True North

Recently John Hawkins of Right Wing News had the chance to ask McCain a question regarding immigration. Basically the question was the one that many have asked. The public says they don't trust the feds to secure the border before a pathway to citizenship, you say you've heard them, how do you intend to proceed if you're president.

The answer is not exactly satisfying...

As the recent immigration debate demonstrated, Americans have little trust that their government will honor a pledge to do the things necessary to make our border secure. As president, I will honor that pledge by securing the border, thus strengthening our national security. I will also require that, among other things, border-state governors certify that the border is secure before proceeding to other reform measures. However, I also believe that our immigration system must recognize that America will always be that "shining city upon a hill," a beacon of hope and opportunity for those seeking a better life built on hard work and optimism. Once we achieve border security, we must ensure that we approach our remaining immigration challenges with constructive dialogue and solutions that reflect a compassionate approach and the needs of our economy.

Wow....what a ingenious piece of political backtalking BS.

Let's pull apart this cleverly worded answer shall we??

As the recent immigration debate demonstrated, Americans have little trust that their government will honor a pledge to do the things necessary to make our border secure. As president, I will honor that pledge by securing the border, thus strengthening our national security.

First of all, you're right, the public does not trust their government to take the actions necessary to secure out border. And unfortunately, you are one of the reasons we have no trust in the federal government to do anything. So you becoming President doesn't change anything. We're simply trading one open borders President for another. Nothing changes and still nobody will trust the federal government to do anything.

Bush and lettucehead Chertoff have both claimed they'll secure the border, and has anything been done?? No. The only meaningful progress that has been made has been made because the states took responsibility and did the job Bush, Chertoff and the rest of the federal government is clearly incapable of doing.

I will also require that, among other things, border-state governors certify that the border is secure before proceeding to other reform measures.

Ok in almost every discussion of federal vs states, I'll come down on the side of state's right 99% of the time. However, this is a case that clearly is constitutionally mandated to the federal government. It is not the state's responsibility to secure the border or babysit the federal government while they do it.

Plus let's take a look at the sourthern border state governors. California has Schwarzneggar, New Mexico has Bill Richardson, Arizona has Janet Napolitano, and Texas has Rick Perry. All four of them are open-borders supporters.

Even setting those aside, let's say all the states but Arizona chose to really lock down the border. Arizona on the other hand is okay with just putting a large "Please Stay Out, Pretty Please...Unless You Really Want To" sign on the border and calling that good enough. Is anything solved?? No, the border is only as strong as it's weakest link. Illegals will flow in through that open corridor and eventually spread to other states.

A secure border is not the opinion of half a dozen souls. It is an objective pass/fail criteria.

Plus, the above statement could be interpreted that he would not allow employer enforcement until the border is secure. It's certainly one of the other methods of reform necessary. That would certainly be a shame to have real reform obstructed just because our new President is bitter he got slapped down last time he tried to impose his will on the people.

However, I also believe that our immigration system must recognize that America will always be that "shining city upon a hill," a beacon of hope and opportunity for those seeking a better life built on hard work and optimism.

I don't think you'll find a single border enforcement activist who disagrees with you on that note. But I suspect it means something entirely different to you. While you focus only on the "seeking a better life", the rest of us look at the entire statement.

Yes, this country is the "shining city upon a hill", but please explain to me how importing the worst of the garbage dump down the street, improves that shining city?? If those coming here were really interested in hard work, they would go through our legal immigration system. If they really wanted to come here for a better life, they would seek to do so openly and in such a way as they could freely enjoy our shining city.

Instead, the ones you seek to grant amnesty come her as little more than a leach on the system, which in large enough numbers will overwhelm that shining city on a hill. As proof of this, I present Exhibit A, Europe. Granted they weren't so much the shining city on a hill.....more a quaint village at the crossroads, but it has quickly overwhelmed them. Our shining city is not immune to the same.

Once we achieve border security, we must ensure that we approach our remaining immigration challenges with constructive dialogue and solutions that reflect a compassionate approach and the needs of our economy.

The needs of our economy?? That's laughable. This coming from the same man that tried to amnesty en masse 12 million people regardless of their benefit to our economy. Which if the actions of various states is any indicator, their net benefit is negligible at best.

And compassionate? Where is the compassion in driving down wages?? In overwhelming education and health systems to the point that existing citizens are stuck with a second rate care and service??

Nice try McCain...

Next time you'll want to try harder. And remember that your past actions tell us a lot more about you than your current words do. Talk is cheap, and with the level of bullshit you shovel, it's damn near free.

My suggestion, try harder.

[Crossposted at EckerNet.Com, comments welcome]