Really? The Republican solution to illegal immigration is the repeal of the Fourteenth Amendment? WOW! At least they didn't suggest anything radical like the use of nuclear weapons against illegals or shooting every other person in Texas named Gonzales. Has the supposed "debate" over illegal immigration become so toxic that Republicans are discussing, out loud, a repeal of the Amendment which grants American citizenship to any person born in this country?
Lindsey Graham, once a rational voice for real reform is talking about "dropping a baby" as though Latino children were so many pesky rabbits. The consummate coward, John McCain, is condoning hearings on the subject lest he be accused of not being enough of a radical right-wing nutjob. This from a man who once said "These are God's children as well and they need some protection under the law and they need some of our love and compassion". "Love and compassion" are in short supply when bile and fear are the coins of the realm in a primary fight.
Not that anyone on the Right would care but the facts are these: Illegal immigration is down by around 40% since 2000. Deportations are way up (137,000 have been designated as criminals and deported. 60% more than in the last year of GWB). The number of businesses cited for hiring illegals has quadrupled. According to Homeland Security there are 1 million fewer illegals that in 2007. The border with Mexico is 1,951 miles. A "secure" border is a myth. Don't take my word for it. Ask the East Germans. The border between East and West Berlin was 87 miles with two heavily guarded walls and a "death strip" between. Still, 5,000 people made it across. There are twice as many border agents in place now than in 2005 and there are 5,000 national guard troops. We are reaching a point where the cost of stopping the next illegal would be prohibitive.
Let's talk about "drop and leave". The fact that any American with any shred of decency would suggest that Latino women would risk a dangerous border crossing to "drop" a child on American soil speaks volumes about what we are becoming. This conversation is the worst kind of racist pandering. If you are serious about reversing the flow of illegals, stop singing to the teabaggers and craft workable legislation; a law that will address the needs of farmers and small business as well as those of taxpayers. Jan Brewer is right about one thing (amazing). Border states should not be required to bear the burden of immigrants alone. Washington must act.
"Act" however does not mean taking an Exacto-knife to the Constitution. This is a Republican canard anyway. Repealing the Fourteenth Amendment would require a two-thirds majority in both houses of Congress and approval of 3/4 of the state legislatures. The legal term is "fat chance". So, like George Bush Sr.'s discourse about a flag burning amendment and George W's desire for a marriage amendment, this bit of racist nonsense is being promoted by people who know it has zero chance of being enacted. Like secession, they may sound like "fightin' words" but the cause is hopeless...Thank God.
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