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The Coming GOP Amnesty Sellout Push
The Daily Caller ^ | 1/20/2014 | Mickey Kaus

Posted on 01/20/2014 4:15:21 AM PST by markomalley

Lobbyists, on the march! The coming weeks will see the formal start of the GOP House leadership’s attempt to sneak an immigration amnesty through the Republican caucus and into law. We don’t know the exact details of the proposals, but we know enough:

1) There will be some form of legalization (conditional amnesty) for the 11 million illegal immigrants already here. It won’t give them a “special” path to citizenship, but they will likely be able to pursue citizenship through regular old channels. Either way, the message sent to potential future immigrants will be, “If you come here illegally, you’ll get to stay legally.” Plus, once the bill has passed the Democratic campaign to paint the GOP as racist for not granting general citizenship to the whole group will begin.

2) There will be an attempt to describe Speaker Boehner’s “piecemeal” collection of immigration bills as an “enforcement first” arrangement that will prevent another, future illegal wave despite the incentive created by what will be two successive amnesties. Since Democrats and Latino groups would never go for an actual “enforcement first” approach–e.g., enacting universal E-verify, an exit-entry system, building a fence and waiting a few years for legal challenges to peter out**–this claim will necessarily be a fraud, the framing of which will be a key challenge for Boehner & Co.. Presumably just saying “Hey we passed the enforcement part of the bill a week before we passed the amnesty part” won’t do, nor will letting President Obama decide when the enforcement mechanisms are sufficiently “in place.” That means a convoluted debate over “triggers,”  the traditional playground for legislative legerdemain.***  Legalizers will try to make the prequisites look tough when they aren’t — certainly nothing that can’t be easily dismantled once the undocumented get their documents. Do not count on the press to correct this misimpression. They’re in the “fool the rubes” camp too.

It takes some chutzpah for Boehner to make his amnesty push now, given the sour jobs news, falling measured support for amnesty, and the need for party unity in the coming midterm elections. You’d think the employment news alone–almost 3 unemployed Americans for every available job–would cause savvy lobbyists to postpone any attempt to push for a massive addition to the unskilled and skilled workforce. (The Senate’s bill would add about 6 million extra immigrant workers by 2023 – in addition to the current illegals who’d be legalized.) Maybe that could fly in a boom.  But now?

Democrats used to push for tighter labor markets–they’re the best proven way to lower poverty, boost wages and curb income inequality. Today, the job of pointing that out has fallen to Republican Jeff Sessions, who has been fighting the battle Democras like Byron Dorgan and Barbara Jordan used to fight.   Do we want to give less skilled Americans millions of new competitors, inevitably bidding down wages at the bottom? (“Did they repeal the law of supply and demand and not tell me about it?” asks Jim Cramer.) The groups most marginally connected to the labor market–e.g,  teenage African Americans–would be the biggest losers. Democrats used to understand this.

It’s a sellout. That’s a term I don’t use lightly. Certainly there are plenty of idealistic, principled advocates of “comprehensive immigration reform” — including true believers in open borders, advocates of immigrants’ rights, and ethnic champions. Even the employers who are providing the financial muscle behind the amnesty push may sincerely think spoiled American workers just aren’t cutting it anymore, that the economy needs better, cheaper, hungrier immigrants — heaven forbid responsible corporatist roundtablers should have to actually train those spoiled Americans.

But why are the politicians abandoning the economic interests of the country’s basic laborers, and the strong anti-amnesty convictions of their own constituents (in the case of most Republicans), and doing it at such an objectively inauspicious time?  It’s hard to deny that cash is doing much of the swaying here. “[A]ll the money is on the side of pushing it,” one pro-amnesty Democratic Congressman boasted–money in the form not only of direct campaign contributions, as promised by Mark Zuckerberg ($50 million) and the Chamber of Commerce, but also future consulting contracts and lobbying positions for those who echo the line that Republicans just have to do this to remain viable. In any case, that latter argument–’We’re not doing it for the money. We’re doing it to save our political hides!’–isn’t exactly an appeal to principle either, is it?

The only thing stopping them, at this point, is fervent opposition from the Republican base in a majority of House districts. It would be nice if a few Democrats like Joe Manchin (or independent man-of-the-left Bernie Sanders) had second thoughts, but don’t count  on it. Sanders talks a good game, but where is he when the votes are counted?

If strong voter opposition makes itself heard again, as it has in the past, the majority of the GOP caucus that Boehner says he needs probably won’t go along with his pro- amnesty “principles.” If that opposition doesn’t materialize, some form of legalization-before-enforcement becomes an inevitability. The coming weeks will tell.

If you care, get your dialing finger ready.

_____

**– An approach you could call Krauthammer I.

***– I’m also assuming that the trick in the Senate bill–which legalizes immediately but delays citizenship pending various evananescent enforcement triggers–is a non-starter now that legalization is all we’re supposedly talking about. But perhaps I underestimate the cunning of pro-amnesty lobbyists.


TOPICS: Editorial; Government; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: 113th; aliens; amnesty; bho44; bhoillegals; illegals; immigration; randnesty
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To: Jacquerie; RetiredArmy; ConorMacNessa; RitaOK; Jane Long; laplata; GOPJ; Reaganite Republican; ...

If politicians stand for nothing then they will fall for anything.

To make a difference, you have to have a difference.

Is Boehner resisting or running with the Devil Obama?


21 posted on 01/20/2014 7:19:34 AM PST by Graewoulf (Democrats' Obamacare Socialist Health Insur. Tax violates U.S. Constitution AND Anti-Trust Law.)
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To: markomalley

The GOP elite is willilng to lose their base in order to get a few hispanic votes. They are insane.


22 posted on 01/20/2014 7:25:20 AM PST by Georgia Girl 2 (The only purpose of a pistol is to fight your way back to the rifle you should never have dropped.)
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To: Graewoulf

NO AMNESTY.

Bring American jobs back, while we’re at it.

America has a high unemployment rate. Bring that down.

First.

Now. Hire AMERICANS.


23 posted on 01/20/2014 7:25:24 AM PST by Cringing Negativism Network ( http://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/balance/c5700.html#2013)
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To: Cringing Negativism Network

The GOP Cave in on Amnesty to illegal alien invaders from Mexico to Devil Obama avoids having to enforce existing Federal Border Laws.

The GOP Establishment will always avoid any conflict with their betters, - - - the Democrat Politicians.

Boehner is dedicated to giving aid and comfort to the illegal alien invaders from Mexico, and America is the worse for it.


24 posted on 01/20/2014 7:35:17 AM PST by Graewoulf (Democrats' Obamacare Socialist Health Insur. Tax violates U.S. Constitution AND Anti-Trust Law.)
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To: markomalley
I shall do my best to boycott all businesses that support amnesty and all businesses that are members of the Chamber of Commerce Communism.
25 posted on 01/20/2014 7:38:52 AM PST by Thom Pain (Income Inequality is caused by Effort/Discipline Inequality!!)
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To: Graewoulf

Not just Boehner.

The entire GOP is sold out, or else silent. With a very few exceptions, such as Cruz and (not currently active) Palin.

Sorry I have left out a few I know, feel free to add your own individuals.

No more illegal immigration, and bring back American jobs.

For crying out loud GOP.

Stand up for AMERICANS.

Sheesh.


26 posted on 01/20/2014 7:40:33 AM PST by Cringing Negativism Network ( http://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/balance/c5700.html#2013)
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To: Cringing Negativism Network

This is about a DC incumbant protection system to ensure voting never really matters.

There was a TCM short about how chicago fraud voting takes place. The first voter brings out a blank ballot and that is filled out for the next person who votes. That ballot is taken in and used to vote.

With optical scanners the same process is applied again. There is no security paper used to print ballots.

You also have precincts which hold back votes in order to see how many ballots must be stuffed.


27 posted on 01/20/2014 7:46:56 AM PST by longtermmemmory (VOTE! http://www.senate.gov and http://www.house.gov)
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To: xzins

Obama, the president who brought back slavery.


28 posted on 01/20/2014 7:47:44 AM PST by longtermmemmory (VOTE! http://www.senate.gov and http://www.house.gov)
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To: Cringing Negativism Network; Travis McGee; Jacquerie; Jim Robinson; All

Boehner is the key to the 2014 Impeachment of B. Hussein Obama.

As long as Obama can keep Boehner on as Speaker of the House, Obama’s job is in safe and loyal hands.

The cowardly House RINOs fear Boehner, and thus keep Boehner on as Speaker.

Thus, the basic problem of stopping Boehner from running with Devil Obama lies squarely with the cowardly House RINOs.

The GOP Cave In on the “amnesty for illegal alien invaders from Mexico bill” to Devil Obama avoids having to enforce existing Federal Border Laws, a consistent goal of the Democrat Party from 1986 onward.

The GOP Establishment will always avoid any conflict with their betters, - - - the Democrat Politicians.

Boehner is dedicated to giving aid and comfort to the illegal alien invaders from Mexico, and America is the worse for it.

If politicians stand for nothing then they will fall for anything.

To make a difference, you have to have a difference.

Is Boehner resisting or running with the Devil Obama?

FORWARD !


29 posted on 01/20/2014 8:06:41 AM PST by Graewoulf (Democrats' Obamacare Socialist Health Insur. Tax violates U.S. Constitution AND Anti-Trust Law.)
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To: Georgia Girl 2

If amnesty is passed by the GOPe, the Dems. will turn to their black base and demonize the GOP for taking the remaining jobs from them. Count on it!


30 posted on 01/20/2014 8:44:58 AM PST by gunner03
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To: Graewoulf

In my humble opinion there is no difference between either of them. Bo-hole is a nothing. He is as worthless as Obama. He has accomplished nothing for our side. The sooner the bum is gone, like his pal McScum, the better off the planet would be. RINOs like them are the reason I left the party and the reason that if there is no true conservative on the tickets I have to vote for, I skip over them and keep moving along the ballot. My ballots used to be straight republican, every block. No more. I vote here, miss a few, vote for another, skip more, vote, skip, etc. etc. I no longer vote for all republicans. I never vote for a Satanic Dimocrat Homo loving abortion approving pig on the other side. So, I usually skip quite a few now days. I vote for Jeff Sessons when he runs for Senate but skip my other senator, the ex-Dim now RINO Shelby. I don’t vote for him. Just skip and go on. I simply no longer will vote for a so called lesser evil. Evil is evil. Murder is murder. Homo is homo. Either you are or your not. So, that is were I am now.


31 posted on 01/20/2014 11:22:54 AM PST by RetiredArmy (I am proud to be a Christian and follower of my Lord Jesus Christ. Time is short for U to know Him!)
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To: RetiredArmy; KC_Lion

I agree. It’s the Uniparty.

I don’t think it really matters if the road to tyranny is running at 70mph or 65mph.


32 posted on 01/20/2014 11:24:23 AM PST by GeronL (Extra Large Cheesy Over-Stuffed Hobbit)
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To: GeronL

Roger that. It is simple. Conservatives are out numbered now. Dims, Homos, Muzzies, Illegals. We are simply out numbered. Obama getting 54% or so of the vote when they were saying that Rummnie might have a chance to win. Naw. We are out numbered. The only hope is to control the Congress. And, what control is that, really. RINO control is just as bad as the dims in my book.


33 posted on 01/20/2014 11:29:04 AM PST by RetiredArmy (I am proud to be a Christian and follower of my Lord Jesus Christ. Time is short for U to know Him!)
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To: markomalley

> “ If strong voter opposition makes itself heard again, as it has in the past, the majority of the GOP caucus that Boehner says he needs probably go along with his pro-amnesty “principles.” “

Boehner is no longer observing the Hastert Rule which requires a majority of republicans to be in favor of a bill before the bill is brought to the floor for a vote.

Any bill that is brought to the House floor needs all of the dems and only 17 ‘squishes’ on the republican side to pass.

But Boehner controls which bills are brought to the House floor for a vote. If he doesn’t bring immigration to the floor, then it never gets voted on. If he brings it, then there are enough votes on the dem side and 17 on the republican side to pass it.

Boehner has already indicated he will bring the immigration bill to the House floor for a vote.

Once it passes in the House, it will go to the Senate who will git the House bill and insert their own. Then the new Senate version will be voted on in the House and it will pass.

There is no stopping it now unless 10 million Americans show up in DC and convince every republican and a few dems for insurance to vote against the bill.

And what if it passes and is signed by Obama?

Then 7 million + Mexicans will register to vote even though they are not citizens. They will register and be ‘guided’ how to vote.

The result is the dems keep the Senate and possibly take back the House.


34 posted on 01/20/2014 1:48:41 PM PST by Hostage (ARTICLE V)
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To: Gene Eric

Zuckerberg is a tool of investment bankers.

Facebook is not a huge moneymaker.

The billions that Zuckerberg has acquired did not come from earnings but from a sweetheart deal with investment bankers.

Where do investment bankers get their money mostly? The Federal Reserve.

Therefore, Zuckerberg’s pledge of money to immigration legislation is from funds that have been granted him through an IPO in the stock market and he is pledging it under the direction of bankers who are backed by an entity that creates it in a computer.

What has happened since the repeal of Glass-Steagall is that bankers have political access to money creation via the Federal Reserve.

In short, the Ruling Class no longer needs the taxpayer.


35 posted on 01/20/2014 1:58:54 PM PST by Hostage (ARTICLE V)
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To: Gene Eric
Do these folks care about the “pre-existing” labor force?

After they fire them, no.

Minimum wage could go below zero -- i.e., people could end up paying to have a job, a place to stay dry and warm/cool during the day, and a coupla tacos and Cokes for lunch.

When Business Week checked on a Ford factory down in Torreon, I think it was, they found a guy welding steel for Ford for $75/week + car fare + taco lunch. He lived in a dirt-floor cement shack with two kids, his pregnant wife, and his mother-in-law. This is America's future if these guys get their way.

36 posted on 01/20/2014 4:04:37 PM PST by lentulusgracchus
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To: longtermmemmory
Obama, the president who brought back slavery.

Whose ancestors were Arab slavers, not slaves.

Ironic, isn't it, how Barack the Magnificent ("More wagyu beef, Dear?") celebrates MLK today?

37 posted on 01/20/2014 4:06:15 PM PST by lentulusgracchus
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To: RetiredArmy

We are on the same page. Well said,


38 posted on 01/20/2014 5:44:54 PM PST by Graewoulf (Democrats' Obamacare Socialist Health Insur. Tax violates U.S. Constitution AND Anti-Trust Law.)
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To: Cringing Negativism Network

CORRECTA MUNDO C/N/N

SEE POST 19 ON IT....


39 posted on 01/22/2014 3:07:19 AM PST by jimsin
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