There is a kind of unspoken, generations-old principle in America that can be seen more readily today thanks to the media. You see it between TV shows, when you listen to any news channel, and when you read the paper. The Machiavellian politician. If anyone wished to simply state the two fundamental laws governing the human mind, they would be curiosity and Machiavelli. For the first law, curiosity, I need only reference the vehicle on Mars by the same name. For the second, it’s fairly obvious to find and prove able to predict political moves. Recently, House Republicans, or at least a division of them, made the headlines by saying that they have reconsidered their stance on immigration. Not exactly what the Democrats across the aisle wanted, nor would they immediately agree to, but just enough to make the headlines and suggest reform is truly near. A very Machiavellian move. House Republicans know that they have tight senatorial races in some states for seats that could win them the majority in both chambers, not to mention some representatives also being challenged. The timing of this news break was well-planned but, as Mitch McConnell pointed out, the differences in methods the Senate and House each use to approach immigration reform would make it impossible. John Boehner has also indicated his doubt. No representative or senator from either party is going to push immigration reform through Congress right before the mid-term elections. It easily could, and probably would, pan out to be too controversial a move. Politicians on both sides love to be reelected and maintain their power in government. The last thing they need is to give their opponents anything to attack them with at the last minute. It’s an unnecessary and uncertain variable.
Now, looking at it this way makes it sound as if it’s just an election ploy, to which I respond by saying that everything a politician says is an election ploy. However, the GOP truly is formulating their terms for making a compromise across the aisle. There are four parts that need to be addressed by this bill. Number one is giving amnesty to children who were born to illegal parents is something that the GOP can and should concede. Regardless of their parent’s mistakes, only those who break the law can and should be punished. Not their children. Guilt of association does not apply here. Secondly, those with criminal records should still be deported. I don’t see how the Democrats can argue with this one. If someone has committed a crime other than just crossing into America illegally (say, a crime Democrats agree is a crime), then there can be no argument for not sending him or her home. Number three is that those who are illegal adults that have committed no other crime other than breaking and entering into America are criminals according to United States law. It is a law that the US has been overlooking. But the law is the law and what does it say about the world’s most powerful nation when we cannot enforce our own laws? Now, the point of compromising is to make some concessions. I think the GOP could accept laying out a clear path to citizenship for many of the 11 million illegals. But only under one extremely important condition and that’s the fourth component. There will never be another amnesty of any kind for illegal aliens because the government will put all of its effort into enforcing the sovereign borders of the US. This is what the bill should look like and I believe it’s the direction the Republican proposal is going. Democrats will no doubt criticize the idea of sending funds and manpower to create an even tighter barrier at the border. Cutting government spending is a core conservative value. Americans should only pay for the truly important things. This one certainly makes the cut.
If this breakthrough in immigration reform fails, it will be because of partisan politics. As much as the media likes to blame the conservatives, the blame will be on every politician involved. If nothing is done about enforcing our borders, we endanger the entire American working force. We will continue to give away low paying jobs to illegal aliens who can be paid less at a time when unemployment numbers are around 6.6% according to the New York Times. We will also be creating an even greater strain on America’s welfare state.
The real problem facing reform is the Machiavellian politician. A Democrat wants to win their election in a blue state? He pledges support for illegal families. A Republican in a red state? He supports getting back jobs. Is it any surprise they can’t find a compromise? To be elected, a politician’s stance on immigration reform must pander to their constituents. And not every American supports giving away our economy.
Alex Hubicki
Northeastern University College Republicans
