Thursday, January 31, 2008

Frustration!

Wow! What an unpredictable political season! Giuliani is suddenly out, McCain apparently in the lead and Romney trailing.

Yesterday it came out that Juan Hernandez, that bearded, slicked-back snake oil salesman who’s touted Mexico’s Vincente Fox’s talking points on Fox News, has now become McCain’s immigration advisor. That’s enough to make me gag, right there.

But wait. There’s more! California actor/governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has just thrown his support to McCain, as well! Why am I not surprised? Sadly, Arnold has proved to be yet another Dem in a GOP disguise. When he consults with in-law “Uncle Teddy” Kennedy on political matters, it’s obvious as to which direction he leans. (Witness his failed attempt at “universal health care” in our state. Even California democrats couldn’t swallow it!)

With that pedigree, how can a died-in-the-wool conservative like me possibly support McCain? What options are left? Thompson caught my ear with his “I believe in tall fences and wide gates” remark, but he’s gone. Some may say “Was he ever really here?” Giuliani wasn’t that strong in my eyes; he’s gone. Huckabee? Not sure about his message and even less sure if he can summon enough support to get to the convention. Can Romney survive?

What troubles me is the indication that both parties have taken a decided turn to the left. As such, if a Republican is elected, I suspect my core issue - illegal immigration - will again suffer from “benign neglect”. Nobody wants to touch it. If a Democrat gets in come November, the floodgates will open. I fear for this country’s future if that happens!

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Florida Primary

At this point, it appears McCain has won the Florida primary and it's doubtful Giuliani will continue, since he had put the bulk of his campaign resources into the winning the vote here, at the expense of other venues.

Looks like it's down to a two-horse race for the GOP nomination: McCain and Romney. Dick Morris is speculating that McCain has the better chance of winning, since he tends to appeal to a more moderate base. That must rule me out, since I'm really uncomfortable with him. I think he's just too liberal on several issues, including illegal immigration.

If it comes down to McCain versus Hillary, while I could never support another Clinton in the White House, I'm not thrilled with having to chose McCain.

Really struggling with this issue. What am I missing? Anyone care to share thoughts on the matter?

Thursday, January 24, 2008

Voter IDs?

Picture Ids for voting: Seems like common sense to me, especially with illegals becoming more of a percentage of the population in certain areas. Frankly, I find it very disturbing that a picture ID hasn’t been required all along! There's something very eerie about showing up at a polling place, being asked for your address, but never being asked to show identification.

You need one when you make a credit card purchase; One can’t get on an airplane these days without one. Heck, even my Costco American Express card has my smilin’ mug on the back of it.
What’s the big deal among the Democrats with this issue? Aren’t they concerned with possible voter fraud, or are they more afraid that such a requirement will cause them to lose some Latino (possibly illegal) voters?

Or is it something else?

Friday, January 11, 2008

GOP Debate!

Finally saw my first GOP candidate debate last night, sponsored by Fox News. Got to admit, it was nothing like I expected. This has got to be the strangest election season I’ve ever seen. The front runners seem to exchange places every day!

Prior to last night, I had felt that Romney and McCain were established as the leaders in the race. However, during the course of the show, Fred Thompson came out of nowhere and took command of the event, with Ron Paul posing as some sort of odd background character, spewing strange remarks from time to time. During the post-debate on-air analysis, however, Paul was shown by audience poll as the winner. Where did that come from?

During the course of the season, I had grown to respect and even like Mike Huckabee, appreciating his candor and forthrightness. I had even begun to consider him a truly viable candidate for the nomination. What was difficult was trying to ascertain his positions on immigration and taxes.

This morning, on yet another analysis sequence on Fox News, Huckabee was described by a pundit as charlatan -- likened to the snake oil salesmen of old. The argument being that he is posing as a conservative, while actually being a liberal at heart when it comes to my key issues of illegal immigration and taxation.

Anyone else as perplexed as I am right now?

Friday, January 4, 2008

"Illegals paying Taxes?"

Saw a letter published in today’s Sacramento Bee Editorial section arguing for allowing illegals to enter and work in the U.S. and establishing a provision to withhold 20% of illegal aliens’ pay to provide support for schools, hospitals social services.

Here’s my response:
“Illegals should pay income taxes” is an oxymoron. While it’s true that illegal aliens typically pay roughly only 1/3rd the taxes while taking advantage of three times the social services that legal residents and citizens do, it’s not just about taxes. It’s about national security. It’s about who’s here by invitation and who’s crashed the party.

Does the United States have the right to control access into this country? Absolutely. With immigration laws much harsher than the U.S., Mexico agrees - at least when it comes to its southern neighbors. But when it comes to it’s neighbor to the north, well that’s another story.

I do have a problem with “letting illegals come here and work” (the watchword here being “illegals”) and I applaud Arizona’s move to control illegal alien employment. I wish California lawmakers would stop worrying about poll numbers and follow Arizona’s lead. If they did, I’m convinced our state budget crisis would ease.

While it’s possible that illegal aliens may not want U.S. citizenship, they certainly want all the benefits that come with it. On one point, we do agree: Children born to those here illegally, should have no right to U.S. citizenship. That privilege should be reserved for those who came here following the rules.

And now, let the “xenophobia” hysteria begin…