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Dissecting Bush’s immigration speech

Posted 16 May 2006 in George W. Bush, ignorance, illegal immigration, liberals, multiculturalism, taxes

Press “one” to read this post in Spanish.

Press “two” to read this post in English.

It seems that President Bush just can’t please anyone anymore. Including yours truly. But it seems he’s trying.

Last night, he took time to address the nation regarding his plan to tighten our border security (full transcript here). He’s never been very good at expressing himself, and last night was no different. Don’t get me wrong, I thought he sounded pretty good and presidential. But the more I look at what he said, it appears that’s all it was – something that sounds good and is intended to quiet his critics.

Liberal and Conservative alike are lining up to kick the President in the crotch, either for suggesting we do something or for not suggesting enough. And while I’d like to take my turn at the Presidential nards, let me take a step back and try to be more constructive.

Even if he was a glib as his predecessor, the President’s plan is sporting holes large enough to drive a truck through (and a truck full of illegal Mexican immigrants, at that!). He spouted some hackneyed political rhetoric (“jobs Americans are not doing”) which will appease Democrats and the illegal immigrant vote. Maybe even please a few in the so-called “center.” But basically he simply trotted out his guest worker/amnesty program again, only this time with the feel-good addition of 6,000 defanged National Guardsmen. I say defanged because these troops will not have orders to shoot at anyone crossing the border illegally, these Guardsmen are simply there to do administrative work to assist the Border Patrol. Taking more of our military and turning them into secretaries. Nice idea, President Bush. That’ll dissuade illegals from crossing our border; “Hey, you there, stop or I’ll file some paperwork!”

Ok, I’m getting snarky again – surprise. Take a breath with me and let’s look at this speech.

What I liked:
- a supposed end to catch-and-release

– mention of a new fence and high-tech measures to aid our Border Patrol

– expedited deportation

– holding employers financially accountable

- Bush is still calling for immigrants of all nations to LEARN ENGLISH and join the “melting pot”

– the continuing of encouragement for LEGAL immigrants to come here and pursue the American dream

What I didn’t like:
– Bush steps away from the label “militarize,” as in the idea that some have that we don’t have a right to post troops at our border to enforce our security (just as Mexico has done along its southern border), Stop cowtowing to Vincete Fox and tell him to stick his demands in his culo. (that alone would have spiked Bush’s poll numbers into the high 40s)

– a “temporary worker” program. Horseshit. I still dislike the idea of granting amnesty to those who have broken the law to come and live here. I’m still skeptical and believe this kind of program would encourage more illegals to take the risks to get here, since going through the “temporary worker” program would be easier and quicker than legal immigration. Any such program needs to be just punitive enough to be a grudgingly better choice to outright deportation.

– Bush still thinks his scam-nesty program isn’t an incentive for further illegal immigrants. Reality check! (courtesy of Michelle Malkin)

– A lack of communication and coordination with the state governors who will be responsible for carrying out much of this plan

– All this discussion of border security (without any substantive constriction of access) and amnesty is causing a new wave of panicked Mexicans who wish to get here before things become more difficult

What President Bush should announced last night:
– declare a state of emergency for security purposes and shut the border completely until immigration is brought under control and a comprehensive security/border control package passes Congress (this SHOULD have happened September 12, 2001!!)

– proposed the immediate construction of a serious fence along America’s entire southern border, not just in sections

– completely militarize the border (with at least 20,000 troops) and allow those troops to guard it with deadly force if necessary. Without threat of force, putting our soldiers on the border is a waste of resources. Illegal immigrants won’t be dissuaded if those guns mean nothing.

– declare official support for the Minuteman Project. These peaceful citizens are working within the law and doing their patriotic duty of helping our law enforcement agencies to do their jobs. Bush was wrong to criticize them and should reverse his stance.

– expand efforts to crack down on employers who have hired illegal immigrants. Bring in the IRS to work alongside the ICE (just read the headlines from the Day Without An Immigrant to get a short list of employers to start auditing)

– any illegal immigrants treated at our emergency rooms should be documented and turned over to ICE for processing before being allowed to leave the hospital

– propose changes to the 14th Amendment to disallow citizenship to “anchor babies” born to illegal immigrants

– a back-of-the-line “path to citizenship” which would amount to a plea-bargain on the part of the illegals who wish to remain in America and become U.S. citizens. Senator Lindsey Graham is pushing legislation which would put all such illegals on probation for 11 years. During this time, the illegal immigrants would have to undergo two background checks, pay $2,000 in fines, remain employed, pay ALL back taxes, learn English, take civics classes, and stay out of trouble with the law. Failure to meet these probationary requirements would result in deportation. (h/t: Mike’s America) My only issue with such a plan would be what to do with illegals after the period of amnesty runs out. Well, actually it should be the same thing we do if the illegals won’t comply with our rules and laws as well as pay all the fines and back taxes they owe… deport ‘em immediately.

– TAX ALL WIRE TRANSFERS OF MONEY TO MEXICO and use the funds to pay for deportations as well as the healthcare and schooling of illegal aliens. This should also apply to transfers of money to any foreign country, of course, but is mainly intended to stanch the flow of American dollars into the Mexican economy.

To those of you who still believe it amnesty for illegal immigrants, here’s one of the best analogies I’ve yet seen to compare with our nation’s current situation: (h/t: Crush Liberalism)

Let’s say I break into your house. Let’s say that when you discover me in your home 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 that part where I broke into your house.”

According to the protestors, not only must you let me stay, you must add me to your family’s insurance plan and provide other benefits for me and my family. My husband will do your yard work because he too is hard-working and honest … except for that breaking-in thing.

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 here. 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 hard-working and honest …. ummmmm …. except for that breaking-in thing.

Besides. 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 selfishness, prejudice and being anti-housebreaker!

Sounds about right.

The Dread Pundit Bluto sums it all up:

I disagree with Bush’s characterization of these folks as “decent people”. Besides the initial criminal act of sneaking into the country, they have been evading taxes since they got here, while consuming social services in numbers that have strained the resources of many states. Al Capone went to prison for income tax evasion. Was he a decent guy, too? Maybe the Capone comparison is a bit extreme; what about the guy who cuts ahead of you in line? Is he a decent guy…or an asshole?

So, they pay a fine, and their back taxes, and promise to learn English; then supposedly go to the back of the line for citizenship.

But what if they don’t take the deal? We’re talking, after all, about ignorant, unskilled people with faulty moral compasses who just may decide that it’s better to stay in the shadows, especially since it’s doubtful that many of them have the financial resources to come up with a few thousand dollars in back taxes.

What do we do if 8 or 10 million of los actuadores [the cheaters] decide not to take the deal?

Posted by FullMetalPatriot
12th gen. American, Constitutionalist, Harley-riding Texan, gun owner & NRA member, blogger, illustrator, Florida Gator alumnus. #TCOT

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