Concern over immigration is no illusion

To hear some critics of Gov. Tim Pawlenty's recent report and proposals on illegal immigration, you'd think that he'd suggested mass deportations and a fence around the state. The governor's opponents have thrown ugly words his way, among them "race-baiting,"xenophobic" and "fear-mongering." We've come to expect overheated rhetoric on highly charged issues such as illegal immigration. But one allegation by some DFL critics really takes the cake: That illegal immigration isn't a real or central issue for Minnesotans. DFL state chairman Brian Melendez charged Pawlenty in a news release with cynically using immigration as a divisive election-year "wedge issue."People are sick of this kind of electioneering," echoed DFL gubernatorial candidate Becky Lourey in her news release. Not a central issue? Consider this:

The perception and reality of issues and their importance is different for the media and others with an agenda.

For years the Dems, media and spineless Republicans think there is a "health care crisis". I've done several "polls" of different approaches of areas with a high percentage of people who don't have health insurance... eg Hanover Pk where my family has no insurance and is typical. Consistently health care, medical care, prescrpition drug care, etc are NOT mentioned as an issue.

In one "poll" in 2000 I had over 650 people sign one of 3 petitions:
1) The "budget surplus" should be used to reduce taxes.
2) The "budget surplus" should be used to pay down the national debt.
3) The "budget surplus" should be used to increase spending for _____________.

Over 450 signed for #1. Almost 200 signed for #2. Only 2 people out of 650 signed for #3, one for education, one split between education and the homeless.

In another poll I asked people to name the top 3 issues. Of almost 400 people, only 1 answered "health care". She didn't need health care herself. She was employed by a taxpayer funded not-for-profit to sign people up for Kidcare.

But if you replace an open ended question with the question "Is health care one of the top 3 (or top 10) issues facing the country, a significant number will answer "yes" because that is what they think is the "appropriate" answer to the question.

I'll bet the same is true for illegal immigration. If you ask 500+ people an open ended question "What are the top issues?" Immigration will not often be mentioned.

But if you ask "Is illegal immigration a problem, then people will reply with the answer that they think they are expected to reply. It's like taking an SAT. I remember my SAT had questions that pre-supposed the truth of Darwinian evolution and Freudian interpretaton of Moby Dick. I knew what answer the SAT wanted and scored quite well.

The same is true of immigration.

Start building the fence.

It should be made a felony for Criminals who overstay their visas and Invaders.

I believe we should give amnesty to these poor CRIMINALS or INVADERS.
This should be a 2 week amnesty to get the heck out of our Country.
The ones who ignore this amnesty should be buried in a tent city jail and fined $10,000 or buried elsewhere.
All aiders and abettors of these CRIMINALS or INVADERS should get 1 year in a tent city jail and a $10,000 fine for each CRIMINAL aided.
Those in government should be the first ones charged.

America benefits greatly from legal immigration, which is a constant source of national renewal. Where illegal immigration is concerned, there's plenty of room for disagreement about potential solutions. But the raucous reception to the governor's report and proposals makes clear that a civil debate will be hard to come by. Opponents have generally tried to shout Pawlenty down, not discuss his ideas.

It's time for the governor's critics to turn down the volume. We need an informed discussion about what illegal immigration - one of our most pressing issues - means to Minnesota and to our nation.

Turn down the volume? We're talking Democrats here, friends. When you've got nothing but diaphanous arguments, all you can do is bluster.

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