June 06, 2007
6,301,084,228 undocumented Americans want their piece too
Uncle Harry's a helluva a guy. Between he and Ma Pelosi they're running the most ethical government ever. Those first couple of months in office got off to a rough start, what with President Bush stonewalling them at every turn. But now, now they've got the power. Harry and Nancy, they're the modern day He-Man and She-Ra and Harry, he's the Master of his Domain.
On the first day of the 110th Congress, Democrats introduced bills reflecting the ten priorities that America sent us here to address. Last Friday we concluded a seven week work period, and we have taken action on seven of those ten priorities:
- We passed the toughest ethics and lobbying reform in our nation’s history.
- We passed a much deserved and long overdue raise in the federal minimum wage for working people, which was signed into law last week.
- We attempted to give Medicare the power to negotiate lower drug prices, but this effort was filibustered by Republicans.
- We passed the recommendations of the bipartisan 9/11 Commission, after they had been pushed aside for years.
- For the second year in a row, we voted to give the hope of stem cell research to millions of Americans who suffer, and will soon send that bill to the President.
- We passed a balanced budget that restores fiscal discipline and puts the middle class first – cutting their taxes while increasing investment in education, veterans’ care and children’s health care.
- And we began debate on the complex and crucial issue of immigration reform.
This week, we will vote on cloture and final passage of a comprehensive bill that will strengthen border security, bring the 12 million undocumented Americans out of the shadows, and keep our economy strong. In the days ahead, we will work to improve the bill to protect and strengthen family ties while improving the structure of the temporary-worker program.
Harry Reid has a plan for world peace, unfortunately it involves adopting every American adopting at least 20 refugees from impoverished nations, like England, France and Germany. That way we can take care of all the 6,301,084,228 undocumented Americans. Personally I'm cool with that just so long as none of mine are those damned dirty scandis. If I had my preference it'd be an even split of hot Latino and Asian chicks. Of course I might have to change my name to Woody Allen.
BFirst I guess we have to deal with those 12 million undocumented Americans, you know the one's doing the jobs the Americans with "papers" won't do. Sure a great number of those undocumented Americans entered our country illegally, forged documents to get work and steal the benefits our tax dollars are paying for; but they're mostly our neighbors and what are you a damned racist? Plus Harry and Nancy need pool-boys and cabana-girls.
No worries about them only focusing on bringing the world under our care though. They've got plans to screw up lots of things.
Following immigration, we will turn our attention to the three remaining bills from our original ten:
- An energy bill that will take a crucial first step toward weaning our country’s addiction to foreign oil.
- A reauthorization of the Higher Education Act that will address the skyrocketing costs of college.
- And a Defense Authorization bill that will make critical investments to address troop readiness problems in the military caused by the President’s flawed Iraq policy.
We will also reconfigure our national security strategy to better meet the threats and challenges we face today and the President is overlooking.
Yay, he's gonna reduce our dependence on oil. Which means prices are going to drop so I can keep pouring oil into my four-wheel-drive F-150. I sure hope they start their focus on education tommorrow, 'cause a great number of today's kids are morons that can barely operate the intertubes.
I wonder if by Defense Authorization bill he means a draft? Or maybe he's going with robots, flesh-eating, fire-breathing robots.
h/t: Michelle Malkin
Bob,
I don't understand what you and Michelle are upset about. I mean that. I don't get the point of this post or Michelle's.
If you mean the Democrats haven't followed through on everything they promised, I'm with you on that.
If you're against raising the minimum wage, I don't agree, but I understand your opposition.
If you're against Medicare using its power to get lower drug prices or any of the other points, well, reasonable people can disagree, and that's OK.
But if this is all over Reid's using the term Americans, as in 12 million undocumented Americans, then I don't get it. Talk to people from Central and South America. One of the things that really gets in their craw is our assumption that American means citizens of the US.
I think they're fighting a losing battle there but technically they're correct. They are Americans. Some are Central Americans, some are South Americans and even Mexico is part of North America.
So, maybe Reid stuck his foot in his mouth. Big surprise there. But I don't see how that's worth you and Michelle getting all snarky.
Really, am I missing something?
Posted by: David Terrenoire at June 6, 2007 11:09 AMDavid, where are you from? Not a border town or state, I presume. Or anywhere else with a large Latino population.
The next Mexican I meet here in Tejas who considers himself an "American" or "Central American" rather than a Mexican -- will be the first one.
Latinos are exceptionally proud of their national heritage. Try calling a Dominican a Puerto Rican. Or try calling an Ecuadorian a Mexican. Or try calling a Mexican a Cuban.
Posted by: Robbie at June 6, 2007 01:32 PMRobbie,
I live in North Carolina now, but I lived and worked in Central America for two years. I made the mistake in Honduras once of using Americans referring to the US and an officer quickly corrected me. I never made that mistake again.
I don't know first-hand if Mexicans see themselves that way, but I do know that the people of Latin America do and can be quite prickly about it.
Posted by: David Terrenoire at June 6, 2007 02:02 PMSorry, that should have read "...the other people of Latin America..."
Posted by: David Terrenoire at June 6, 2007 02:06 PMDavid,
The reason I felt it was worthwhile pointing this out is I think it goes to Reid's mindset. He wants the bill passed because it legalizes the additional votes they need to get a "mandate" of their own.
I don't think it was Reid being politically correct. He, in my humble opinion, was speaking to nationality, not their continental birth places. By calling them "undocumented" Americans he's intentionally softening the tone. Much like the militants / insurgents vs. terrorists verbiage used in the media.
All in all, its a whole lot easier to generate sympathy for someone when you can relate to them, thus the "American" angle. Whereas if he'd called them what they are, illegal border crossing, identity thieving, benefit robbing criminals, well, he'd have a hard time justifying his stance on Amnesty.
Snark for the troop readiness might not be well deserved because, you know, we need to ensure Kansas and Louisiana aren't invaded and that their depleted guards reserves are there when the Governors mismanage emergency conditions.
For Medicare. What would our situation be if we weren't having to pay for hundreds of thousands of illegals abusing our health care system? Really, how many thousands of blood pressure pills could be bought with the money used to reimburse a hospital because an illegal immigrant waited until their cold was full on pneumonia?
For the oil dependence. Maybe if the Nancy wasn't flying all over hell and half of Georgia seven days a week I could buy the dems being serious on conservation.
For education. Well, we'll just end in song:
Tommorrow, Tommorrow...
Really David this isn't an attack on you. I'm just stating where I'm coming from. Pretty much I'm fed up with a majority of our politicians when it comes to border security and health care. If Mexico isn't going to be part of the solution then we need to start sending them a bill for the benefits their citizens are stealing.
Granted I haven't launched into an attack on a Republican lately. Mainly because the Dems have been making it easy for me and I'm lazy.
Posted by: phin at June 6, 2007 02:44 PMphin,
I don't take your posts as attacks. No worries.
You're probably right in Reid's choice of language. I just thought this bit of spin was a small transgression in the larger scheme. Like shooting flies with a .45.
As for all those other issues, I'd love to debate them any time except right now.
It's the end of a long afternoon and I'm feeling a bit lazy, too. I never did shake the habit of siesta. Now if we could import that...
Posted by: David Terrenoire at June 6, 2007 03:03 PMHarry Reid’s voting record on immigration issues can be found at: Harry Reid’s Voting Record
Harry Reid’s history of speeches on immigration can be found at: Harry Reid’s Record of Speeches
Harry Reid’s ratings from special interest groups on immigration can be found at: Harry Reid’s Interest Group Ratings
For more information on Harry Reid’s position on immigration please visit Project Vote Smart or call our hotline at 1-888-VOTE-SMART.
