Posted on 03/05/2018 11:34:32 AM PST by Kaslin
While some bemoan Punch and Judy politics the real issue tearing apart the country aren’t the stark ideological differences between Democrats and Republicans, conservatives and liberals, but rather the divide between those who want enforcement of federal immigration law and those who defy and obstruct the enforcers.
This is an issue — and a debate — that has been percolating for years, though it arguably only came into full focus with President Donald J. Trump’s signature campaign promise to “build the wall.” In time, building a wall along the border of the United States and Mexico became a euphemism for enforcement of federal immigration law, including a crackdown on so-called sanctuary cities.
As with much in this debate, sanctuary cities are nothing new.
The usual left-wing bastions became safe spaces for illegal immigrants years ago. However, cities and counties that prohibit local police from some or all cooperation with federal authorities charged with enforcing immigration laws gained new infamy after 32-year-old Kate Steinle was murdered along San Francisco’s famed Embarcadero waterfront by Jose Ines Garcia Zarat, a Mexican illegal immigrant who had been deported five times from the United States and had seven felony convictions to his name.
Just as Arizona tried to enforce federal immigration law during the presidency of Barack Obama, California has gone in the opposite direction and become a sanctuary state.
At stake isn’t just the potential loss of federal money, which in the case of California, the most populous state, is significant. California, where reportedly 10 percent of the workforce is in the United States illegally, didn’t just increase the stakes. It poured fuel on the fire with its open defiance of the feds.
s a result, a dangerous and divisive atmosphere not seen since the Civil War is engulfing America.
Then as now, the differences between the two sides are seemingly irreconcilable. And ironically enough, the battle lines are the same with Democrats once again taking what amounts to the secessionist position.
In Oakland, San Francisco’s neighbor across the bay, the Democrat mayor, Libby Schaaf, used the full weight of city hall to warn her constituents about impending raids a day before U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement made 150 arrests.
Meanwhile, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra threatened state prosecution of businesses that disclose the legal status of their workers to federal authorities. This despite the fact that Becerra, a Democrat, swore an oath to “support and defend” and “bear true faith and allegiance” to the U.S. Constitution.
Under these circumstances it isn’t far-fetched to imagine a situation in which a sheriff or police chief, encouraged by the political leaders of a sanctuary city or state, physically hinders the feds from carrying out a raid in their locale.
Not only would this escalate the issue, but also it could turn what has been a heated political debate into civil unrest and even, dare I say, insurrection.
California’s deliberate undermining of the legitimate and lawful exercise of the federal government’s authority is beyond unconstitutional. It presents a danger for the Union.
Ask Steve Scalise.
L
Yes, we are approaching civil war II, but the approach slowed way down, January 20, 2017.
Yes, the Mayor threatened.
“If you arrest illegals, I’ll hold my breath until I die.”
President Trump said,
“Been good not knowing you. Start arresting them.”
Already in the non-shooting part of CW2
It runs far deeper than that.
The chasm that separates the Left from the Right is insurmountable and will lead to destruction. Conservatives are not the ones pressing for this altercation, but those who wish us eradicated are. It is still up for debate as to what the catalyst will be, but it will spark suffering and anguish as has been witnessed throughout time. And, sadly so, there shall be no middle ground.
Rule of Law or Not.
That has been the issue since the last amnesty after which the Bush League Republicans set about to prevent us from keeping it.
I used to worry about that, but now I look forward to it.
Some would say it’s already started . . .
So long as the majority Americans are fat and entertained they’ll be no civil war.
You say you want a revolution Well, you know
We all want to change the world
the divide between those who want enforcement of federal immigration law and those who defy and obstruct the enforcers
Well the Left must think so. Why else would they be so gung-ho to grab our guns?
We are not quite at the “Bleeding Kansas” phase, but it’s getting there...
Election day, 2018 might speed it up, depending on how it goes.
If so it will be a very short war unless the left is suddenly into guns.
Agree! Shooting part yet to commence.
Yep. We’ve been in a cold civil war for over a decade.
And make no mistake, A deeply divided country will not survive.
Yes. And the good guys have the guns.
I’m all for it. But our side must be completely devoted to eradicating collectivism or else what’s the point?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.