Immigration

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Boehner decision on immigration correct

While immigration reform barely appears on Americans’ list of priority issues, most people agree it needs to be addressed.

I was extremely disappointed last year when Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), representing the GOP’s new blood, appeared to be taken in by the likes of Senators Charles Schumer (D-NY) and John McCain (R-AZ) as a member of the so-called Gang of 8 as they cobbled together another comprehensive bill.

When I heard that immigration reform was on the agenda at the recent House Republican retreat my concern began to heighten again, even though I like the idea of taking on immigration reform in steps.  The timing, so close to the mid-term elections, however, was ill-conceived. Continue reading →

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GOP to release “guiding principles” on immigration

Republican leadership is apparently in the process of drafting “guiding principles” on immigration reform and is expected to release a statement outlining the party’s position soon, per House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy in an interview with radio stations KBAK/KBFX in Bakersfield, California this week.

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Rep. Kevin McCarthy (KBAK/KBPX photo)

While immigration reform didn’t get a mention in a recent Gallup Poll of Americans’ top priority issues for 2014, the party is looking ahead to the mid-term elections facing other polls indicating they don’t fare well with Hispanic voters.  Hispanics identify with Democrats over Republicans by a 2-to-1 margin in a Gallup Poll taken mere months ago.

When Fox News asked those surveyed which policy they favored regarding illegal immigrants,  68 per cent chose the option of allowing them to remain in the country and eventually qualify for citizenship, but only if they met certain requirements like paying back taxes, learning English and passing a background check. Continue reading →

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You are a Democrat

You might be a Democrat, wrote Janice Shoemaker in her Progressive Views column.  It reminded me of the story New Mexico’s Governor Susana Martinez told at the Republican convention. The Governor related how she was brought up as a Democrat, but she and her husband were invited to lunch by a couple of Republicans interested in her switching parties.  She had planned to just meet with them as a courtesy, but she said, “when we left that lunch and got in the car I looked over at Chuck and said, ‘I’ll be damned, we’re Republicans.’”

Unfortunately, Shoemaker’s broad brush attempt to paint Democrats in a light that would test Republican positions on issues falls flat.  Not only does she not understand the issues she cites, she ignores other issues of deep concern to conservatives.  Continue reading →