The Public And The Elite Are At Odds On Immigration.

Just whose borders are these? We are referring to the borders, which define our national boundaries. Most Americans believe they are boundaries, which should be controlled on behalf of our people. The Washington elite, however, believe the borders are just political ammunition for their class to use in any manner they deem suitable.

A large new study reveals 60% of the American public view the present immigration situation as a “critical threat to the vital interests of the United States”. At the same time only 14% of our national leadership and opinion makers hold the same views. This reflects a huge disagreement between the people of America and the political elite. It also reveals why so little has been done to correct a problem everyone knows is worsening with every passing day.

One surprising thing is the lack of media attention given to this large study, conducted by the Chicago based Council on Foreign Relations. The organization interviewed 2,800 people over a three-month period to learn how the American public viewed the issue. At the same time the Council interviewed 400 opinion leaders, ranging from members of the current administration to union leaders, journalists and members of Congress. Most of the difference in viewpoint can best be understood when the motives of all concerned are examined. The American people see borders as homeland boundaries. If these boundaries are ignored, people view the intrusion as a threat to national security, a national economic threat, or an out and out violation of law. Our political elitists see immigration with very different eyes.

The Democrats have an unspoken view all immigrants. Be they legal or illegal, all are seen as potential future votes for the party. These party leaders refuse to take any action, which might turn off the flow of bodies, believing all immigration movement will eventually translate into votes.

Republicans also have a silent rationale behind their inaction on immigration. Their view is immigration translates into cheap labor. Because GOP support emanates from the business and agri- business world, the party does not want to take actions, which could harm those who provide needed funding. Further, they do not want to take actions, which could impede their attempts to generate more minority participation.

These attitudes, on the part of both parties, combine to form a completely unmanageable immigration policy.

The administration’s lack of response on immigration issues seems to be one area where President Bush does not enjoy public support. While his overall job performance ratings continue to hover in the mid 60s, when it comes to immigration 70 % of the people rated his actions poor to fair, the lowest rating received on any foreign policy matter.

Though the American public has desired reductions in all immigration for years, our leaders have continued to move in the opposite direction. They have regularly raising the numerical level of legal immigration above levels, which can be assimilated by our society. At the same time they have failed to take any meaningful steps to reduce the inflow of illegal aliens.

The Democrats have proposed amnesty for most of the estimated 8.5 million illegal aliens in the country. The White House also wants amnesty, but only for about 4 to 5 million illegal aliens from Mexico.

Some Republicans want illegal aliens to have the right to pay in-state tuition to attend college, while there is a Democrat move to make it easier for immigrants convicted of felonies to remain in the United States.

The feeling of the general public on immigration is almost a complete reversal of those attitudes reflected by the country’s leadership. In addition to the 60% of Americans who see immigration concerns as a critical threat, another 31% of the public see immigration as an important issue, but not critical. This means less then 10% of the general public remain unconcerned about the flow of human beings into the United States.

Within our national leadership there are those who view immigration as an important threat, but not critical. Overall 59% of the leadership compared to 91% of the public see the flow of foreign nationals into the United States as either an important or critical concern. But, it should also be noted only those who view the problem as critical are likely to take any action that might lead to a realistic solution.

One of the most interesting findings of the study is our political elite have not developed any increase in concern about immigration since the horror of 9-11. While the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon have increased public concern about immigration, among the national leaders concern actually declined.

The opinion leaders of our country drive most public policy issues. This alone should answer many of our questions about government inaction. Because these leaders have not changed their attitudes on immigration since the terrorist attacks, those who make public policy have been very weak in their calls for action. This clearly explains why Congress and the President have not seriously addressed what almost all Americans consider a major national problem.

The gulf between our American public and the elite of our society has existed for many years and will continue into the future. Candidates of the future will find it very difficult to obtain public support for any immigration policy that does not include both a reductions in numbers and a strengthening of the borders. Because the political leadership is very aware of public concern, it seems likely some politician or group of politicians will eventually decide to carry this banner.

It should become a winning issue for whoever makes the call for national security and immigration reform. The big question is which party will forsake old ways and answer the public’s cry?

Left out of the article is the fact that our political elites think of themselves (with rare exceptions) as cosmopolitan sophisticates. For such people the most dreaded word of all is the R word.
Defense of our borders is immediately equated with racism by the major media.
That alone is enough to freeze them from taking even the most restrained measures to deal with the issue.

Which is why it is time for a general strike by all of us who are productive. They can't give away our tax money if we don't earn enough to have to pay taxes! Quit working so hard, start working short days or short weeks, or just take "sabbitical" time off. Start a new career in something personally rewarding that doesn't pay much. There are other options as well. It's time for the high achievers of America to revolt against the chains that have been placed upon us. It is time for Atlas to shrug.

I made a lot of money two years ago. I'm planning on earning NOTHING this coming year, and NOTHING the year after that. Beyond that, I'll find a way to bring in just enough to stay below the tax threshold, whatever that may be. I've had it. I'm on strike. This government just robs me, and then uses to money to import people that I don't want to be here. I'm beyond angry at this point. This government is not going to get another PENNY of "income tax" from this slave. I quit.

"The big question is which party will forsake old ways and answer the public’s cry?"

I think that this issue, more than any other, reveals that the political elite of neither party really gives a d*mn about the will of the people and will continue to muddy the waters by addressing issues they WANT to address and not ones that genuinely NEED to be addressed.

"The big question is which party will forsake old ways and answer the public’s cry?"

I lived the trap that you are in. You know, where I live now (Eastern Washington) is no paradise, it has its problems. But you can buy a decent starter home for $60-$80k around here if you dig a little. Very decent middle class homes go for around $100-$150k depending on the neighborhood. In other words, everyday people who work at everyday jobs can afford to buy their own home. And they do, all day long. There's not a lot of "high-paying" jobs here, but then again there's no apartments renting for $2500 a month either. And you don't have to dance around the bums, since we don't really have many.

If I were in your situation I would seriously consider packing up and getting out. Unless you are a CEO or a lawyer or very, very well connected you really cannot earn enough to enjoy a first world lifestyle in California any longer. And even they have to sit in the traffic jams.

Particia, I voted for Bush, 3 times. I support him in many areas. I am called a Bush-bot because I have the nerve to support a Republican President, in what is our best viable hope to move torwards conservatism. However, ALL the available eveidence points to Bush favoring amnesty for all illegal aliens. Aside from being morally wrong, and unconstitutional, is is a horrible strategic (long term) mistake. The benefits would be short term at best. We HAVE to pressure him and other Republicans not to do this. It's in our hands.

For such people the most dreaded word of all is the R word. Defense of our borders is immediately equated with racism by the major media. That alone is enough to freeze them from taking even the most restrained measures to deal with the issue.

I think you would have a fair amount of that - due primarily to the the PResident's attitude toward it - and his encouragement of it. If he had come into the WH and began doing what needed to be done, there would have been no room for this. But all his time int he WH and the continued open border with more and more sob stories in the media - it will have some traction.

But not enough to stop it if the PResident wanted to do what was right.

Now we can sit here and talk about his not having a majority in congress, we can say he would be called a racist, we can say he has other things to do,e tc., etc., - the fact is, all he has to do is implement the laws we have. Post 9/11, we could have sealed the borders and no amount of media screaming would have made a difference. Instead, we did token gate-keeping (like that is where they are coming through) and we got big time lectures on 'tolerance' and threats if we weren't tolerant.

No, whether anyone will admit it or like it - there is one man who can do something about it and he could make big changes in a matter of weeks. He simply does not want to and his cheerleaders have to admit it.

"...we got big time lectures on 'tolerance' and threats if we weren't tolerant."

Tolerance. There's that word again. Here's a question for everyone out there. Consider the free men of history. How many time have free men been commanded to be "tolerant". Now consider the slaves of history. How many times have slaves been commanded to be "tolerant".

So now tell me, are we a nation of free men, or are we a nation of slaves?

THIS is what "tolerance" says to me. "Tolerance" is the command of a tyrant to his slaves. It is the demand of the insatiable to those condemmed to serve their lusts. It is nothing more than a code word to let us all know just what slaves we have become. That is what "tolerance" means.

I *wish* I could do that! But rent is HIGH.....eventually though we plan to move out of the city to the country (maybe out of California too). At this point we're just planning to move up the hill to a better neighborhood where there aren't crack dealers on the corner and needles and homeless

Bless you hearts!

I, too, am planning to 'drop out'. It will take us a couple of years to achieve this. We own a small piece of land, which if managed properly will sustain the both of us and children and grandchildren (food wise and a little income to boot). I intend to spend my time making all my expenditures tax deductible and keeping the income just below the tax line.

You cannot fight them and I feel so sorry for those who cannot do this. I realize we are very lucky in that respect - well we worked hard - but then we did happen to end up in a rural area that will make it possible.

We had planned to move to another state (still may) but we are kinda old and will probably stay here in Texas - or in a few years 'what used to be Texas'. My husband speaks Spanish and I can learn-------

"Many of us like President Bush but he's not listening to us. And that's what is making our blood boil."

You summed it up nicely. For the most part Bush is great, but this mexican invasion is serious and is approaching nightmare proportions. Massive action is necessary but time is clearly against us.

? THIS is what "tolerance" says to me. "Tolerance" is the command of a tyrant to his slaves. It is the demand of the insatiable to those condemmed to serve their lusts. It is nothing more than a code word to let us all know just what slaves we have become. That is what "tolerance" means.

That's exactly what it said to me. 'Sit down, shut up, and take it, because if you don't we will hurt you - and yours.

So now tell me, are we a nation of free men, or are we a nation of slaves

Well, did we demand some real actions, or did our burst of patriotism devolve into flying flags and listening to lectures about 'Islam is a religion of peace', and have a President publicly denounce the Christian religion because of their stand against another religion, watch our President take off his shoes and go to a mosque to prove how 'tolerant' we were. Does that answer the question?

"Tolerance" is the command of a tyrant to his slaves.

Yes, the condescending arrogance of our so-called elected officials is quite revealing. One would never guess from their actions these days that all of them from the president on down are "Public Servants”. I think they forgot about the Servant part decades ago and have reversed the roles to where the Public has become “Their” Servants or Slaves as you put it.

The President has only the beginnings of control over the INS by virtue of its moving to the new Dept of Homeland Security.

Hogwash, the president appoints the heads of these departments, who implement policy. The policys forced on the Border Patrol from above have not changed in the two years since Bush took office. The Anti-American Clintonistas should have immediately been flushed out of the Justice Department/INS, two years later it hasn't happened. If you believe any thing has changed, for the better you need to spend some time talking to Border Patrol Agents along the border.

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