Ever since the huge Hispanic demonstration in Los Angeles on Friday, we have seen posts on Daily Kos and Huff Po (as well as numerous other sites) discussing the issue. And guess what? It turns out that there is a great divide among the users of these sites (is HuffPo being taken over by Repugs? because I have never seen such xenophobia on display in my life!) on the issue of immigration.
Apparently it's a hot issue, since there is and there is a divergence of opinion even among Repugs as well. We have bills from numerous sources, some of them seeking to enforce criminal measures against the 11 million "illegal" immigrants already here, and erecting a wall along the border (Rep. Tancredo, a sponsor of a House Bill, claims its more of a "fence" -- great!) and others (including our very own George Bush) proposing a "guest worker" solution, where Mexicans get to come to our great country, contribute labor for cheap prices (a Republican wet-dream, if there ever was one), without getting the privilege of earning citizenship. The midle-ground is covered by McCain-Kennedy, who are seeking to push a bill allowing "temporary worker" status for three years, with the possibility of earning citizenship.
The Senate is set to begin considering a version of the Tancredo bill, and an article in Monday's New York Times claims that the Republicans will lose whatever gains they've made in the Hispanic vote for supporting any measure that criminalizes the illegal immigrants already here. BUT GUESS WHAT? Their support among Hispanics has seriously eroded to the extent that, according to a recent Zogby Poll, 65% of likely Hispanic voters favor impeaching the Chimp.
And what do the Republicans hope to gain? Why the usual poor chumps in the potential Democratic and Independent voting pool, the middle-class to poor voters, who are more impacted economically by illegal immigration (on the down-side). And the "moral majority" who can't stand to see others "break the law," unless it's somebody they elected. The bet here is that the gains will out-weigh the losses in terms of voters, and energize the Republican base, which badly needs a shot in the arm.
Is this brilliant or what? It's the new Gay Marriage, all dressed up to go for the mid-term 2006 election. That's right, demonize an outside group, just like Hitler did for the Germans, and you're sure to win votes. The only outstanding question is, will the poor people who get played over and over again in America fall for this one? Or have we learned anything in the past 6 years? I would hope that Democrats will vote for the McCain-Kennedy bill, or something that allows illegal immigrants to stay here, and earn credit towards citizenship, just like all of our forefathers got. But please bloggers, let's not let this issue define us, and determine an election like Elian Gonzalez did. The more we post on this issue, or scream amnesty (which is never going to happen) the more we drive a wedge through our potential voters, even those who are sick of the Iraq War, and considering voting Democratic in 2006. Don't let Karl Rove play us like violins . . . again!