Open Borders, Closed Wallets

The American Conservative ^ | April 12, 2004 issue | Phil Kent

[freeangel]

This will be the one issue that dems will force down Pres.Bushs throat when he is re-elected. Of course, it won't go far enough for them. It would make them happier if land is taken from the "rich" and is given to the immigrants/Illegals.

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[international american]

Bush really needs to address the immigration issue if he wants to ensure victory. I will vote for him regardless...but may of my friends may not. To leave it hanging is not wize, and the mexicans are voting as a majority for Kerry.

[MineralMan]

"I will vote for him regardless...but may of my friends may not. "

I visited my folks last weekend. My Dad, who is 79, a WWII B-17 pilot, and a lifelong Republican, surprised the heck out of me. He told me that there was no way he would vote for GWB again.

Shocked, I asked him why. He told me that it wasn't just one thing. The illegal alien issue was one reason. He lives in CA, and owns a citrus ranch, and has been dealing with this problem for years. Bush's waffling on RKBA issues is another problem for my Dad. He's a life-long firearms owner...taught me everything I know about guns.

Then he really shocked me. He called Bush a "chicken-hawk." I tried to argue with him, but he wasn't having any of it.

Finally, he said that, in his opinion, Bush had lied too many times to him.

I asked him who he was going to vote for, and he said he couldn't vote for Kerry, so he was going to sit this one out...the first election he has ever missed.

I don't know what to say...really. If my Dad is going to do this, then Bush is in big trouble with his base. I can't imagine my Dad not voting. I can't imagine him not voting for a Republican in any election.

I think Bush better get his act together on these issues.

[DoughtyOne]

There are times when I can't imagine what is going through our leader's minds with the choices they make. Our policies with regard to illegals seem better suited to have been made by the legislature and president of Mexico. In some ways this is a very sad time in our nations history.

[american spirit]

I'd also include the FTAA, which on it's surface seems to be much more destructive than NAFTA & GATT combined. If it's true they're attempting to create a superstate ala the EU, there will be a severe impact on our constitutional rights and possibly the rule of law.

[azhenfud]

Now if only we could get the felon corporations hiring them to withhold their contributions, maybe some headway can be made on deportations.

I suppose that'll come when or if Congress decides to post bounties, stiffen the penalties on felons, and demand the law be enforced.

[swampfox98]

The illegal alien issue was one reason.

Try and convince your dad that if Kerry wins he has promised to give immediate citizenship to every illegal in this country.

With Bush we at least have a chance. Congressman Tom Tancredo of Colorado is working very hard to change the president's mind, and bring some sanity back to the Republican party.

[international american]

My dad voted for him befor he died(a decorated WW2 vet)
But he told me that he hope he was worried about Bush's
stand on illegal immigration, which is wrecking much of the economy of California.Had he lived, I think he might have opted to stay home. I know he never missed voting the straight Republic ticket.

[Jerrybob]

I agree 100%.

I sent the following letter to Karl Rove and Andrew Card at the White House. Whether it will do any good -- who knows, but it made me feel better.

Dear Mr. Rove:

I write to address the issue of President Bush’s reelection. No one is a bigger supporter of the President than I, for many reasons; however, it is my opinion that his chances for reelection could be in serious trouble.

If I may make the following observations:

Other than Attorney General John Ashcroft’s opinion of many months ago that he considers the Second Amendment to be an individual right, the Bush Administration has proven to be no great friend to gun owners; moreover, the President’s support of the Assault Weapons Ban extension has left them most displeased.

In gauging the sentiments of gun owners generally, few view him favorably. They have had their Second Amendment rights ridiculed, attacked and diminished for years and at every level of government; anything less than something very positive from the President between now and November 2 will garner neither their good will nor their votes.

So I write to urge you to find ways for President Bush to strengthen the right of Americans to possess and carry firearms. If he can do this, he will endear himself to tens of millions of registered voters; if he does not, I fear these same voters will look upon his reelection with indifference, at best.

[international american]

I understood that Tancredo was being shunned by the Bush camp. I hope not. Many of us here in California are angry about this. Whoever thought this up is doing a disservice to Bush.

[Henrietta]

"Then I warned the Georgia Bush-Cheney chairman, Jamie Reynolds, that I was failing to receive checks because of the president’s stand on illegal immigration."

Bush should also be warned that he will be failing to receive votes because of his stand on illegal immigration.

Those of us in flyover country increasingly feel that Bush "just doesn't get it" on the immigration issue.

[Henrietta]

"Try and convince your dad that if Kerry wins he has promised to give immediate citizenship to every illegal in this country."

Keep in mind that we still have a Republican congress, and maybe they'll get a backbone if they have a President in the opposition. So even if Kerry is elected (which I don't think would be a good thing) all is not lost.

[international american]

I just don't see how alienating such a large base is good strategy. The majority legal mexicans want a stop to illegal immigration too!

[swampfox98]

I understood that Tancredo was being shunned by the Bush camp.

Well I'd tell the Bush camp, tough cookies! Millions of conservatives are going to continue to support Tom Tancredo, long after Bush wins the election in 2004, God willing. (And I say God willing because the Democrats are so vile, and have a even worse amnesty program.)

[kaktuskid]

Remember we have a ONE vote majority in the Senate right now!

[swampfox98]

and maybe they'll get a backbone if they have a President in the opposition

Yes, I'm afraid Bill Clinton's administration taught the Republicans how to punish desent within the ranks. If any politician disagrees with their president then the party head will with hold money from that person's re-election campaign. Re: Tom Tancredo. This is one reason so many other Republicans won't speak up to save our country from foreign invasion.

Clinton used this kind of blackmail very successfully, and Karl Rove is doing the same with the Republicans who won't go along with Bush's amnesty plan.

[FITZ]

Bush proposed that an illegal immigrant could apply for temporary worker status for up to six years, getting all the benefits of citizenship ranging from a driver’s license to Social Security checks.

Maybe instead of sending $35 billion to Mexico, the illegals could send a portion to the campaign.

[FITZ]

This is an over 80% hispanic town --- and I've seen absolutely no support for the proposed amnesty --- quite the opposite.