SOLUTION/SHARRY: The answer on immigration

originalgabe · originalgabe

http://washingtontimes.com/news/2008...tion-66606138/

Quote:

rank Sharry
Sunday, December 14, 2008

On Election Day, the American people hired leaders they believe will tackle and solve tough problems. They fired politicians who cover up inaction and ineffectiveness with slick sound bites and punchy slogans.

The public wants action -- and results -- on a range of tough issues. Of course, economic recovery is job number one, but the public demand for action on illegal immigration has been underestimated for too long.

Both presidential candidates got it. They promised action on immigration reform in their first year. Moreover, when the Obama campaign quietly put together transition teams on seven priority policy areas to begin work months before Election Day, immigration reform made the cut.

Why is illegal immigration now a top-tier policy concern? Is it anger at the illegal immigrants? No. In a recent poll conducted by Sergio Bendixen for NDN only 3 percent of voters blame them. Employers who game the system? Yes, nearly a quarter of voters blame employers, many of whom are seen as unscrupulous actors who underpay workers and skip out on taxes. But by a 2-1 margin the public blames the federal government and Congress. Failure to solve illegal immigration is now a symbol of how Washington doesn't work.

This is what most Democrats now get and most Republicans don't. In 2008, Barack Obama and the vast majority of Democratic candidates for Congress defined themselves as in favor of comprehensive immigration reform. The key elements of comprehensive reform are strong enforcement at the borders and the workplace coupled with a requirement that those here illegally pass criminal background checks, pay taxes, study English and get to the back of the citizenship line. This is viewed by the majority of Americans as the most pragmatic approach to this complicated problem.

In contrast, most Republicans adopted a harder line. John McCain felt compelled to pander to make-'em-all-leave primary voters with a promise of "border security first." In contested congressional races, most Republicans trumpeted the enforcement-only position of "no amnesty" so popular with talk radio and anti-immigration groups.

The results? Mr. Obama trounced Mr. McCain with Latino voters generally (67 percent to 31 percent) and Latino immigrant voters especially (75 percent to 25 percent). This represents a dramatic shift from the success George W. Bush had in 2004 (John Kerry won 59 percent to 40 percent with Latinos generally and only 52 percent to 48 percent with Latino immigrants). The results in battleground congressional races was just as stark. In 22 battleground House and Senate races where a Republican enforcement-only hawk challenged Democratic candidates who favored a more comprehensive approach to reform, the reform-minded Democrat won in 20.

What does this mean for the upcoming policy debate? Look for President Obama and Democratic leaders to lean into the issue and propose a worker and taxpayer-friendly approach to immigration reform. I can see it now. It's Citizenship Day -- Sept. 17, 2009. The president, surrounded by the smiling faces of flag-waving newly minted citizens, makes the case for reform.

That would be SO nice

mandeep1803 · mandeep1803

From a political standpoint, I really don't know how the immigration reforms can be achieved. Two unpopular wars, crashing economy, and a world of problems face President-Elect Obama. I like to think there is a solution coming withing one or two years but my political mind tells me it could be quite hard.

meehx3 · meehx3

Quote:

Originally Posted by mandeep1803

From a political standpoint, I really don't know how the immigration reforms can be achieved. Two unpopular wars, crashing economy, and a world of problems face President-Elect Obama. I like to think there is a solution coming withing one or two years but my political mind tells me it could be quite hard.

as much as i don't want to admit it, i also think this is the case.
i love that we're so optimistic here.
i want to feel that optimism, but i've been dissappointed too many times.
we all desparately need this, but the question is, will it be politically possible?

kenny1314 · kenny1314

i doubt with it......

lilbawler2001 · lilbawler2001

What a bunch of pessimists, you are not the only ones who have been dissapointed in the past you know.

minus · minus

Quote:

Originally Posted by lilbawler2001

What a bunch of pessimists

Right on! We need to stay positive.....

Jay Stone · Jay Stone

Lets not forget that the congress is not a group a folk who cant walk and chew gum at the same time. Lets also not forget that DREAM is not CIR, it's not going to be this massive overload, they call it Piecemeal immigration for a reason. This will get some light shined upon it next year, and we will achieve what we've longed for.

verve · verve

listen. CIR is not gonna happen next yr. Republicans are still bitter as hell. Dream Act however ALMOST got through last yr so there is a fairly good chance that this time around we can't fail. Plus we are getting organized fairly well so we'll put up a good fight. So convince yourself that Dream Act is going to get passed this yr and we'll make it happen. 2009!!

mandeep1803 · mandeep1803

Guys, I am not being a pessimist. You just need to think critically and have a backup plan for stuff. I agree with the positive sentiments but there are always at least 2 sides to an issue. One must look at all the sides to understand the gravity of the situation.

I hope it passes but there are enough people blocking any sort of real work from being done in the political system.

originalgabe · originalgabe

just posted this so that we can see another positive perspective, Ive seen many a journalist, activists and just folk like us that are becoming more and more optimistic that something will happen (wether DREAM and/or CIR) in the next 2 years.

Im trying to stay optimistic with a touch of realist. But its a good thing to see so much movement in the blogsphere and so many people exited. it will help create a momentum we will need to succeeed.

DREAM '09!!!

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SOLUTION/SHARRY: The answer on immigration