Si se puede!
It's receiving insufficient media attention in its third day, but Americans by the thousands are taking to the streets to peacefully protest against proposed legislation in Washington that would make it a felony to be in the country illegally and make it a crime for citizens to aid illegals. Protesters marched by the hundreds of thousands in Los Angeles on Saturday, as far east as D.C. today, as far north as Detroit, and as deep into the country's heartland as Chicago and Milwaukee over the weekend. The crowd in excess of 500,000 in L.A. was larger than the anti-war demonstration during the Vietnam conflict.This is a message from the American people to their elected representatives informing them that they're tired of the fear tactics being waged by the Bush Administration and the Congress for their so-called "war on terror." They're sick of the rhetoric over deportation and punishment for the latest batch of newcomers in a nation founded by illegal immigrants, and it's evidence that they're ready to support candidates that back a new official path to citizenship for our most recent arrivals. Quite pointedly, it's incumbent upon Democrats to hear this message, first and foremost, and carry it as their own in 2006. Republicans are divided on the issue of immigration between their pro-business moderate wing and their hard-right xenophobic base, while the Democrats' minority and inner-city constituency has received a jolt of energy for its pursuit of social justice. Will Hispanics be welcomed to the party with open arms before the November mid-terms? And just as importantly, with important votes still looming, will the candidates seeking re-election be sure their actions match their rhetoric?
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In running this country straight into the toilet, the legislative branch of our government deserves no less blame than does the President. On Thursday, Bush II became the longest-sitting chief executive since Thomas Jefferson not to exercise his power of veto, surpassing James Madison, now with 1893 days of Congressional compliance. As of Wednesday, Congress had sent him 1,091 bills and he had signed every last one of them. It's hard to be sure who's leading who off the cliff of moral and economic bankruptcy, but it should be plain to all that both branches have been complicit.
posted by CM @ 3:16 PM
1 Comments:
Excellent point about the Legislative Branch. All they seem to want to do is pass the buck so it's easier to get re-elected. For example, they won't declare war or limit the power of the Supreme Court even though the Constitution specifically gives them these powers. They are big on passing legislation, but that is meaningless unless the laws are enforced. The immigration laws on the books are the perfect example of meaningless, un-enforced legislation. TA
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