I am not in the mood to get into any arguments, but I will offer these observations:
1. The Iraqi supplemental is for the current fiscal year. The Congress is way behind in its responsibility. The money in the bill is for this fiscal year ending September 30. How much is allowed to be carried over is a question. It is very unlikely that the RATS will allow a dime to be spent after October 1. Remember aid to the Contras and the Boland Amendment?
2. Whether the illegals become citizens next year or ten years from now is highly irrelevant. Once they are citizens, they will vote 3:1 Democratic. This bill is political suicide for the GOP. Moreover, once the RATS have the White House and both congressional chambers in 2009, they will amend the Immigration bill to wave all the procedural safeguards in which you take comfort. With all due respect, in my view your position is highly naive from a political standpoint. No good immigration public policy should proceed until our borders are demonstrably sealed. If Senator Domenici apparently agrees with this assertion, then it is not necessary to go beyond a borders-only bill at this time. The liberals are being disingenuous at best if they state that enforcement must come first. They don’t give a damn about enforcement; indeed it is contrary to their political interests.
Amen to your post!