Welcome to the first post of the Reasonable Republicans for Immigration Reform blog. We here at Reasonable Republicans are disturbed by the anti-immigrant forces that are taking over the party of Lincoln. These groups have recklessly succeeded in blurring the distinction between the majority of immigrants who come here to honestly work, and the minority who come here for mischief. This has exacerbated racial tensions, threatened the party and endangered the country as true threats slip past the border. This does not mean all foes of comprehensive immigration reform are bigots, but even the most non-discriminatory opponents have slandered noble, compromise efforts with unfair and inaccurate labels of “amnesty,” leaving us with a broken status quo.
The content of this blog will address these issues in more detail. We will frequently analyze and refute immigration myths, and will bring you the latest news and commentary about this important topic. In creating this blog, we have four goals we hope to accomplish. First, we hope to counter the power of the small but loud anti-immigrant forces that are intimidating republicans from supporting a comprehensive solution. Second, we seek to establish a community of likeminded Reasonable Republicans that will build the framework for a future political action committee or non-profit organization. Third, we seek to persuade undecided republicans that in order to protect our country physically and economically, honor family values and ensure election success, the party must pursue a reasonable, comprehensive solution. Fourth, we seek to show Hispanic voters that not all republicans are as heartless and uninformed as many of those who have derailed past reform efforts. These goals are supported by our belief statement which appears in the blog description at the top of this page.
So if you are a Reasonable Republican, why do you support comprehensive immigration reform?
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- Elections (1)
- Elections; John McCain (1)
- Immigration Reform (1)
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- Political Analysis (2)
- Protests (1)
- Republicans (2)
- Tancredo (1)
2 comments:
I support immigration reform because I have gotten to know immigrants in my community. So I know some of the blanket statement rhetoric tossed out as facts to be, well - in many cases - just lies. For example...
My local congressman sent out an ungly flier at re-election time. "blah blah blah Illegal Aliens... AND THEY DON'T EVEN PAY TAXES!"
At the time, I knew some illegals that worked at a local factory who DID pay taxes. State, Federal, and Local. And they paid into FICA... which they will never get a single Social Security check. But wait... I wanted to test the Congressman's statement.
I went to Walmart and bought roughly $200 worth of goods. I told the cashier I was illegal and asked her to refund me the sales tax. She looked at me strangely before telling me she'd have to ask her manager.
I stopped at the fueling station outside and filled up my tank. I told the attendant I was illegal and asked for a refund of the gas tax. He said it was built into the pump, and he didn't think it mattered anyway. So I asked if I could get a pack of Marlboro Lights for my husband. Of course, since I'm illegal, maybe he could knock off a little for the tobacco tax. He just laughed.
You see... the "they don't pay into the system" line is murkey at best. No one is keeping track of how many extra TV's Walmart sells. Or how much added revenue the town gets because the grocery stores now carry a whole new line of tortillas and cilatro.
Anyway, if I can't trust my congressman to tell the ENTIRE and ACCURATE truth about taxes and illegals in my mid-western home... I can't trust him to tell the truth about any immigration facts. So I'm left to figure it out on my own... first hand.
Now... another lie. Rush "forgive me MY trespasses, but don't ask ME for a little AMNESTY" Limbaugh routinely tells his audiance that people who are pro-immigration reform are "open borders". I hate that lie. I want secure borders as much as anyone else. He further goes on to say that people like me who desire a legal path for SOME of the 12 million men, women and children are in favor of giving amnesty to ALL 12 million. Not true. But it's sure sexy. He needs to go back to getting his oxycontin from the maid. Maybe he'd lighten up.
So now you know. I've veoted Republican since Bush I. And I'm not excited about voting Democrat anytime soon. But I sure don't like being lied to and treated like I'm too stupid to decipher truth from friction.
Brilliant comment that proves your point well. I for one am glad John McCain is the nominee because the anti-immigrant rhetoric was so offensive of most the Republican candidates, I would have had difficulty voting for some of them. John McCain has of course gone back a little on McCain-Kennedy to become the nominee, but I'm confident he would embrace a reasonable plan. I also don't think any other candidate could have stood a chance because they would have handed the entire vote to the Democrats. I even think Romney lost Florida because of the Hispanic vote. A topic I may blog more on someday.
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