"We Derailed the Train."

Sen. Jim De Mint (R-SC), crowing in anticipation of another defeat of the immigration bill tomorrow morning.

Substantively, the "grand bargain" was doing OK -- amendments designed both to toughen and to soften it had been beaten back -- but "the bill shed supporters as it became mired in procedural hurdles that left backers  concerned about its prospects":

The legislation faces a make-or-break vote this morning when senators will decide whether to cut off debate and move to a final vote tomorrow. If it does not get the 60 votes necessary, Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) has said he will pull the bill, all but dashing hopes for any meaningful legislation this year.

Top legislative aides in both parties predicted today's vote would be very close but would fall short of keeping the proposal alive.

Divided we fall.

Comments

[Internet Ronin]

Divided we fall.

Think so? I don't mind leaving things as is for now. It seems to me that there was no real urgency to begin with, just one more poorly planned and executed policy initiative by the Bush Administration.

[ThinkItThroughNow...]

True enough that = "Divided we Fall"

But that's predicated on the assumption that passage of this bill would have united the country. Nope.

That's like wallpapering over a lousy paint job, without doing the prep work underneath necessary first.

I know we live in a China-made disposable society now, but I'm hoping enough of you still have basic maintenance and "fix-it" skills to recognize the long-term trouble you encounter when you don't do the basic prep work first and leave the trouble to fester -- for years? -- under the cover. Not good, not good.

The sooner we as Americans own up to this, the sooner we learn and make basic changes. Untiil then it's like an '86 lather, rinse, repeat. (amnesty, entry, amnesty...) Those who are paying the greatest price -- fellow workers, overtasked underpaid social services workers and public servants, etc -- and not benefitting directly from the lower costs of labor won't unite for something that in the long-run wallpapers over a poor paint job that nobody seems to admit seeing.

[amba]

IR, there's a real contradiction here.

Anti-immigrant conservatives are claiming that the flood of illegal immigrants is going to destroy this country. But by being unwilling to compromise -- if only with the reality that it is impossible and prohibitively expensive to deport 11 million people -- they are perpetuating the status quo that they claim is destroying the country.

[Internet Ronin]

I agree with that, amba, but they would rather be right, as defined by them, than do something about it. I don't agree, however, that this bill was a good way to "do something about it," so I'd be perfectly happy to see it die.

[amba]

What would you want to see in a better bill, IR?

[ThinkItThroughNow...]

Judgment:

IR has wallpaper before, basic maintenance skills.

amba... obviously has hired out.

It's wallpapering without the prep work, folks! Short term solution... you'll be wallpapering again and again until you listen to the not-so-friendly and optimistic wallpaper guy who tells you, "Don't ignore the prep work and expect it to all smooth over nicely."

hth amba, but you are a stubborn one. Looking to be liked too. :)

[amba]

You too, TIT, what do you think the policy should be?

[Internet Ronin]

What on earth is this supposed to mean?

"IR has wallpaper before, basic maintenance skills."

[Internet Ronin]

Amba, I am reasonably content with the way things are and can conceive of no legislation that would improve upon it. The government has failed to enforce the laws it has and shows no sign of being capable (or seriously interested) in enforcing any new laws that may be adopted.

[amba]

Terrorists could get across that border, however.

[Internet Ronin]

Terrorists will always be able to get across our borders, north and south. They will always be able to fly in (and out) as well. Short of banning overseas flights and shipping, closing the physical borders entirely, constructing 100' tall fences, clear-cutting wide swaths next to those fences, and manning them with sentries about 100' apart, there is no way to stop them completely. This bill would have made us no safer than we already are in that regard. They already have the laws on the books to do what is needed.

[Ruth Anne]

I believe this is a good topic for the upcoming presidential candidates to wrangle with. An ill-conceived Congressional solution now might have squelched a good high profile debate.

One of the current laws absolutely prohibits employers from looking beyond the documents they are given to prove legal immigrant status. Even if they appear patently false, the employer is barred from investigating further. That rule should change by the inclusion of a biometric identification system/database accessible to employers. [A close relative owns a temporary staffing service. Si. He hablas espanol. And the INS told him that he was not a deputy of the INS so back off.]

[Internet Ronin]

One of the current laws absolutely prohibits employers from looking beyond the documents they are given to prove legal immigrant status.

I believe current law prevents them from even asking anyone about their immigrant status (unless the employer is classified as a defense contractor and specifically required by the US government to employ citizens only).

Employers are provided a list of acceptable proofs of identity and must accept any of those provided as sufficient evidence that the applicant is eligible for work. Employers are prohibited from having special requirements for those who speak limited or no English or "appear" to be foreign. The rules must be followed for all applicants. Thus, I always laugh when people damn those horrible employers for hiring illegals. As long as the one piece of documentation is provided, there is nothing an employer can do if they wanted to anyway.