Monday, June 11, 2007

The Shamnesty Bill, Round 2...

Okay, you were warned - the shamnesty bill is being brought up again now that President Bush is back in the country, and he's planning to address the Senate in person soon to attempt to breathe new life into it. Some Democrats are already out there saying that the only negative feedback they're receiving is from a bunch of wingnut racists (I mentioned that unfair racism accusation in my first illegal immigration blog). Don't buy it - it has nothing to do with racism, and everything to do with upholding American laws and taking care of American citizens before illegal aliens!

If you're someone who is against this shamnesty bill, be prepared to start seeing headlines calling you a racist or an idiot. But, take comfort in the fact that there are a whole lot of other 'racists' and 'idiots' out there - you're actually part of the vast majority of Americans. According to a Rasmussen poll last week, only 23% of Americans supported the shamnesty bill, and it "failed because a broad cross-section of the American people are opposed to it. Republicans, Democrats, and unaffiliated voters are opposed. Men are opposed. So are women. The young don’t like it; neither do the no-longer-young. White Americans are opposed. Americans of color are opposed." That's some pretty good company, don't you think? So why is this coming up again? Bush wants it, and so do many liberals in Congress. Bush wants to leave a legacy, the Democrat leadership wants to buy more votes, and the Republican leadership is afraid that no Hispanic will ever vote Republican again. Sadly, all three are bad reasons for doing this legislation.

Incidentally, this is a perfect example of the difference between conservative and liberal values described in my last blog. Even though a majority of the American people have spoken, liberals in Congress still think you're too stupid to know what you really want or to know what's best for America. One of the theories I've heard is that they're using the 'racist' label to allow themselves to ignore your opposition because you're just a bunch of wingnut racists, and they don't want to let wingnut racists dictate US policy (which would be a valid point, if they weren't implying that 77% of America were wingnut racists). So, they're going to try to ram the shamnesty bill through DESPITE what the American people say about it because they believe they are better and more intelligent than you are. It's ridiculous and absolutely unacceptable that some of our representatives -- let me emphasize: REPRESENTATIVES -- are failing to represent us.

If this issue is important to you, do two things: first, remember who supports this bill and who opposes it. I've posted voting results of the Senators from Missouri and Kansas in previous blogs, and I'll continue to do that as more votes occur, but also keep in mind the names of the major players on both sides of the issue. Second, continue to let your voice be heard. Call your Senators to let them know your opinion and to ask them how they plan to vote. In addition to contacting your Senators, call the White House. Amazingly, they seem to be even more clueless than the Senate about what Americans think on this issue, as evidenced by an article in The Washington Times describing how Bush was surprised by conservative outrage on the shamnesty bill. Clearly, they need to get back in touch with the American people, so let 'em hear from you!

Speaking of contacting the Senate, here's another number you can use: 800-417-7666. This was actually set up for supporters of the shamnesty bill last week to give them a fast (and toll-free) track into their Senators' offices, but anyone can use it. Just be aware that you'll have to listen to some supporters' propaganda before you get connected, but it's otherwise a perfectly serviceable method of contacting them. :)

I've said it before, and I'll say it again - something needs to be done about illegal immigration. But, amnesty is NOT the answer. It hasn't helped any of the previous times we've tried it, and it won't help this time, either.

There's my two cents.

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