by Jack
President Obama gave a speech on immigration yesterday in El Paso, Texas. It was short speech, and it was a little short on specifics, but he made some good points worth reading. Unfortunately, the serious subject of immigration reform was also mixed with mocking the GOP and that part wasn’t very presidential, but then again we are entering the campaign phase.
An example of a good point: “Today, there are an estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants here in the United States. Some crossed the border illegally. Others avoid immigration laws by overstaying their visas. Regardless of how they came, the overwhelming majority of these folks are just trying to earn a living and provide for their families. (Applause.)
But we have to acknowledge they’ve broken the rules. They’ve cut in front of the line. And what is also true is that the presence of so many illegal immigrants makes a mockery of all those who are trying to immigrate legally….”
“….Those who are here illegally, they have a responsibility as well. So they broke the law, and that means they’ve got to pay their taxes, they’ve got to pay a fine, they’ve got to learn English. And they’ve got to undergo background checks and a lengthy process before they get in line for legalization. That’s not too much to ask. (Very weak applause.)
He mocked a very serious subject when he said: “We have gone above and beyond what was requested by the very Republicans who said they supported broader reform as long as we got serious about enforcement. All the stuff they asked for, we’ve done. But even though we’ve answered these concerns, I’ve got to say I suspect there are still going to be some who are trying to move the goal posts on us one more time. AUDIENCE MEMBER: They’re racist!
THE PRESIDENT: You know, they said we needed to triple the Border Patrol. Or now they’re going to say we need to quadruple the Border Patrol. Or they’ll want a higher fence. Maybe they’ll need a moat. (Laughter.) Maybe they want alligators in the moat. (Laughter.) They’ll never be satisfied. And I understand that. That’s politics.
For the full text use this link.
I take my hat off to you for being able to watch that clown.
Right, Toby. Enduring waterboarding would be a piece of cake for Jack.
Do I guess correctly that, even though his tone was mocking, he was correct when he mentioned doing all the Republicans had asked?
Which Republicans?
And has he done anything or made a pretense of doing something?
The President has it easy on this one. His following will love his words even though his words won’t mean anything. He proposes what has been proposed for years…big whoop. He didn’t come up with any of this. You want to give him big kudos for smart alec remarks go ahead. I think it makes him appear juvinile and weak.
I applaud him for stating the problem and the general expectations of most Americans.
I’d be impressed had come up with a solution or plan rather than a few retread soundbites.
He’s right. His administration has upped border security to an all-time high and made record numbers of arrests of illegal immigrants, and still many conservatives claim he is “soft on immigration.” It makes no sense, and his slightly sarcastic comments were completely justified.
Hmmm.
I guess I DID guess correctly!
Thank you for answering so promptly, Tina.
“The president had it easy . . .”
BUSH had it easy! All he had to do was pay attention to the PDB of 6 August, 2001 . . . .
Quentin you are intellectually lazy, disingenuous and likely a fraud.
The subject is immigration reform.
The presidents “fix” is to parrot in his comments to potential VOTERS all of the “solutions” put forth in the past (mostly by Republicans) as if he had created something new.
He has done things on the border that Republicans asked for, like arresting illegals and sending more er bordguards.
Instead of graciously acknowledging they were necessary and his opponents were right as an adult would do, he behaves like an adolescent making fun of the demands as if they were unnecessary trivialities that he condescended to do to appease his lessers.
We don’t need tossed bones from an egotistical giggling teenager…we need a serious leader that respects the office of the presidency!
This man is a joke!
Tina, you are dead on. This president is the school bully looking for support from the wrong crowd.
Thanks K Miller. I hope that at least some of them noticed and will reconsider their votes next time.
Feel free to chime in again as this election heats up. we need all the voices we can get.