The Immigration Debate: GOP Commits Suicide

[ruggerson]

http://www.nationalledger.com/artman/publish/article_27264345.shtml

The Immigration Debate: GOP Commits Suicide
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

By Matthew A. Roberts
March 25, 2006

In elections one earns political capital. Once spent, c’est tout. Consumed capital cannot be replenished by a cauterized constituency, and today the Republican base boils.

I recently spoke to someone who volunteered for Bush’s 2004 campaign. I asked whether he would work for the GOP in 2008, and he bemoaned “no.” I asked why, and he replied, “It’s a sad day when Democrats like Dianne Feinstein are tougher on immigration than Republicans like Sam Brownback.”

The avalanche of support that has followed Republicans since 1994 we now see slowly evaporating over the issue of a guest-worker program. Impassioned Republicans four years ago now stand out of steam, feeling betrayed by a party leadership that would support a bill so at odds with conservative principles.

This guest-worker proposal, after all, rewards illegal behavior. Instead of requiring illegal immigrants to return to Mexico (or wherever) to apply for a permit, it grants legal status on the spot, thus acting as a “magnet for continued illegal immigration.” And, as Rep. John Hostettler (R.-Ind.) recently said, any guest-worker plan “puts the interest of foreign, illegal workers above those of our own American citizens.”

(more)

[Erika]

1. The GOP schism for all to see

Of course, they are that way on about every issue. They are more fractured than a bareback rider on Brahma bulls.

[lovuian]

2. Any American listening to Lou Dobbs for 5 years knows that

he has been pounding Outsourcing jobs to India & China and opening the borders ... He showed a program where the state was helping ilegal aliens get places to live... problem is Americans are having trouble ... and katrina really blew things wide open...

Cheap Labor is a crime... and endangers the whole American way of life

No one wants to be a slave working for slave wages...

[Erika]

4. But paying slave wages insures optimal corporate returns

Isn't that what W is about? When has W ever indicated an appreciation or awareness of the American worker? He hasn't.

He's never been one and could care less about their plight.

[Rainscents]

3. So, what this guy is saying...

This issue is win, win, win for democrats.

[ruggerson]

15. Yep, but only if played correctly n/t

[shraby]

5. Does anyone but me see a connection

between the huge contract to build detention camps around the country and the law that Sensenbrenner is proposing that will make felons out of illegal immigrants and anyone who helps them?

[Rainscents]

6. Yes, I was thinking that earlier.

You know what, I really doubt, HR 4437 (Sensenbrenner)bill will past the Senate. Even moderate republicans Senator will not buy into this bill. I believe there might be connection thou, however, their plan will never go fourth.

[shraby]

7. Since the contract was let some months ago,

it seems to me that this particular bill was anticipated and planned for in advance.

[lovuian]

8. I agree with Shraby... This was planned!!!

theres a reason these people are frightened of Bush... we will soon get a good glimpse of the true Bush Regime...

[Rainscents]

10. Yes, of course your right,

however, look at all the protest this past weekend? I really don't believe, they were expecting to get the reaction what they saw this past weekend. And let me say one more thing, this protest shit ain't over, it's just the beginning! There also going to be work stoppage too! Oh, you ain't seen nothing yet, neither did they (GOP)! GOP did NOT expected this and that is why, I think this bill will die in the Senate!

[unhappycamper]

13. The pieces are in place.

You might want to familiarize yourself with Army Regulation 210–35, the Civilian Inmate Labor Program, revised 14 January 2005.

[skids]

9. Beware disingenuous editorials here.

Not saying the above is necessarily one of them. But we all saw the mis-faxed Rove memo, so we know that Repugs think they can gain on this issue with a tough-before-the-election, roll-over-after-the election stance. That's their strategy.

And isn't it kind of funny that suddenly the MSM has decided it wants to show large crowds of protestors instead of ignoring them...

Things that make you go, hmm.

Now, this Republicine (yes, new word: pronounce it as in "porcine," or with a short i if you wish, both work) strategy may backfire here -- this issue is twisted, and has Americans from all walks of life tied up in knots inside. So they may have messed with the wrong can of worms here, but if I had to guess at what they THINK they are doing it's this:

Hype up the immigrant protests (not to say that they don't have merit of their own) to act as a foil. Portray those folks as dirty street folk and point out how they all went on strike -- slackers. Use that to lather up the strident anti-illegal-immigration supporters. Perhaps even insert some cointelpro-instigated riots and violence. Use those reactionaries as a base voting block for 2006, then turn around and appease the protestors and stab the folks they conned into voting for them in the back -- meanwhile ensuring donations from the powerful business interests that suck the lifeblood from people of other nations through virtual slavery for 2008. Which means if you see any possible presidential Repug contenders taking a "guest worker program" stand, that's the guy they're really going to run.

In reality the vast majority want the following done:

1) Seal the borders as best as practicable to stop the problem from continuing to snowball.

2) Streamline (in a responsible manner) legal immigration so folks can come here and work, but companies would be forced to pay a living wage for their labor.

3) Begin to ratchet up pressure on employers who exploit illegal immigration. Don't yank the rug entirely out from underneath them, but force change on an aggressive schedule.

4) As to the folks currently in the country, not quite amnesty -- a path to citizenship but one which doesn't put them unfairly ahead of legal immigrants.

and finally the most difficult one to achieve:

5) Keep political cronies' hands out of the cookie jar in the process.


So, in principle I don't think the Democratic position is anywhere near perfect (and I don't think it's actually a good place to look for votes, either, so no on strategy as well.) However, at this point, even if the Repug plan was perfect (and it's not, it's worse than the Dems) I wouldn't support it because of #5. Every damn single thing that D.C. does these days ends up being a giveaway to scumbags. Gridlock is currently the only defense against that, which is sad when there are serious problems like this that need addressing.

[proud2BlibKansan]

11. Could be some truth to this

Check this out. They are borrowing Cindy's idea and going to Crawford http://www.areckoning.com/

[Rainscents]

12. I think, I am going to sit back and watch the GOP crumble!!!

:popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn:

[APPLE314]

14. Watch for them to table the legislation after the midterms.

All they want is something to get your mind off of King George and Iraq. Heaven forbid you find out he has no clothes.

Yes- It will get worse. Our good neighbor Fox will make sure of that, before he goes.