Immigration Policy

[finnbow]

So, the GOP wants to erect a fence along the whole border, even a double or electrified fence. Do they ever stop to look at the facts "on the ground?" (gratuitous reference to Perry's "boots on the ground" rhetoric).



I'm not sure why Obama isn't highlighting the apparent effectiveness of his border policy. Admittedly, illegal crossings are down, in part, due to the sad state of our economy. However, the opportunity to burst the bubble of the GOP's immigration argument is ripe indeed.

http://www.economist.com/node/21538750

[d-ray657]

It doesn't fit the GOP/Fox narrative. They would look at the chart and rail on about how Obama can't catch anyone, because the number of apprehensions has dropped so dramatically.

Regards,

D-Ray

[BlueStreak]

Pat, Pat, Pat.............................

"The Fence" has been the GOPs baby since Pat Buchanan started babbling about it in the 1980s. They've been cradling it, breast feeding it, tickling its belly ("Goochie, goochie, goo") for so long it doesn't matter whether or not it actually works. They love it. It's their psychological security blanket.

It's just like their fascination with war. If there are no bombs going off for them to see on t.v.----nothing is getting done.

If there is no physical fence for them to see----nothing is keeping the evil brown people out.

Words like "diplomacy", "covert operations" and "deportations" escape them, because you can't show them a picture of it. Even if you could, they would quickly become bored with it because it isn't spectacular enough to hold their attention.

Dave

[BlueStreak]

Originally Posted by d-ray657

It doesn't fit the GOP/Fox narrative. They would look at the chart and rail on about how Obama can't catch anyone, because the number of apprehensions has dropped so dramatically.

Regards,

D-Ray

Excellent point, Don. And well stated.

No arrests = Nothing is getting done.

I could see their wingnut constituency falling for that.

Dave

[JJIII]

Originally Posted by finnbow

I'm not sure why Obama isn't highlighting the apparent effectiveness of his border policy. Admittedly, illegal crossings are down, in part, due to the sad state of our economy. However, the opportunity to burst the bubble of the GOP's immigration argument is ripe indeed.

http://www.economist.com/node/21538750

Perhaps he doesn't want to risk losing the brown vote.

[Dondilion]

Originally Posted by JJIII

Perhaps he doesn't want to risk losing the brown vote.

Definitely he does not!

[d-ray657]

I doubt that the management class is happy about the results of Obama's enforcement of immigration law. Management wants to maintain the supply of cheap immigrant labor. Business interests and the GOP don't, however, want a road to citizenship for such workers. First, it would lessen the leverage management has to suppress their wages. Next, it would provide a group of voters more likely to vote Democratic - a party that is slightly less beholden to management. Therefore, the right wing talking heads continue to demonize anchor babies in order to foreclose any leniency toward the millions of immigrant workers already present.

Regards,

D-Ray

[piece-itpete]

This issue's been demagogued to death by both sides.

18,000 border agents'll buy a lot of votes!

Pete

[BlueStreak]

The article makes good sense.

It's all about votes and getting elected.

One side seeing potential voters trying to get into the country.

The other side trying to get votes from haters---Their usual modus operundi.

Could it be any more obvious?

Dave

[piece-itpete]

Wait till one of those potential voters succeeds in getting something nasty across.

Pete