Reflections on Super Tuesday, Part I: The Far-Right's Hysterics over John McCain & Immigration
February 6th, 2008 by Glenn Sacks, MA for Fathers & Families
I appeared on Al-Jazeera's World News last night to discuss the "Super Tuesday" presidential primary results. The show was shot on location near El Pueblo Historical Monument at Olvera Street and none of the trailers had the equipment to make me a tape, so I don't have one available yet. One of the subjects we discussed was the far right/Republican hysterics over John McCain.
I have been surprised and dismayed over some of the reactions from prominent Republicans to John McCain's recent success. As many of you know, Rush Limbaugh has denounced McCain and said that if McCain is the Republican nominee, he would prefer that the Democrats win the election. Ann Coulter went on Hannity & Colmes the other night and said that she would prefer Hillary Clinton--who she views as equivalent to the devil himself--to McCain.
Conservative radio talk shows here in Los Angeles are filled with vehement rhetoric about McCain the traitor who has "sold out America." It's hard to believe I'm listening to them describe the man who has been a 100 percenter on the war in Iraq and who, perhaps as much as anyone, has staked his political career on an unpopular war because he believes it is the right thing to do.
It's hard to believe I'm listening to them describe a man who spent several years in a North Vietnamese prison camp and endured torture. It's hard to believe I'm listening to them describe the man pictured above looking like a scarecrow as he shook President Richard Nixon's hand after he was released from captivity in North Vietnam. I'm not one of those who thinks you need to be a veteran in order to be president or to lead us into war or whatever, and I got real tired of John Kerry's Vietnam shtick in the 2004 election, but to speak of McCain as if he's a traitor is way over the line.
I like Los Angeles based syndicated talk show host Larry Elder personally, though I don't always agree with him, but I thought he showed some decency and honor yesterday in defending McCain. Elder has a long list of things he does not like about McCain, much of which I don't agree with, but he stood up for him against these attacks.
The biggest reason why people on the far right hate McCain is that McCain, unlike many conservatives, talks sense on immigration. Sorry, but anybody who thinks that we are going to round up 12 million people--people who are an important part of our economy and who often have deep ties to this country as well as children who are US citizens--is living in a dream world. There will be another amnesty. The only question is when.
As an aside, one of the producers who booked me for this show is stationed in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. When she told me about the gig in Los Angeles, she said that Al Jazeera had set up camp in the "Spanish Quarter." I was puzzled by this, since I have never heard the term "Spanish Quarter" applied to anywhere in Los Angeles. I asked my wife, "What does she mean by 'Spanish Quarter'?" My wife joked, "'Spanish Quarter' means LA County."
The point? Latinos, whether citizens, legal residents, or undocumented immigrants, are an integral part of the economy, culture, and life of Los Angeles and much of the Southwest. I certainly have no problem with Latinos, but regardless of how you feel about them, one thing is clear--legal or "illegal," they're not going anywhere.
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February 6th, 2008 at 11:09 am
Glenn:
You and I are goiing to have to agree to disagree on immigration. As to John McCain, I agree that it is ludicrous to call him a traitor. I tend to cut him some slack, as he has a reason for irrationality and uncontrolled anger: years of torture! As one who lived for 40 years within 20 miles of Mexico, I know first hand about the effect of the Hispanic culture. It is to bring the border down to the level of a third world country, which Mexico is. Without rehashing the economic damge the present wave of entitlement seeking illegals are doing, there is no need to deport large numbers of them. That is a red herring. Simply eliminate incentives, i.e. , jobs, welfare, health care, etc. All of these anchor babies are Mexican citizens by Mexican law. They hold a dual citizenship. Their mothers need to be billed medical exp[enses and incarcerated until the bills are paid! One more thing: if you think that the border cannot be closed, then you have never talked to First Cavalry veterans who closed it ifrom WWI until the end of WWII!
More to the point of MR issues, which candidate would be more likely to furnish us som relief from the tyranny of Family Law? It certainly isn't John McCain. Mike Huckabee, by backing the abolition of the IRS, would give us a chance to be heard by eliminating the base of poliical power for the federal government. In other words, the Fair Tax is our best hope for a peacefu solution to the whole mess of government tyranny!
February 6th, 2008 at 11:22 am
Glenn, there are a lot of us that for whatever reason don't want more illegal immigration, in fact we want less. I agree that the hysterics are not helpful. I would include the race-baiting.
February 6th, 2008 at 11:35 am
>I tend to cut him some slack, as he has a reason for irrationality and uncontrolled anger: years of torture!
Ok, cut him some slack, but someone "who has reason for irrationality and uncontrolled anger" may not be the best person to lead the armed forces of the USA.
February 6th, 2008 at 11:44 am
Glenn Im afraid I have to agree with Ken here.
Illegal immigration is becoming an issue we cant overlook any longer. Regardless of source we cannot afford to keep spending Billions on health care, welfare, food stamps and services for people who contribute NOTHING to the system.
I am a HUGE supporter of repealing the automatic citizenship for children born inside our borders to illegal parents. Even our own service members overseas have to go an embassy to record the birth. A child born to 2 american parents in Germany for example is not automatically German.
I refer back to that crackpot that was interviewed on CNN who screamed that illegal immigrants have a "RIGHT" to be here. Sorry but that doesnt work. Im maried to a woman from Europe and we went thru the established process, spent thousands of dollars getting her thru the red tape. Ill be damned if I will support anyone who wants to grant amnesty because an illegal was able to duck immigration for 10 years.
10 years of illegal wages
10 years of sending 50-70% of thier income back to whatever they came from
10 years of no taxes
10 years of getting all the benefits of being in the US with none of the responsibilities
Im sorry but I just do not see how that should be rewarded.
February 6th, 2008 at 11:46 am
Glenn,
I suggest you do research into the economics regarding illegals and you can start by looking at McCains own state. States with high populations of illegals have the following:
Higher hospital closures due to economic distress
Higher school closures due to illegals not paying property taxes, but children using money from taxes in public
schools
Higher diseases rates of diseases previously eradicated in the US
Higher crime rates
Less prosecution rates due to the fleeing to Mexico upon capture and release
Less money spent in the community as all money is sent back home
I could go on and on, but it's ridiculous that you think someone breaking the law should be condoned. Look at the socio-economic factors before opening your mouth to spout some left wing BS
February 6th, 2008 at 11:47 am
Sensationalist depiction of people in the public arena is fairly common nowadays. I think it stems from the rise of so many people, with “tabloid mentalities” whose vote is vigorously sought after by politicians, and is the audience that every media company on plant earth is shamelessly kowtowing to. After all, these said people are in control of the family purse strings and spend over 85% of the disposable income.
I think the Ann Coulter style criticism is unwarranted, but that’s her stock and trade. John is a traitor, but not in the way most Americans would see it. Standing his ground on an unjust war of aggression, perpetrated by the Bush administration warmongers, is not an issue that will validate McCain’s agenda and neither is his immigration stance.
I’ve had an overall good impression of the man until recently when he and Romney were making fun of Ron Paul in the debates. Those two are either hopelessly deluded, or are out-n-out liars, and in either case should not be President.
Most people aren’t advocating “rounding up” 12,000,000 illegal immigrants for deportation. They are advocating enforcement of the law which prohibits companies from hiring illegal aliens. If the workers can’t get a job when they get here, they won’t come. Building a wall, or granting amnesty, will only make things worse.
People should remember that if these workers could not be exploited by American employers, they would not be welcome here.
Kevin Merck
February 6th, 2008 at 11:48 am
Glenn,
I'm more or less of third generation legal imigrant stock. I'm of the first generation to use the last name I do use. My grandfather couldn't work until he illegal changed his name. My father was born one name legally, and died another name illegally. My paternal grandfather's and my wife's father little doubt had many relatives that died during WWII as soldiers and civilians in the part of Europe that probably suffered more deaths per square mile than anywhere else in Europe ... Poland. Following the slavery and genocide of the Nazi's, came Communism.
The most basic aspect of sovereignity it control of the Nation's international borders. Protection of sovereignity is why most Nation's go to war. ALL of our borders must be closed now more than ever because a sovereign nation (1) has the right to decide whom enters our national borders for whatever purpose and (2) we are at war with enemies that are willing to cross our international borders to attack us with up to and including weapons of mass destruction. I don't agree with the Supreme Court opinion that babies born 'on U.S. soil' are American's by birth, and even more so if they were here illegally.
People who come here illegally take away a part of my rights when I vote because my vote becomes worth less without my right to influence it through the legitimate political processes. And yes, I'm aware of much of the history of both borders.
Mike
February 6th, 2008 at 11:49 am
"Latinos, whether citizens, legal residents, or undocumented immigrants, are an integral part of the economy, culture, and life of Los Angeles and much of the Southwest. "
I agree with Glenn.
February 6th, 2008 at 11:55 am
What else can you expect from two-faced politicians?The accusation of 'selling out America' is rich. Far more people than McCain did that. Following is a list of people who sold out America.
1.American consumers who insist on buying foreign without discretion.
2.The government for giving corporations incentive to outsource.
3.Corporations for outsourcing.
4.Greedy unions that make foreign workers cheaper and more attractive.
5.The senate and the house for robbing the treasury.
5.The media for printing too much about everything.
6.Feminists for feminizing our military.
7.Former president Reagan for borrowing billions from Japan in the 1980s which sent the debt spinning into orbit.
8.Consumers for living beyond their means and creating the trade deficit.
McCain's accusers are pacifist traitors themselves. He has far more patriotism than them. I agree that the immigrants aren't going anywhere soon so they must be dealt with. But America is so PC that it refuses to demand that immigrants assimilate into our culture.There should be no bilingual services. This is too expensive and counterproductive. This is America dammit. If immigrants refuse to play ball then their benefits should be cut off and their children born here should not be considered citizens. This would be similar to the early twentieth century when you lost your citizenship if you married a foreigner. I had a real problem with Obama taking the oath with the Koran. This is not a Muslim nation so he should have left the Koran at home. That would be similar to me taking my oath to serve in the army and using a Koran.
The problem with the war is that it's too political and feminists have too much of a hand in it. And if they really wanted to fight terrorism they would have attacked Iran instead of Iraq. Also, anybody who would vote for Shrillary just to spite McCain should apply for a crazy check.
February 6th, 2008 at 12:11 pm
I have total respect for Senator McCain. I also am in total disagreemenet with his policy on illegals, not because of prejudice, but because of economics -- much of which are cited above.
I also have respect for John Lennon, Don Henley and Jello Biafra as musicians but don't always agree with their politics.
For some of us, disagreement does not mean disrespect. It means we disagree on an issue. That's all.
.
February 6th, 2008 at 12:13 pm
I think a distinction should be made between Lations and illegal immigrants. While I'm not alone thinking cultural diversity is good, illegal immigrants are not "an integral part of the economy, culture,..."
Living in Texas, I have experienced the negative impact illegal immigrants have on the economy first-hand, and have seen just how powerless and inept our policies and lawmakers are against circumventing that negative impact.
February 6th, 2008 at 12:19 pm
I believe John McCain supports the repealment of The Bradley Amendment.
I found this link in a comment on this blog.
http://repealthebradleyamendment.johnmccain.com/
I have sent an email to to Mr. McCain questioning him on his position on the Bradley Amendment. I am still waiting for a reply from the McCain people.
February 6th, 2008 at 12:22 pm
Q I also live in Texas and part of that problem is the fact that we have many latinos at the state and local level who will not be seen as going against thier own kind. Your point about Mexicans vs illegal aliens is a good one and thats why in my initial post I did not specify becaue there are quite a few illegals from Central and South America, Eastern Europe, and Asia.
We cant blame all of our issues on just Mexicans but since they make up one of the largest blocks it sometimes looks that way.
February 6th, 2008 at 12:32 pm
'Latinos are an essential part of the economy'.
People lose employment and close businesses because illegal immigrant labor even over a thousand miles beyond the Mexican border are undercut. I remember the inteview of a carpenter from Michigan whom employed two sons. One sought other work when his dad's business was slowly because of the cheap competition; he had to lay off his other son. I recall another story of a foreman calling a regional talk show and telling how his boss told him to establish whether any of their employees were illegal aliens and fire them; it turned out they all were. His boss told them to get them all back and apologize to them.
Another point is that before and after the Civil War that cotton couldn't be grown and harvested without slaves. Yes, Afro-Americans especially largely if not mostly began to sharecrop and the like instead, but when people can exist, mechanization takes over. For example, with the decreased availability of migrant workers, mostly illegal aliens I understand, blueberry harvester equipment sales have been very high. The manufacture of blueberry harvestors and other such equipment can provide jobs for Americans who legal reside in America. If some of the associated food has to be grown in Mexico instead, so be it as long as it is so labled.
Mike
February 6th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
My girlfriend who doesn't follow politics at all said to me months ago, who do you think will be the biggest supporter of the war because they will be the top candidates for the Republican party. Personally I am surprised at how acurate her prediction is becoming.
February 6th, 2008 at 12:50 pm
[...] I recently discussed McCain's candidacy in Reflections on Super Tuesday, Part I: The Far-Right's Hysterics over John McCain & Immigration. To learn more about my views of the presidential election, click [...]
February 6th, 2008 at 12:50 pm
On the immigration note; I saw a documentary on PBS about exploited immigrant workers. The focus was primarily on tomato pickers. I’m going by memory, so don’t crucify me for a possible mistake on the numbers.
If I remember right, they claimed that in order to pay the workers a living wage, the final cost to consumers would be about 15 cents on the pound.
Why can’t we think in those terms when it comes to our own citizens? If a 15 cent increase in the price of a pound of tomatoes will pay illegal aliens a decent living wage, then why wouldn’t we be willing to pay that to help an American family get off of welfare?
If 15 cents a pound will pay a living wage, then think what 50 cents will do for American workers.
Illegal immigration is a means to exploit workers and nothing more. If you are against the exploitation of people for profit, by a small minority of American business owners, at everyone else’s expense, then you are against illegal immigration.
Think about it.
Kevin Merck
February 6th, 2008 at 1:05 pm
Kevin
Youre spot on and I will go even a step further in citing that if you take a look at the massive retail markups in Produce and fruit its not as bad as the documentary shows.
Example: Apples
Cost $1.79 to $3.49 per/lb (Retail)
Wholesale: .75 to $1.25 per/lb
The companies which harvest these and other fruits pay exploitive wages and then markup the product to recoup massive profits on the crop. My aunt was married many years ago to a mexican man who cut fern (leatherleaf used in bouquets) for .10 to .15 a bundle (25 pieces) which had to be cut a certain way and involves being bent over all day (Not good for the back). The company growing the fern would then turn around and sell the fern to a distributor for around .4 cents a stem or $10 a bunch. The same bunch they just paid the worker .15cents for.
Since there are usually 25 bunches to a box thats $250.00 for a product that cost them $3.75 to harvest.
Theres some math for you.
I understand that there are other costs involved but when you balance it all out these people make a hefty profit at the expense of illegals.
February 6th, 2008 at 1:18 pm
Glenn,
John McCain does deserve the respect of a decorated war hero but his recent service to his country does not hold up the same standard.
I live in Arizona and I am a legal Immigrant and a divorced dad.
Immigration:
The Senators policy on immigration is a clear… Amnesty for all who entered illegally or over stayed the visa ( illegally)
When I applied to come to the USA the process took approximately 18 months. I had to disclose every country I had lived in and extensive background checks where ran with ALL the law enforcement agencies of those countries. I had to supply my birth certificate, passport and residential permits of the other countries . My Education background was verified. My military service was verified and once all the documents were in order I could proceed.
My Employer Sponsorship was verified and then and only then could I have an Interview with the US Consulate. Once the security clearance came through I was able to proceed with a US Verified medical examiner. This medical examination ranged from the common cold to testing for HIV. Obviously I passed and my visa was granted. So I was allowed to enter the US with a Confirmed Job, Security clearance, medical Clearance and an authorizations stamped by the US Consulate for legal status in the USA with a social security number , tax paying Job , non security threat and legal contributor to the US economy.
In Arizona last year a Policeman was killed on duty on average one a month by an illegal imigrant
In Arizona the medical health system is overloaded due to illegal immigrants demanding medical services.
In Arizona the school system is in disarray with an influx of children from illegal parents demanding education for their children … and may I add demanding Spanish as the language of choice.
In Arizona Private Companies are breaking the law by employing illegal’s. Companies that do higher legal workers are going out of business because they can’t compete with the illegal company completion.
In Arizona Illegal workers are being paid UNDER the legal wage limit creating more poverty
In Arizona the illegal’s are indentured labor to the “Coyotes” that brought them here.
In Arizona the jails and prisons have an estimated 40% population of illegal immigrants.
In Arizona the LEGAL Tax payer is paying for all of this in one way or another.
National security
John McCain voted against the border fence and security measures to enforce illegal border crossing.
Taxes
John McCain voted against tax cuts. He would like to increase taxes.
Fathers Rights:
I certainly do not need to tell anyone on this site about fathers rights within the family court system.
I wrote a letter to John McCain and Senator Kyle about the lack of due process in the family court system and the issues pertaining to Fathers in general. The reply .. ..This is an issue for the Governors Office please contact Janet Napolitano … In other words we are not interested !
Glenn you have the stats on Children who do not have fathers in their lives, crime, education, poverty I need not go on but what is clear we are going to get more of the same with more Government institutions and more taxes to pay for it …
John McCain is a war hero and I think we should leave it at that.
February 6th, 2008 at 2:01 pm
Back to immigration. I believe we need to give the people who are here a chance to become responsible citizens and here is my proposal for that transition. Give them 6 month to register. Make them pay an imigration tax on their wages kind of like a tarrif on foreign goods so that they aren't underbidding the rest of us workers in the country. After they become citizens they won't have to pay the immigration tax. Seal up the borders and kick out the rest that aren't registered.
February 6th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
Glenn -
"I'm listening to them describe the man who has been a 100 percenter on the war in Iraq."
And that's a good thing? Almost everyone now agrees that the war in Iraq was a huge mistake. Including most conservatives; Which of course is different then most "Republicans" because the base of the republican party has shrunk.
"It's hard to believe I'm listening to them describe a man who spent several years in a North Vietnamese prison camp and endured torture."
So what? He volunteered to join the military, and he wanted to go to Vietnam. Joining the military has nothing to do someone’s his effectiveness as a politician, or; whether or not they're a good person. There are plenty of good people in the military. There are plenty of bad ones too. I know from experience I served for 4 years and participated in operation Iraqi freedom.
"... anybody who thinks that we are going to round up 12 million people... is living in a dream world"
No one is advocating rounding 12 million people up. They came here by themselves and they can leave by themselves. If you crack down on employer's hiring illegal aliens then the illegals’ will have no incentive to stay. Also if police departments check a persons legal status when a person is arrested they can easily identify illegal immigrants at very little additional cost. In fact when you take into account the money that illegal immigrants are draining from the economy we’d actually be saving money.
If you're caught in this country illegally, and you admit crossing the border which is a felony that carries 5 years in jail; then you should spend 5 years in a desert detention center. Detention centers are cheap to build, and they could pay for themselves as well as paying for the cost of an Israeli style wall; by contracting the labor of the prisoners out to companies. American prisoners are already forced to work for the government in order to help pay for their prison stay. So I don't see why it would be a problem to make illegals’ work for corporations to pay for theirs, and provide money as well as labor for a security fence.
"... people who are an important part of our economy"
No they're not in fact they are a huge drain on our economy. I don't have time to go into this. But anyone who actually cares about the economic impact of illegal immigration or the economic impact of things in general should start by educating themselves in *GASP* economics. I would recommend reading a basic Macro Economic and Micro Economic text book as a start. It would also be a good idea to check out the work of Harvard labor economist George Borjas. He's researched extensively on the effect of illegal immigration on labor markets, and is recognized as a leading labor market economist. He's written both technical and non technical books and articles. So if you really want to understand labor economics he's put out quite a few things aimed at a more general audience.
"There will be another amnesty. The only question is when."
An amnesty didn't work the last time so what makes you think it will work this time? Or do you advocate just sweeping the problem under the rug by having an amnesty every couple of years? In principal I do advocate open immigration as long as we know WHO is coming into our country, and that they aren't dangerous individuals. But in practice you can't have open immigration in a welfare state with heavy regulation on international commerce. It would bleed the economy dry.
February 6th, 2008 at 3:02 pm
I usually have no trouble picking a side on a given issue ("often wrong, but never in doubt!). On this one, I am deeply conflicted. So, I think no one has the "right" answer, and thus no one has the right to condemn or dismiss opposing views. The more screaming coming from various quarters, the less mutual understanding we will have, and thus a lesser chance of crafting the best solution(s).
February 6th, 2008 at 3:10 pm
My take on the whole thing is that this is a complex problem, created by a number of causes, and not easily resolved.
First, and foremost, I have no beef with Latinos, or any other category or classification of immigrants. I appreciate the sincere efforts of those who are coming here to work their butts off and make life better for their families. I know many are fleeing an awful situation in their home countries.
I disagree, to a large extent with McCain's proposal of another amnesty program. The last time there was an amnesty, it was promised that from then on, there would be an effective program to identify and repatriate (expel) illegal aliens.
I think, much like we should stop subsidizing single moms, we should stop subsidizing illegal aliens.
Just as states do with DeadBeat Dads, we should force local governments and employers to follow the law and punish them when we don't.
Just as cities are throwing up RedLight cameras for fun and profit, violating or re-writing the meaning of the4th amendment whenever it suits them, (especially where "national security" is given as the reason) it should apply to illegal aliens.
We gleefully prosecute rich people who get busted for blatantly cheating on their taxes. Why do we continue to turn a blind eye to illegal immigrants who run up a deficit on our social systems?
We have to follow up on our laws and our policies. Otherwise, why should anyone have any respect for the law? Equal treatment under the law should apply here.
This is one area where I do agree with unions - employers that are hiring illegal aliens are exploiting people, and screwing it up for anyone who's following our rules.
Much like our drug policy has multiplied the "deadbeat dad's" problem, illegal immigrants are for the most part, working in the underground economy.
If I have to go through a huge background check for a job, to buy a handgun, get a copy of my birth certificate, open a bank account, so should illegals.
Just as the IMBRA act demands background checks on american men seeking spouses, we should do background checks before hiring, renting apartments, admitting to hospitals, schools, etc.
Just as men who have remarried still are required to set a priority to funding their first children to the exclusion of their current family, those sending money out of the country should have the funds held up until their taxes are paid, fines are paid, hospital bills (including their dependants) are paid. Same goes for the recipient.
Much like we have a mandatory charge on blank media (tapes, cd's, dvd's, etc), that goes to a fund for musicians (really, it goes to the RIAA, who pisses it away), we should have a mandatory charge on extra-territorial wire transfers to pay for the social services, with the same presumption of guilt or complicity.
Much as the US goverment ok'd unwarranted wiretaps of overseas calls for national security, it should be used to identify possible illegal immigrants.
Much as we let counties and states garnish the wages of deadbeat dads, especially to single moms on some form of public assistance, we should allow hospitals and other entities (especially victims of crimes and accidents) to garnish the wages from employers who hire illegals to recoup the costs of providing services to them.
I notice that anyone who spins the illegal immigration problem as a 'racisim' problem is also for more illegal immigrants. They typically blur the line between the definition of legal and illegal immigrants, and are considerably more likely to make personal attacks, use scare mongering, and generally are the worst hypocrites. Both political parties are extremely schitzophrenic on this issue.
The libertarians have the most consistent take on this issue - the government should not be in the social services business, and free people should be able to cross borders with no issue. The effects of this would be to reduce the some of the incentives to be here illegally (and simultaneously non-productive), reduce the crime that results from having to forge documentation, or from people who can't get a legal job due to documentation requreiments.
Another issue that border towns have to deal with it (along the US-Mexico border) is residents of mexico that send their kids to US schools, and claiming that they're residing in the states. Daily these kids cross the border, attend school, then go back. Not a big issue on a national scale, but still an issue for that town that has to deal with it.
Most school budgets are funded with property taxes. Someone is paying the taxes, even if the property is a rental. Actually, rental properties pay a commercial tax rate, instead of a homestead tax rate. If these costs are passed on to the renter, the renter is paying more property taxes than the homeowner next door is. Then we get into the multi family issues, where a property that's presumed to have 1 family per unit has several, instead (since we can no longer enforce occupancy restrictions). Two or more families are paying the property tax rate of one, but drawing the social services, (schools, etc) at a higher rate. Same issue when someone is renting out their garage under the table.
February 6th, 2008 at 3:10 pm
The Other Mike D Says:
Kevin
“You’re spot on and I will go even a step further in citing that if you take a look at the massive retail markups in Produce and fruit its not as bad as the documentary shows.”
Thanks Mike.
I just wanted to add that none of that logic even addresses the reason it would benefit taxpayers the most.
If you added 50 cents to the cost of each pound of tomatoes it would give the worker a very decent and respectable living wage and cover the cost of health care. Many would argue that this cost would be passed on to the consumer by higher prices at the grocery store, which is true.
What they fail to understand is that the net savings to taxpayers by eliminating welfare would be enormous. The welfare bureaucracy in this country is robbing our citizens of countless hundreds of billions of dollars.
The welfare bureaucracy in this country is the biggest supporter of illegal immigrants there is. They want immigrants to do the job people on welfare should be doing. They don’t care that it would help recipients by earning a very good wage, because then all the scummy welfare bureaucrats would have to find jobs too. They should be joining their clients in the field helping to feed the country, and its children they pretend to care so much about, instead of robbing them blind with welfare scams.
Kevin Merck
February 6th, 2008 at 3:16 pm
[...] "Super Tuesday" presidential primary results, and previously discussed my views on developments in Reflections on Super Tuesday, Part I: The Far-Right's Hysterics over John McCain & Immigration. To learn more about my views of the presidential election, click [...]
February 6th, 2008 at 4:45 pm
I'm in PA and the problem is not so pronounced here... but I have friends who are very distressed about the issue since they live in areas in which it's a BIG problem.
I don't see much hysteria, but deep concern. As well we should be.
February 6th, 2008 at 9:23 pm
McCain is wrong on nearly every important issue. Wrong on amnesty for illegals. And anyone who says illegals are not going any is wrong. We also do not need to deport anyone. They will leave on there own. All that has to happen is that about 2 or 3 thousand prosecutions for employing illegals, harboring illegals (landlords that rent are harboring) aiding and abetting, that means city councils that bar law enforcement from enforcing the law. Once the magnet is gone they will leave.
IIlegals do take jobs that Americans want to do. My brother-in-law had to work two part time jobs because one place, a national chain retailer, was giving more hours to illegal immigrants that were being paid less than the legal citizens were being paid.
Illegals take jobs from carpenters, flooring specialists, roofers and other skilled tradesmen and in doing so also violate regulations in nearly every state where safety requirements and insurance requirements are ignored as well.
McCain is wrong on the first amendment. He sided with democrats to silence political speech they disagree with.
When democrats want to appear like they are "reaching across the isle" they reach for McCain.
McCain sides with Democrats on raising taxes.
By the way, the 9 year old son of Israeli parents who are here on work Visas has to leave the country on his 18 birth day, even if his parents get green cards and then citizenship before that date. He can not return until his 21rst birthday, and then only if he immigration application is approved.
But a Mexican illegal immigrant can jump the fence, get a drivers license, in state tuition, free housing and health care. The it just wrong.
February 7th, 2008 at 6:35 am
Whether there is another amnesty or not, it was made quite clear last year that the majority of the American people want enforcement first. We were promised enhanced border enforcement 20 years ago with the 1986 amnesty and never got it. Now Ho Chi McCain and the rest of his Washington and business elite buddies want another amnesty without giving us the enforcement we were promised 20 YEARS AGO!
I will never support amnesty without enforcement first and, despite being a lifelong Republican, I will not support John McCain this year.
February 7th, 2008 at 1:48 pm
Since the libertarian ideas get no airtime, other than what the news makes out as the 'wacko' ideas, it looks like I'm going to get stuck with McNovacaine, or someone who I really disagree with.
Why are my choices either people who want to socialize everything under the sun, or religious wackos?
February 7th, 2008 at 7:56 pm
I'll give you a Libertarian idea, Offender_Dad: No IRS! Now, I'll give you a candidate who is not a religious wacko, but a mainstream Christian, taking his oath of office on a Bible, not a Koran. That candidate is Mike Huckabee! If he were to get the Fair Tax enacted into law, we would all have a better chance of getting an oppressive government under control!
(Remember, wacko is in the eye of the beholder!)
February 7th, 2008 at 7:58 pm
Out, out, damned typo! That should had been Offended, not Offender! You owe me 20 lashes on the eyeball with a wet noodle. Even?
February 10th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
[...] to discuss the "Super Tuesday" presidential primary results--my previous posts on it are Reflections on Super Tuesday, Part I: The Far-Right's Hysterics over John McCain & Immigration and Reflections on Super Tuesday, Part II: Barack Obama's Success in Deep South, All-White States [...]
February 12th, 2008 at 1:37 pm
Sorry, but anybody who thinks that we are going to round up 12 million people--people who are an important part of our economy and who often have deep ties to this country as well as children who are US citizens--is living in a dream world. There will be another amnesty. The only question is when.
Well then, why not amnesty for any and all of the following:
Fathers in jail for not making child support payments?
The tens of millions of Americans who have been jailed for victimless crimes such as drug possession and prostitution?
Gun owners who carry firearms for self defense in states which do not allow it?
Tax protestors such as Irwin Schiff who are rotting away in the American gulag?
American citizens who refuse to get a driver's license or social security number? They are "undocumented"?
The real issue here is why do we want to give more liberty to people who have entered the country illegally than to American citizens practising their right to pursue happiness?
February 12th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
Part of what makes America great is that people can use forums like these to express themselves, without fear of losing employment, freedom or life. Individuals like Senator McCain are free to have and state their opinions, whether their position is popular or unpopular. We as American however, have to deal with truth and facts. Facts: 1)illegal immigration involves more than Hispanics (i.e. an "illegal immigrant" from Russia crossed the Canadian border & murdered Ennis Cosby -son of comedian Bill Cosby-in the late 1990's, in a car-jacking incident);there are also illegal immigrants from Eastern Europe and the Far East. 2) many people in communities across this country are immigrants that initially were legal & subsequently fell out of status (companies who sponsored their emigration, changed their minds & declined to sponsor their U.S. citizenship for whatever reason. 3)Many employers, and even some of our "esteemed" politicians regularly employ & exploit illegals in areas of child care/domestic services, construction, agriculture, IT, telemarketing, etc... The bottom line of illegal immigration is the bottom line. In other words (like lobbying and political contributions), these activities generate massive amounts of money;if stopping such actions were really a priority, they would be stopped! If the goal is control (or something like it ) is, then steps to put illegal immigrants on a citizenship track would include: 1)paying a substantial, reasonable fine for being out of status, 2)maintaining or obtaining employment or entrepreneurship, 3)mastering basic English skills (reading,writing, conversation), and 4)military or national service for at least 2-4 years. These and other steps are reasonable and doable things that can be done to address this issue, because the reality is illegal immigration is not going away. And for the record, those individuals who are out of status, have no intention of getting on a citizenship track and who only seek to get a "free" ride should be subject to legal penalties including deportation.
February 12th, 2008 at 5:12 pm
Glenn,
Regarding illegal aliens who help our economy, if / when we ship their butts back to their homeland our economy will adjust and recover. Hugs
February 12th, 2008 at 5:40 pm
Kevin,
So what if I have to pay more for tomatoes or lettuce or carrots, etc, it's still cheaper than what I pay in taxes for welfare and health care for illegal aliens.
it
February 13th, 2008 at 11:26 am
People, please get you facts straight! 1)Senator Barack Hussein Obama's father was raised a Muslim in Kenya, but as as adult, left Islam & became agnostic, 2) Senator Obama is a Christian (denomination is United Church of Christ -a predominately white denomination), 3) Mr. Obama never took his oath of office on the Quran (correct spelling, not Koran, which is the Westernized spelling);the 1st elected Muslim to Congress Ken (& I forget his last name) from Minnesota is the person who swore in with the Quran (which is his legal & personal right to do), and 4) as a child, Senator Obama's mother divorced his father and married a man from Indonesia;Obama's step-father moved the family to Indonesia and enrolled Obama in a public school (not an Islamic madrassa school, contrary to the false information being spread). Whether or not you support Obama, McCain or other office-seekers, at least check out all of the candidates based on truth. The truth is out there if people are willing to look for it!