BCT Editorial – 6/2/06

This page was last updated on June 4, 2006.

Stalled; Editorial; Beaver County Times; June 2, 2006.

Below is a detailed critique of the subject editorial.

“In the coming months, the debate over the way in which the United States will deal with the 12 million illegal immigrants in this country will be at the forefront of the political and electoral debates.”

[RWC] I have to give the author credit for correctly identifying the problem as being with illegal aliens. In previous editorials, the Times attempted to conflate illegal aliens and legal immigrants.

“But barring some sort of political deus ex machina, nothing is going to get done.

“To start with, Congress is hopelessly split on the issue. The Senate has opted for a comprehensive plan, which is supported by President Bush, while the House has passed a law-and-order-first plan.”

[RWC] It’s very generous to refer to the Senate bill (S. 2611) as “a comprehensive plan.” Many pieces of it differ little from the “immigration bill to end all immigration bills” enacted in 1986. That bill granted amnesty to 3 – 4 million illegal aliens and 20 years later we have anywhere from between 7 to 20 million illegal aliens.

“House Speaker Dennis Hastert has a rule that no legislation will be brought up for a vote unless it enjoys the support of the majority of the GOP caucus, and House Republicans overwhelming reject the Senate’s bill.

“What this means is that even if House and Senate negotiators do hammer out an agreement, the resulting bill has little or no chance of it coming up for a vote in the House if it contains any provisions that smell of what opponents call ‘amnesty’ for illegal immigrants.”

[RWC] If English is your primary language, you have average reading comprehension skills, and you read the Senate bill, you will find the bill provides amnesty for illegal aliens by any commonly accepted meaning of the word. In fact, some of its provisions grant rights to illegal aliens that American citizens don’t enjoy. For example, the bill forgives some back taxes, guarantees a “prevailing wage” for illegals, and prohibits employers from firing illegals for anything other than “just cause.” American citizens don’t – and should not – have these privileges and “rights.”

“This year’s congressional elections only add to the doom. House members must run every two years, which gives them a pretty good feel for how voters feel about this issue, and the anti-illegal immigrant tide is running high right now.

“So, look for a lot of drama but not much in the way of action on this issue. Up to and probably after Nov. 7, it’s going to be much sound and fury signifying nothing.”