I can't tell you how many messages I get via Gather and Facebook saying, "Just wait until the November mid-term elections". For some reason those opposed our duly elected 44th President believed that the hysteria, lies, and deception aimed towards President Obama would have been enough to change the balance of power within the Senate and Congress.
Well I'm here to say that Democrats have nothing to fear, but fear itself. The Republicans are literally imploding. When Florida's Governor Charlie Crist decides to abandon the Republicans and run for the U.S. Senate as an independent, it cannot be denied that there are problems within the party. Republicans are forcing out big-tent politicians as if they had the plague.
"All this hyperbole and outrage and the tea party tiger the Republicans are riding are pushing them over the edge," Representative Earl Blumenauer said last week. He sees the extreme posturing of the Republicans combined with "the insanity of what going on in Arizona" as having the potential of changing the November mid-term's political trajectory.
Even Republicans are starting to worry that a purely negative approach to the mid-term elections will not be enough to regain majority status in the Senate or Congress. That is part of the reason why House Republican Leader John Boehner went to NPR, (National Public Radio) and not Rush Limbaugh, Bill O'Reilly, Shaun Hannity, or the Glenn Beck show to promise that the GOP would be more than the party of "NO". Go Figure! NPR is now the choice of media of Republicans and the orange guy, John Boehner. I guess all things are possible. I was led to believe that NPR was an extension of CNN, "The Clinton News Network."
"We have a project under way that people will see soon, one that will engage the American people in helping us develop our agenda that we would enact if we're fortunate enough to win the majority in November." That statement doesn't sound very confident in my opinion. To me it sounds like reality is beginning to set in. It sounds like Boehner setting up a soft landing for any failures in the mid-term election.
Now onto Arizona. If Republicans ever had a chance of regaining majority status in the Senate or Congress, the Arizona madness may have put the nail in that coffin. Why in the world would you alienate the fastest growing voter block in America? Americans know right from wrong. And the Arizona bill, which is now law, is just that, WRONG!
Do we have a problem with undocumented immigrants? The answer is yes. Did this law solve the problem? The answer is no. What this law has done is given Hispanic immigrants a voice they never had before. From the Mayor of Flagstaff, Arizona to the Phoenix Suns basketball team to the President of the United States, all have spoken out against the legalization of racial profiling.
Arizona would have been better off racially profiling the likes of Saudis, Pakistanis, or the many others who have done harm to our nation. But they decided to pick on the weakest link. Our South and Central American neighbors doing the work that Americans don't want to and refuse to do.
When was the last time a Latino flew a plane into a building? When was the last time a Latino tried to cause death and destruction in Times Square?
Let me give you some examples of who should be profiled.
If we take this law to it's logical conclusion, and Governor Brewer's own words to it's logical conclusion, then requiring documentation from everyone entering the State of Arizona should be required. Why? Because racial profiling doesn't take into account the crimes committed by those born and raised within the United States.
Homegrown terrorism has been more devastating to the citizens of the United States than any crimes committed on our soil, than those terrorist responsible for 9/11. And If I'm not mistaken, many of those involved in the 9/11 plot were here legally. Many allowed to take lessons on making a plane take off, but never given lessons on landing one.
How can we ever forget Timothy James McVeigh (April 23, 1968 – June 11, 2001) the United States Army veteran and former security guard who was convicted of detonating a truck bomb in front of the Alfred P. Murrah Building on April 19, 1995, killing 168 people, including 19 children under the age of six. It was the deadliest act of terrorism within the United States prior to the September 11, 2001 attack.
And how about the Columbine High School massacre that occurred on Tuesday, April 20, 1999, at Columbine High School. Two senior students, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, embarked on a massacre, killing 12 students and one teacher. They also injured 21 other students directly, and three people were injured while attempting to escape. The pair then committed suicide. It is the fourth-deadliest school massacre in United States history, after the 1927 Bath School disaster, 2007 Virginia Tech massacre and the 1966 University of Texas massacre, and the deadliest for an American high school.
While we are on the topic, how about Eric Robert Rudolph (born September 19, 1966), also known as the Olympic Park Bomber, an American far-right radical described by the Federal Bureau of Investigation as a terrorist. Between 1996 and 1998, Rudolph committed a series of bombings across the southern United States which killed two people and injured at least 150 others.
Rudolph declared that his bombings were part of a guerrilla campaign against abortion and the "homosexual agenda". He spent years on the FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitives until he was caught in 2003. In 2005, as part of a plea bargain, Rudolph pled guilty to numerous federal and state homicide charges and accepted five consecutive life sentences in exchange for avoiding a trial and a potential death sentence.
Rudolph was connected with the white supremacist Christian Identity movement. Although he has denied that his crimes were religiously or racially motivated, Rudolph has also called himself a Roman Catholic in "the war to end this holocaust" (in reference to abortion).
So you see folks, looking for scapegoats to America's problems doesn't rest solely upon the shoulders of illegal immigrants. We have to look within also. We have to look at the forest and not just see the trees. We have to stop looking for scapegoats, placing blame on a select few, and find real solutions to the many issues facing the American people.
This law conveniently ignores what is really happening in America. It's a mean-spirited, unconstitutional, and wrong approach . One that doesn't make America better. One that goes against our fundamental principal of America being a melting pot. One that all Americans be against.
I ask everyone to walk in the shoes of an Hispanic soldier, putting his life on the line for this country, only to come to Arizona, and having to prove his loyalty and love for this country. I know for a fact that Governor Jan Brewer can't do that. John McCain never had to do that.
That is why I titled this post, "Republican "Foot and Mouth" disease. I can't wait until November."
What is your opinion? Tell me if you agree or disagree. I only ask that we keep this this controversial topic civil. I have a policy of not deleted any comments. But lately some have been pushing the limits of even my civility. Any direct attacks on me or anyone who replies will be deleted. That means from the Left and the Right. I really mean it this time.
recommend
Facebook
Twitter
bookmark 
print
Comments: 101
So you see folks, looking for scapegoats to America's problems doesn't rest solely upon the shoulders of illegal immigrants.
I Agree, though illegal immigration needs to be addressed. We should make it easier for people to immigrate here who are looking for opportunity and freedom, which includes the responsibility of taking care of yourself. We should not be a place where you can come and get on government dole.
"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not."
-Thomas Jefferson
I agree with you Matthew. 2010 may just be the year of reform. We've reformed health care. We are working on banking regulation. And immigration reform need to be addressed next.
Doing nothing is not an option. It's what gotten us to the point where we are today. Come on Republicans. Join us and be part of the solution.
Are you advocating no border control in the south Lloyd? Cause like itor not it seems that it is the border that illigal crossing is mostprevalent at
They only come up with stale slogans.
Charles, why didn't the Republican Governor go after those who hire the immigrants? Because she would have lost her donor base.
She's a hypocrite. You and I both know that.
Don't bring the race card into this discussion. It's not about RACE.
Really? Take a look my recent comments on a posts written by chris w.
Hope you accept my apology.
However when it comes to former President George Bush, it was obvious that he was incompetent. He squeaked into the White House the first time with the help of a Conservative dominated Supreme Court and then again with the Swift Boating of Senator Kerry.
From his handling of Hurricane Katrina, to his misguided war in Iraq, he failed the American people.
The consequences of his actions and decisions affect us to this day. The American people will not be fooled once again.
The Mission Was Not Accomplished.
As for John Boehner's statement on NPR.....he managed to say a whole lotta nothing. Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.
Cheri there's no real leadership within the party. No one understands their thinking or agenda.
That is why they will remain the minority party in the Senate, the Congress, the Governorships, and the White House.
No one really know what they stand for. It would be a gamble placing your bets on the GOP.
It may rile up their base, but its a failed strategy. Most Americans agree that immigration reform is necessary.
We can't continue with business as usual.
"And the Arizona bill, which is now law, is just that, WRONG!" So the Federl law that it copies is also Wrong?
You mentioned Race three times that I counted in your article. If you did not mention Racial profileing you should not have had that in there. You purposely meant to make Illegal Entry a Race issue. That's normal for your pov and very wrong.
All those examples have nothing at all to do with the AZ law or illegal entry, nor anything to do with the Republican come back in November. I think you are a Democratic dreamer. Even the DNC knows they will lose the majority in at least one, the Senate or the House in November. Thats why they are pushing their agenda so hard this year.
Republicans have already slipped the suggestions, openly, into the debate, of:
1. Not reading citizens the Maranda rights (which is their right to due process, and allowed to defend themselves in court).
2. Putting implants/tracking devices for tracking immagrents. (how long do you think it will be before that practice would be expanded upon?
3. Leiberman (A$$hole, deluxe) slipping the suggestion that citiezens actually be stripped of their "GOD GIVEN" Constitutional rights, and American citizenship BEFORE EVEN BEING FOUND GUILTY OF ANYTHING?
(NOTE): Since iit's already been suggested that citizens will not be read or given their Maranda rights, how would one be found guilty of anything without due process, without a trial, without having to be proven guilty?
ANSWER: They wouldn't! They'd just simply loose their rights, and citizenship just for knowing someone, who has been labeled, "an undesirable"?
Those 3 above things have been suggested openly by Lieberman and 2 other Republicans.McCain, and (one other, I cannot remember his name), just since this law has passed, and the recent flubbed terror attack attempt.
Why are Republicans, and a Republican sympathizer (lieberman) pushing for things that are straight out of some of the oldest conspiracy playbooks. Those familiar with these conspiracy theories should recognize these elements the moment they were spoken.
Reasonable suspicion
Instead of probable cause.
The idiot law and order crowd keep doing this crappola to us.
Drug war
Terrorism
Flimsy made up excuses backed enthusiastically by
The Georges of our nation.
Same tactics, whip up a lot of fear, hate anger to justify the stripping of another legal protection.
Cop stops you, as for your drivers license, registration, insurance. Smells liquor on your breath. Probable Cause
You get to take a field sobriety test or go to jail and a blood alchohol test.
If you are drunk. Arrest.
Just so you know the difference between the three.
They are already at work messing with voter registration and voter registration lists.
We probably need United Nations Oversite for our elections.
1. They are trying to create filmable 'riots" of both the Hispanic community
and espicially of the African-American community.
Chicago and LA will both be targets as will any university with a notable
population of active people of color.
Rioting.
Expect anything.
They have recently treated a very minor disturbance in Phoenix, agitated by a white militia man as,
A Riot.
Ditto a serioius disturbance, a riot in fact, in
Santa Cruz, CA, being promoted on the right as an immigrant rights, riot.
The event seems to have been a lot of partying and a handful of Anarchists
and had nothing to do with immigrant rights. No immigrant rights signs, the promotion handout didn't mention immigrants, the graffiti left was Anarchist.
I mostly use another site, but I wondered if the same lie, "illegal immigrant riots all over the nation" was being told here on gather, it is.
Beware the power of the hatred and money behind the destruction of the U.S.A.
and all that it means and all that we stand for.
Fox /Republicans/conservataives want filmable riots of Hispanics and African-Americans.
What will they do to get that film?
convince African-Americans and Hispanic people they are the
party for everyone.
They realize they are failing.
The constant unremitting attacks on President Obama are especially stupid.
The illegal immigrant fiasco's are equally stupid.
Ignorant fools. . . .They think Democrats are as stupid as their own voter base.
Thank goodness.
But I am afraid for us, the U.S.A.
But they are desperate to get back in power. Expect anything.
Americans? What is your problem with Hispanic-Americans?
A Minority Majority state. I love it. It is simple, I can love my neighgors or hate them.
The illegal immigrants were encourage to come her by President Geo. Bush.
They were encourage to come here to depress the wages of our own workers.
I hate that. And this ground has been
gone over and over.
WE must accept them as quickly as possible and do all that is possible to educate them and welcome them as citizens.
If nothing is done, and something drastic must be done to employers, there will be no alternative but a police state.
I refuse to live in that kind of state.
I will be out on the streets fighting mass deportations.
I think it was the same people claiming victory then.
Lloyd is right. The radical right let their fears get in the way of logic. They are so against Obama that they look for ways to confront, oppose, and blame him for any problem. This time they listened to their fears of those not like them and just reacted, without thinking.
Illegal immigrants are not the problem in AZ., m-13 gangs are! Most gang members are Hispanic and about 1/2 are American and they cross comitting crimes on both sides and are at war. The republican only see Hispanic, not country. They are not the same problem.
Hispanic Americans still have family below the border and both travel back and forth to visit. I wouldn't really call them illegal. The illegal aliens cross the border to work. They are taking american jobs and should be forced to stand in line to get in. Hispanic Americans want to stop them even more than the republicans. It is there jobs that are being taken. Think they are going to like being stopped going to work. I think Hispanic nationwide will all be voting next election. And I don't see any of them voting republican.
There was a national law passed awhile back that made it illegal to hire or provide any government service to any Illegal Alien. Business in AZ refuses to stop hiring illegal workers ignoring the law. You cut off the job and there's no reason to look there for work.
There had been talk is comgress of a Obama bill in the making to attempt to fix the problem. If I know republicans AZ. was probably a reaction to that. Wasn't very well thought out Col.
The AZ law that was passed has nothing to do with stopping illegals. Most of the people who will be stopped are americans and their relatives who all just happen to be Hispanic. This makes it a Anti -Hispanic law and not a anti illegals law.
Hispanics and everyone else want gang violence stoped. The gang war at the boder has no more to do with illegals and American Hispanics than the Irish, Russian, and Italian Americans have to do with their mobs.
Bush was dependent on the vote of the Hispanics in 2000 and 2004. And the stupidity in AZ by the republicans has driven away that large republican voting block, and with their followup talk they are making it permanent.
Hung is a naturalized citizen from Vietnam. He's been in this country for over 25 years.
Hung works hard. He has 2 jobs, working nearly 80 hours per week.
Hung gravitated towards me because I was the first person to greet him and ask him his name when he began working with us.
I help him with everything. I give him encouragement, and help him fill out any paperwork needed for the job.
Hung doesn't speak English very well. But I understand him.
Hung is one that would be stopped, arrested, and have to prove his citizenship if he wasn't carrying the required documents.
Hung is the last person on the planet I want to receive a call from asking me, "Can You Help Me?"
Funnily enough, when I was raped in 1983, the guy turned out to be some white loser from ARIZONA!
That must have been Clinton.
Bush? who are you talking about?
- - - - - - collective memory loss,
a direct of exposure Fox News, Rush Limbaugh, Michael Savage and others.
Why would any sane person want to revert back to the failed policies of the past? The same ones that got us into the predicament the President had to address immediately after taking office.
Now that the hysteria has calmed down, the America people now realize that the sky did not fall, the sun rose once again, and we are heading in the right direction.
It took a strong, thoughtful, and caring President to address the mess. We now know who that person was.
I could empathize with their opposition to the President's policies if only they provided alternatives.
But I've yet to hear any solutions. More and more Americans are beginning to understand that saying "NO" is not a policy.
Of course, they were being controlled by the big money boys so it isn't surprising that the result was a calamity of huge proportions (economic and environmental) and a lack of progress in many areas (energy independence for example). I can't really blame them since money always has that effect. But as politicians, they were at the helm when the ship of state ran aground.
They lack ideas and convictions.
I'm begging someone to tell me what this current crop of Republican lawmakers really stand for?
I know what they oppose, but what is their plan? What solutions do they offer?
The status quo is no longer acceptable.
Real Clear Politics Average (Personally, based on what’s been going on in this country since the 2008 Election – darn good numbers for the President.)
Approve
48.5
Disapprove
44.9
But...it is the next set of numbers that begs we don't be complacent in 2010 and 2012.
Direction of Country
RCP Average (Supporting Democratic candidates however we can has never mattered more, Methinks.)
Right Direction
36.5
Wrong Track
57.5
For anyone who doesn't follow politics like you and I, it would affect one's opinion of our duly elected President.
But now that the hysteria has died down, the sun rose, and the sky did not fall, many who were caught up in the storm now understand that they were hoodwinked.
Many are feeling they were lied to, betrayed, and mis-informed by the opposition.
Both political tradition and more importantly a fervently divided nation point out major Dem problems come November. Rep Obey's recent announcement to bow out point to the fact that more Dems are realizing November's potential for an ugly election cycle.
Europe's fiscal problems point out the major stress cracks in the system so many here wish to emulate. We are on the same road to fiscal ruin with no end in sight (no matter which of the two major party are in power) and it's the party in power that will take that between the eyes. You can ignore the Dems weaknesses and focus on those of the Repubs all you want but that is some very wishful thinking.
Can the Repubs "implode"? Sure. Can they take the current anti Dem mood and reverse it onto themselves? Of course. Perfect example of this has been the Dem party over the last 18 months in totally misreading the national mood/desires. American political parties are very good at shooting themselves in the foot so anything can happen.
"A few Dems have changed parties lately and far more have decided not to run for reelection but somehow that is no sign of your party's implosion, what is the difference?"
Charles that's because the Democratic Party is not imploding. We are a unified party. We welcome opposing points of view within the party without throwing our elected officials under the bus.
"Both political tradition and more importantly a fervently divided nation point out major Dem problems come November."
Charles that statement defines the Republican Party. One that puts politics ahead of people.
The opposition hasn't given the American people one reason to vote for them in November, but you continue to dream of days long ago when they were the majority party in the Congress, the Senate, the Governorships, and the White House.
Charles I don't fear the November mid-term elections because the majority of Americans will not vote for someone who hasn't made their case.
I can't think of one thing the Republicans stand for. I know what they're against. But I don't know their solutions.
What is so funny about your statement of unity is that so many Dems on here say the exact opposite while indicating its the Repubs/Administration opposition that is unified. Are you or they incorrect?
"Both political tradition and more importantly a fervently divided nation point out major Dem problems come November." Somehow you take a statement of fact about political history (midterms DO go against the majority party traditionally) and a divided nation (you can't even admit that?) and try to use it to describe your political opposition? Did you even read that points? I've seen many Dems online here that admit to both of them without it being some test of their partisan beliefs.
I do agree that the Repubs haven't come up with many "solutions" But to me that is encouraging as the "solutions" being forced into place are at least as damaging as the original problems. The math coming out about the health care reform points that out quite well.
Regardless, it doesn't matter Lloyd if you fear November or not, obviously many in your party do and that is reflected in the number of those deciding not to run or like here in Alabama who won't even admit they are Dems on their adverts. I don't know if November will be a huge victory for those of us opposing the Administration or a smaller one but the odds/history are not on your side. Americans are mad and nothing the Dems/Congress are doing is making that anger subside.
The people you see out in the forefront of the opposition movement are the same people who voted for John McCain and Sarah Palin. People would never support a Democratic candidate.
The indie vote Ed varies and goes with current moods. A large turnout does not give Dems any measure of victory unless anger at the GOP is that strong like it was in 2008 (which saw no major uptick in voting numbers). Every indicator for months has it turned against Dems/the Administration.
That can turn of course and the GOP can be just as self destructive as the Dems have been. Time will tell but no one laying much on the Dems odds as it stands now to do more than minimize damage at best.
Charles where is the passion? I don't see it. I see Americans going about their business, adjusting to the new realities of saving for a rainy day, not living beyond their means, and slapping themselves in the head for falling prey to the hysteria and lies of a worldwide depression, higher taxes, socialism, fascism, and overall nonsense.
The economy is improving. The unemployment rate is dropping.
And the world did not come to an end after 17 months of Democrats being in the White House.
The only negative thing Republicans and Independents have seen is hypocritical Republicans living the gay lifestyle while fighting against it.
There's absolutely NO reason for anyone to vote for a Republican candidate that I can see.
Republicans are part of the problem. They offer NO solutions.
Ed then who are you going to vote for? Every moderate Republican gets thrown to the wolves. The radical wing of the party has no room for tolerance.
You are in a NO-WIN situation. If any Republican reaches out to our duly elected 44th President they will be thrown under the bus and their political careers will come to an end.
That's a FACT!!
Their hypocrisy knows no bound as they come out against homosexuals while being closet gays themselves.
They just seem to want to revert back to days that are long gone. They refuse to accept the fact that America has changed.
I believe this is why they will remain the minority party in the Congress, the Senate, the Governorships, and the White House, even after the November midterm elections.
I'm stopping by to give you a view and a comment. I really don't have a lot to say. Just want to tell you have a great week.