LatinaLista — Since news spread of Dobbs’ resignation from CNN, Latina Lista has received our fair share of comments and e-mails railing against Dobbs’ departure. Each of the commenters see the situation as unjust and forcing a man out of his job for “telling the truth.”
What they fail to see is that Dobbs’ version of the truth was often so distorted that fellow journalists trying to do objective stories on him couldn’t even verify his version of the truth when it came to undocumented immigrants and illegal immigration.
But that’s already the past and it’s time to take a new look at how other groups distort or use the issue of illegal immigration to further their own agenda. After all, how can we as a nation attempt to arrive at a bipartisan compromise if distortion of facts, from either side, are allowed to pass as the truth?
One would expect to look at the usual suspects who excel at fanning the flames of public outrage when it comes to undocumented immigrants — like NumbersUSA, Center for Immigration Studies or Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) — but a recent article that appeared in Roll Call shows that we don’t have to look any farther than the GOP.
According to the article, Republican House members were outraged with their leadership for not opting to use a procedural motion to force a vote to bar undocumented immigrants from buying health insurance.
If such a motion had been attached to the healthcare bill, it was already known that about 20 members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus would have voted against the healthcare bill and given the Republicans the victory they wanted.
In interview after interview, Republican congressmen or their aides went on the record saying that all they had to do was attach “illegal immigrants” to the healthcare bill and they could bring it down.
“If we had done that right, the bill would have been extremely unlikely [to pass], if we’d brought up the illegal immigration motion to recommit,” said Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa), ranking member on the Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security and International Law. “That would have been the coup de grace. It would have killed the bill.”
One aide to a conservative Republican called the move “a wasted opportunity” because the GOP would have hugely benefitted from agitating Democratic divisions on immigration…”Whoever thought this was a good motion to recommit is a freaking moron, and we will be in the minority forever because of stuff like this,” the aide said. “They are fools, pure and simple. … Our leadership dropped the ball.”
One reason that the GOP leadership may not have used their “illegal immigration” card was not wanting to widen the gulf within their own membership. It’s reported that some Hispanic Republicans would not have voted in favor of a healthcare bill that limited the rights of undocumented immigrants from buying their own insurance.
Whatever the reason, if Republicans continue this course of action against the issue of illegal immigration, it’s clear that their intent is not to find a solution to the problem that exists but exacerbate it to the point that the American public won’t know what’s the truth and what’s the GOP party line on the issue.
Comment(7)
Connie
GOP’s hateful rhetoric against anyone who doesn’t look and talk like Billy Bob has doomed the party. GOP is on the wrong side of both history and demographics on this one…
David Nichols
Fact:
In January 2010 we can ALL Celebrate the start of the E-verify Law, the I.C.E. Deportaion Program, the start of this the Worst Re-cession in U.S. History, followed by the Global Re-cession, and a Re-surgence of Racism in America far worse than that of the 1960’s!
The U.S. Census Bureau counted these good hard working Human’s as Citizens all along to base the size of our Government Services on.
Phoenix for E-xample now has approx: 30% Tax Base, and yet the same size Government?
(Aint gonna Work!)
The State of Az. can’t figure out why they can’t make their Budget?
Our new 30% E-xcess of Homes has completely stalled Construction/Growth!
It took over 20 years for these immigrants to fill those homes.
Duh? Is it gonna just “Bounce Back”?
Arpio has fired not only his Sheriffs Dept. but thousands of other Government Employees, and isn’t intelligent enough to even know it! Yet!
Keep Bailing the Deportation Areas, that are now E-conomically Devastated America!
To: Prosperity, and Brotherhood from Sea to Shining Sea!
Sterling Greenwood
It was time for Lou Dobbs to go.
Sterling Greenwood/Aspen Free Press
tigerjuju
First of all, I am an immigrant who followed the law to get to America. I find it offensive to call illegal immigrants “undocumented” to pander to political correctness.
Not to claim I know for sure Lou is telling the full truth, your claim of Lou’s “lies” is not any more convincing either. The fact is an average person like myself has no sure way to determine the truthfulness of most information fed to us by the media.
Lastly, why do people believe illegals have the “right” for health care coverage, especially if it is paid by US tax dollar? I don’t mind if they pay to participate, which is fair, even though they should not be here in the first place. But they should NEVER get subsidized.
Why is it not fair to deny people who did not come here legally from EVERYTHING that is paid for by the public money? No publicly funded education, no public funded insurance, etc etc.
I am open to have exceptions for real extreme circumstances. If they got seriously injured, give them treatment. But they ought to be sent home afterward just the same as if they were captured at the border. If they rather not to get treated than being deported, it is their own choice.
People who wants to help the unfortunate ones from all over the world, God bless you. Fund it with you own damn money until you are broke, I don’t care. But don’t use the tax dollar that is funded by everyone else.
tigerjuju
By the way, I agree with Lou’s general view on illegal immigration is an problems that need to be stopped (NOT by legalizing them). I think the sense of entitlement is extremely disgusting especially for those who are here illegally, yet DEMAND to be provided with resources & opportunities just like everyone else. Of all groups, the Latino groups are the worst: they are the biggest offender of illegal immigration by far, yet they are also the loudest group with the most demand on entitlements.
I don’t agree with Lou that stopping illegal immigration is about retaining American’s identity. I think American’s identity is an ever-shifting one. If it happens to turn Latino, black, Asian, or whatever, I am fine with it. But not if it is changed by illegal invasions. Stopping illegal immigration is about fairness. Fairness to people who are in the country legally (born or immigrated), paying taxes and following the rules.
Julie B
It always go back to race doesn’t it? Well race has nothing to do with this issue. If you want to become an American, just come here and take care of yourself. We do not want to take care of everyone elses kids when we are struggling to take care of our own.
Come here and be a proud American and take care of your own families.
DON”T COME HERE JUST FOR THR FREE STUFF. Have some pride and you will be accepted.
Marisa Treviño
Julie, You’ve fallen victim, to put it mildly, lies. No Latino immigrant, legal or otherwise, takes advantage of “free stuff” which I’m assuming you mean as public benefits.
They do have pride and they have fear that even walking into these offices would adversely affect them. Now, if you’re talking about second, third, fourth generation Latinos then that’s a different story. Research has shown that among later generations they aren’t fulfilling the potential with more drop-outs, low-wage jobs, etc.
For what it’s worth, the people with the most pride are the ones you’ve heard are taking advantage of our system. It’s simply not true.
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