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Having been involved in politics and punditry for over a decade, it is my observation that nothing in those years comes close to the turmoil currently found in the Republican Party caused by the issue of illegal immigration. As the Democrats stand poised to recapture the White House in ’08 with a cast of candidates that could best be described as "unelectable" in any other era, the Republicans, led by President Bush, John McCain and… TED KENNEDY (!!!), have decided to inflame a good chunk of their base with the "comprehensive" immigration "reform" deal reached several weeks back, possibly throwing away any chance at winning back a majority in the next election, the presidency along with it.
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This Saturday on our radio venture, "Meet the New Press" (podcast page here), Skip and I got into a rowdy debate over the topic with our friend and co-host, Pat Hynes of AnkleBitingPundits. The heated exchange represents a microcosm of the problem as it exists within Republican ranks. Many folks, like Pat, believe that we must end the problem by accepting those who are already here, legalizing them in some fashion or other, while simultaneously enacting border security. This approach seems to come from people of a more professional, bureacratically inclined bent. The Joe Sixpacks of the world– those who struggle to pay the taxes that fund the ever-growing social welfare services state while working harder every day to maintain decent-paying employment– tend to be against the broad grant of absolution from violations of law. Those people, with Skip and I among them, remain skeptical of a government promising that, THIS TIME, they will get it right. It’s not that we don’t like immigrants, we just want them here LEGALLY. I think there is a large, silent majority on this issue. Just ask anyone you meet in your everyday travels…
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We talked about this on four separate occasions during the two hour program. Skip has taken the snippets and strung them together as a whole, which lasts about 23 minutes. You can listen using the OdeoPlayer gadget below, or click here to download as a podcast directly to your media player.
<odeo player here>
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During and after the program, we got emails commenting on the debate. Here are a few:
Doug,.I am right there with you and Skip on Immigration. The biggest problem in this nation is enforcement of our laws. As a parent, I am teaching my children the importance of following the rules of this nation. I don’t think it is too much to ask of people from other nations to do the same. If you want to come to our country, you need to follow our laws. And to our government officials, enforce the laws we have and seal our border first..Gail in Stratham
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Jeanne bluntly wrote:
GET HERE LEGAL & PAY YOUR TAXES. NO GIVING MONEY FOR JUST SHOWING UP.
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My goodness Doug, your friend Pat is so invested in McCain that he can’t listen to reason. When I was listening today, he was the one who was getting hot under the collar – trying to defend that immigration bill. All of the defenses I have heard so far don’t hold any water. The idea that provisions would be "triggered" only when control of the border is "certified" by the president is really frightening! My understanding is that certification would be triggered not by border control, but by the hiring of border control agents and other spending. So, Bush could let the invasion of our country go forward as soon as the money is appropriated. And if Bush didn’t do so, we would have to worry even more of a Democrat getting the presidency.
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I did think it was very funny that Pat was so willing to accept a poll by CBS and The NY Times. I wonder how many times in the past he has trusted them?
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I remember one of you mentioning the following scenario, so please pass the following story on to Pat. I didn’t see his email address on the web site.
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Denise C.Let’s say I break into your house
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A lady wrote the best letter in the Editorials in ages!!! It explains things better than all the baloney you hear on TV..Her point:.Recently large demonstrations have taken place across the country protesting the fact that Congress is finally addressing the issue of illegal immigration.
.Certain people are angry that the US might protect its own borders, might make it harder to sneak into this country and, once here, to stay indefinitely..Let me see if I correctly understand the thinking behind these protests. Let’s say I break into your house. Let’s say that when you discover me in your house, you insist that I leave..But I say, "I’ve made all the beds and washed the dishes and did the laundry and swept the floors. I’ve done all the things you don’t like to do. I’m hard-working and honest (except for when I broke into your house) ..According to the protesters:.You are Required to let me stay in your house You are Required to add me to your family’s insurance plan You are Required to Educate my kids You are Required to Provide other benefits to me & to my family (my husband will do all of your yard work because he is also hard-working and honest, except for that breaking in part)..If you try to call the police or force me out, I will call my friends who will picket your house carrying signs that proclaim my RIGHT to be there..
It’s only fair, after all, because you have a nicer house than I do, and I’m just trying to better myself. I’m a hard-working and honest, person, except for well, you know, I did break into your house….And what a deal it is for me!!!.I live in your house, contributing only a fraction of the cost of my keep, and there is nothing you can do about it without being accused of cold, uncaring, selfish, prejudiced, and bigoted behavior..Oh yeah, I DEMAND that you to learn MY LANGUAGE!!! so you can communicate with me..Why can’t people see how ridiculous this is?! Only in America . if you agree, pass it on ( in English ). Share it if you see the value of it..If not
blow it off……… along with your future Social Security funds, and a lot of other things.
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Doug:.The last two presidential elections were very tight. The next one will not be that close. The Democrats will win. That’s because the Republican party is not unified. When I heard Pat Hynes debating you and Skip on ILLEGAL immigration, he reminded me of James Carville or George Stephanopoulos. He was totally convinced he was right and acted like you were a nut case. If enough Republicans share his view, we are very divided..Steve
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"Very divided", indeed. One wonders why certain Republicans chose this time to get this done. All I want is a sealed border. Period. Aren’t we at war? As to the illegals already here? Simply enforce existing laws. Nothing more, nothing less. This is not inhumane, as it mostly puts the onus on those breaking the law by employing people illegally.