The liberal case against (Illegal) immigration.

Renew America ^ | 06/26/2007 | Ken Marotte

[Ultra Sonic 007]

The media have proven particularly adept at attributing anger over illegal immigration to conservatives.

"[Agreement] is a striking show of support for a primary element of an immigration overhaul bill that has stalled in the Senate amid conservative opposition," reports the Los Angeles Times.

CNN writer Peter Hamby similarly pens: "But no issue in recent memory has united conservative bloggers like the debate over immigration. Their frustration has culminated in a full-scale revolt against the Bush administration and a Senate bill that activists say does little to solve the country's border security problems."

"This week," writes Brian Darling in National Review, "conservatives will watch in horror as Reid and Republican Leader Mitch McConnell give a wink and a nod to amendments approved by the drafters of the bipartisan amnesty approach to immigration reform in anticipation of a final deal."

While conservatives have indeed been more vocal on the issue, liberals have just as much to decry — although for different reasons. With the facts and analysis below, I seek to extend my arm to the Left in hopes of truly confronting — in an effectual and bipartisan fashion — this crucial issue.

Many environmentalists fret over global warming and oil drilling while ignoring an equally monstrous problem — illegal immigration. Aliens almost always enter the country with various goods; when the time comes to dispose of their trash, illegals often litter so as to avoid detection.

This isn't just a couple muchachos ditching their Snickers wrappers in the desert. In fact, according to government statistics, the average illegal alien discards eight pounds of trash during his/her journey into the country. Multiply eight by 20 million (the number of illegals working and living undetected in America), and you'll understand the magnitude of the problem.

As reported in the Arizona Daily Star, "The trash includes water bottles, sweaters, jeans, razors, soap, medications, food, ropes, batteries, cell phones, radios, homemade weapons, and human waste." The same article quotes Steve Singkofer, president of the Southern Arizona Hiking Club: "In the Huachucas, you are almost wading through empty gallon water jugs. There's literally thousands of water jugs, clothes, shoes. You could send 1,000 people out there and they could each pick up a dozen water jugs, and they couldn't get it all."

Additionally, the Washington Times recently revealed that illegal immigrants are starting forest fires to force Border Patrol agents from their posts and routes. Such fires "correspond to a dramatic rise in assaults against Border Patrol agents — up more than 100 percent over last year."

This is disconcerting enough. But it doesn't stop at environmental issues.

Liberals often assail poor conditions in the third-world countries. The illegal route into America is not much different.

According to recent statistics, approximately 500 folks die annually trying to reach safe haven in America — a figure doubled from 1995. The most common causes of death? Heat stroke, hypothermia, and dehydration. The stories are harrowingly morbid.

How do we strengthen the environment and reduce the risk of mortality for would-be Americans? The solution is not an absolute open-border policy. For history has proven that without defined and respected borders, a country perishes.

But here's the solution: build the fence. Well-built fences (using barbed wire, ditches, heavy-duty metal, security cameras, etc.) have a record of working reliably and effectively. In Israel, such fences have reduced terrorist attacks by 90 percent. A double-fence built on the San Diego-Mexico border, championed by 2008 presidential contender and Congressman Duncan Hunter, was found to decrease the smuggling of people and narcotics by more than 90 percent.

You may not like the idea of the fence. You may think it archaic, draconian, or even inhumane. Say what you will, the fence would decrease illegal immigration — largely if not entirely.

A fence means fewer illegals. Fewer illegals means less strain on the environment. Fewer illegals means fewer desert fatalities. And fewer illegals would allow us to appropriately accept, welcome, and assimilate legal immigrants as we once did.

There are two arguments concerning this issue. On one side, there is a gentle balance between compassion and prudence; on the other, a dangerous temptation to elevate emotion over logic and law.

Where do you stand? Regardless of political orientation, it is high time for all patriots — liberal, conservative, and everything in between — to stand firm as one.

[Ultra Sonic 007]

This issue truly crosses the aisle.

[Ultra Sonic 007]

Immigration ping.

[2ndDivisionVet]

Just say NO to Illegal Alien Amnesty!! Keep calling!! It’s NOT OVER!!

U.S. Senate switchboard: (202) 224-3121

U.S. House switchboard: (202) 225-3121

White House comments: (202) 456-1111

Find your House Rep.: http://www.house.gov/writerep

Find your US Senators: http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

Toll free to the US Senate:

1-800-882-2005 (Spanish number)
1-800-417-7666 (English number)

Courtesy of a pro-amnesty group, no less!!

[SE Mom]

BTTT

Good for him.

[vetsvette]

I’ve heard precious few libs try and support this travesty — excepting of course left-wing politicians. And, I’ve heard several left-leaning talk radio commentators remark that their listeners are overwhelmingly against the legislation.

Liberal politicians, of course, have little to fear vis a vis reelection over this issue. Lib voters are pretty unprincipled and tend to be loyal to a fault — They’d vote for the devil if he was a Dim, no matter his transgressions.

[skeeter]

The one issue on which I'll gladly link arms with these clowns.

[pissant]

bookmark

[rightwinggoth]

hypothermia? does it get that cold?

[cripplecreek]

A good argument.

[supercat]

The Democrats' present voting base is largely opposed to the zombill, but the healthy stream of new Democrat voters it would create would greatly benefit the Democrat politicians. Under normal circumstances, the Democrat politicians wouldn't dare try to pass it, since the immediate retaliation from their base would be so severe that the next Congress would perform swift damage control (nothing constitutionally would prevent legislative revocation of Z visas, and the backlash from the zombill might be severe enough to make such revocation a reality). As it happens, however, the Democrats are in the catbird seat.

Since Bush supports the bill, and some of the Republican leadership does as well, any fallout from the bill will land squarely on Republicans. It won't be limited to RINOs. All Republicans are going to bear the brunt of the public outrage against "Bush's bill", notwithstanding the fact that Democrats support it and Republicans oppose it.

[DancesWithBolsheviks]

He’s making an appeal to the left but mentions nothing about how hiring illegal aliens circumvents labor laws concerning wages and working conditions. Nothing about how illegal aliens and their employers circumvent tax laws. Nothing about how use of an emergency room as a primary care provider kicks up health care costs for everyone. Nothing about wage suppression in the market for low skilled labor below the left’s ‘living wage.’

He needs to try again.

[dynachrome]

Would it last long if posted at DU?

[frequent_lurker]

Not necessarily. I’ll run a great risk here and out myself as an independent who watches the left and the right very carefully. In my own humble opinion, I believe that both sides want to see the current laws on the books ENFORCED. Unfortunately, we have a chief law enforcement official in the U.S. who simply will not do this. Dems are not happy, Reps are not happy. For the first time in my life, I truly fear for the future of our Country.

[boop]

What’s weird is that among average democrats is that they support border security first. It seems like it would be a winning issue for both sides to pass legislation just on that issue.

[vetsvette]

You just might see it in the House. Pelosi is afraid of this big bill (afraid she’ll be blamed) and it isn’t all that clear that she’ll support anything but a phased approach starting with border security.

[Cementjungle]

You just might see it in the House. Pelosi is afraid of this big bill (afraid she’ll be blamed) and it isn’t all that clear that she’ll support anything but a phased approach starting with border security.

She'll be fine with it once it's been stocked full of pork for her family and friends' businesses.

[frequent_lurker]

Yep. And enforce the current laws. Win-Win.

[Tennessee Nana]

This is Scrappleface right?

[xzins]

The liberal case against illegal immigration should be “jobs” and “wage suppression.”

Immigrants absolutely undercut the mechanics trade, service workers trade, and agricultural workers trade. And they clearly take lower wages for jobs that Americans WILL do.

If I have a guy outside the door will to work for half, and I don’t have to pay taxes and regulatory fees for them, that DOES drive down wages for unskilled American workers.

Teenagers simply cannot find jobs. Many can’t work because they don’t “SPEAK SPANISH” which is a new job requirement for an ENGLISH SPEAKING nation.

This is what we should blast our representatives and senators with if they’re libs, rinos, etc.

[Cacique]

STOP AMNESTY NOW!! WE CAN DO IT!!

[BohDaThone]

Actually, it does get pretty darn cold in the desert at night, for about half the year. This is especially true in parts of the border desert that are at a reasonable altitude. If you start out in the daytime with light clothing and 75 degrees in the fall or winter, you will think you are OK, and will often genuinely freeze by 5 in the AM.

[prophetic]

Not to mention that they brings with them diseases, increased crimes (hey they DID break the law to get in the USA), and a huge drain to the cities (Medical, Social Security, Educaton, etc, etc,) and all for the myth of ‘cheap labor’.

[goldstategop]

A few honest liberals can see uncontrolled illegal immigration means fewer jobs for poor Americans, slave labor for rich corporations and environmental degradation. But they're overriden by an Open Borders element that sees illegals as a means to dissolve America's national identity, destroy the conservative movement, and expand the welfare state. Most of the Left could care less if America is harmed as long as the Right is put in its place.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus