I have grown very tired of all the comments from Democrats telling the Republican Party what to do concerning immigration. Whether it is elected officials, political consultants or talking heads, advising republicans that immigration reform must happen or else the Republican Party as we know it is done, finito, gone, I cannot help but shake my head.
Every time I hear their well-meaning comments, my eyes just roll. Why, I ask, should we Republicans believe they have our best intentions at heart? Why are they so determined to save our Party? Do they actually believe that Republicans are listening very carefully to their advice? So why do they do it? There is really an agenda there, but it is not what it seems.
Not for one second do I believe their goodwill. We will not be fooled. The last thing Democrats want is a vibrant GOP. They are not really worried about our survival --just the opposite-- they’re afraid of it. Politics is a zero-sum game.
Quite frankly, their narrative has the intent to put us between a rock and a hard place. And I am afraid they are succeeding, because the media plays into their hands every single time. It is true that we have had a few loud thoughtless strident Republican voices, but they are just that -- a few. Yet the media has painted the entire Republican brand as anti-immigrant.
Nevertheless, let’s just take a walk down history lane. The reality is that it has been Republicans, from Ronald Reagan who signed the immigration reform in 1986 to George W. Bush who worked so hard to welcome immigrants and almost succeeded in passing immigration reform, that have done the most on this issue. However, one wouldn’t know it from all media coverage today.
Need we remind anyone that when he was in the senate, Barack Obama voted against the immigration reform agreement reached by Senator Kennedy and Senator McCain? Yet no one really talks about it or about the fact that President Obama, when he had Democrat majorities on both the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives, didn’t even touch immigration reform.
When the Democrats had the opportunity to do immigration reform all by their little selves, they didn’t lift a finger; now they’re telling Republicans that they must do it! The gumption!
I believe immigration reform is needed. Clearly our legal immigration system is not working. Our enforcement is lacking and we need to figure out a humane way to deal with the 11 million people that are not authorized to be here.
Republicans have a good track record dealing with this issue. Actually, Republicans have a good track record dealing with every major issue currently facing the United States for that matter. Unlike the current administration and its compounded failures in dealing with the economy, jobs, and Obamacare implementation, we Republicans can figure things out.
We do not need the Democrats to tell us how to do it. Their track record on the immigration issue is non-existing. So Democrats, spare us your good intentions; we have figured you out.
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