May the Fourth be with you!
Conservatives across the state have found their own worst enemy: themselves. The controversial Arizona immigration bill has rekindled a negative vibe amongst independents and moderates. Until now, the GOP was making a comeback; championing fiscal responsibility; and winning over moderates uncomfortable with the overzealous Democratic agenda. Now once people caught wind of what was going on in Arizona, the conservative powers-at-be busted out this big all-you-mexicans-need-to-gtfo campaign, catering to the WASP voter base and capitalizing on ethnic tensions in diverse communities. Those people in my opinion are not true conservatives, for George Washington himself wrote:
“The bosom of America is open to receive not only the Opulent and respectable Stranger, but the oppressed and persecuted of all Nations And Religions; whom we shall welcome to a participation of all our rights and previleges, if by decency and propriety of conduct they appear to merit the enjoyment.” (1783)
The majority of Americans already believe that immigration is generally a good thing for our country (60% according to Gallup; still waiting on the OJ poll), so when you start passing controversial laws on the eve of a midterm election, don’t wonder why you lost; especially when you are the minority. The Democrats ARE the majority and tried pushing their big controversial agenda item AKA single-payer healthcare and turned off a lot of fiscal conservatives away from the party. Advocating fiscal conservatism and liberty is where we as Republicans need to be to win in November; NOT getting in shouting matches over a percieved racist and xenophobic law passed -IN A DIFFERENT STATE- because then people will start to get the idea that we are all crazy angry racists; and that’s no position to be in when you’re trying to get votes.
Now, the conspiracy theorist inside me would speculate that blowing up the immigration issue in the GOP’s face was the result of socialist masterminds to preserve Democratic superiority, but I digress. I hope it is not too late to change the subject of debate in time for November; and to encourage mainstream GOP candidates like Carly Fiorina or Meg Whitman to not take the bait.
Well, Irvine, I can’t really say too much, because if I agree with you, Republicans will think that’s a trap too! I’ll just say, good work, nice piece.
And the highly scientific Orange Juice poll is showing something like the same thing – 40% call themselves “hardliners” who want to generally make it much harder for immigrants to get in here; and 60% are open to some kind of reform that makes immigration easier.
So I would THINK your fellow Republicans should take your advice, but of course it’s okay with me if they don’t! 🙂
Thanks!
All in all not a good last month for the Republican Party. First “Drill Baby Drill” has taken such a hit that I don’t think anyone will be talking about offshore drilling for another year or two and now the Arizona Immigration Law. I’ve worked all my life in a company that employs almost exclusively hispanics, many of whom started illegally. Many of them or 15 or 20 year employees that would otherwise be a poster child for the “American Dream”. At the risk of losing my GOP membership card, I think this “throw them all out no matter the consequences” attitude hurts the party. Great article Irvine.
“The majority of Americans already believe that immigration is generally a good thing for our country”.
I’m shocked. NOT! What a stupid, loaded question.
When you get something like this…The majority of Americans already believe that illegal immigrants selling drugs and killing your neighbors is generally a good thing for our country…then I will be shocked.
Thanks for the George Washington history. Here’s some FDR for ya.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Liberal Lion, signed a bill in 1940 that required aliens to carry identity papers or be arrested and jailed. That law has been on the books for 60 years without causing a bit of outrage. Arizona has now made FDR’s law a state law. As a result, the MSM has suddenly discovered that the law that the “Sainted FDR” signed is identical to the laws passed in Nazi Germany against he Jews. Since an overwhelming majority of the American people support both the FDR law and the Arizona law, Americans are now called racist for demanding that.
arizona law is great . this is how stupid these hispanic activist are . they want to boycott az . boycott everything az ,hotels , blah , blah , blah , well one big hotel chain said yesterday that if boycotts go one the first people that will be let go are maids , cleaners , janitors , hmmm mostly hispanics , way to go smart people nothing like hurting your own kind . and also the signs they where holding az is racist , the usa of kkk . then why would you want to come to a racist country . great job .
Getting behind a bill that has 60%+ support is not a bad idea. I can’t understand all the handwringing over what is clearly a winning issue with voters right now. And every time some protester waves a Mexican flag or shouts “Si Se Pueda” it just increases support that much more. This will not harm Republicans, but it will harm Democrats who rise on their high horses and proclaim that only laws they like should be obeyed.
The GOP has painted itself into a corner and assured that it will continue to dwindle.
Just look at Poiazner, who has become a total knuckle-dragger. If Whitman trounces him, as it is likely she will, we will have proof, yet again, that immigrant-bashing is a truly bad idea for what is left of Reagan’s party.
once again pedroza leaves out the word . they dont bash immigrants they bash ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS . the word hispanic activist always leave out .
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Liberal Lion, signed a bill in 1940 that required aliens to carry identity papers or be arrested and jailed. That law has been on the books for 60 years without causing a bit of outrage.
Let’s see, what was going on in the early 40’s to explain FDR’s law? (hint – two W’s, a numeral 2) And what is the one thing FDR did that just about everyone except Michelle Malkin agrees was wrong and un-American? (hint – japanese, camps…) And what happens to a law that’s no longer necessary or enforced? (hint – everybody just forgets about it, except middleground’s right-wing sources when they find it useful for propaganda)
Since an overwhelming majority of the American people support both the FDR law and the Arizona law, Americans are now called racist for demanding that.
Americans don’t know anything about the Arizona law, they think it just “allows police to check on the immigration status of criminals” or something. Many of the 60% who say they support it don’t realize it REQUIRES police to check the documentation of anyone who LOOKS like they could be foreign, and arrest them if they’re not documented, and they haven’t thought through what this means in terms of the economy, or pursuing other more serious crime.
Otherwise there wouldn’t be a 20% overlap of people who say they support the law, but also want to ease immigration restrictions. At least 60% of Americans are NOT racist.
A party built on people like Rick Moore, the Grate One, and middleground, will make a lot of noise – more noise than the La Raza protesters! – but it’ll always be a minority party. A shriveled, old, miserable, minority party.
Keep your head up Irvine & good luck with your difficult reclamation work. I really don’t want either of the two big parties to be characterized by hate.
minority party well see in nov . when you lose the house , senate . and you lefties are in the MINORTY IN THIS ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION ISSUE . NOTICE I SAID ILLEGAL .
NOTICE WE’RE TALKING ABOUT REFORM SO THAT IT WON’T BE ILLEGAL. NOT ILLEGAL NOT ILLEGAL NOT ILLEGAL NOT ILLEGAL.
reform haaa good luck with trying to get that one . haaaaa NO TO THE DREAM ACT , NO SE PUEDE , OR IN YOUR CASE SI SE PUEDE TO BREAKING THE LAW . ILLEGAL , ILLEGAL , ILLEGAL , SAY IT VERN I KNOW IT HURTS , ILLEGAL , ILLEGAL ,
You see….what you all need to do….is create a Marijuana Pharmacy….call every Drug Cartel in Mexico and then throw open the doors and let anyone in..anytime they want.
Cloistered behind your Gated Communities…..you might want to deal with reality…every now and then.
How about Joe Arpaio refusing the Governor gig? Saying he is just a beat cop trying to do his job.
Who needs border anyway? Just ask the Tutus, the
Zulus and Hutzies! They don’t need any borders either.
I hope you guys are joking…
Arizona’s new law is neither racist nor xenophobic — it is, however, unconstitutional as it cannot take over federal responsibilities. Immigration is good for the country: those who want to be here and MELT into- and support our American values. INVADERS, however, are VERY VERY BAD for the country.