The Immigration Bill: Comprehensive or Incomprehensible?

TownHall.com ^ | 5/19/07 | By Fred Thompson

[JohnHuang2]

Most Americans know that we have an illegal immigration problem in this country, with perhaps as many as 20 million people residing here unlawfully. And I think most Americans have a pretty good idea about how to at least start solving the problem – secure our nation’s borders.

But there’s an old saying in Washington that, in dealing with any tough issue, half the politicians hope that citizens don’t understand it while the other half fear that people actually do. This kind of thinking was apparent with the “comprehensive” immigration reform bill that the U.S. Senate and the White House negotiated yesterday.

I’d tell you what was in the legislation, but 24 hours after the politicians agreed the bill looked good, the Senate lawyers were still writing what may turn out to be a one thousand page document. In fact, a final version of the bill most likely will not be made available to the public until after the legislation is passed. That may come five days from now. That’s like trying to digest an eight-course meal on a fifteen-minute lunch break.

We’ve tried the “comprehensive” route before to solve the illegal immigration problem with a bit more care and deliberation, and the results haven’t been good. Back in May 1985, Congress promised us that it would come up with a comprehensive plan to solve the problem of illegal immigration and our porous borders. Eighteen months later, in November 1986, that comprehensive plan was signed into law.

[singfreedom]

Excellent article, John, thanks for posting.

I was particularly interested to see the article was written by Fred Thompson. :^)

[dixiechick2000]

My goodness.

This isn’t your piece?

I kept waiting for My 2 cents. ;o)

I guess I may as well come out of the closet.

I’m a FRedNeck!

But, not changing my tagline just yet. ;o)

It’s so good to “see” you!

[STARWISE]

PING !

[goldfinch]

A ‘comprehensive’ bill gives our cowardly politicians an excuse to vote for amnesty...something a vast majority of Americans oppose.

[Libloather]

The Immigration Bill: Comprehensive or Incomprehensible?

I've always enjoyed 'omnibus'. Does that only apply to spending?

[malia]

bump

[Guenevere]

Thank-you JohnHuang2 for consistently upholding Free Republic with your excellent reports and your personal integrity.

Thank-you Fred Thompson for your intelligence and wise words!

[Guenevere]

a good read...Ping!

[BlackbirdSST]

Reprehensible would be more like it. Blackbird.

[jellybean]

Thanks for the ping, STARWISE!

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[ohWalter]

Run Fred Run!!!

[kellynla]

If Fred Thompson has a brain in his head, upon his announcement as a candidate for POTUS, he will vow to enforce the immigration laws already on the books, secure BOTH borders and WIN THE WOT.

Fred, are you paying attention?

The chart below shows, among other things, that in those industries that employ illegals the MAJORITY of the jobs are held by....GASP!...AMERICANS.

That puts a HUGE HOLE in Bush's claim that illegals are doing jobs Americans won't do.

It also shows, as Bush has claimed, that more than a million illegals a year have been deported since Bush took office.

Well if they can deport 6 million, they can double their efforts and deport 12 million.

Lastly, after BOTH borders have been secured, all illegals should be deported including the incarcerated. Why should Americans pay to incarcerate other countries' criminals. It's not like we don't have enough American criminals to incarcerate. And by deporting the foreign incarcerated in American prisons we not only lower our prison costs but we open up slots for AMERICAN criminals who are now roaming about the country unabated.

[Cacique]

CALL! CALL! CALL! CALL! AND KEEP CALLING TILL THE LINES FRY!

WRITE! WRITE! WRITE! WRITE! TILL YOU RUN OUT OF INK IN YOUR PEN!

STOP AMNESTY NOW!! WE CAN DO IT!!

[malia]

bump

[Brad’s Gramma]

Thank you, John!