Posted on 05/15/2005 10:03:54 AM PDT by nj26
HILLARY GETS IT. Hillary Clinton says she's against illegal immigration. And she would fine employers who hire illegal aliens.
Pundits say the New York Democrat is using this hot-button issue to position herself for the 2008 presidential election. It's a way to hit Republicans from the right. Polls show huge majorities of both Republicans and Democrats oppose illegal immigration -- and are frustrated that President Bush won't do a thing to stop it.
But this issue does not belong to the right. Or it shouldn't. Illegal immigration hurts most liberal causes. It depresses wages, crushes unions and kills all hope for universal health coverage. Progressives have to understand that there's little social justice in an unregulated labor market.
"Liberals are so confused on this issue," says Vernon Briggs, a labor economist at Cornell University and self-described liberal. "Immigration policy has got to be held accountable for its economic consequences."
Many Democrats used to get it. In 1964, President Johnson abolished the Bracero program, which brought in "temporary" farm workers from Mexico. Its demise let Cesar Chavez organize U.S. farm workers. His union won some battles early on, but a new wave of illegal immigrants in the mid-1970s reversed that progress. The union barely exists today.
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Nowadays, the messages aren't even mixed anymore. A cheap-labor Republican, George Bush won't enforce the employer penalties. He has a new amnesty program. And he vows to "match any willing worker with any willing employer." Hence, the latest stampede at the southern border.
Sounds like the Democrats have an issue. And if Clinton can seriously address the problem in non-racial terms, she could march straight to the White House. Go for it, Hillary.
(Excerpt) Read more at projo.com ...
The liberal media establishment is already lining up behind her talking points. The NY Times is on board as well, judging from recent articles. And they're going after the working-class vote, pointing out the impact on wages, taxes, and quality of life.
I also bet that Vicente Fox's recent comments on Mexicans "taking jobs that even blacks don't want" will help to rally Hillary's base in the inner city to this cause.
We need a CONSERVATIVE candidate that will fight her directly on this issue, and stand up for a secure border.
Wow, even Froma gets it. Bush better get his head out of the Fox's ass, soon.
Interesting point. I wonder what Hillary will say about the famous, racist V. Fox statement.
Don't worry, she will lose by 3.5M votes as well. The battle lines are drawn. We outnumber them.
Ask yourself which is better, Hillary lending support to immigration enforcement or trying to socialize another private industry?
BITS
Well, then, we just need to work hard to make sure she doesn't. Anyone who thinks she's sincere about the illegal immigration issue is a fool.
If Hillary gets elected based on an anti-immigration stance, it will be Bush's fault and the Republicans' fault for allowing it to happen. Gracias Jorge!
"Don't worry, she will lose by 3.5M votes as well. The battle lines are drawn. We outnumber them."
I don't believe that. I think there are a lot of voters who don't pay much attention, and don't have strong beliefs. I know a lot of people who voted for Clinton, and then switched to Bush.
I just wouldn't be confident. You're implying that we don't even need to try.
Yeah ... Go for it, Hillary! You're a shoo in.
Economics 101, supply and demand, dictates that if the supply of workers is high wages are low, if the supply of workers is low wages are high. Deportation of ILLEGAL workers would decrease the availability of workers forcing wages higher, works every time if you are in business. Higher wages attract workers.
You can't fool Mother Nature and you can't fool Economic laws.
And the perfect storm I've predicted for a year now continues to brew..
Maybe.
Maybe we cannot trust Hillary or any democrat on this ussue.
But I know that Bush and the republicans have done nothing to adress this issue. I know that Bush called the Minutemen vigilantees. I know that Bush and McCain have joined Kennedy in proposing a guest worker program. I know that the executive branch informed border guards NOT to arrest illegals during the Minuteman efforts to make the Minutemen look bad.
Personnally, I am a gun-owner and a conservative first, and a republican second.
I am sick and tired of the CINOs and RINOs taking the conservative base for granted. The arguments made here are basically: "We will vote against Hillary and the democrats no matter how badly Bush and the republicans screw up, no matter how much they refuse to enforce existing laws, and no matter how treasonous their behavior is.
Well. Guess again republicans.
The liberal media almost got Ho Chi Kerry elected. They'll triple their efforts to get Hillary elected in '08.
Hillary has a "plan". Sounds a lot like Kerry's "plans", identify a problem and then give a vague solution with no details.
But! But! But! You must vote for McInsane, Its the most important election ever!
I agree 100%. GWB is blatantly ignoring the illegal immigration problem, so she's jumping on the bandwagon, and it might work. Wake up, Republican party!
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