"The question you have to answer is whether you feel the five areas of disagreement are worth losing the other 48 that we both agree on." Wrong, the first question that has to be asked is what percentage of the population agrees with you?
All of the polls I've seen indicate that 70% to 90% of American CITIZENS would like this bill fine the way it is or tougher.
How are you and the 10% or 20% that agree with you going to stop this bill?
Are you willing to bolt if you don't get exactly the bill you want?
I only disagree with four of the provisions in that bill. I'm willing to work for the other 48. I'd think a lot of people would gladly take 92.3% of what they want.
Because keep in mind that I will do everything in my power to keep those provisions I disagree with in that bill from passing. Furthermore, I would work to defeat any candidate that would vote for those provisions I disagree with in the primaries.
You want effective control of illegal immigration, which FreeRepublic stands for (
http://www.freerepublic.com/about.htm) and which I feel is done through those 48 provisions I support, then I'm willing. But four provisions of Gekas's bill go beyond that, and go too far, and I WILL fight them in the legislative process, and I will fight them in the political process, and I will not quit, nor will I run. I will back any Republican over a left-winger, but I will be fighting in the primaries every time.
If you want a fight over less than 8% of the provisions ont his bill, then that's your decision. Personally, I'd rather see a coalition built on the 92.3% of the bill we AGREE on.
I will fight for what I believe on this issue, and let the chips fall where they may.