timschochet
Footballguy
Barack Obama is the most ambitious President we have ever had, IMO. Besides dealing with the economy, he plans to tackle three more highly controversial issues this year: energy, healthcare, and immigration reform. Any one of these by themselves would serve to define a presidency- Obama wants to solve all three in one year. If he comes even close to success, he will be one of the most impactful President in history, IMO, no matter what happens next.
The conservatives are very excited by the issue of immigration reform, because they see this as potential wedge issue. Everyone remembers the public reaction to the McCain-Kennedy bill two years ago. With our current economic and unemployment problems, some believe the public will revolt at any hint of amnesty for 12-15 million people. Conservatives are hoping they will be joined by blue collar Americans, many of whom voted for Obama and will now feel betrayed.
I think conservatives are right about this (politically, I mean) up to a point- this will be a wedge issue. Problem is, it's a long term loser for the Republicans. If they come to be defined as the nativist, anti-immigration party, they will destroy all future electoral chances. The demographics of this country are rapidly changing: the Southwestern part of the United States is going to dominate future electoral cycles, and Latino votes will be a HUGE factor.
I support Obama in this effort- one of the few areas I do support him. I think some sort of immigration reform is inevitable. In the long run, it will save us money by giving these poor people a path to citizenship, and having them contribute to our society rather than work against it. Hopefully we can look past ugly populist emotions and try to solve this problem.
The conservatives are very excited by the issue of immigration reform, because they see this as potential wedge issue. Everyone remembers the public reaction to the McCain-Kennedy bill two years ago. With our current economic and unemployment problems, some believe the public will revolt at any hint of amnesty for 12-15 million people. Conservatives are hoping they will be joined by blue collar Americans, many of whom voted for Obama and will now feel betrayed.
I think conservatives are right about this (politically, I mean) up to a point- this will be a wedge issue. Problem is, it's a long term loser for the Republicans. If they come to be defined as the nativist, anti-immigration party, they will destroy all future electoral chances. The demographics of this country are rapidly changing: the Southwestern part of the United States is going to dominate future electoral cycles, and Latino votes will be a HUGE factor.
I support Obama in this effort- one of the few areas I do support him. I think some sort of immigration reform is inevitable. In the long run, it will save us money by giving these poor people a path to citizenship, and having them contribute to our society rather than work against it. Hopefully we can look past ugly populist emotions and try to solve this problem.
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