TomJW
You asked for a discussion of McCain’s politics, and I think amnesty is the most important issue for many opposed to McCain, so I’ll start with that.
McCain has been advocating immigration reform for years. As a senator from Arizona he is well aquainted with the problems of unchecked immigration, and also with the connection of immigrant workers and the economy.
The disparity between the US economy and the Mexican economy draws workers over the border in droves. It is often better to channel powerful forces than to try to shut them down, and there are already millions of workers who are in the country illegally, but are working and could be productive, tax paying members of the community if they could obtain legal status. McCain’s proposal would provide tougher penalties for employers who hire illegal workers and provide a way for immigrant workers to enter the US legally. Reducing the economic incentive to cross the border illegally should significantly reduce illegal immigration, and providing a way for workers to enter legally would channel the economic forces that drive immigration. There remains the problem of what to do with people who are already here illegally. They have broken the law, and that should not be dismissed, but most of the illegal aliens are not involved in any OTHER criminal activity, it seems reasonable to require a fine for violating the current immigration laws, then allow them to pursue legal status.
The proposal is not perfect, but is a reasonable approach to deal with a real problem. It is a far sight better than ignoring the issue, and I believe it is better than proposals that ignore the driving force of immigration or call for deporting all illegal aliens. These proposals ignore the reality on the ground and are thus little better than ignoring the problem.
McCain has acknowledged that the federal government does not have credibilty on immigration, so it is necessary to implement programs to halt continuing immigration before dealing with illegal immigrants who are already here. I think he is right, but unfortunately I think this will create divisions in our communities. Again, we must accept the reality on the ground, even if I don’t like it.
I believe that the next administration will provide some sort of immigration reform. Obama or Clinton will basically grant unconditional amnesty and do little to stop further immigration. McCain’s proposal does a much better job of addressing conservative concerns about unchecked immigration, even if it is not all that they might wish for.
Got to go now.
