The American Spectator

Reader Mail

Border Showdown

6.1.07 @ 12:01AM

THE ERA OF BIG GOVERNMENT
Re: Bernard Chapin's Is Demography Destiny?:

The last line in Mark Steyn's interview that a government that can be everywhere at once is not a government to be desired; it is one to be feared comes from the same mould as Gerald R. Ford's comment that a government that can give you everything you want can take away everything you have. That statement should be engraved on the heart of every conservative, next to Calvin Coolidge's comment that is much more important to stop a bad law from being passed than it is to pass a good one. So many of George Bush's policies fail to meet these two standards and it is a good reason why his record is so poor.
-- Christopher Holland
Canberra, Australia

AMNESTY OUTRAGE
Re: W. James Antle III's Comprehensive Crack-Up?:

Thank you for correctly identifying the Kennedy immigration bill as an amnesty bill. It clearly is, though some commentators who claim to be conservatives are so wedded to the Bush administration that they will deny the obvious.
-- Douglas C. Friedman
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

We can only hope that this immigration bill dies and soon. Both of my Republican senators (Chambliss and Isakson) support it, which is a reversal in what they said and did last year. Chambliss is up for re-election in 2008, and he will not be getting my vote unless he sees the light. I would rather not vote for anyone for senate than to support someone who goes against the wishes of his constituency. I call that taxation without representation.

It's time to throw some tea in the harbor. The Congress of the United States and the president are not listening to the people. They are ruling like kings. If this latest forcing of "immigration reform" down the throats of the citizens passes, I fear for our country on a number of levels.

Why are the immigration debates focused on the imaginary plight of the illegals that are here rather than the real problems the failure to enforce our immigration laws cause this country? Shouldn't a president and a senator be more concerned about maintaining our borders than providing amnesty to illegals and workers to those who lobby them? What country do you politicians want to "serve"? Mexico or the U.S.?

If you want to do what's right for America, Mr. President, then study the problems you will be creating for this country by this outrageous cow-towing to business and foreign interests. Solve the main problem first -- close the borders -- then in a few years once it is clear that illegal immigration is under control, you can address the other in a bill that is not convoluted and confusing.

Stop acting like we Americans, who are concerned with the future of this country, are racist, nativist, fools. We are not. We believe being an American citizen is a privilege and should be treated with respect. Why aren't you criticizing the Mexicans who booed Miss USA at the Miss Universe Pageant? What if Miss Mexico was booed here? I'm sure you would be appalled. Do you think we Americans are so privileged that we don't deserve to be fought for on the world stage? Do we have to give away our country because you feel sorry for Mexicans? Do we have to have open borders and pay for the privilege? Mexico needs to fix its broken system, and it will never do that if you, Mr. President, continue to enable them. Let's see some of that compassionate conservatism aimed at conservatives, Mr. President.

Who will stand up for us? Anyone?
-- Deborah Durkee
Marietta, Georgia

Another insightful analysis from Mr. Antle, for which I'm grateful.

I'd really like to figure out, however, how much of Republican senators' support for the bill is driven by what we are hearing more and more about, if only by innuendo. Namely, the President's desire for a domestic policy accomplishment that would serve as a notch in his legacy.

To whatever extent there is truth to the surmise, shame on him, and shame on any senator who would let such selfish interests influence his or her thinking on such a profoundly important matter.

I don't give a damn about Bush's legacy, but I care passionately about the America which my children and especially my grandchildren will inherit. From everything I've read about this bill, I surmise that if it is passed into law then the America of the 21st Century will be vastly different, and worse, than the America in which I grew up.
-- C. Vail

President Bush thinks citizens are being scared by using the word AMNESTY, and so they should be. When this North American Union supporter wants to give rewards to people that have come here illegally it is nothing but amnesty. Bush really wants no borders between Mexico and Canada, kiss America goodbye.

Letter to the Editor

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