Immigration, and Other Stuff

Read a cool sequence between me and some readers. Thank God there are actually other people on earth who care about this stuff. I'll add to it if more tidbits are produced: Reader 1: What do you think about this? I also interested in your opinion of the “immigration” bill currently before congress. Reader 2: Unfortunately, the “secret agenda” that Corsi refers to cannot be backed up factually, although it does seem plausible. You already know that I am no fan of the Bush administration, and that I believe everything that they do is based on profiteering. What I can’t figure out is where the profit lies in this venture. I’m still formulating an opinion on the immigration bill, but I do find it interesting that GOP leaders are concerned about the negative fiscal impact that the legalization of low-skilled workers would create, which I would agree with, yet curiously do not register the same complaint concerning the NAU. Very strange, yes? Reader 1: I agree with your immigration/NAU observation. In most things dealing with Washington you only need to follow the money to determine their motives. I don’t think the profit is immediate otherwise there would be a wide-ranging congressional undercurrent of support if not a few speaking outright. You would also see more “planted” stories in the news about how this is a good idea. It is also not popular due to a resurgence of National pride, especially since 9/11. I do remember articles about this back in the early 90s. I’m sure it’ll resurface in the next 10-15 years depending upon other world events. I wanted to hear your viewpoint on this. You well know my conservative nature as well as my conspiracy suspicions. How many cynical true-believers do you really know? Reader 2: You are truly a conundrum. You possess all the tools to be a fanatical left-wing conspiracy theorist, yet remain wrapped in a cloak of GOP conservatism. Rush Limbaugh would love you, Ann Coulter would hate you. Reader 1: I think I’m too much conspiracy for Rush. As far as Ann goes…oh well I’ll have to deal with it. I blame my upbringing… I can only claim conservatism. I get just as angry at the GOP as the next guy. Mainly I think that Washington = corruption. It doesn’t matter what party most of them see green before anything else. If there was a true investigation of everyone in congress this nation would be in an uproar. Unfortunately a story like that would never come to light. What do you think so far of the presidential candidates? Reader 2: I’m not nearly as diehard democrat as you would believe. I would gladly support a Republican president that I believed in, I almost liked RR, but both GB’s have been terrible. As you already know, I have exceptionally great disdain for the current administration, because I believe many of our good young men are dying every day for their war-profiteering efforts. It is vehemently disgusting to me that they wrap themselves in the American flag, claim the moral high ground, and declare anyone who disagrees with them to be un-American. Nothing can be more immoral or un-American than what they do. Yes, I know it isn’t the first time in the history of our nation, but it doesn’t make it right, regardless of the controlling party, Republican, Democrat, Whig, or any other. Does this make me a left-wing liberal? Then color me pink. I agree that all political parties are corrupt; candidate selection always comes down to the lesser of evils, which is a horrible way to vote, but the only option at this time. The Founding Fathers would be ashamed of today’s political circus. As far as current candidates, none impress me yet, very much the opposite. The Dems seem hell-bent on handing the next election to the GOP. No matter how hard they try to believe it, this country is not ready for a black man or a white woman to be president. Unfortunately for the Republicans, they can’t seem to seize the opportunity and present an even modestly competent candidate. Me (late, as usual..): This article (the original question) is not unlike several others, such as one by Hugh Hewitt and a slightly different perspective at The Slate. My first thought is that there is some strange Republican shenanigans at work here. This is echoed here where Glenn says: I still don't know enough to know if the bill is good or bad. But if the bill is actually a good bill that the GOP base would accept if they read it . . . then that's an even bigger indictment of the GOP leadership for failing to sell it. At this point, they've either mis-sold a good bill, or produced a bad one. For starters, the thing is 326 pages long - not usually a good sign. I wanted to slit my own wrists after about 15 pages. National Review Online editors are also rabid about it - which makes me suspicious immediately as well - although there seems to be confusion even among the NRO pundits on what the bill actually says. As far as my personal beliefs, what irritates me about this entire debate is how these workers are demonized. We need to remember that these "illegal immigrants" are first and foremost fellow human beings. We can choose to expel them or to put all sorts of limitations on their stay with us, but we should do it while maintaining a sense of justice. I wonder if all those Bible-thumpers in the anti-immigration crowd have ever taken out the Bible and read Leviticus 19:33-34? When an alien lives with you in your land, do not mistreat him. The alien living with you must be treated as one of your native-born. Love him as yourself, for you were aliens in Egypt. I am the LORD your God. No, I don't suppose bible-thumpers ever get around to opening the book and actually reading it.