Dream Decree
President Obama today, speaking from the Rose Garden, commenced the latest leg on our fundamental transformation from a constitutional republic into something different:
PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA: Good afternoon, everybody.
This morning, Secretary Napolitano announced new actions my administration will take to mend our nation’s immigration policy, to make it more fair, more efficient and more just, specifically for certain young people sometimes called DREAMers.
. . .
That’s what gave rise to the Dream Act. It says that if your parents brought you here as a child, you’ve been here for five years and you’re willing to go to college or serve in our military, you can one day earn your citizenship. And I’ve said time and time and time again to Congress that — send me the Dream Act, put it on my desk, and I will sign it right away.
Now, both parties wrote this legislation, and year and a half ago, Democrats passed the Dream Act in the House, but Republicans walked away from it. It got 55 votes in the Senate, but Republicans blocked it. The bill hasn’t really changed; the need hasn’t changed. It’s still the right thing to do. The only thing that has changed, apparently, was the politics.
. . .
Effective immediately, the Department of Homeland Security is taking steps to lift the shadow of deportation from these young people. Over the next few months, eligible individuals who do not present a risk to national security or public safety will be able to request temporary relief from deportation proceedings and apply for work authorization.
Am I overwrought in thinking this latest move of more than questionable illegality? Allow me to quote noted constitutional authority and President of the United States Barack Obama, speaking in 2011:
The fact of the matter is there are laws on the books that I have to enforce. And I think there’s been a great disservice done to the cause of getting the Dream Act passed and getting comprehensive immigration passed by perpetrating the notion that somehow, by myself, I can go and do these things. It’s just not true.
What has changed? Well, the polls aren't looking good for Mr. Hope and Change. The War on Women was a bust; weighing in on Trayvon didn't help; must be time to dust off the War on Immigrants. So the us-versus-them administration has run this latest divisive issue up the flagpole.
Question: Is this just another sign of desperation, or is Mr. Obama onto something here?
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Comments:
Jun '10
Re: Dream Decree
I have to agree with those who think it's entirely a distraction. Boy, does he need a distraction now. He put the cat among the pigeons, as they say.
Mar '11
Re: Dream Decree
This is a sign of desperation.
It does nothing to help the economy or to create a single job or to reduce the debt/deficit. These are the things the voters tell pollsters that they care about.
This does not appeal to a demographic that was not already going to vote for Obama. He is not growing his voting block.
May '11
Re: Dream Decree
A former Charlsestonian, Michael Graham, posted, Amnesty is the Spanish word for desperation. His point is that this doesn't really make sense even politically.
Edited on June 15, 2012 at 11:16pmMay '11
Re: Dream Decree
I haven't seen the video. Was there soft music in the background singing, "You might say I'm a DREAMer, but I'm not the only One."
Dec '11
Re: Dream Decree
Sigh. Just another citizen of the world.
Who needs borders when you don't believe in your own nation's superiority? Who needs citizenship when you don't believe in your own country's constitution?
Feb '12
Re: Dream Decree
This speech will be remembered for the exchange with a reporter:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Eu9QT8d8r78
Imagine if Bush was lecturing reporters when is and when isn't the right time to ask questions! And I didn't ask for an argument, Sir. Sound like a third-rate lawyer completely lost in front of a judge, hoping for some brilliant thought and realizing that none is coming! Priceless!
Dec '10
Re: Dream Decree
I for one am relieved that the economy has evidently so improved in the past 24 hours that we can absorb 800,000 new workers to help build our prosperity. Why, it was only a couple of days ago that the job market was so weak that millions of American citizens were unable to find jobs and millions more had even given up looking for work out of hopelessness.I hope all the DREAMers covered by this decree are immediately counted as job-seekers. We will see how that affects the headline U-3 unemployment rate as the pool of potential workers swells by half a million or so. (At current monthly gains, how long will it take the Obama Recovery to absorb these new job-seekers?)
Re: Dream Decree
Virshu: This speech will be remembered for the exchange with a reporter:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Eu9QT8d8r78
Imagine if Bush was lecturing reporters when is and when isn't the right time to ask questions! And I didn't ask for an argument, Sir. Sound like a third-rate lawyer completely lost in front of a judge, hoping for some brilliant thought and realizing that none is coming! Priceless! · 6 minutes ago
Funny, nobody ever accused ABC reporter Sam Donaldson of "heckling" during his many years of shouting questions at Presidents Reagan and Bush. Times change, I suppose.
Feb '12
Re: Dream Decree
As I think more - this is almost as revealing as private sector is doing fine comment. Obama never asks for an argument! Whether it's healthcare, Guantanamo, or drone attacks - he is there to tell you how it is.
And everybody around him are either students who will be graded by him during the finals - and those arguments won't help to get an A; or employers during a strike - and it would be most unfortunate if there is a fire (accidental, of course) because you insist on those silly arguments! Can't we all get along by doing it my way - and no arguments needed
Apr '11
Re: Dream Decree
Obama just got Florida, though. And that is probably the whole ball game, since north Virginia has VA well on the way to becoming a democratic state at the presidential level.
Nov '11
Re: Dream Decree
Thinking in completely cynical political terms, I wonder if Rubio's chances of becoming VP just went up slightly. His bill provides some political cover for Republicans while attacking Obama for avoiding the constitutional process. And that 2011 quote makes great ad material.
On the other hand, by bringing the issue to the forefront, it might make Rubio a less popular choice among conservatives.
Mar '11
Re: Dream Decree
I am not sure that this is fully true. There remains a very large portion of the Hispanic population in Florida that are Cuban or from Puerto Rico. These folk do not necessarily care about or automatically like plans dealing with Illegal Immigration.
Aug '10
Re: Dream Decree
Timing makes me think this story was put out just days prior for a reason. I may be too cynical though.
Jun '10
Re: Dream Decree
The lawless president.
Oct '10
Re: Dream Decree
George Savage:
Question: Is this just another sign of desperation, or is Mr. Obama onto something here? · · 6 hours ag
He's on to something.
Jul '10
Re: Dream Decree
Jager: This is a sign of desperation.
It does nothing to help the economy or to create a single job or to reduce the debt/deficit. These are the things the voters tell pollsters that they care about.
This does not appeal to a demographic that was not already going to vote for Obama. He is not growing his voting block.
Perhaps not his legal voting bloc, but Holder's war on vote integrity, in Florida and elsewhere, is not about legal voting blocs.
Apr '11
Re: Dream Decree
The point the Republicans should focus on is not the decision he made, but the fact that he apparently feels he can change the law by not enforcing parts of laws which he finds inconvenient . Because Congress is divided, the Senate democrats will give him cover, and not hold him accountable. It is outrageous that he picks and chooses which laws he will enforce, and which he will not. As this continues under different administrations, Presidents will become laws unto themselves.
Jan '11
Re: Dream Decree
Is it just me, or does the prospect of 800,000 young, mobile and previously undocumented adults coming out of the shadows and applying for papers around the country make a very strong argument for Voter ID?
I mean, we don't want these non-citizens voting, do we? And certainly nobody wants large numbers of them voting in crucial "swing states" - right?
Elect no Democrat anywhere, ever.