[Tim Long]

With his conviction, I always thought it was out of character for Reagan to declare amnesty for 3 million. If he were with us today, I don't think he would take the report that illegals murder 9,000 Americans a year lightly. Miss him. : (

[trumandogz]

I wonder if Edwin Meese would repeat his mistake of agreeing with the Baker Commission?

[Reaganwuzthebest]

Excellent column by Ed Meese. He knew Reagan probably better than any of his advisers and if he says RR wouldn't do it over then he's probably right. So Hagel, McCain, and the rest of the open border RINOs can stuff it whenever they refer to 1986.

[kinoxi]

Quite a bit of speculation in this article. In my opinion of course...

[Pelham]

bump

[BCrago66]

I hereby declare Meese to be a pumpkin-head twit, for helping to bring us a prescription for surrender in Iraq.

[Always Right]

Reagan did not want to turn away people who wanted to come to America and do hard work. Reagan would not buy into the arguement that Mexicans were stealing our jobs. Reagan would have definitely supported tightened borders and controlled immigration process. Reagan would have supported some kind of compromise, but would not have gone as far as the Pense plan.

[WatchingInAmazement]

What would President Reagan do? For one thing, he would not repeat the mistakes of the past, including those of his own administration. He knew that secure borders are vital, and would now insist on meeting that priority first. He would seek to strengthen the enforcement of existing immigration laws. He would employ new tools—like biometric technology for identification, and cameras, sensors and satellites to monitor the border—that make enforcement and verification less onerous and more effective. One idea President Reagan had at the time that we might also try improving on is to create a pilot program that would allow genuinely temporary workers to come to the United States—a reasonable program consistent with security and open to the needs and dynamics of our market economy. And what about those already here? Today it seems to me that the fair policy, one that will not encourage further illegal immigration, is to give those here illegally the opportunity to correct their status by returning to their country of origin and getting in line with everyone else. This, along with serious enforcement and control of the illegal inflow at the border—a combination of incentives and disincentives—will significantly reduce over time our population of illegal immigrants.

The open border minority will now crucify Ed Meese, who knew Reagan a LOT better than any of them. This should put the dumb question about Reagan to rest, but it won't just like they won't allow that border to be secured no matter how many facts and tragedies are thrown in front of them.

[gubamyster]

ping

[dennisw]

BTTT