Posted on 08/23/2005 5:45:39 AM PDT by Happy2BMe
In 2003, Gov. Bill Richardson welcomed a bus caravan of "undocumented workers" — i.e., illegal aliens — traveling through his state on its way to Washington, D.C. He enthused: "Thank you for coming to Santa Fe. Know that New Mexico is your home."
Turns out that they aren't so welcome after all. Last week Richardson became the first of two border-state governors — Arizona Democrat Janet Napolitano quickly joined him — to declare disaster areas on the border, exactly because so many undocumented workers are coming across it. When two savvy Democratic governors spectacularly change their posture on immigration, it's a sign of a significant political shift — perhaps, finally, public outrage over the out-of-control border is making an impression on the political establishment.
Richardson has been a conventional Democrat on immigration. He signed a bill giving illegal immigrants living in New Mexico in-state tuition at its public colleges. New Mexico is one of the few states in the country that gives driver's licenses to illegals. Napolitano has been similarly hostile to the enforcement of immigration laws.
There is little sign yet that these newly border-conscious Democrats will actually get tough on illegals. They appear to be trying the Hillary Clinton tack on immigration, which is to sound pro-enforcement while not doing much. Clinton declared at the end of last year, "I am ... adamantly against illegal immigrants." But John Fund of the Wall Street Journal notes that in a recent speech before the Hispanic group La Raza, the only immigration measures she talked about were in-state tuition for the children of illegals and amnesty for illegal immigrants who graduate from high school in the U.S.
Richardson defends New Mexico's extended hand to illegals on grounds that the state is "immigrant friendly" and has to be "practical." What's impractical is the idea that immigration enforcement can be a matter of simply better policing along the 2,000-mile border with Mexico. Interior enforcement has to be part of the solution, including a crackdown on employers who hire illegals and steps to signal to illegals that they aren't welcome here. It is nonsensical to say, as Richardson and Napolitano are in effect saying, "Gee, the border is too porous, but we're going to give illegals the same privileges as citizens when they get here."
By rights, Democrats should be the most anti-illegal-immigration of the two parties. The benefits of illegal immigration go disproportionately to employers and people rich enough to hire nannies, pool cleaners, etc. They get to hire low-paid workers with very few rights. The costs fall on minorities and low-skill workers, whose wages are undercut.
Richardson and Napolitano's looming 2006 reelections surely prompted their border moves. But bad faith has its uses. When Bill Clinton said, during the 1992 presidential campaign, that we should "end welfare as we know it," he didn't mean it, but it changed the politics of welfare forever.
Richardson and Napolitano have taken a step toward giving pro-enforcement immigration reformers the whip hand in the debate over the border. In Congress, the debate is divided between those advocating tougher laws and those who want an amnesty and a new temporary-worker program. Even those favoring the latter approach are now calling for a grand bargain including tougher laws. The counteroffer from the pro-enforcement side should be that since there is only a consensus that we need better laws, enforced more thoroughly, that should be the starting point for any reform. Only after serious enforcement has been tried — for the first time in decades — should any amnesty or guest-worker program be considered.
The leader of the pro-enforcement forces should be President Bush. After a brutal year defending an unpopular war and a less popular Social Security initiative, favoring something the public wants — an immigration crackdown — might be what he needs. Of course, that would require Bush, who has been pushing for a quasi-amnesty and a temporary-worker program, to change his tune. But if Richardson and Napolitano can, why can't he?
"Thank you for coming to Santa Fe. Know that New Mexico is your home."
And pay big - starting in 2006.
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The leader of the pro-enforcement forces should be President Bush. After a brutal year defending an unpopular war and a less popular Social Security initiative, favoring something the public wants — an immigration crackdown — might be what he needs. Of course, that would require Bush, who has been pushing for a quasi-amnesty and a temporary-worker program, to change his tune.But if Richardson and Napolitano can, why can't he?
They're just blowing hot air. They perceive it as a way to hurt Bush so their "saying" what they think conservatives want to hear. They don't mean a word of it.
"Hi, I'm Bill Richardson. I'll do or say anything that will get me in the news and hopefully in the race for President someday. I'm a great guy and a Mexican, too (when I need to be). "
The Politicos are burning up the staffs to come up with a solution to illegals that keeps the status quo but can be sold to the VOTERS as a major attack on the problem..I can't wait to here the solutions they come up with that will do nothing but be touted by the MSM as tough and
brilliant solutions to illegal immigration..I do so hate both parties right now.
I never thought Bush could let us down...never. But he's doing it.
sw
You and how many other millions of Americans who fought tooth-and-nail for him in the past two elections?
The rules of politics are changing. The crybaby losers will learn they can't just pick up a banner and be suddenly acceptable once more. Those in power will have hell to pay if they have been asleep at the switch.We are "at war" and immigration is the "homefront" and we are losing everyday in multiple ways. Woe be to those who trifle with this subject now.
"We are "at war" and immigration is the "homefront" and we are losing everyday in multiple ways. Woe be to those who trifle with this subject now."============================
Is There A Backbone In The House?
Another example is that of border security and illegal immigration.Republicans are supposed to be tough on terror, but when it comes to the thousands of miles of unprotected borders, Republicans are playing politics while the security of America is at stake.
To fight a real war on terror, government officials must make it as tough as possible for terrorists to enter the country illegally.
Yet, whenever some Republicans come forward and talk about fighting illegal immigration and increasing border security, other Republicans are backing down under fear of being called "racist" or "insensitive."
Perhaps Republican legislators need to increase the calcium in their diets so they can grow a backbone.
Instead of the image of tough legislators fighting for conservative values and issues, the images that come to mind more often than not when thinking of Republicans in Washington are those of a family of jellyfish.
Of course that is what they are doing. But it will probably work for them because many voters are sleep walking. It is a shame that all one needs to do to appear to the right of our President on this issue is open one's mouth and say, "I am adamantly against illegal immigration".
"It is a shame that all one needs to do to appear to the right of our President on this issue is open one's mouth and say, "I am adamantly against illegal immigration".
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President Bush faces a major rebellion within his own party if he follows through on a promise to push legislation that would offer millions of illegal immigrants a path to U.S. citizenship. Almost no issue divides Republicans as deeply.
Har- Har - Har! Big phoney! Stupid Republicans.
All it takes is for 2 or 3 percent to sleepwalk thru the next election & its hello Hillary.
If Bush loses the WH like his daddy because of this issue I'll curse the Bush name forever.
Because he just won't.
The GOP didn't get the nickname "The Stupid Party" without a well deserved reason!
The GOP is going to get murdered on this issue in 2008.
Excellent Editorial Ping...
"Eighty percent of the public WANTS Bush to take the ILLEGAL immigration problem seriously, and he just ignores us.
I never thought Bush could let us down...never. But he's doing it."
Bush was bought and sold to us before the election. I have contibuted and vounteered for him but NEVER again will I be swindled by the RINO party. They stab conservatives and hard working Americans in the back once they get in. Their is going to be hell to pay for the RINOs in the future. Go Graf in 06' for congress (arizona).
Good morning..thanks for the ping..where can one find a list of the potential candidates for the CD?
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