Squandering a Majority
December
8, 2004I really,
really hate to say this during the Christmas season, but I can feel my
blood rising to a slow boil over the actions of this Congress and
Administration since the election. The slow process of squandering
our Congressional majority has been taking place for about two years
and is accelerating with each bill being passed by this Congress.
Don't be fooled by the Congressional election results. We picked up
seats in the House due solely to redistricting in Texas, and
demographic changes in the South. The President's leadership on
national security issues also helped elect several new members of the
US Senator. However, the country expects the GOP majority to manage
the finances of the country properly and protect the homeland. We
aren't doing all we can do in these two areas.
Setting
aside the recently passed and signed appropriations bill, a deficit
busting, bloated mess with over 11,000 "earmarks" (special spending
requests from Members of Congress), I am befuddled, frustrated and
outraged over the compromise Intelligence Reform bill that passed the
House of Representatives yesterday.
What is
it about illegal immigration that sends Republicans running
into the bushes to hide? I can't figure it out. Of course, there is
the "Latino vote" factor that raises fear among Republican House
members, but they are ALL IN SAFE DISTRICTS now, so why be afraid to
take on one of America's most pressing problems? Not one Republican
in Congress can be punished by the voters for rising up against
illegal immigration. Not one. I mean, how hard is it to define
ourselves, as a Party, as "pro-immigrant, anti illegal immigrant"?
It's a clear position, a short sound bite, and easily understood by
voters, even DUMB voters. And 75% of Americans AGREE with it.
In return
for caving on immigration reform, Wisconsin Representative James
Sensenbrenner was offered the opportunity to raise the issue in
January again. In politics, they call this being handed the "crust"
of the pie. Don't hold your breath for tough immigration reform to
happen in this GOP controlled Congress.
It's not
hard to identify the problems with our immigration system. Our porous
Southern border remains the greatest national security vulnerability
we have. It was not closed or sealed after 9-11 and remains a massive
problem. States in the Southwest are being overrun with illegals from
Mexico, and our health care, education and law enforcement systems are
being crushed by the financial burden of caring for, educating and
incarcerating illegals. This is not debatable. Liberals may try, but
on the merits they lose that debate every time, which is why they play
the "race" card as they begin losing the argument.
The
compromise bill that passed yesterday (again, conservatives doing all
the compromising) was stripped of provisions that would have made a
real difference in dealing with HOW terrorists get into the country.
As has been widely reported, the 19 terrorists had 63 valid drivers
licenses. This is an outrage. This bill that passed yesterday
IGNORED recommendations of the vaunted 9-11 Commission, including the
creation of State standards for issuing driver licenses, a ban on
driver licenses for illegal immigrants, and tougher provisions for
deportation of illegals. Why in the world would we compromise on
these issue?
I commend
Congressman George Radanovich for voting against this bill. I
applaud his courage and principle. He and the other nine members
from California that voted no need to lead the charge for the type of
immigration reform so badly needed in this country. Remember,
there is NO political price to play for this. The President has
been re-elected and all Republicans are in safe districts.
Conservatives in America are counting on this White House and Congress
to act, and act soon. If not, we will look back on these days as
the majority Party with great regret.
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