Bread and circuses works much better. For a while.
Posted on 01/15/2004 9:49:14 AM PST by Theodore R.
Bush gives country away
Posted: January 15, 2004 1:00 a.m. Eastern
© 2004 WorldNetDaily.com
President Bush's plan to legalize 8 million to 12 million illegal aliens – maybe considerably more – is one of the most irresponsible, dangerous, reckless proposals to come out of Washington in my lifetime.
And that's saying a lot.
In my lifetime, I have witnessed:
wage-and-price controls imposed by Richard Nixon;
the greatest expansion of unconstitutional, immoral wealth-transfer programs in the history of our country;
the use of the Internal Revenue Service by President Clinton to harass and intimidate political adversaries;
the sacrifice of more than 50,000 U.S. servicemen in a war they would not be allowed to win;
the shredding of the Constitution in a thousand ways to bring us to the point at which politicians no longer even question the limits of the federal government;
the transfer by President Clinton of sensitive technology with military applications to a budding superpower for campaign cash;
the demoralization and emasculation of the country under President Carter;
I watched all this and more in nearly a half-century of life. But, honestly, President Bush's proposal to legalize untold millions of illegal aliens is potentially worse than any of these blunders, any of these mistakes, any of these abuses.
Why?
First, because it is immoral. Bush claims this is the "compassionate" thing to do. But he is misusing the term "compassion" the same way do those who would most like to unseat him from power. There is nothing compassionate about inflicting pain on others, in hurting the country, while accepting none of the responsibility, nor pain, nor sacrifice yourself. This move will not materially affect George W. Bush's life. But it will impact those competing for jobs at the lower end of the economic ladder. It will impact those who live in crime-plagued areas of the country and who don't have Secret Service protection. It will impact those who chose to obey the laws rather than flout them as their first act in America.
Second, it is unconstitutional. The federal government has few and limited areas of responsibility in our republican system of government. Among those clearly defined areas are the defense of the nation and the defense of our borders. This act is a reprehensible betrayal of the president's oath of office to uphold the law and execute it.
Third, it is bad policy. Even the simple act of proposing this notion encourages more illegal immigration into our country. More foreigners will want to get in on the action. It sends a horrible signal that America doesn't really believe in enforcing its laws. It promotes chaos at our borders and crime in our streets.
Fourth, it risks national security. Presumably, there was a reason this president placed the Immigration and Naturalization Service under the Department of Homeland Defense. The American people assume it was because he finally recognized that out-of-control immigration is a real threat – especially at a time when terrorists are trying desperately to kill and maim as many of us as possible.
It's not strong enough to call Bush's proposal "irresponsible." It is borderline seditious. And there is a widespread perception he is making this move because he believes there is personal political gain in it.
That is hardly "compassion," Mr. President. That is the worst kind of cynicism. That is the worst kind of selfishness. That is the worst kind of example a leader could set for the nation.
Shame on Bush. Shame on his party for standing by quietly as he sets out to destroy the fabric of our nation. Shame on the opposition for suggesting his move doesn't go far enough. Shame on all Americans who lie down and accept this outrage from Washington.
Given that a healthy majority of the electorate supports precisely that policy, your assertion is patently false.
Bread and circuses works much better. For a while.
Nah. They'd just die in a *tragic campaign tour plane crash*.
-archy-/-
Reagan at least admitted that it was a mistake.
Bush isn't proposing amnesty.
In all but name he is. There is no enforcement mechanism in his proposal to repatriate blue card holders at the end of their stay. These are people who entered illegally and stayed for years. They have no reason to leave and therefore no motive to abide by a law without a means of enforcement.
They won't vote Republican either.
So you're saying the President should follow the lead of Democratic polls before considering whether he should enforce sovereign American law on behalf of the American people?
"Please think about what it would take to round up and deport 8 to 12 million people - men, women and children. Then think about how that would look on every TV set in the world (with appropriate "compassionate" liberal commentary)."
As opposed to all the conservative "commentary" pointing out the President's pandering, hypocracy, and refusal to put 'Principle over Party'?
We don't have to forcibly deport them all. First, institute a guest worker program that makes work permits in the US only available at an embassy or consulate within the country of origin. Second, start enforcing existing statutes penalizing businesses that hire these people not possessing the permits.
They'll leave on their own, in droves.
There are few among us who oppose a guest worker program or a rational rate of legal immigration. Those among you who mischaracterize our position in order to have a defensible position are out of line.
I hadn't figured you would surrender so easily, Poob.
You are attacking Kyle?
Anyway, he is 14 now.
Really, they will leave on their own.
Huh, are you going to have the IRS have new powers and manpower to look over millions of businesses.
We need to enforce our immigration laws, not have a President who apologizes--as Bush has done--because they are are not "humane."
It is a proposal. It is up to Congress to figure out the specifics. This isn't an Executive Order you know.
That's why I just cancelled my subscription to the Wall Street Journal. Their editorials support this outrage. Anyone who puts money or political opportunity before country deserves contempt.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.