How to Lose a Country in 10 Minutes
This took a little bit, but Bush's speech about immigration and border security took some time to parse out. The main gist, Monday night, President Bush asaked for funding for 6,000 more border security along the 1951 mile long border. Oh, and 6,000 National Guardsmen to assit, but not engage in any actual arresting or law enforcement activities. They aren't doing this becuase it would be blatantly illegal. We outlawed the military enforcing domestic laws in response to Reconstruction and the South Being filled with troops. Bush has also called for a program ot allow illegal immigrants to get some kind of citizenship, but not amnesty. National Guard deployment, but not full military. A nationalized ID card with tamper-proof identification system. Making them learn English, but not make it the national language. A long set of legislation, but passage within the month. A moderate path no one wants.
Well, first of all, look at the speech. Look at it again, I'll be waiting. Read the first line. "Good Evening". Not "My fellow Americans", as this would imply that all who are listening arae his fellow Americans and this is clearly not the case that Bush is laying out there. Which means of course he's gonna automatically set people in a defensive mindset. The Democrats aren't going to like this plan since it calls for more troopsa ana ddoesn't really attack the problems that cause illegal immigratation. The Republicans are pissed because it allows illegal immigrants a path that leads to somewhere other than jail. And they have to pass this legislative agenda in a month.
Democrats are gonna be pissed because this is a half measure for making a real life for immigrants who came here illegally who honestly just want to work (and Bush HAD to throw in the "pracice their faith" line to try and mollify the Religious Right. Oh well). The idea of going back to the immigration "line" SEEMS fair on its surface, except the line is gonna be always growing, so there is not a real end of the line. The "guest worker" program strikes many as being just another name for a caste system. (even though, ironically, Dems get more power by eplxoiting a caste system, another rant) There is a passing mention of punishing businesses who hire and exploit illegal immigrants, but that immeidately segued into a National ID card with some kind of biometric "digital fingerprint" (whatever the hell that means, Mr. President) that would be tamper proof, somehow. And most people don't like the idea of troops on the border. More so since Bush is asking for more power to do this as well.
As a bonus, Republicans are pissed becuase the plan allows for illegal immigrants to go through a process to allow them to become citizens. As much as they care abaout "people of faith", they're gonna care less about "people who aren't really Americans". Add in a midterm election, president popularity numbers lower than Tom Cruise at a psychiatry convention, and congresscritters who were elected by running to the flanks of the party, and you've got one pissed of GOP. Add in the line about how quickly this has to be passed, aand they're gonna be right pissed. Doubly so since the House version of this bill A) has no provisions for a path to citizenship and b) calls for shipping all illegal immigrants "across the border" which the president called "neither wise nor realistic".
Despite all this, there is one thing President Bush did get right. We are a nation of laws and a nation of immigrants at the same time. There is little doubt that between the Ranter and Raver sides of my family, some snuck ovr without filling out papers. They made it here, to the promise of a new land and all the things we roll our eyes at for having herd it so many times. Except that those are real ideals. Although, the scariest part of the speech is about the Marine Master Gunnery Sergeant who was not a citizen and was still a Marine lifer. It was inspiring to hear about a man who endured hardship to have a place in demanding career, to be a hero takaing shrapnel for a country that would love to send him "home" (where ever that is) and generally have a good life here.
It's scary because even the Marines are looking for a few good illegal immigrants.
So it is written, so do I see it.
Well, first of all, look at the speech. Look at it again, I'll be waiting. Read the first line. "Good Evening". Not "My fellow Americans", as this would imply that all who are listening arae his fellow Americans and this is clearly not the case that Bush is laying out there. Which means of course he's gonna automatically set people in a defensive mindset. The Democrats aren't going to like this plan since it calls for more troopsa ana ddoesn't really attack the problems that cause illegal immigratation. The Republicans are pissed because it allows illegal immigrants a path that leads to somewhere other than jail. And they have to pass this legislative agenda in a month.
Democrats are gonna be pissed because this is a half measure for making a real life for immigrants who came here illegally who honestly just want to work (and Bush HAD to throw in the "pracice their faith" line to try and mollify the Religious Right. Oh well). The idea of going back to the immigration "line" SEEMS fair on its surface, except the line is gonna be always growing, so there is not a real end of the line. The "guest worker" program strikes many as being just another name for a caste system. (even though, ironically, Dems get more power by eplxoiting a caste system, another rant) There is a passing mention of punishing businesses who hire and exploit illegal immigrants, but that immeidately segued into a National ID card with some kind of biometric "digital fingerprint" (whatever the hell that means, Mr. President) that would be tamper proof, somehow. And most people don't like the idea of troops on the border. More so since Bush is asking for more power to do this as well.
As a bonus, Republicans are pissed becuase the plan allows for illegal immigrants to go through a process to allow them to become citizens. As much as they care abaout "people of faith", they're gonna care less about "people who aren't really Americans". Add in a midterm election, president popularity numbers lower than Tom Cruise at a psychiatry convention, and congresscritters who were elected by running to the flanks of the party, and you've got one pissed of GOP. Add in the line about how quickly this has to be passed, aand they're gonna be right pissed. Doubly so since the House version of this bill A) has no provisions for a path to citizenship and b) calls for shipping all illegal immigrants "across the border" which the president called "neither wise nor realistic".
Despite all this, there is one thing President Bush did get right. We are a nation of laws and a nation of immigrants at the same time. There is little doubt that between the Ranter and Raver sides of my family, some snuck ovr without filling out papers. They made it here, to the promise of a new land and all the things we roll our eyes at for having herd it so many times. Except that those are real ideals. Although, the scariest part of the speech is about the Marine Master Gunnery Sergeant who was not a citizen and was still a Marine lifer. It was inspiring to hear about a man who endured hardship to have a place in demanding career, to be a hero takaing shrapnel for a country that would love to send him "home" (where ever that is) and generally have a good life here.
It's scary because even the Marines are looking for a few good illegal immigrants.
So it is written, so do I see it.