The Work of the People Not to get Done

I have talked to many people over the past several months and asked them, "What are the 5 most important issues in this country?" The responses have never included "minimum wage" or "flag burning". Almost every single one of them gave the #1 issue as either border security or immigration control/reform.

Hmm, so, what will the politicians do?

Answer: demonstrate how "in touch" they are with the issues of the day.

Answer (also accepted): Put the needs of their Party above Principles.

As they prepare for a critical pre-election legislative stretch, Congressional Republican leaders have all but abandoned a broad overhaul of immigration laws and instead will concentrate on national security issues they believe play to their political strength.

With Congress reconvening Tuesday after an August break, Republicans in the House and Senate say they will focus on Pentagon and domestic security spending bills, port security legislation and measures that would authorize the administration’s terror surveillance program and create military tribunals to try terror suspects.

OK, these are not unimportant things. The problem is that these overpaid pols have plenty of time to work on more than just this. So why are they not working on immigration? Border Security? Killing amnesty?

A final decision on what do about immigration policy awaits a meeting this week of senior Republicans. But key lawmakers and aides who set the Congressional agenda say they now believe it would be politically risky to try to advance an immigration measure that would showcase party divisions and need to be completed in the 19 days Congress is scheduled to meet before breaking for the election.

19 days...get it done. There is plenty of time.

Personally I think they are trying to abandon the issue because there is a divide within the GOP about the President's amnesty insanity. God forbid there be any dissention within the ranks of the party...in other words, God forbid there be any discussion about differing approaches to a problem. (Refresher: Harriet Meiers, Dubai Ports.)

In the end it is the political games like this that take priority for politicians (and the parties and their loyal lemmings) which put working on real solutions to the real problems aside...never to be solved.

If you want immigration to be worked on you have to start calling those folks in Washington, DC. And you have demonstrate to them your willingness to set aside the letter behind their name and vote for the PERSON and the PLATFORM.

What is the excuse for trying to sidestep working on immigration?

In a draft of a planning memorandum to be circulated to Republican senators, Senator Bill Frist of Tennessee, who is entering his last months as majority leader, said, “I expect minority obstructionism to be at an all-time high.” Republicans are already preparing for a post-election session to begin Nov. 13 and run at least up to Thanksgiving.

Why a post-election session to deal with this issue? So they will have free reign to do whatever fixes they can without worrying about the elections. THAT should strike you as offensive...they are worried more about elections than solutions to problems. And then they are not intending to do what is right until after reprisals are possible. Party over Principle. If it is important enough to do at all then you should be doing it BEFORE the elections...and then let your record stand for itself.

Mr. Frist laid out an ambitious agenda, including a vote on John Bolton’s renomination to be ambassador to the United Nations. But his memorandum did not even mention immigration. In an appearance in Iowa last week, Mr. Frist said broad legislation addressing what to do about millions of illegal immigrants already in the United States might have to await the next Congress.

Staff members from the Senate and House Judiciary Committees met last week to try to find some basis for common ground on the fate of the illegal population, but one participant said they made no progress.

Fair enough to note the differences between the Senate & the House. However, have that discussion out in public. Let the public hear both sides instead of burying it in closed door meetings and deciding to run away from the issue.

Notice also

For a change, roll up the sleeves and have a debate. Don't run from it...confront it. For a change put the interests of the country and the people above the Party, the Party members and the Politicians' Power.

Please...get working on immigration. Do it now and in the interest of the country instead of doing it when it benefits your party.