On Tuesday, each of you begins debate, as duly elected members of the United States Senate, on a fundamental question: is it your principal responsibility to codify into law the wishes of the vast majority of American citizens with regard to the thorny issues of illegal immigration and border enforcement in our post-9/11 age or, instead, is it your responsibility to represent, first and foremost, the government of Mexico, its U.S.-based consulates, and the 12 to 20 million illegal aliens afoot in this country — an illegal alien juggernaut comprised of Mexican nationals and Other Than Mexicans (many from “countries of interest”), a number of whom gathered in protest marches and political rallies over this past weekend in cities across our land to advance their case for amnesty and citizenship?
Truly, for most Americans, it was an altogether incongruous spectacle: masses of illegal aliens, who have no business being in this country of ours (which they genuinely think is theirs) in the first place, wrapped in Mexican flags and exercising First Amendment constitutional rights of free speech (en espanol) and peaceful assembly, as if this was their country and their ancestors had fought in America’s Revolutionary War. None were apprehended. They walked our city’s streets, brazenly and unimpeded, as if they owned them, and appealed to our government for a redress of alleged grievances, as if it was their government, and no longer ours.
And why exactly did these unseemly scenes unfold? Simple. Because federal immigration laws already on the books have been routinely ignored for the longest time by this nation’s Chief Executive (and presidents before him) and an indifferent Congress (and Congresses before it), both of whom have, 1) played to monied special interests championing so-called “cheap labor” and, 2) pandered to Latino activist groups in an effort to garner more votes from the growing Hispanic block.
The upshot is that the rule of law has taken a backseat in what is supposed to be a “nation of laws.” Perceived economic exigencies and deplorable political pragmatism have held the rule of law at bay and now, with 12 to 20 million illegal aliens already here and 500,000 more jumping our porous borders with impunity every year, President George W. Bush and the United States Congress have wittingly created a well-orchestrated fait accompli — the illegals cannot, as a practical matter, be rounded up and deported, so let’s design an amnesty-equivalent, tempoary Guest-Worker Program for them that will inevitably be anything but tempoary, making “guests” of patent lawbreakers.
Interesting, isn’t it, that while Americans, Republicans and Democrats alike, know precisely what they want — secure land and ocean borders and an end to runaway illegal immigration — the United States Senate must debate the issue and appears intent on cleverly steering a course away from the unequivocal mandate of those who elected them. In choosing such a course of action, the Senate will dishonor honorable American citizens, while honoring the corrupt, dishonorable government of Vicente Fox and the 12+ million border-jumping lawbreakers his administration has purposefully facilitated in entering the United States illegally. The House of Representatives understood its obligation to American citizens and America’s national security; but, it would appear, the United States Senate remains hellbent on turning a deaf ear to its electors’ wishes once again.
Know this, as you deliberate: American tax-payers have had it with the deleterious impact of illegal immigration on this nation’s healthcare, educational, and criminal justice systems, not to mention its likely impact on homeland security in an age of international terrorism. You and your deliberations will be under the microscope and the legislation you pass dissected. With mid-term elections just months away, the stage will be set for American voters to endorse what the Congress enacts vis-a-vis border security and illegal immigration or to send Congressmen and Congresswomen packing this Fall if they choose lawbreakers over taxpayers, interlopers over patriots, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and National Council of La Raza over American workers and those who fight in uniform to protect our national security.
There are good reasons why Americans’ disapproval of the United States Congress is at a low ebb, comparable to low poll numbers for President Bush and both political parties. And it’s not that the president, the Congress, the Republicans and the Democrats don’t get it, it’s more that they stubbornly don’t want to get it. But, do know …
The American public now angrily refuses to allow the politicians to ignore the fact that in a War on Terror, millions of illegal aliens from all over the world trek into our nation each day – or that English is becoming an optional language in the United States.
The course of this week’s Senate deliberations may well set the stage for a protest en masse come November, when American voters take to the polling booths to answer the much-ballyhooed demonstrations this past weekend of flag-waving lawbreakers who importune this government, rather than patriotically their own. America is a melting pot, to be sure; but it will not become a sanctuary for lawbreakers.
Technorati Tags: U.S.Senate, Immigration, Border Security, Illegal Aliens, Mexico, Vicente Fox, President Bush, GOP, Democrats, OTMs, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, La Raza, Homeland Security, Mexican Consulates, Politics, Mid-Term Elections, Current Events
I have sent my letters to my Senators, Burr and Dole, and they can expect more letters. If they fail vote for a bill to close the border I will work to defeat them in their next elections. PERIOD.
Comment by Frank — March 27, 2006 @ 1:02 pm
I have sent e-mails with this post as an attachment to both senators from the state of Texas, as well as to Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, Frank.
Comment by Bernard — March 27, 2006 @ 1:57 pm
I think it is absolutely shameful the way our government has allowed these illegal immigrants free access to our country. Our borders should be closed immediately!
By the way, I need to replace the roof on my house. Any one know where I can find the cheapest way to have someone do it? I can’t afford much.
Comment by Cyberike — March 27, 2006 @ 3:25 pm
You are Either With Us or Against Us…
During the part I did see, the President was naming a few immigrants who just love it here and have done well for themselves. That’s great and I’m happy for them. I get teary-eyed whenever I see people taking the Citizenship Oath, crying, and when I …
Trackback by A Lady's Ruminations — March 27, 2006 @ 8:49 pm
You’ll probably have the best luck with one of those inexpensive Americans whose job was taken away by these criminals due to the shameful actions of our government.
Comment by polimom — March 28, 2006 @ 9:00 am
nice blog
Comment by diazepam — March 28, 2006 @ 11:33 am
[…] Here are some recommended links to important reads germane to the immigration reform/border enforcement debate set to ensue in the Senate on the heels of yesterday’s pusilanimous cave-in by a majority of members of the Senate Judiciary Committee: […]
Pingback by A CERTAIN SLANT OF LIGHT » RECOMMENDED READS ON SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE CAVE-IN — March 28, 2006 @ 1:52 pm
Here’s my letter to the Republican Senate group - did you know, you can only eMail 9 Senators at a time?
Specter was first on my list - I’ll pick up again tomorrow - then it will go to House members ………………. I served in the U.S. Marine Corps to see THIS happen? I don’t think so - and I currently live near Houston, TX, a designated “sanctuary city”, Gawd help us!
Ladies and Gentlemen;
I must say, the collective lack of intestinal fortitude among our “elected representatives” is underwhelming.
The choice to throw our porous borders open ever further, to reward those who break the most basic of our laws of sovereignty, and to expect that we, the American taxpayers, will accept your decisions with nary a whimper, just proves how out of touch you all are, within the Beltway.
I don’t understand your arrogant attitudes; I’ve never been one to be particularly active politically, but rest assured – wherever my voice can be heard, I will raise it against those of you who vote for these sellouts of our Nation, and I shall wholeheartedly support those who vote against them.
I have a friend, who’s husband just told her he wants a divorce; she’s a 50 year old woman, who is disabled due to having served honorably in the U.S. military for 20+ years – she is at the point where she will have to find work – just who do you think will hire her, at a living wage, when they can hire an illegal for half the price, or less?
I have been unable to find gainful employment for almost 4 years; fortunately for me, my husband is employable in a very specialized field.
Your support of amnesty for illegal aliens flies in the face of every person who comes to this country legally, and to those of us who can document our ancestors’ legal immigration here.
Unfortunately, it appears the 109th Congress of these United States is prepared to throw away our future with both hands.
Senator Specter, you make me ashamed to claim Pennsylvania as my home – you, Sir, are an abomination as a U.S. Senator. At one time, as a lawyer in Pennsylvania, you had ethics you lived by, unlike either of the Senators from Massachusetts. I’m truly disappointed to find that ethics are sacrificed, by someone I once respected, on the altar of political expediency.
Sincerely and
Semper Fidelis
Mary Leverett
Comment by Diamond Mair — March 28, 2006 @ 11:13 pm
I would have never visited your web site because I am a Progressive , but I heard about your letter on the Vdare site I have just read it , it is awesome I agree compleately ! ALL Americans regardless of our Political persuation are in solidarity on this issue .SENATORS !!WE ARE AMERICANS DAMMIT !!You represent US !! The DEMs are in real trouble on this . “So long as the ties that bind us together are stronger than those that would tear us apart all will be well ” God Bless America !
Comment by Ron Lawson — March 28, 2006 @ 11:44 pm
I like that you have such a short memory and forget that “your hero” Ronaldo Reagan, the ventriloquist dummy of big business, looked the other way as his corporate buddies used illegals to break the unions. Then he gave us HIS amnesty to cover his crime. That amnesty is the reason we are here today. We are just getting more Reagan conservatism, you should be cheering Jorge Bush on.
Comment by Mark Woss — March 29, 2006 @ 9:18 am
[…] I sent via e-mail links my “An Open Letter To Members of the United States Senate” post to Senators Cornyn (R-TX), Hutchison (R-TX), and Frist (R-TN) earlier this week. […]
Pingback by A CERTAIN SLANT OF LIGHT » DON’T LET YOUR UNITED STATES SENATOR OFF THE HOOK! — March 29, 2006 @ 2:02 pm
Mark Woss -
How pathetic. It occurs to me that in this paragraph, the author leaves little room for excuses by any previous administration and congress that has looked the other way. You need to wake up and find something real to have an issue with, as you are being disingenuous, at best. Please pay attention to the phrases: “this nation’s Chief Executive (and presidents before him)” and “an indifferent Congress (and Congresses before it)”. I don’t see where an excuse for Reagan exists, nor any indication that the Reagan amnesty is being ignored.
“And why exactly did these unseemly scenes unfold? Simple. Because federal immigration laws already on the books have been routinely ignored for the longest time by this nation’s Chief Executive (and presidents before him) and an indifferent Congress (and Congresses before it), both of whom have, 1) played to monied special interests championing so-called “cheap labor” and, 2) pandered to Latino activist groups in an effort to garner more votes from the growing Hispanic block.”
Comment by James — March 31, 2006 @ 6:15 am
James - If you have been around this subject as long as I have, you would know that there is always room to ignore Reagan’s blame which WAS the most significant. Even Pat Buchanan gets in the act, blaming Bush I for not closing the border while NEVER once mentioning Ron. Most people actually do not know there was an amnesty in 1986 due to all the Reagan revisionism on talk radio. An amnesty, by the way, that (now Chief Justice) John Roberts warned against.
The sad thing about this is, I think this was planned by the Republicans. If it was a mistake, they should be trying to correct it, but they do not. YOU have to recognize that the Republicans (including Ron) want you to live in a third world country. The Democrats too, but I am a conservative and know that is what they want.
This web page seems to be a shrine to Ron yet none of his other legacies like MS-13, Al Queda, the savings and loan fiasco, … barely get any mention.
Comment by Mark Woss — March 31, 2006 @ 2:53 pm
Isn’t reconquista the same as Zionism?
Comment by Isrealcool — April 1, 2006 @ 9:31 pm
[…] When I read this troubling post at Gateway Pundit, while still chewing on this report about the machinations of this country’s equivalent of Rome’s Praetorian Guard — namely, our U.S. Senate — the thought came to mind of how much the leftist judges on the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals must be reveling in the deification of illegal alien protesters, wrapped in the flags of Mexico and other Central American countries and spewing the propagandist rhetoric of Latino activist groups, while Old Glory herself is banned by progressive educators who view the patriotism of bona-fide American citizens as anathema. […]
Pingback by A CERTAIN SLANT OF LIGHT » 9TH U.S. CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS WOULD BE PROUD: SCHOOLS BAN AMERICAN FLAG WHILE U.S. SENATE CATERS TO ILLEGALS AND RIGHTS’ PROTESTERS — April 2, 2006 @ 3:33 pm
[…] I’m plenty miffed. Last week, as I reported to you, I sent e-mails to Senators Frist (R-TN), Cornyn (R-TX), and Hutchison (R-TX), regarding my concerns with proposed immigration reform legislation coming out of the Senate Judiciary Committee. I even sent Senator Hutchison a second e-mail on the same subject, as I read an article in “Human Events” that she was among a group of Republican senators who had yet to respond to their survey asking for probably voting positions vis-a-vis border security and immigration reform. Attached to those communications, for good measure, was a link to this post of mine. […]
Pingback by A CERTAIN SLANT OF LIGHT » ANSWERING MAIL; STAYING IN TOUCH WITH CONSTITUENTS — April 3, 2006 @ 4:02 pm
[…] Far-fetched? If you think so, you had better do your homework. The colonists are in our midst, courtesy of George Bush (and soon, the United States Senate), and they’re refusing to assimilate, wanting rather to retake Aztlan. And as for the Colonias? The political prophet of “Compassionate Conservatism” — George W. Bush — hopes that “out of sight/out of mind” will keep the upshot of his and Vicente Fox’s sinister indifference to the abject poverty of “cheap labor” laborers under wraps. Indeed, Mexican nationals not only “do the jobs Americans are unwilling to do,” but live in a manner in which Americans are unwilling to live. Bush repeatedly avers the first without being forthright about the latter. […]
Pingback by A CERTAIN SLANT OF LIGHT » REPUBLICA DEL NORTE — April 25, 2006 @ 10:43 am
[…] My only comment on an otherwise excellent post is that Jonathan failed to mention the thorny issue of immigration reform and the GOP-controlled Senate’s determination to go against the grain of the Republican base and, frankly, the will of the majority of American citizens, and kow-tow to the Latino activists, the 12 to 20 million illegal aliens in this country, and the employers who knowingly hire them. […]
Pingback by A CERTAIN SLANT OF LIGHT » LIMITED GOVERNMENT AND THE RNC — May 3, 2006 @ 2:09 pm