Which came first?
By laglen
@laglen (19759)
United States
July 2, 2010 12:35pm CST
Border Security or immigration reform? The president thinks that reform should come first while 59% of Americans feel that securing the border should be first.
The president also said in his speech the other night that our borders are more secure today than they ever have been.
But only 19% of voters agree.
52% of American voters agree with Arizona's new law. Only four states share a border with Mexico.
So my questions to you are
Do you think if more states were closer to the border, that number would be even higher?
Which do you think should be first, border security or reform?
Why?
6 responses
@max1950 (2306)
• United States
2 Jul 10
new tabs on arizona law, 70 % agree with arizonas new law :). security first, reform later, obamas just looking to get voters which he know he needs. if these crying states on the east coast and n.e. where to move to the border of even close to it maybe then they would understand whats going on there. im not getting started its friday and im having company over for the weekend, enjoy your weekend, happy 4 th
1 person likes this
@matersfish (6306)
• United States
2 Jul 10
I was watching Pardon the Interuption yesterday, a popular sports show on ESPN, and they got to talking about the Arizona law.
Kornheiser and Wilbon are fair guys when it comes to bashing folks, albeit they do wear their 60s remnants radical left views on their sleeve when broaching a topic like this. So when talking about Tony LaRussa's support of the Arizona immigration law, they didn't crucify the guy.
However, I was totally surprised by Kornheiser when he stated, paraphrased, "LaRussa is taking the overwhelmingly unpopular stance by supporting this law."
I just can't get over the alternate realities we live in. In that sort of bubble, 70% in favor doesn't mean jack shite. The majority is never the majority; the only people that exist, that count, are people taking the same sympathetic side. The elite circle, the media and the uberleft hangers on are reality.
The rest of us don't exist in the "real" world, I guess.
1 person likes this
@matersfish (6306)
• United States
2 Jul 10
I'm certainly no conspiracy guy. And even though I rarely give Obama the benefit of the doubt at this point, I think this is sufficient evidence of his true intentions. I mean, if I were going to work toward sneaking amnestry through, along with (probably) increased incentive for more and more to come, I'd have an approach ready to go.
First, I wouldn't enforce any existing border/immigration law. And if someone did decide they wanted to enforce laws, I'd throw my weight around and put the federal hammer down. Obviously, I'd have to throw everyone a bone by saying I'd do something with the borders, but that certainly wouldn't be my intention. Next, I'd tell everyone it was okay -- no reason to panic. Just stick with me while I work on comprehensive reform measures. What does that mean? It doesn't matter. I said I'm working on it, so back off.
Then I'd, of course, be tweaking the legislation and making sure that A) we don't have increased border enforcement at all, and B) I could make sure everyone here stays here and that I'm seen as a man for the Hispanic people.
I think everyone knows you FIRST plug the leak. Duh.
1 person likes this
I agree but why oh why are people still agreeing with him?
@matersfish (6306)
• United States
2 Jul 10
Well, these aren't plans I had personally and then watched as things followed suit. I'm just saying that if I wanted to bring about amnesty uberpolitically and I were Obama, the way he's doing it would be the way I'd also do it. It's like the safest way to go about it.
If it blows up in his face, he still wins on his side of the aisle. If it goes as planned, his side of the aisle massively expands.
The guy's a brilliant politician (or has that many scumbags on the payroll). And while it's not nothing you or I probably agree with, it is a talent to be so bitterly partisan and out-there progressive while still being able to wear the "aww shucks" face and pretend you're doing what's best for America instead of what you want the country to be in your wildest progressive wet dreams, with open borders and social justice and the works...
I think a lot of people are still agreeing with him because they can't see past face value and can't think beyond what the good talking points about Obama and liberal policy in general are.
But I won't bash the folks who do what they're told. Pete knows there are millions of them on the right as well.
All I want is honesty. Leave the "side" out of it, regular voting Americans. And I'm lost as to what I'm ranting about. 
Low blood sugar maybe.
Low blood sugar maybe.1 person likes this
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
2 Jul 10
Get the borders secure first. We need to stop the influx of illegals NOW! When the border are tight as a drum and not even a mouse could squeeze through then the government can yak about reform just as they have done for years with out any results.
1 person likes this
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
2 Jul 10
Our current president is worthless.
He is really making us the laughing stock of the world. There is not a country worth it's salt that cannot protect it's own borders yet sends our military to defend foreign borders....unbelievable!
He is really making us the laughing stock of the world. There is not a country worth it's salt that cannot protect it's own borders yet sends our military to defend foreign borders....unbelievable!1 person likes this
Your absolutely right heather. We are the only country that allows the DAILY INFILTRATION of criminals.
@scarlet_woman (23463)
• United States
20 Jul 10
border security.
if they allow blanket amnesty,we're going to be overwhelmed with people who claim they've been here awhile.there'd be no way to really prove they weren't either.
1 person likes this
@spalladino (17891)
• United States
3 Jul 10
If more states were closer to the border the numbers would be much higher, that's an easy one. It's also a fact that border security must come before reform since the problem of illegal immigration will continue until it's done. That was Reagan's mistake.
@ADVP1994 (4)
•
3 Jul 10
Hello there laglen, first off I would like to mention that I am British and I know little of the USA's discomfort with immigration from Mexico and other Hispanic nations. Primarily, I'd just like to say that because 19% of Americans agree with the President Obama's claim that American borders are more secure than they had ever been doesn't necessarily make his statement untrue, so it may be that the borders are more secure although there are more people attempting to migrate to the USA illegally due to economic climate maybe, because from what I understand, in the recent years Mexico seemed to suffer more from the global recession than the USA did, making the USA a more attractive option to many Mexicans and had caused an influx in immigration through the southern border in the recent years. Also, if this immigration is a problem for the American public, then the government will definitely do something about it because losing public confidence is losing votes and potentially power of government, and personally I believe border security should come first because obviously that reduces the issue of immigration, then reforms later can help aid the solution to the issue, and that order of the combination will definitely lead to a reduction in the problem.
1 person likes this
