and Hillary Clinton cannot be ignored: Whitewater; cattle futures; Travelgate; Vince Foster; pardons for Susan McDougal, Puerto Rican terrorists, and Marc Rich; questioning the meaning of the word “is.” We also cannot forget that for eight years prior to September 11, while Moslem terrorists escalated their attacks against the United States these co-Presidents successfully schemed to avoid dealing with terrorism by sweeping it under the rug for their successor. These are the two who paved the way for September 11 by their refusal to respond with sufficient force to the numerous terrorist acts that occurred during their presidency: the 1993 attack on the World Trade Center, the embassy bombings, the Mogadishu atrocities, the bombing of the USS Cole, etc. By their inaction they encouraged and permitted the growth of the power of binLadin. Ultimately, the greatest responsibility for September 11 lies not with Bush but with the Clintons.

Yet it is George Bush who has been in office for six years after the murders of 3000 on 9/11. It is he who has been president since then as crimes by illegals have killed thousands more. It is possible to excuse the inaction of the Clintons as opportunistic passing of the buck to their successor in the White House. But George Bush cannot claim that excuse. The resulting damage was obvious for all to see. He cannot claim ignorance. He cannot avoid his guilt. Yet, he marches on, completely dismissing the blood that is spilled and the pain that results from his refusal to act.

It is useless to speculate about “why” he permits these crimes. So to those who continue to wonder, my advice is: don’t waste another moment of thought on the matter. Use your energy to contact your members of Congress, your governor, state legislators. Then contact them again, and then again. Educate your friends and enlist them in the cause of immigration reform.

Elected officials do respond to pressure from constituents. You have power, but only if you use it by communicating repeatedly with them. The richly funded campaigns of LaRaza, Chamber of Commerce, Ford Foundation, bankers, lawyers, et al., to open our borders succeed precisely because they make themselves heard while others remain silent. Your silence in the face of their campaigns is as powerful an ally of the open borders lobby as the open borders lobbyists themselves. So, make yourselves heard. You have a voice. Use it.

FamilySecurityMatters.org Contributing Editor Peter Gadiel is the president of 9/11 Families for a Secure America. He is a lifelong Republican who voted for George Bush in 2000.

You are still arguing just for the sake of arguing.

As long as we're bumping this back to the top, we might as well educate the folks about Bush's record, eh?

This is what Bush was doing while America's back was turned:

New Alliance Task Force

2006 Finalist
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation of Chicago

Award Sponsor
Innovations in American Government Awards

Without access to banking services, even small necessities, like paying rent, incur high costs. For the "unbanked," payments are often made with an expensive cashier's check and paychecks cashed through predatory services that charge high fees. It is difficult and dangerous to save money when it must be kept at home, increasing the incentive to consume and placing the purchase of houses, cars, and even most large appliances out of reach. For 75 percent of Mexican immigrants living in the United States--and nearly one third of immigrants from all Latin American countries--these difficulties are part of daily life.

As in other immigrant communities around the country, the large Hispanic community of Chicago, composed of recent documented and undocumented immigrants, faced such financial problems. Most were without banking services, paying high premiums to predatory financial businesses such as check-cashing services. Then, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) stepped in.

The FDIC branch in Chicago initially intended to fulfill one part of the 2001 "Partnership for Prosperity" agreement between the U.S. and Mexico. The agreement urged the U.S. to seek alternatives to the high-cost wire transfers to Mexico that many immigrants used to send money to families back home. Joining with the Mexican Consulate of Chicago, the FDIC created the New Alliance Task Force (NATF).

It was clear to members of the NATF that wire transfers were only the symptom of a larger problem: lack of access to financial services. Drawing on a coalition of 65 people from banks, mortgage industry representatives, community organizations, federal bank oversight agencies, and other government agencies, the NATF sought a comprehensive solution.

Four major working groups targeted specific problems; they addressed access to financial education, bank products and services, mortgage products, and social products. Each group developed specific strategies as well as programs to implement them.

In some cases, these solutions required dramatic change. Many immigrants lacked identification, which is usually required to open up even basic checking accounts. The NATF helped to sell the Matricula Consular card, issued by the Mexican consulate, as a valid form of banking identification. Partner banks began to accept income tax records to substantiate loan applications.

Other solutions employed common sense. Many in the immigrant population were suspicious of both banks and government presence in their lives. The NATF worked to overcome this by positioning bank representatives in the Mexican Consulate. As new immigrants waited in line for their identification cards, they heard about the benefits of banking.

The NATF's comprehensive programs helped nearly 160,000 immigrants to open bank accounts. Many thousands more received financial counseling, mortgage assistance, and other forms of support.

The success in Chicago has already prompted the FDIC to bring the NATF's innovations to other districts. Programs are underway in Charlotte/Raleigh, Boston, Austin, Kansas City and Los Angeles. More FDIC districts are scheduled to adopt similar initiatives.

Contact Information
Luke W. Reynolds
Division of Supervision and Consumer Protection
1333 S Mayflower Ave., Suite 450
Monrovia, CA 91016
(626) 359-7152 ex. 4115
lureynolds@fdic.gov

Thanks ODT, you’re right on all counts. Bush had it in for us all along.

I’ve been outraged about the Trilateral agreement since I first learned of the details of it via a FOIA. I became permanently disabled almost 4 years ago after a 25 year career in a Corporate office in Cleveland. I collect SSD and would not have been eligible for it had I not worked 10 years full time, not a mere 18 months. I must tell you, it irks me to no end to have to press 1 for English whenever I call the SSA. I am also convinced that illegals applying for benefits is the reason for the 3 1/2 year delay it took from date of application to get a hearing date before a judge (lasted 1 hr and I was given a favorable bench decision due to the seriousness of my condition) and another almost 6 months for receipt of backpay. In 2003, Ohio had a backlog of over 10,000 applications and I hear it is like this all over the country. Other assistance in Ohio is very limited and I believe it is due to the number of illegal aliens collecting benefits. Any single person who is elderly or disabled and meets the income/asset guidelines qualifies for only $115 a month living expenses and medicaid, because the majority of the funds are being distributed to others that include illegal alien families (who are probably double-dipping and paying no taxes). Applications state that proof of citizenship is needed.... only by citizens!

There are many reasons for my active involvement in the defeat of CIR, but the destruction of SS is one that will have an immediate life/death affect on me personally.

I heard today how difficult it is going to be for those with even pretty good credit to secure a mortgage. Yet I’d be willing to bet that illegal aliens will still be given them and at better interest rates than American citizens.

I’ve also just heard that Bush will probably veto the bill that was passed Thursday, almost unanimously, for funding of the border security. I’ve been suspicious about the bill since I saw the voting results. Clearly, those who were never in favor of “security first”, knowingly used it as an no-risk opportunity to vote in favor of it.

It is perfectly consistent with his style of governance found in Texas as governor.

here again both in 2000 and 2004 so called conservatives had an option to punish Bush by choosing someone they viewed as more reliable. It was the best available option in both cases.

Moreover, Bush has proven to be a demonstrable success in conservative political results:

1. Large tax cuts
2. Active defense of pro life principals
3. Strong response to 911
4. Strength as Commander in Chief
5. Conservative Supreme Court appointments

Make the world more conservative, but stop bashing Bush— it does no good to conservative causes. It also undermines our war on terror.

Spare me.

He is a ‘conservative’ Republican President who has sold out not just our Party, but the entire country. His doing, not mine.

As a tool for the Bipartisan OBL, his refusal to secure our borders leaves us vulnerable and at risk of loosing our sovereignty and security.

And any ‘demonstrable successes’ of which you speak, will all be for naught should we lose the WOT in our own backyards.

‘08 is a critical election. Unless we shine a spotlight on the past, we are doomed to repeat our mistakes in the future. Settling or making a fear-based choice will get us nothing but the same old, same old and the time has come when we MUST instead support and elect the best and most qualified man for POTUS and CIC, Duncan Hunter.

Well said, Kimberly.

Lonestar, in every one of your posts you continue to defend the President.....

..Did you know....or do you care to know...I too defended him right up to May 17, 2007.

I not only defended his every action...(or at least ignored some glaring ones I disliked)..

..I worked to get this man elected in my own little burg...

..I traveled to West Palm when it looked like his 'win' was in peril....

..I have supported him to the nth degree....

..but like Kimberly GG, I have seen the truth about him, and it is sadly disappointing (to put it mildly).

What a guilt trip you impose by saying we aren't supporting our military if we doubt our CIC.

We are Patriots.

We love and support our military 1000 percent!....and I, for one, never doubted a single edict or plan of his for the WOT until the day I realized he was ready to ruthlessly hand over our nation to those who have come here illegally....fully knowing terrorists have just as much an opportunity to enter through our porous borders as well as drug smugglers, etc.

We, as Patriots, also love and support our homes, our families, the future of our sovereignty as a nation...

..and are horrified that our nation's borders are not being defended and secured....

..that laws are being ignored.

Thankfully, the Totalization agreement still hasn't been submitted to congress to begin the formalization process, so the SSA is still prohibited under federal law from giving illegals (and their families back home in Mexico) benefits. If it were to go into effect, it would set aside federal law and allow the illegals to start collecting benefits.

It looks like a lot of other people are beginning to get really mad about the illegal alien situation, too. The in-your-face demands for citizenship by the illegals attending the early rallies sort of had the opposite effect of what was intended because they opened America's eyes to just how widespread the problem really was and just how little the Bush administration was doing. Bush's talk about national security rings hollow now that it's apparent that he's let anyone and everyone cross America's southern border, then let them stay here with no real interior enforcement during his two terms in office.

One bright spot in the sub-prime lending debacle is that the avenues for illegals obtaining home loans are narrowing. The bummer is that the American taxpayer will probably have to pick up the tab.

Thanks for the head's up about the upcoming 'bill signing'. I'll keep an eye on it.

Support Duncan Hunter.

Drop your bogus claims about Bush.

Our President has done an excellent job and has been true to his word.

He offered a compromise of increased enforcement. You and your pals rejected it as purists.

Bush has never pretended to be the border hardliner that you act like he must be. He is not Pat Buchannan. That is why he was elected— unlike Pat.

I am not going to treat President Bush like a traitor, because he is not a traitor.

I am not going to treat President Bush like he has forfeited our sovereignty because he has not.

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