Immigration Bill Defeated
“This immigration bill has become a war between the American people and their government. … This vote today is really not about immigration, it’s about whether we’re going to listen to the American people.” Sen. DeMint (R - SC)
Really, if you have time ... you should read everything DeMint said on the floor today. Includes this:
Jeff Sessions too, who apparently told the Senators that if they did not believe the American people were against this billl ... to go back to their offices and answer the phones for a while.
Funny.
I think the issue for me is, I'm against the procedure that happened here. Why did they want this passed in 48 hours? Why did the bill not go through committee? Why were they not allowed to present amendments? Why was debate limited to 10 minutes for each Senator? Why was the clay pigeon presented on Tuesday (360+ pages) then taken out that afternoon to be re-written in the back room, then redistributed Wednesday (400+ pages) for a vote on Thursday? Does anyone truly believe all 99 Senators read that bill by the time they had to vote?
What were they afraid of? It just seemed to me that they were trying to rush it through because they knew it wouldn't pass tough scrutiny. Kind of a, "well if we drive by real fast no one will notice the shingles are falling off and the front door's missing" type thing.
They didn't want anybody wearing gloves running their fingers over the mantel.
I'm pleased that a few Senators listened. And I know the Rep lines were ringing off the hook. But what about the Dem lines? Polls for the national public say that over 70% of the country were against that bill. Were the Dem's getting phone calls too?
I'm upset with the administration. Why did they do this? He split the base, drove his few supporters away, and the mess in Iraq is still left unfunded and unmanaged. My only hope is that the military men and women in charge over there are doing the best they can with what they have.
It's always been personal to me ... it's always been personal to every military family member who has a relative or a friend over there. And even if illegal immigration, Paris Hilton, and what movie's playing this weekend are top on our minds here ... over there they are wondering if they have enough supplies. They are wondering if they have enough men to get the job done.
Failure to plan is planning to fail. I guess that statement has never been more true. I wonder if there's an equally obnoxios -ism about doing something half way. I'm sure there is. They are doing a half job with the war in Iraq, and our military men and women are suffering for it.
Be grateful today that with enough noise, even the most elite and narcissistic of our Senators will listen.
But remember Lindsey Graham, Trent Lott, John McCain and a bunch of others threw their base under the bus. Here's hoping their constituents will see that they no longer represent their interests.
Really, if you have time ... you should read everything DeMint said on the floor today. Includes this:
“When the U.S. Senate brought the Amnesty bill back up this week, they
declared war on the American people. This act created a crisis of confidence in
their government. Thankfully, the American people won today,” said Senator
DeMint. “This is remarkable because it shows that Americans are engaged and they
care deeply about their country. They care enough for their country to get mad
and to fight for it, and that’s the most important thing of all. Americans made
phone calls and sent letters, and convinced the Senate to stop this
bill.”
“The Senate rejected this bill and the heavy-handed tactics used to ram it
through. Americans do not want more of the same – amnesty and broken promises on
the border. Americans want legislation to be written in public – not in secret –
and they want Congress to engage in an open and fair debate.”
“There is a better way forward without this bill. The President has
said that the border security measures can be implemented over the next 18
months, and they can be done under current law. Now the Administration needs to
prove it and stop holding border security hostage for amnesty.”
“Once we have secured the border and restored trust with the American
people, we can begin to take additional steps.”
Jeff Sessions too, who apparently told the Senators that if they did not believe the American people were against this billl ... to go back to their offices and answer the phones for a while.
Funny.
I think the issue for me is, I'm against the procedure that happened here. Why did they want this passed in 48 hours? Why did the bill not go through committee? Why were they not allowed to present amendments? Why was debate limited to 10 minutes for each Senator? Why was the clay pigeon presented on Tuesday (360+ pages) then taken out that afternoon to be re-written in the back room, then redistributed Wednesday (400+ pages) for a vote on Thursday? Does anyone truly believe all 99 Senators read that bill by the time they had to vote?
What were they afraid of? It just seemed to me that they were trying to rush it through because they knew it wouldn't pass tough scrutiny. Kind of a, "well if we drive by real fast no one will notice the shingles are falling off and the front door's missing" type thing.
They didn't want anybody wearing gloves running their fingers over the mantel.
I'm pleased that a few Senators listened. And I know the Rep lines were ringing off the hook. But what about the Dem lines? Polls for the national public say that over 70% of the country were against that bill. Were the Dem's getting phone calls too?
I'm upset with the administration. Why did they do this? He split the base, drove his few supporters away, and the mess in Iraq is still left unfunded and unmanaged. My only hope is that the military men and women in charge over there are doing the best they can with what they have.
It's always been personal to me ... it's always been personal to every military family member who has a relative or a friend over there. And even if illegal immigration, Paris Hilton, and what movie's playing this weekend are top on our minds here ... over there they are wondering if they have enough supplies. They are wondering if they have enough men to get the job done.
Failure to plan is planning to fail. I guess that statement has never been more true. I wonder if there's an equally obnoxios -ism about doing something half way. I'm sure there is. They are doing a half job with the war in Iraq, and our military men and women are suffering for it.
Be grateful today that with enough noise, even the most elite and narcissistic of our Senators will listen.
But remember Lindsey Graham, Trent Lott, John McCain and a bunch of others threw their base under the bus. Here's hoping their constituents will see that they no longer represent their interests.
Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
~ Joshua 1:9
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