From Peter Kirsanow:
In 2006, Congress passed legislation to construct a 700-mile fence along the southern border. Construction of the fence began, but according to several sources, including Sen. Jim DeMint, of the 36 miles built to date, only 4.3 were built since you took office.
In 2009, you sold the $800 billion stimulus bill, in part, on the promise that the funds would be directed toward “shovel-ready projects” that would create jobs. But a few months ago, you conceded that “there’s no such thing as shovel-ready projects” in public works. Given that the border fence is an authorized public-works project already under construction, isn’t it, in fact, a “shovel-ready project” that could have benefited from stimulus funds? Were any of the stimulus funds (in addition to any funds already appropriated) dedicated to expediting the construction of the fence? If not, is it because Republicans insisted that a portion of the funds be used for the creation of a moat with alligators?
Wednesday’s bonus questions: Yesterday you called for comprehensive immigration reform but suggested that Republicans are an impediment thereto. Is that the reason why you failed to seriously pursue comprehensive immigration reform in the two years Democrats held sizable majorities in both houses? Or is it possible that some Democrats also insist on a moat with alligators?
I wonder if the “moat with alligators” is going to become the new stock line on the campaign/fundraising trail, like “sipping on their slurpees was”? Does he have no idea how off putting all this condescension, ridicule, straw men and outright lies are to those who don’t worship him? Is this the “adult conversation” that he wants to have?
It’s red meat for his base. He needs to motivate the DKos guys again.
RE: “..you failed to seriously pursue comprehensive immigration reform in the two years Democrats held sizable majorities in both houses..”. It was four years, counting Democrate control of both the House and Senate after 2006.
I prefer sharks with frickin’ laser beams on their heads.
Does he have no idea how off putting all this condescension, ridicule, straw men and outright lies are to those who don’t worship him? Is this the “adult conversation” that he wants to have?
It got him to the White House the first time. Dance with the one what brang ya.
Unless you live in one of the socialist states, i.e. CA, NY, MN or subscribe to the immigrants equal crime theory; illegal immigration is pretty much a moot issue. With the collapse of the construction trades a huge number of illegal immigrants have gone home. Those that remain are not really in competition with US workers because they are mainly employed as bussers, maids and landscape helpers.
Jardinero1 makes a good point there. The Pew Foundation does decent estimates on these matters, and their latest is that over one million have returned to Mexico alone since 2007.
The real story is that workplace raids have tripled since the GOP lost control of the executive branch, and the Border Patrol has a lot more staff too. The “conservatives” talked a good game of faux outrage over illegal immigration but almost never raided their pal’s factories or slaughterhouses or busted Walmart for employing so many illegal custodians and reshelvers.
Janet Napolitano, being the former Gov. of AZ, knows where the bear sits on this issue. To discourage illegal immigration, go after the companies that employ illegals. Simple, but beyond the GOP to act upon. Too much upset down at the country club!
Gee Kevin, that leave only 11 million. There were many raids on meat packing plants and janitorial services. Why no comment on sanctuary cities run by Democrats? You know, LA, SF, NY among others. Why no comment on services to illegals? That’s a part of what’s bankrupting border states. Oh, and shove your condescension up your ass.
Bill, other than CA which border state is being bankrupted? CA’s problems are entirely self inflicted. Cheap immigrant labor working in no skills jobs is a net plus to everyone else in the same way that cheap labor in china making furniture and electronics is a net plus to those of us consuming those products.
The other question is: How many illegals are voting in our elections?
There is simply no way to know, given the lack of ID required at the polls, motor voter registration, the massive increase in absentee voting and vote-by-mail, and same-day registration in some places. But I’d be amazed if it wasn’t happening.
“In 2009, you sold the $800 billion stimulus bill, in part, on the promise that the funds would be directed toward “shovel-ready projects” that would create jobs. But a few months ago, you conceded that “there’s no such thing as shovel-ready projects” in public works.”
Rather amazing that Obama hasn’t been called on that in the media more often. For the last two + years, virtually the eve of Obama’s election, we have heard how the economy is doing better. Never mind breaking records for banks going under, home foreclosures, homes underwater, unemployment, underemployment, and workforce participation. The headline always seems to read, unemployment unexpectedly went up this month. At what point would it be expected?
Oh well at least Obama’s financial team thinks there is no inflation because the price of ipads is dropping.
We already have a moat, don’t we? The Rio Grande? It could be stocked with piranha fairly inexpensively. Alligators wander off.
“Cheap immigrant workers in low-skilled jobs” is a benefit only when there is a surplus of said jobs with no one to fill them. Haven’t you noticed that the economy is in the crapper? Why are we paying citizens welfare (extended unemployment benefits, etc.) while letting in “cheap immigrant workers”?
But this whole thing is a distraction from the real issue anyway. The problem isn’t immigrants — it’s illegal aliens. Because as a matter of fact, it’s as difficult to get in this country legally as it ever was, and instead of tackling the current immigration laws and seeing if maybe we could let in some more skilled workers from unfashionable countries like England, the federal government is instead basically demanding that border states look the other way as hordes of unskilled foreigners cross the border to look for work as nannies, gardeners, dishwashers, what-have-you. Those are supposedly low-end jobs Americans are too proud to do any more, but if you ask me they are simply jobs Americans won’t do for the shit pay that Mexicans, say, are willing to take because it’s still more than they’d make back in Mexico.