Biden: Blame immigration woes on Mexico

AP on Yahoo ^ | 11/27/06 | Jim Davenport - ap

[NVDave]

I don't think that any tax "reform" will make it through the DNC Congress.

The issue that is going to bite the DNC in their generously plump and posh buttocks is the AMT. There is nowhere to run or hide on this issue -- their own constituents are being increasingly sucked down the AMT rabbit hole, and said constituents want something done about it.

Trouble is, where will the offsetting revenue come from?

Right there, we have a classic DC death-cage smackdown: the GOP tax cut extention vs. AMT reform. Since AMT hits blue-staters harder, I don't see the GOP making a big effort to undo the AMT. Add to this that any GOP Congresscritter smart enough to recite some history (I know, I'm being highly optimistic) will be able to say "Hey -- the AMT was the Democrats' idea!" and keep hanging it around the DNC's neck on talking-head shows and we have an issue made for partisan politics.

The border issue, by comparison, has a huge bang:buck political payoff. If the DNC were to deliver on this issue, they could own Congress for the next four election cycles. Consider this: where will the supposedly PO'ed "hispanic vote" go if the DNC pivots on this issue? They're not about to vote Libertarian, now are they? They're trapped, just like the Second Amendment voters are trapped when GOP candidates call for gun control. Voting for Democrats won't improve the situation for gun owners, so you're stuck taking it with a smile from your own team.

Same deal here. The DNC could control the border issue and not suffer the same sort of consequences that the GOP would. The DNC can also spin a tough border position as a winning position for the trade unions and protecting "American jobs" and so on.

The GOP just seems absolutely clueless about the political danger of their current position on border control. It worked as long as the GOP was running the show. Now they're not running the show in Congress and the DNC appears to have stumbled upon a clue.

[nj26]

Borders are my #1 issue when voting. Given the choice between a pro-amnesty Republican and a pro-border-security Democrat, I will choose the Democrat every time.

[oldbill]

I think we are seeing a parallel here between the "Only Nixon could go to China" and this "Only the Democrats can stop the invasion of illegals".

[Izzy Dunne]

Interesting analysis, perhaps you're right.

Still, the idea that they're going to pay for the border "reform" with this particular chunk of cash, is a bit of a stretch, IMO.

[ozarkgirl]

Unfortunately, like all politicians, he lies. From http://www.ontheissues.org/Senate/Joe_Biden.htm


Joe Biden on Immigration
Click here for 6 full quotes on Immigration OR background on Immigration.
Voted YES on establishing a Guest Worker program. (May 2006)
Voted YES on allowing illegal aliens to participate in Social Security. (May 2006)
Voted YES on giving Guest Workers a path to citizenship. (May 2006)
Voted YES on allowing more foreign workers into the US for farm work. (Jul 1998)
Voted NO on visas for skilled workers. (May 1998)
Voted NO on limit welfare for immigrants. (Jun 1997)

[isthisnickcool]

plugs, bad plugs

[photodawg]

COLUMBIA, S.C. - Sen. Joe Biden, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee's incoming chairman, wants to get tough with Mexico, calling it an "erstwhile democracy" with a "corrupt system" responsible for illegal immigration and drug problems in the U.S.

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

Wow. Wish he'd get as tough with Iran, Syria, gitmo prisoners, and traitorous media and democrats.

[I_Publius]

Good point, but not a complete one.

You see, the ruling elite in Mexico realize that as long as they keep the massess ignorant, uneducated, and ardent soccer (football) fans, then they will be safe and can do what they want. What they want is to send the people to the US not only so they don't have to create jobs for them in Mexico, but because they can get so much richer by having the workers work in the US and send their wages back home. I can promise you that the small towns and villages are not seeing much of the money that is sent back. Somewhere along the way, the ruling class has figured out how to get a percentage off the top of whatever is sent back to Mexico. If you stop that circle, then the rich stop getting rich, on both sides of the border.

[Plutarch]

Biden, who favors tightening the U.S.-Mexico border with fences...

Should read: Biden, who voted for Amnesty.

S. 2611 (Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006)

Biden (D-DE), Yea

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

Well said guys. The Stupid Party dropped the ball on this issue.

[savedbygrace]

The extra revenue would generate $75 billion a year and pay for a backlog in national security and local law enforcement programs, Biden said.

Assuming those high income folks make no changes to their financial affairs. HA! Fat chance!

[NapkinUser]

So now Biden is tougher on Mexico than George Bush?

[VeniVidiVici]

Joe Biden (D) Puta

[LowCountryJoe]

Immigrants add to the prosperity of this country -- they always have but it usually takes until the second generation to see it and by the third generation there is full integration and value added. I personally hope that immigration and trade issues split the GOP up, far too many of you 'conservatives' have shown yourselves as paternalistic nativists who would rather look to government for 'solutions' to 'problems' that aren't even problems. Some of you claim that you're not xenophobic and that you believe legal immigration does, in fact, benefit the U.S...and those some of you are right! So why not push for more legal immigration through easier, less bureaucratic policy? Maybe it is because those some of you know that you'll get flamed by your more numerous pitchfork wielding political allies here.

There is no difference, in my eyes, between the authoritative nature of you people on the far right and your counterparts on the far left; only the issues you champion are different, and even those are getting blurrier. I'm hoping that after the political shifts and mergers are finally carried out, they'll be more lovers of freedom on one side than there are lovers of the state...I'm not going to hold my breath, though.

[cowboyway]

"I warn all of you, all of you making more than a million bucks — I hope you all are — I'm taking away your tax cut," Biden said. "I'm not joking."

That's called a 'tax increase'. Remember the AlGore formula: "If you make $200,000 a year for five years, then you are a millionaire."

Somebody take this bum on a tour of Fort Sumter and let the cadets of the Citadel have a little cannon practice.

[george76]

" I'm taking away your tax cut," Biden said. "I'm not joking."


Which means the rats will be raising the tax rates which will actually lower the tax revenue.

[gubamyster]

ping

[Dane]

If you all actually beleive Sen. hairplugs Biden, then may I suggest that trip to your local used car lot will be an enjoyable experience for you.

The experience of being snookered.

[skeeter]

You go, Hairplugs.

[Dane]

So now Biden is tougher on Mexico than George Bush?

Biden's mad that his candidate, Obragroe didn't win.