We now know the deal Dubya cut with McCain to get his support in the election–Amnesty for illegal immigrants. This is not something Bush voters saw as a mandate, I can assure you. And it is not something I’m pleased about.
There are many reasons for both parties to want the flow of Mexicans into this country to continue. I just don’t know precisely why McCain is so interested. He has some kind of dealings with people who want the status quo. The average Arizonan doesn’t. Republicans really have nowhere near as much interest in having more here as do Democrats. There is the cheap labor aspect of things, which Democrats will tout as the primary reason for this move. But Democratic supporters are just as likely to hire them as Republican supporters. Tyson Foods, one of the biggest Clinton donors, is heavily into the illegal market.
And Democrats have always viewed Mexicans in the US as a prime voting block that historically goes to them. Bush made inroads into that group in his reelection as Governor, and now as President. But it certainly wasn’t enough to have a significant impact (regardless of Dick Morris’ evaluation).
There is something far deeper going on here. We send over a billion dollars to Mexico each year in aid. In return, they send us half a million immigrants, both legal and illegal. Mexicans account for the largest group of legal immigrants coming into the US each year, as well as the largest group of illegals.
Mexico is poor–40% of the population live in poverty. The society is very class-conscious, and moving from one class to another is nearly impossible. It has retained much of the caste system that existed from colonial times. Corruption is the byword in politics. The poor really have no hope except escape. And it is a really painful thing to see. It is difficult to imagine the risks taken by people desperate to do better for themselves.
The northern border is a political relief valve. Without the oppotunity for people to escape to something better, and money from those working in the US being sent home, the political system in Mexico would implode.
There is something very secretive in this mix. In issues regarding national defense, I defer to a President’s judgement of how much information can be released. In this case, there isn’t nearly enough.
I have mixed felling about illegal aliens. For one they have committed a crime. They are also ripe for exploitation. There is a need for the workers or they would not be here. The myth that they are taking American jobs simply does not hold water. They do the dish washing, chicken plucking; ditch digging that no one wants to do. I feel that amnesty send the wrong message to the legal aliens. We need a documented work force that can not become US citizens unless the go through the proper process. Documented aliens would not be able to have the children born in US hospital become citizens. The US Border Patrol would also be able to concentrate their efforts on the criminal and terrorist that enter this country. No to Amnesty yes to documentation.
Comment by Michael Hess — November 10, 2004 @ 5:56 pm
Very disturbing report.
I for one agree– clearly, there is too much information being witheld.
Much as I hate to say it- one cannot help but but wonder if a culture of secrecy is a good thing. All administrations take their cues, to a large extent, from previous ones.
Comment by Alex — November 10, 2004 @ 6:05 pm
I don’t care for McCain. I can’t get past “Keating Five.” Every time he opens his mouth, I think he’s on the take.
One of the pundits said a while back that the Pres. works from the “Texas Illegal” model, whereby the illegals really do just hop across the border, do their work, and go home. To him, a guest worker program makes it a lot easier for Americans.
Everyone else in the country works from the “California Illegal” model, where the illegals enter the US to avail themselves of public relief services, and try to stay.
My family came to the US during a period of vast immigration in an era when there were no public relief services, so I can’t say first of all that I’m opposed to immigration, and I can’t say that my family wouldn’t have been on the dole upon entering the country. (Knowing my grandfather and great uncles, I seriously doubt any of them going on the dole.)
I’m totally in favor of securing our borders to the jihadists don’t come in and blow us up.
Comment by Paulie at The Commons — November 10, 2004 @ 7:11 pm
The myth is that they take jobs Americans won’t. The truth is they take jobs Americans won’t–for the pay offered. Americans used to do those jobs.
I am really concerned with McCain’s involvement in this whole thing. He has never been open about his reasons for supporting illegals in Arizona while people in that state try to stem the flow. What does he get out of all this?
I will write to Tom Tancredo again to see what he has to say. He’s already come out against the whole thing. And has made it clear to Dubya he will fight.
Comment by Bunker — November 10, 2004 @ 7:25 pm
I posted on this topic today. I really need more information on just what the President’s plan is. I definitely think we need our border sealed. I hope you keep posting on this topic.
Comment by Pat in NC — November 10, 2004 @ 8:08 pm
Regardless of whether I agree with the President on this one, the question I have is why is this a priority that we have to bring it up within a week of the election? Both candidates, and the debate moderators, ignored the immigration issue during the campaig. What gives?
Comment by John Adams at The Commons — November 10, 2004 @ 9:45 pm
In Texas, Mexican immigrants do just “hop across the border” but I can assure you that do not “work and go home”. Why should they, they have all the comforts of home here.
Comment by Wallace-Midland, Texas — November 10, 2004 @ 10:53 pm
There is something “McCain” about all this. I don’t know if Tom Tancredo has any solid info, but he’ll share it if he does. By the way, on this issue he doesn’t care if you’re from his district or not–he treats you like a constituent. Quite different from others in Congress. He sees this as an issue of national importance, and views all Americans as his constituents in the matter. Write him and support him.
Comment by Bunker — November 11, 2004 @ 4:05 am