Thomas Sowell: Attacks on Perry unwarranted, unwise

Standard Times San Angelo ^ | Sept. 27, 2011 | Thomas Sowell

[Clairity]

The biggest mischaracterization of Perry's position has been on immigration. The fact that he has more confidence in putting "boots on the ground" along the border, instead of relying on a fence that can be climbed over or tunneled under where there is no one around, is a logistical judgment, not a question of being against border control.

Texas Rangers already have been put along the border to guard the places where the federal government has failed to guard it. Former Sen. Rick Santorum's sound-bite attempts to paint Perry as soft on border control have apparently been politically successful, judging by polls.

But his repeated interrupting of Perry's presentation of his case during the recent debate is the kind of cheap political trick that contributes nothing to public understanding and much to public misunderstanding.

I have far more questions about those who would blow this error up into something that it is not. Error-free leaders don't exist — and we don't want to end up settling for a warm body.

Ultimately, this is not about Perry. It is about a process that can destroy any potential leader, even when the country needs a new leader with a character that the "gotcha" attackers demonstrate they do not have.

[betty boop]

Thanks for your kind words, Recovering Ex-hippie!

RE: Perry's "heart" comment: Yes, I agree with the way you took that.

Thomas Sowell is (IMHO) a first-rate thinker. I wonder what he thinks about people literally pleading with Gov. Christie to "change his mind" about running for the GOP nomination. How unseemly!!! (It's cringe-making.)

There are already some really good people in this race. Some are actually "presidential timber." JMHO FWIW.

[potlatch]

Thanks for pinging, Sowell has some very reasoned comments. Perry is not a RINO, and the rants about his 'heartless' remark were way over the top, in my opinion. I am already seeing many easing up about their original thoughts on that. He never called anyone racist.

Perry has tried his best to get help on the border and the government not only hasn't helped but has put roadblocks in the path of deporting illegals who are caught.

Obama Halts Illegal Deportation

I would be willing to bet there is not one other Governor who would ever try to deport these kids who grew up here, we all know that. It was the parents who broke the law and we are required to educate the children. The 'anchor baby' law does need to be changed though.

Those who rant about guarding "OUR NATIONAL BORDER" should send Reserves from all of their states down here to guard it! People who live in other small states with small populations just have no concept of the problems we are dealing with, the many millions of dollars we've spent doing the governments job. It's easy for them to 'talk'.

Perry did badly in the last debate after everyone piled on him. There is over a year to go and his public speaking will improve. His back surgery will ease up and he will be more comfortable speaking on a national level. Lastly, people here need to be speaking out, enumerating the problems with Romney instead of ranting against our more moderate candidates. This forum is read by many, - get the info out about Romney's big flaws.

[shield]

Very very good!!! I love it!!!

[potlatch]

Thanks shield. I’ve been meaning to tell you I LOVE your ‘Winos’ graphic, laugh every time I see it, lol.

[shield]

Thanks...I stole it from smoothsailing...

[potlatch]

It’s a cute one. You’re free to use any of mine anytime.

[mylife]

You are certifiable if you think Perry is weak on gun rights.

[ntnychik]

Interesting comments from a Texan! Great graphics tonight, too!

I wish all the candidates would focus on 0bama’s limitations, instead of tearing each other apart.

[betty boop]

FR has gotten extremely liberal lately and it sure isn’t because JR decided to go play for the other team. So my question is why are so many people on a Conservative site when they support policies that follow a liberal philosophy?

Do you believe that just because I understand what happened in Texas somehow turns me into a "liberal?"

I want to stop illegal immigration as much as you do, Norm. And if we're really serious about doing that, then it seems the most effective means is to restore sanity to the way the Fourteenth Amendment is construed. There is no "birthright citizenship" under our Constitution: A child born on U.S. soil to foreign-national parents is NOT "subject to the jurisdiction of the United States," nor can he be. (After all, he's a minor and so cannot swear allegiance to the United States.) Thus he is subject to the same national jurisdiction as his parents. A child "native-born" of illegal immigrant parents is still an illegal alien for this reason.

What Gov. Perry "did" in Texas was to respect a legislative act of the (Republican) Texas Congress. This, to me, shows a certain salutary modesty on his part, and respect for the Constitutions of both Texas and the United States (e.g., separation of powers). If this same act were perpetrated by a Texas State Court, then perhaps the outcome would have been different. I suspect Perry might have acted differently in that event, for that would have been a clear usurpation of powers reserved to Congress (the Texas Congress in this case).

Again, this was a legitimate state matter. I do not believe it was intended to be a model for the national government.

What's really interesting is that the Texas law seemingly relies on the Tenth Amendment — in a policy matter that the Obama Administration insists is in the exclusive domain of the Federal government. While our Gangsta President may approve the outcome, the way it was effected is a rebuke to his own claim that the Federal government has exclusive, plenary powers WRT immigration issues that utterly preempt state action. (His argument RE: Arizona.)

Perry is no ideologue. He's a "rule of law" guy, not a "rule of men" guy: On his record and public statements, he is a constitutional conservative of originalist philosophy.

Which happens to be what I am. And so, I admire the man.

JMHO FWIW

[jonrick46]

Your entire post is spot on! It shows you took your time and put in much thought.

Texas is in an unique position as a border state. I can imagine a candidate like Ron Paul being governor of Texas. He would have done things that would have generated the same kind of criticism we see against Governor Rick Perry. It is the people of the state of Texas that their governor and representatives work for. What we should be criticizing is those in the Federal Government who refuse to listen to the citizen.

[TXnMA]

Admiring this CINO from afar [MA] (as you do) might be excusable.

Doing the same from within Texas, where his perfidy is well-known, is inexcusable!!

You need to ignore the Perry propaganda and catch up with reality. (Too bad; I always thought you had uncommonly good sense...) :-(

Remember the meaning of my FRName... (Been there; done that...)

TXnMA

[betty boop]

I well know your view of Gov. Perry. You've told me before you consider him "vindictive." Still I wonder, of what does his "perfidy" consist? Because he let go a bunch of people from the Texas Historical Commission, at a time of state budget slashing?

I thought to myself at the time, why shouldn't he let these people go? It saves Texas taxpayers money. Plus why should the Texas taxpayer fund those positions, when they can get truly expert, experienced professionals to work for free? People like, say, YOU?

Dear TXnMA, you are totally entitled to your opinion in this matter. I just don't happen to share it, for reasons I've already detailed.

But I think it's okay if we disagree. It's still a free country.

[Did you really mean to suggest that just because I disagree with you on this point, this is proof that I am entirely lacking in "good sense?"]

Plus — I can smell propaganda from a mile away. I haven't noticed any Perry propaganda — at least not propaganda designed to help him.

Plus he's consistently, unapologetically pro-life, and pro-Constitution. He actually knows what the Ninth and Tenth Amendments mean. That makes him a rare person nowadays.

Will he win the nomination? I don't know. The MSM is doing everything in its power to bring him down. I figure this is because Obama wants to run against Romney. After all, for the past year his minions have been doing all their opposition research on Romney; they may feel they have the "goods on him."

On this basis, they may regard Perry as a spoiler — as spoiling their plans. Ergo, get rid of him ASAP.

But then, you would be gratified by this! LOL!

BTW, who's your pick for the GOP nomination?

[betty boop]

It is the people of the state of Texas that their governor and representatives work for. What we should be criticizing is those in the Federal Government who refuse to listen to the citizen.

I so agree, jonrick46!

Thank you so much for writing — and for your kind words!

[xzins]

There is much about Perry to like, and also some things to dislike. But, the immigration issue is actually one on which a conservative campaign can eventually crash and burn.

Why do voting citizens who are Hispanic take polling both offense at those who give Hispanic illegal immigrants a hard time? Kinship, identification with their situation, a belief that the WAY opposition to hispanics is voiced betrays an underlying prejudice toward hispanics...I’m not sure.

I do know that Hispanic voters tend to punish politicians who have strong anti-immigrant positions.

Texas politicians seem to have figured that out.

[GeronL]

“Perry is no ideologue”

I have always said that he is an ideological gummie worm. He cannot be trusted on any issue.

Who is talking about birthright citizenship? The issue is the ILLEGAL kids of ILLEGALS who are in this country ILLEGALLY.

The same people who say we cannot build a wall and we can’t deport them all are the same ones GIVING them more and more benefits. These people will then pretend to be anti-illegal immigration.

OK, let us say we can’t build a wall (much cheaper than all the benefits btw) or deport them all.....

Cut off the benefits. That is what must happen.

If you oppose that too, then you are PRO-INVASION.

[betty boop]

The same people who say we cannot build a wall and we can’t deport them all are the same ones GIVING them more and more benefits.

Certainly we can build a wall. But why? It wouldn't keep people OUT — but it might be useful in keeping people IN someday.

I'm all for deporting illegals. I want to close the "backdoor" of [illegal] immigration, in order to leave the "front door" open. The problem there is the logisitics.

I would deny public benefits to people who are in the country illegally. It only gives them a reason to come here, to benefit themselves without requiring anything from them in terms of allegiance to the American nation, culture, and way of life.

But to me the real problem is the "anchor-baby" phenomenon: Under the current (debased) reading of the Fourteenth Amendment, any child born on American soil is a citizen of the United States, and therefore entitled from birth to all public benefits. And once that baby is here, that constitutes a reason to extend the privilege of admission to our country to his parents and other relatives.

THAT'S where the "invasion" comes from....

People will always find a way to get around physical fences. It is only the "fence" of American law, duly respected and followed, that can keep them out.

But where is the will to do this? My own state, Massachusetts, is a de facto "sanctuary state." We don't deport any illegal, even if he's the most dangerous sort of criminal, a multi-offender committing the most heinous crimes.

Of course, the political regime in my state is hopelessly corrupt.... Totally insane.

[Alamo-Girl]

Plus — I can smell propaganda from a mile away. I haven't noticed any Perry propaganda — at least not propaganda designed to help him.

Indeed.

I do not see guile in the man.

There will never be a politician with whom I can 100% agree. But not having to doubt his every word makes him precious to me.

[GeronL]

“Totally Insane” about sums up the whole government these days

[betty boop]

I do not see guile in the man.

Nor do I, dearest sister in Christ. (But our dear brother TXnMA does. Go figure.)

I also agree with you here: "There will never be a politician with whom I can 100% agree. But not having to doubt his every word makes him precious to me."

Compare this with the situation in which I find myself, doubting absolutely every word ever uttered by our Gangsta President. I have learned over the past few years that everything he says is the total opposite of everything he is doing. His words mask the reality he is trying to bring about.

IOW, his words and his deeds NEVER match up.

Perry may not be "perfect." Indeed, who is? But I do not believe he is an unreconstructed, habitual liar.

I find that refreshing somehow.

[betty boop]

I do know that Hispanic voters tend to punish politicians who have strong anti-immigrant positions.

Well that leaves out Perry. It is clear he's not "anti-Latino." Put him on the ticket, with Marco Rubio as Veep, and the Dems may not be able to hold the Hispanic vote in 2012.

Still I think Perry's stance toward Latinos is not premised in guile or calculation. Rather as I mentioned before, he probably has had many friends and associates of Latino heritage in his lifetime, and he does not "knee-jerk" regard them as "enemies": They just need to get "regularized" into the mainstream of American law and custom.

I find this the "humane" position on the issue.