Piecemeal Reform May Be Better

Ianus · 08-09-2009, 06:57 PM

I saw part of this article originally over at Immigration Prof.,but the the full thing can be found here.

Quote:

In its push to solve the long-term problems of U.S. healthcare and energy in only a few months by means of comprehensive reform legislation, the Obama administration and the Democratic majority could be inspired by the story of Henry Clay's success in framing the Compromise of 1850. In the greatest feat of his long career in American politics, the great Kentucky senator put together a comprehensive package of reforms that won bipartisan support, resolved outstanding issues about slavery and the territories annexed from Mexico after the Mexican War of 1846-48, and saved the Union from civil war for a decade.

At least that's how the Compromise of 1850 tends to be remembered. But it's the political equivalent of false memory syndrome. In fact, things didn't work out that way. Clay's original omnibus bill was defeated in the Senate. Clay had a nervous breakdown. Another senator, Stephen A. Douglas of Illinois (Lincoln's famous rival), broke the omnibus bill into five separate bills. Each of the five bills was passed with a different majority. One of them -- the Fugitive Slave Act, which required all U.S. citizens to assist in the apprehension of runaway slaves -- was a moral and political monstrosity. And a decade later, civil war came anyway.

But there's no need to turn to the 19th century to learn to be cautious about giant, complicated, omnibus pieces of legislation that are supposed to solve multiple problems at the same time and for a long time to come. Our own era offers its own cautionary lessons about "comprehensive reform."

Remember the comprehensive immigration reform of 2006? It was a typical piece of comprehensive legislation designed to solve many problems all at once, from the legalization of illegal immigrants in the U.S. to sweeping reforms of legal immigration categories. As the legislation worked its way through Congress, it got worse and worse, as one lobby after another insisted on particular provisions. The final version would have resembled the definition of a camel as a horse designed by committee, if camels had three heads and legs on only one side.

The comprehensive immigration reform bill, praised by the Democratic leaders of Congress and defended by the mindless partisan progressive echo chamber in the media, was a horror. What should have been a simple, straightforward path to legal status for millions of legal immigrants had morphed into a Kafkaesque system that would require 11 years at a minimum for amnestied illegal immigrants to become U.S. citizens. Even worse, at the last minute, the U.S. business community managed to insert a provision creating an entirely new category of "guest workers" -- in reality, indentured servants -- who could be brought in as a scab army to undercut the wages and unionization activities of U.S. citizen-workers and legal immigrants (including amnestied immigrants). At the price of gaining business support, Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi agreed to the flooding of the labor market by several hundred thousand of these new business serfs a year.

If only lawmakers could see their errors so we can actually get Dream act to the floor as a stand-alone.Sometimes,I get the impression that this whole immigration saga can written as a drama or parody if everyone truly told the truth

Typical "Anti-immigrant guy"-"Heh,We got all of these lawmakers on the run.No way they'll bring up amnesty for LEGAL or illegal immigrants because I can't handle competition from overseas."

Typical "Immigration advocate"-"It MUST be done COMPREHENSIVELY,end of story !"

Typical "Congressional Lawmaker"-"Pfffft,Don't look at me it was their fault,Just vote for ME !".Meanwhile in the Backroom......"Can you believe these saps we have them where we want them"

Typical "Immigrant[undocumented or otherwise]"-"Do any of the above truly understand how 'The System' affects us"

Sorry for the side comments in advance,but sometimes I can see why Jon Stewart & Steven Colbert will always have a job,recession or not !

Godhashealed · 08-10-2009, 12:56 PM

I honestly think that no matter how this will get resolved(piecemeal or comprehensive) that the DA will pass. I truly believe it's just a matter of time.

I mean since ICE delayed the deportations of those Dreamers set for deportation gives me validation that our unifying and concentrated efforts are not in vain. They can no longer afford to ignore reason. We must keep the pressure on them. They seem to be getting it. Slowly but surely we are making a difference.

In my opinion, it would be more convenient to pass the DA first, then those of us who benefit from it must also keep the responsibility to spread the truth. All the info gathered in this web site will be rendered useless if we don't take it upon ourselves to utilize it, and expose the lies the opposition spreads as "the truth".

rock steady · 08-10-2009, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ianus

I saw part of this article originally over at Immigration Prof.,but the the full thing can be found here.

If only lawmakers could see their errors so we can actually get Dream act to the floor as a stand-alone.Sometimes,I get the impression that this whole immigration saga can written as a drama or parody if everyone truly told the truth

Typical "Anti-immigrant guy"-"Heh,We got all of these lawmakers on the run.No way they'll bring up amnesty for LEGAL or illegal immigrants because I can't handle competition from overseas."

Typical "Immigration advocate"-"It MUST be done COMPREHENSIVELY,end of story !"

Typical "Congressional Lawmaker"-"Pfffft,Don't look at me it was their fault,Just vote for ME !".Meanwhile in the Backroom......"Can you believe these saps we have them where we want them"

Typical "Immigrant[undocumented or otherwise]"-"Do any of the above truly understand how 'The System' affects us"

Sorry for the side comments in advance,but sometimes I can see why Jon Stewart & Steven Colbert will always have a job,recession or not !

I don't think piecemeal legislation is any better than comprehensive immigration reform at the moment. If we vigorously advocate for piecemeal legislation, we are assuming that the DREAM Act will be the first piece of legislation offered. I don't think that's going to happen as Congress will probably tackle "enforcement" legislation first, which has broader appeal than the DA.

Dreamer X · 08-10-2009, 05:08 PM

yep ...baby steps are always a good way to start.

ThespianDreamer · 08-13-2009, 08:01 AM

Piecemeal reform I agree with, however, who get's what? Should the older immigrants get something first? Anyone that's been here for 20+ years? Or should dreamers be ahead? How many immigration related bills have been introduced already?

I say give all Work Authorization and a visa! Those that were here for 20+ years should have a quicker path to legalization.

DA as a piecemeal would be great but I would feel bad for everyone else.

drvenom · 08-13-2009, 03:51 PM

I would love to see comprehensive immigration legislation that is humanitarian in nature, but that will not happen, or it is unlikely to happen. I think piecemeal legislation is more likely to pass. Whatever the case, I hope that most people are able to get their permanent resident card.

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Piecemeal Reform May Be Better