Does Bush Policy 'Border' on Insanity?

0 Comments | Insight on the News, Feb 2, 2004

Byline: Douglas Burton, INSIGHT

Does Bush Policy 'Border' on Insanity?

Laura Ingraham, Talk Radio Network, Washington, www.LauraIngraham.com

When Bill Clinton says we live in an "increasingly borderless world," we're not surprised. It's the usual globaloney blather. But when a Republican president advocates a policy that will make our borders effectively meaningless, we should be outraged.

With his approval numbers high, President [George W.] Bush has made a devil's bargain with business and Hispanic groups. Elites from both parties are ignoring the view of a strong majority of Americans that we need to stop illegal immigration, not high-five it.

Michael Savage, Talk Radio Network, San Francisco, www.MichaelSavage.com

Recently on my radio program I challenged my audience by asking whether President Bush should be impeached. My purpose is to save the Bush presidency. Mr. Bush, please hear me. Arnold Schwarzenegger was elected and Gray Davis was recalled on one single issue. That issue was granting special rights to illegal immigrants. In the case of Gray Davis, it was drivers licenses for illegals. In the case of President Bush, it is this mistaken notion of "soft amnesty" for illegals that will doom him to a one-term presidency.

One poll after another shows an opposition to Bush's proposal to offer legal status to illegal immigrants. A new ABC News poll finds 52 percent of the nation opposes an amnesty program for illegal immigrants from Mexico, while 57 percent oppose one for illegal immigrants from other countries.

Mr. Bush, please listen, we are trying to help you. We do not want a Democrat to win. But you cannot alienate millions of core conservatives and expect to beat the opposition.

Roger Hedgecock, KOGO-AM 600, San Diego, www.RogerHedgecock.com

The border remains out of control. President [Ronald] Reagan promised border control when he signed an amnesty for 3 million illegals back in 1986. The amnesty simply encouraged more illegal immigration. Now the problem is 8 [million] to 12 million. With this Bush amnesty, will the next amnesty be for 40 [million] to 50 million illegals?

Our borders with both Mexico and Canada are open to whomever has the smuggler's fee. The border must be controlled before the amnesty or the Bush amnesty will simply encourage more illegal immigration.

When Bush Zigged, O'Neill Zagged

Tom Adkins, Free Republic Internet Radio Show, Philadelphia, www.Common Conservative.com

After World War I, we cut our military forces to the bone and couldn't stop [Adolf] Hitler and Tojo [Hideki] from starting World War II. After World War II, [Harry] Truman cut our forces to the bone and couldn't fight the Korean War. After Vietnam, [Jimmy] Carter cut our forces to the bone and almost lost the world to communism. The first thing any responsible president should do on Inauguration Day is look at the world, decide who are our enemies and prepare plans militarily to take out every one of them. Any president who doesn't do this is unfit for the office. And if Paul O'Neill didn't understand this, he isn't fit for office either.

Rose and Dean: Separated at Birth?

Lowell Ponte, Liberty Broadcasting Network, Carlsbad, Calif., www.Liberty Broadcasting.com

Both are hot-tempered, obsessive competitors who play dirty and spike opponents. Both covered up backroom, potentially unethical, financial deals: Rose by denying bookie bets, Dean by sealing records of questionable things he did behind closed doors as Vermont governor. Both have attracted fans with damn-the-establishment pugnacity, risk-taking, emotionality and lack of a restraining inner adult to rein in their outer child.

But nobody died when Cincinnati Red Pete Rose gambled on stretching a single to a double and got called out at second base. Millions could suffer or die if "Howie Hustle" Dean star spitballer for the Democratic Reds, with his reckless, arrogant, hothead temperament gets promoted to president and commander in chief. Rose placed bets, but never against his own team. Dean, by opposing the war on terrorism in Iraq, has bet his political chips so that he wins if America loses and loses if America wins.

Can You Hear It?

Lars Larson, Westwood One, Portland, Ore., www.LarsLarson.com

The pro-tax drumbeat has begun, and it comes in too many forms to count. The local newspapers like the idea of the biggest tax boost in Oregon history. ... Get ready for the Chicken Littles on editorial boards at the local daily dead-fish wrapper to start predicting all kinds of doom and gloom if government doesn't get more of your paycheck. We fund government above the national average, we have money for all the extras and we have economic recovery on the way. We don't need higher taxes. Politicians who made promises to public-employee unions do.

Douglas Burton is an associate editor for Insight magazine.