Congress unlikely to consider immigration legislation without Obama pushing for reform

[Ban Hammer 13,691]

No, it doesn't. The economy would benefit more if illegal labor wouldn't drive Americans and lawful residents out of work and if it wouldn't depress wages the way it does. How can you be supportive of unions and supportive of the single most adverse impact on labor rights and wages at the same time?

[Pooky 3,847]

Our economy benefits from having undocumented workers in this country. While I agree the system is broken, reactionary measures driven by ignorance or bigotry isn't the answer. Deporting the millions of illegals that are already here would be a logistical nightmare, clogging up the courts and costing us hundreds of millions of tax payer dollars. The only rational solution is give those who are here the option to stay if they pay fines. If they want citizenship, make them go through the process. We also need to expand our guest worker visa program to allow employers to hire non-citizens when they can reasonably demonstrate the need. However, all these efforts won't completely address the real source of the problem - Mexico's economy. NAFTA failed to do what it promised in terms of lifting all boats.

Tell me, how can enforcing laws currently on the statute book be reactionary?

The crime is that these laws weren't enforced from the start.

Edited April 30, 2010 by Pooky

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

No, it doesn't. The economy would benefit more if illegal labor wouldn't drive Americans and lawful residents out of work and if it wouldn't depress wages the way it does. How can you be supportive of unions and supportive of the single most adverse impact on labor rights and wages at the same time?

Maybe because unions spend too much time on advocacy, and a vote is a vote. Except for one dyed in the wool liberal, all my trade union buddies are a little unsettled about how union management spends more effort on phone banks, and telling members how to vote, than it does soliciting work for its members, negotiating contracts, and doing job site checks.

Tell me, how can enforcing laws currently on the statute book be reactionary?

The crime is that these laws weren't enforced from the start.

Easy now. He is finally learning the difference between radical and reactionary. Baby steps.