What Should the GOP Do About Illegal Immigration?
Republican politicians have dodged the issue of immigration ever since George W Bush's failed effort to shove through his "comprehensive immigration reform".
Conventional wisdom appears to be that Republicans have more to lose by alienating the Hispanic vote than they have to gain by motivating the base or converting independents.
But I wonder if this is true. Anecdotes perhaps make for bad politics, but I live in ultra-liberal Marin County, California and I've recently had conversations with people I know to be liberals that indicate they're alarmed by the level of illegal immigration and its effects upon their quality of life.
My barber, for instance, who keeps a copy of Bill Maher's book in his shop and who never responds to my mild conservative comments, becomes positively irate on the immigration issue. His wife, herself an immigrant from France, practically foams at the mouth about the malign effects and economic costs of illegal immigration. Seal the border, cut off their benefits, round them up and send them home - she sounds like Tom Tancredo on steroids.
This is an argument which has to be had, now rather than later. I believe that, handled properly, it can be a defining issue for the GOP in 2012 - and a winning one. But will Republicans' habitual timidity keep them from doing the right thing?
- Comment (48)
- · Quote
- · UnfollowFollow (4)
Comments :
Oct '10
Re: What Should the GOP Do About Illegal Immigration?
Just deny welfare, benefits, public schools access.
May '10
Re: What Should the GOP Do About Illegal Immigration?
Ya got my vote brother. Perhaps it is American exceptionalism, but there is only one country on Earth where controlling immigration is controversial. But I suspect that outside the confines of the "America Sucks" liberal control tower, there is a latent feeling that 'enough is enough' stirring in the land. It would require a politician with a delicate touch to harness that feeling in such a way as not to appear mean-spirited (or worse).
I suggest we use the expression "immigration moratorium" to imply that we are not really changing course, only making a temporary correction.
Feb '11
Re: What Should the GOP Do About Illegal Immigration?
It depends, will these same liberals maintain their stance when the leftist open borders lobby begins to scream racism to opponents? Will they be able to stand up to groupthink? Will they dare put into jeopardy their leftist street cred? By far the left rules by coercion and the threat of ostrafication, I find it hard to believe that these individuals will put themselves in harm's way. Remember, according to the left America's original sin is racism and beign called a racist is a horrifying thought to libs.
Nov '10
Re: What Should the GOP Do About Illegal Immigration?
It is my view that most elected Republicans and their handlers who want amnesty for illegals want it for the same reason Democrats do. They don’t look at these illegals as people but merely as potential voters. And that earns these Republicans [McCain, Linsey Graham, etc.] a dunce cap for thinking those given amnesty are going to vote for Republicans. With Democrats promising them the moon these Republicans haven’t seemed to take the time to think through how they could ever compete with Democrats for those votes.
Apr '11
Re: What Should the GOP Do About Illegal Immigration?
Kenneth, thanks for your thoughts.
I feel it needs to be handled as you would any serious issue. Stand up, be bold, make a cogent argument about the problem not the people. We always let the left frame the discussion and we cower in fear after we are called names and then the discussion ends. I believe there are many people, right and left who see the harm it causes our country and are only looking for someone who will courageously, in a statesmen like manner, voice what they themselves are afraid to speak.
We need a leader who will selflessly meet the needs of America and not be self serving.
Apr '11
Re: What Should the GOP Do About Illegal Immigration?
Another thought....seems to me we laugh, applaud and our joyously devoted to a comedian who can point out the absurdities, or comedy of our lives if you will, which we know but can't articulate and could have a similar devotion to someone who articulates the seriousness of our lives as effectively a manner.
Feb '11
Re: What Should the GOP Do About Illegal Immigration?
This is one many ways in which the GOP is striving to join the Whig party in oblivion.
The base of the party, and many millions of other voters, are hostile to illegal immigration and want the border sealed. Intensely so.
So what does the GOP president do?
He refuses to seal the border, pushes for amnesty, and lectures the public about family values not stopping at the Rio Grande. Result:political disaster.
Yes, I know that there was politically calculation involved, but there was also political calculation when the Whig party would not take a stand for or against slavery.
Unfortunately, none of the people mentioned as GOP candidates seem willing to take a stand on this issue.
No good will come of this, especially with Mexico crumbling into civil war.
Jun '10
Re: What Should the GOP Do About Illegal Immigration?
I want the border controlled even if, especially if, it takes automatic weapons and free fire zones. What to do with those who are already here is a separate issue for me, but for the border, it must be controlled by whatever means are necessary.
I have some sympathy to genuine immigrants, to those who otherwise become law abiding, productive citizens, or who grow up in this country and do the same, those who join the military to protect this country. But what to do with illegal immigrants (as opposed to those who enter this country for nefarious purposes) I see as a separate issue.
The borders must be controlled before we do anything else. And by controlled I don't mean pestering the bejeezus out of law abiding American citizens entering the country through our airports. I mean those who walk, run, or are driven across our borders daily. I'm talking about armed, Mexican Army escorted drug convoys regularly driving across the border.
Republicans will have to do the job because the Democrats won't. And I don't see a very many Republicans willing to make this serious issue beyond what will give or cost them votes.
Sep '10
Re: What Should the GOP Do About Illegal Immigration?
Lots of my left-leaning friends are appalled at the situation too.
This shouldn't be a difficult issue for Republicans. They need only say that the borders must be secured before any more discussion of the issue. No comprehensive multi-stage plans will fly politically, because the American people don't trust the government to deliver on the "comprehensive" part, if you know what I mean.
Border security is one of the primary tasks of the Federal Government. The promise has already been made and is being broken on a daily basis. Every day the government doesn't act decisively is another broken promise.
That's all that needs saying.
Apr '11
Re: What Should the GOP Do About Illegal Immigration?
Yes, yes it will.
Jun '10
Re: What Should the GOP Do About Illegal Immigration?
I am amazed at how many difficulties musicians face trying to get visas in order to perform here. These people have round trip tickets, are booked at widely advertised events, & have hugely successful careers, agents, recording contracts, and families back home. Nothing about them would suggest they are trying to sneak in and stay for prolonged periods. But they are the targets for intense scrutiny from our government.
Meanwhile, parking lots around America are filled with obvious illegals begging for day labor work & their offspring are crowding schools and hospitals and putting an enormous drain on our citizens.
We are quite good at enforcing laws when we want -- like in the case of keeping those musicians out. It's a corrupt and hypocritical situation. Big business wants the cheap labor. Dems want the votes. What a cowardly way to handle the problem.
I'd love to see some well done commercials showing the crowd of illegals hopping into contractor trucks. Juxtapose this with a blue collar family putting a "foreclosed" sign on their front lawn. Show video of ilegals swarming across the borders and images of closed emergency rooms. We should appeal to emotions. Logic isn't working.
Dec '10
Re: What Should the GOP Do About Illegal Immigration?
Make the distinction between legal and illegal immigration so clear that the equivocation currently used to confuse the issue is impossible. Any solution requires a clear target, and thats currently obscured by intentionally imprecise language.
Jan '11
Re: What Should the GOP Do About Illegal Immigration?
Flogging.
Oh, maybe I've got the wrong conversation.
Sep '10
Re: What Should the GOP Do About Illegal Immigration?
This would be my policy if I were running for the GOP nomination.
"Step one of my plan is to seal the border. I don't care if that means a fence, a wall, or armed soldiers, but that border will be sealed. I will reveal step two during my re-election campaign in four years once I am satisified that the border has been sealed in a meaningful way."
Feb '11
Re: What Should the GOP Do About Illegal Immigration?
Illegal immigration needs to be one part of the puzzle the GOP uses to win midwestern and northern blue collar workers. These are going to be essential voters if the Republicans are to win in 2012. The puzzle is the economic well-being of Americans. The political class seems bound and determined to make Americans poorer through open borders, quantitative easing that brings about higher commodity prices and decreases the value of the dollar, and a fiscal policy the upshot of which is to make interest payments the largest budget item. That is the way illegal immigration should fit into the picture -- through the bleak economic future Obama will leave all Americans. Trying to use it as a social or law-and-order issue will not work nearly as well.
Mar '11
Re: What Should the GOP Do About Illegal Immigration?
Just because it has been said thousands and thousands of times and has been as effective as other whistles in the wind, the solution is simple: prosecute employers! The majority of these illegals are here for one and only one reason: jobs. It allows them to send money back home to Mexico et al. If you fine and jail employers, the "employees" will "self-deport." This simple solution not only solves an "immigration" problem, it also helps raise wages on unskilled jobs that--believe me--Americans WILL do if there are no "illegals" to do it for them.
This is not in lieu of securing the border; it is in lieu of all the silly "amnesty" proposals no matter what fancy name they fly under. Once there were battlecries like "Remember the Alamo" and "Remember the Maine." Today it should be: Remember Simpson/Mazzoli.
PS: Simpson/Mazzoli should also be remembered as a cautionary tale when our politicians start trotting out plans to "solve our debt and deficits." Caveat elector!
Re: What Should the GOP Do About Illegal Immigration?
Okay, first, Kenneth, I've got to call you on this: "mild conservative comments?" I don't think I ever want to see a Mild Conservative Kenneth. My head might explode.
Second, seriously, I think there's a tipping point at around, say, 8 million illegal immigrants. Less than that and it's a net benefit to employers: cheap labor, off-the-books... (It's always, I think, a net loss to the illegals, who have zero protection, zero status, and who dutifully send money back to Mexico. It's a net loss to Mexico, too, because all of its enterprising citizens leave, making it dependent on a remittance economy.)
When I moved to California and for years after, I never saw a Mexican panhandler. Never once. Now I see them all the time. When 30% of all incarcerated prisoners in California are illegal immigrants, it's a problem.
So I agree with Jerry, among others, above: encourage and simplify immigration rules and quotas for engineers, scientists, etc. from China, India, eastern Europe, and the rest of the world. Embrace and extend legal immigration. Welcome skilled people from all corners of the globe.
And seal the southern border tight.
Jul '10
Re: What Should the GOP Do About Illegal Immigration?
Well, the guy is armed with a straight razor, Rob.
Re: What Should the GOP Do About Illegal Immigration?
Kenneth
Well, the guy is armed with a straight razor, Rob. · Apr 26 at 10:16am
Ah! Yes, now I see. Prudence, sir, in the face of a sharp blade. Always a good idea.
Feb '11
Re: What Should the GOP Do About Illegal Immigration?
"When I moved to California and for years after, I never saw a Mexican panhandler. Never once. Now I see them all the time." Its interesting that you note this Rob. In another post I commented that I went to a local mall with my father here in SoCal and we were the target of panhandlers who appeared to be indigenous (probably Mexican) Spanish speaking young men (not all indigenous migrants speak Spanish). This was very shocking to both of us. Like you I never saw Mexicans panhandle or be among the homeless population, no matter how dirt poor they were. I came to a realization that if these young men are not somehow employed or return to their native country, things are going to get really ugly.