The Immigrant Issue - A Red Herring

[adigal]

I have not taken a side on the immigrant issue. I think it is a very complex issue, dealing with real humans with real problems. But I have given a lot of thought to why it has come up so vociferously recently. And I think it is a red herring, put out there by Republicans who want to take the focus off of the war on the middle class, the outsourcing of our jobs, and how the economic "recovery" has all gone to the upper class and the corporations.

Think about this: every single story about the economy discusses how well it is doing, but that Americans are not confident in it. And then, when one reads further into the story, one finds that the "recovery" is not trickling down to the middle or lower classes. In fact, the average wage for Americans has gone down since Bush has been president.

Uh-Oh - that is a BAD message in an election year. So quick - look over there!! See those people coming over our borders, taking all those American jobs?? THAT is the reason for the bad economy - if those pesky Mexicans would just stay home, our middle class would be working all of those jobs they have stolen from us.

Now, while I know there are jobs the immigrants do that Americans would be willing to do, if you forced every single immigrant to leave the country, I doubt the standard of living for middle and lower class Americans would increase. We would all just have to work more jobs.

So when Lou Dobbs and others get going on this, remember - they want you to look away from the real story - the transformation of the United States from a democracy to an oligarchy.

[madokie]

1. Look away we always do

It seems no matter what we always fall for the wedge issue

[abluelady]

2. And they know we will. eom

[mmonk]

3. I think you've got it.

[nonconformist]

4. Sure, but it is a contributor of the larger problem

I think they got to a point where they had to address it. It's one of those issues that people have been talking about a LOT for years, and a whole lot the last year or two. Some republicans were starting to get really pissed off about it, not necessarily for all of the same reasons labor supporters are, but really pissed. So, especially being that it's an election year, they knew they had to finally address it. They're in baaad shape right now with public opinion and they know it. Frist wanted to "stand strong" and go against what he knew Bush would want. Plus, they can frame it and use it in all sorts of ways. On that we agree.

What I hope is that it will backfire, and shine a big giant spotlight right on the war on the middle class. I think everyone realizes that this is just a part of a huge widespread problem. And nobody with any sort of power has stepped up and offered real, feasible and humane solutions.

We can't let them frame the debate on this. We have to keep reminding people that it's about labor, and there are ways to deal with it that go right after the culprits - the corporations.

[leftchick]

5. I agree

it is an excellent distraction from real issues like the Iraq War as well. I never see a reoprt on how many have died in Iraq anymore. Mericans are so easily duped it is pathetic.

[xchrom]

6. it is a very complex issue.

but why no discussion -- or historical percpective presented that we have always taken in -- one way or another hundreds of thousands of people from other places to fill in at the bottom of our economic strata -- always.

and why no discussion that we are ''part mexican''? i.e. mexican/american relations are familial as much as they are formal.

i have relatives in my family tree that came from europe and scandavia in less than full legal standing.

we have ''new'' relatives now that came from the pacific who originally came in under the wire so to speak.

and ''law'' arguments -- i.e. we are a ''country of laws'' carry no water with me -- laws are things we change all the time -- and laws that are wrong i have no obligation to. i.e. i broke laws to protest viet nam, to protest nuclear weapons sites{in public protests}, and others, etc.

any way -- i'm just mouthing off some frustration.

[riona]

7. if congress ever comes up with a viable solution

to immigration - well, come on, let's get real. not gunna happen. right now there are more important issues and we all know it.

[Cobalt Violet]

8. You don't think middle and lower classes being able to...

demand more for their labor would improve their standard of living?

This is a very important cog in the wheel of turning our democracy into a oligarchy. You got to get rid of the middle class and upward mobility. Done.

[mmonk]

9. Look how well it's working,

even here. The real heavy weight questions about presidential power, and the security state vs the constitution are moving to the back seat again.

[megatherium]

10. I don't think this is a wedge issue of their choosing.

It is not in the oligarchy's interest to draw attention to the rapid influx of illegals, this influx is eroding the incomes of many working class people (according to Paul Krugman). It isn't in their interest for the American people to pick up on the fact that corporations are running the show, and not for the public's benefit. They've been trying to sweep immigration under the rug for the last few years, it didn't get on the news very often (except for when groups like the 'Minutemen' manage to put it on the news with clever stunts like organizing citizen patrols of the border).

They prefer wedge issues like gay marriage, that motivate certain categories of "conservative" voters to continue to vote Republican, even though gay marriage has absolutely nothing to do with their well-being or the economy, and even though voting Republican is totally against their own personal self-interest.

What I think is going on is that the economy is sour (official statistics notwithstanding), and people are worried. The tone of the electorate reminds me of 1992, when the economy was supposed to be recovering from a "mild" recession (which of course was pretty bad). The republicans did not win that election, their candidate (the elder Bush) got his clock cleaned. The vote against him was split between a populist conservative (Perot) and Clinton, and of course Clinton won the plurality.

My guess is the republican power structure is very very scared right now.