Immigration Policy
 

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).

http://media.economist.com/sites/def...119_USC100.gif

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

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

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

Excellent point, Don. And well stated.

No arrests = Nothing is getting done.

I could see their wingnut constituency falling for that.:p

Dave

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

Definitely he does not! :D

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

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

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

Pete

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

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

Pete

The point is that there are very few getting across. The beefed up enforcement, jail time, depressed job market, high tech surveillance have reduced the flow to a trickle. The odds of someone getting something dangerous across the border has been minimized.

Regards,

D-Ray

If 500,000 are still getting caught every year, how many are making it through?

Pete

Who knows? But the question is whether a fence would make any difference. It didn't seem to make any difference to these illegals (gals, at that) who jumped a brand new section of fence in 18 seconds.

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/01/18...fence-seconds/

It seems to be one of those silly articles of faith that the GOP spews to the simpletons in its base. The concept of building a fence is something they all understand, even though it is not effective. Isn't that something that the GOP is supposed to be against - government spending gobs of money on ineffective programs?

Fences may not be infallible but they certainly slow one down.

Fences not working is one of those silly articles of faith the the Dems spews to the simpletons in its base. :p

Btw, yes Obama has done a pretty good job closing the border.

Pete

They're still hauling dope across the border by the truckload.

Chas

Fixed it for you.

http://natgeotv.com/uk/border-wars/videos/human-assets

Border wars?

Yeah, okay, Pete. As if that's the only way "something nasty" can get into the country? I think were all old enough and smart enough to know that "national security" is only partly why so many people are freaking out over the southern border.

Do you see the same fever pitch to keep people from getting in through the northern border? Are we building any walls between the U.S. and Canada? Are we laying out mines along the coasts to keep Italians, Russians and Belgians out?

It's economic, primarily. And yes, race is also a factor. You know it is.

The point of the article is that it is no longer the problem it was a few years ago. But that politicians, mostly Republicans are still going around fearmongering the issue in a desperate attempt to get votes. That and to keep the current administration from having any bragging points.

If you really want to get down to the nitty gritty of the national security aspect----Why all of the exitement over Mexicans getting in, when Arabs are immigrating by the plane load? Any Mexicans highjacking planes on 9/11/01?

Dave

LMAO! And so, so true.

They go around the fence, underneath it, over it, through it in some spots.....Some innovative souls are even building homebrew submarines for crying out loud.

It's an economic issue. It will not be fixed with fences or walls.

Mexicans are poor and desperate for work. Americans are more than willing to hire them for pittance wages.......That is the crux of the problem. Fix that and you have negated the desire for Mexicans to come here.

Fancy that.

Dave

As I said before, $1 million dollar fine per head for each illegal immigrant hired by a US company. Issue would be corrected almost immediately.

Wonder what orange prices would be if they had to pay Americans a decent wage to do that work.

Probably rise by a whole 5%.:rolleyes:

Blue, you think having a way for our very good friends in Al Qaida to smuggle into the country is OK? Paid Mexicans, posing as Mexicans, whatever, they have proved their resoucefulness (and luck) IMO.

For hating Hispanics we sure have a large percentage of them!

Pete

If a hefty fine or jail time were to be imposed on those who knowingly hire or rent to illegal immigrants. The problem would be lessened greatly but truth be known the reason they are allowed to be here is for the cheap labor some people do not want to loose. All about the money I'm afraid.

My neighbor as an example is a member of our local Tea Bag Party and hires guys at the local Home Depot parking lot to do work around the house. Uses the excuse of "can't find an American to willing work" I then added "for the price you wanted to pay them"

We don't get along to well if talking politics for some reason.


Barney

Just keep 'em ouuttttt.

And, there you have it.

The same idiot that bitches about them being here, hires them to do his work for him and wonders why they keep coming.

And they wonder why we think they're stupid.;)

Dave