Obama is on the verge of stealing the march on the Republicans on immigration. The argument has been whether it should be one immense overhaul or done in increments.
We know the administration's track record on immense overhauls isn't very good. We also know that the administration has quit enforcing laws already on the books which is partially responsible for the influx of children on our southern border. In other words a problem of Obama's own making.
You have to admit the President can be crafty. In a fit of pique which is pretty normal for him, he's warned Congress he's going to make changes by executive order. Take people posted inland and move them to the border to spiff up enforcement. Why he hasn't done this a long time ago begs to be questioned.
No matter. He's saying he's going to do it now. He might actually get away with it and emerge the hero if he doesn't overstep as he is wont to do.
So where are the Republicans? They haven't passed one bill on immigration reform. Boehner won't bring one to the floor. Shades of Harry Reid in the Senate. If he's worried about the Tea Party he can move on now. The primaries are over. But nary a word. Of course between now and the election the House won't be in session long enough to do much of anything for which we can be grateful.
The don't have to do much though. Pass one bill, say strengthening the southern border as Obama intends. Send it to the Senate and see what happens. Then they've at least done something.
Now that the primaries are over and the Tea Party threat has subsided to a degree, it would be nice to see the Republicans begin to form a cohesive unit. The President is going to do what he wants regardless, but they would do a lot to convince me they are worth fighting for if they gave me an option. On a whole slew of issues, not just immigration, but so far I have nothing but a blank slate.
As of now they're no more than empty suits earning substantial salaries with cushy benefits for doing little more than cowering behind empty rhetoric. They are nearly as impotent on domestic issues as Obama is on foreign ones. That's no compliment for either side.
We know the administration's track record on immense overhauls isn't very good. We also know that the administration has quit enforcing laws already on the books which is partially responsible for the influx of children on our southern border. In other words a problem of Obama's own making.
You have to admit the President can be crafty. In a fit of pique which is pretty normal for him, he's warned Congress he's going to make changes by executive order. Take people posted inland and move them to the border to spiff up enforcement. Why he hasn't done this a long time ago begs to be questioned.
No matter. He's saying he's going to do it now. He might actually get away with it and emerge the hero if he doesn't overstep as he is wont to do.
So where are the Republicans? They haven't passed one bill on immigration reform. Boehner won't bring one to the floor. Shades of Harry Reid in the Senate. If he's worried about the Tea Party he can move on now. The primaries are over. But nary a word. Of course between now and the election the House won't be in session long enough to do much of anything for which we can be grateful.
The don't have to do much though. Pass one bill, say strengthening the southern border as Obama intends. Send it to the Senate and see what happens. Then they've at least done something.
Now that the primaries are over and the Tea Party threat has subsided to a degree, it would be nice to see the Republicans begin to form a cohesive unit. The President is going to do what he wants regardless, but they would do a lot to convince me they are worth fighting for if they gave me an option. On a whole slew of issues, not just immigration, but so far I have nothing but a blank slate.
As of now they're no more than empty suits earning substantial salaries with cushy benefits for doing little more than cowering behind empty rhetoric. They are nearly as impotent on domestic issues as Obama is on foreign ones. That's no compliment for either side.