Democratic Underground Latest Greatest Lobby Journals Search Options Help Login
Google

So, why exactly is immigration such a hot issue this year?

Printer-friendly format Printer-friendly format
Printer-friendly format Email this thread to a friend
Printer-friendly format Bookmark this thread		 This topic is archived.
Home » Discuss » Archives » General Discussion (01/01/06 through 01/22/2007) Donate to DU
 
begin_within Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-07-06 08:53 AM
Original message
So, why exactly is immigration such a hot issue this year?
I don't remember it being a "hot button" issue in the last few elections. It was mentioned, but people weren't reacting to it. Are the repubs. trying to exploit xenophobia this year to motivate their base and get them to the polls, as they exploited homophobia in 2004? Or is it to divert the public's attention from other issues, such as Iraq, gas prices, corruption in the repub. party, etc. Or what is it? Why has immigration seemingly become the "top issue" now? What changed to make it become so "important" this year? I don't get it.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
slor Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-07-06 08:55 AM
Response to Original message
1. You got it...
it is "bring out the bigot" time.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
90-percent Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-07-06 09:02 AM
Response to Reply #1
10. Classic
Classic textbook Republican "wedge issue" tactics.

I went to a town meeting in Newington Connecticut last week to see my Congressman, John Larson.

A retired politically active fellow in the audience HAMMERED John RELENTLESSLY about how he may have to vote REPUBLICAN this fall because they have the answer to the immigration "problem".

This fellow is an unwitting victim of the Republican Strategy with immigration for this fall's elections.

It was like watching a participant in a mind control or hypnosis experiment.

-85% Jimmy
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
BlooInBloo Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-07-06 08:56 AM
Response to Original message
2. Because republicans say so. And Democrats fall for it. Every time.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
K-W Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-07-06 08:56 AM
Response to Original message
3. I thought Gay Marriage was the top issue. EOM
Edited on Wed Jun-07-06 08:56 AM by K-W
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Bridget Burke Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-07-06 08:58 AM
Response to Reply #3
6. If you can't "Blame a Mexican" you can "Blame a Gay"
It turns out that many are not falling for the first meme. And not many will fall for the second one, either.

But both campaigns please a small percentage of voters--perhaps they are the ones who still approve of Bush?
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
BlooInBloo Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-07-06 09:00 AM
Response to Reply #6
8. mmmm gay mexican marriage.... Best. Republican. Issue. EVER!
:rofl:
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Marie26 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-07-06 08:57 AM
Response to Original message
4. The gay issue got old?
:shrug: Need someone new to hate in time for Nov. elections. I also blame the Lou Dobbs show for endlessly spreading propaganda about immigration.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Norquist Nemesis Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-07-06 08:57 AM
Response to Original message
5. GOP concocted it in December. Implemented in January. n/t
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
MikeNearMcChord Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-07-06 08:59 AM
Response to Original message
7. And throw in a weak economy, for middle and
working class Americans, wages are stagnant, instead of blaming the greedy contractors, and employers, blame the immigrant, work on the base instincts of fear and anger. It worked before, for the RW.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
wisteria Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-07-06 09:02 AM
Response to Original message
9. Republicans think it is hitting their wallets - mostly.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
90-percent Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-07-06 09:08 AM
Response to Reply #9
11. Question
Question:

Doesn't anyone know anyone that was directly HURT by illegal immigration?

The "problem" seems like mythological vaporware to me.

Are there any Americans ANYWHERE that have had a problem with illegals?

It is an issue that seems intended to get people frothing and voting their fear and then once the elections are over nothing of any substance will change, doesn't it?

-85% Jimmy again.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
MrTriumph Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-07-06 09:47 AM
Response to Reply #11
16. Yes, I know them- I am one of them
News flash: Yes, immigration is a real problem for American workers and many small American businesses. That's the biggest reason it has captured the nation's attention.

For those businesses (like mine) that play by the rules, competition from other companies that exploit illegal labor drives down prices and cripple competition. Excess labor (there are only so many construction jobs) drive down wages and takes jobs that would have gone to Americans of all races and given them to illegals.

You don't have to like it, but it is true.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
izzie Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-07-06 09:09 AM
Response to Original message
12. Maybe because they are taking jobs even in small towns
Some local people used to work as maids in hotels during the Summer for extra money but--------it is starting to hit every one I guess.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Dogmudgeon Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-07-06 09:18 AM
Response to Original message
13. Bush's polling numbers and Lou Dobbs
Bush and the GOP have been doing poorly, and hate issues always work wonders for the Republicans. They got a big 5% "bounce" from the gay-marriage-and-immigration issues.

As to "why this issue, and why now", I think Lou Dobbs is to be thanked/blamed. His isolationist rhetoric finally hit home with the Saudi ports deal, and the Republicans decided to deflect criticism by using another issue he features every single night.

Dobbs is a bright guy, and is not known to be a bigot himself, but he's a little incautious when it comes to those troublesome brown-skinned people who don't speak like regular Americans. (Yes, that was sarcasm -- "Latinophobia" disgusts me.)

--p!
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Hugin Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-07-06 09:19 AM
Response to Original message
14. I've watched them stoking this one up for the past couple of years...
Testing the waters. Before that it was a non-issue.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
paparush Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-07-06 09:22 AM
Response to Original message
15. 'Cause Bush's numbers are so strong, the war is going so well, there are
no scandals to dissect, the dollar is so strong, our allies support us, the price of gas is so low, we've found Osama, everyone LOVES domestic spying.

With all the good news, the only real issues are Immigration, Gay Marriage, and Flag Burning.
:sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm:
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
AzDar Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-07-06 10:03 AM
Response to Original message
17. It's a sure-loser for the Democratic Party. Most Repubes facing
re-election in November can appear 'tough' on illegal immigration, while breaking with the un-popular Bush on the issue.
Most Dems are falling right into the trap...it's genius in it's simplicity.
And while the Kennedy-McCain legislation recently passed in the Senate is a travesty; many Dems supported it.
Snatching defeat from the jaws of victory, again.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Bridget Burke Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-07-06 10:09 AM
Response to Reply #17
18. Why can't the Democrats be more like Republicans?
Same song, second verse.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
sadiesworld Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-07-06 10:18 AM
Response to Reply #18
19. They ARE like the republicans...
they make sure that their corporate donors have a large pool of cheap labor. The republicans take the heat on trade agreements, the dems take the heat on immigration. It really doesn't matter whether the majority of US citizens disagree with them on these issues, the politicians answer to the corporate elite.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
ContraBass Black Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-07-06 10:20 AM
Response to Original message
20. Because not enough people are afraid of gays and Arabs anymore.
And using the blacks is taboo, but the browns are still fair game.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Arkansas Granny Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-07-06 10:36 AM
Response to Reply #20
22. I think you're closer to the truth than they would admit. Also, there
is not much else for them to talk about. Iraq is a disaster, Homeland Security is a joke, scandals have plagued this administration and the party in general. They're clutching at straws to find something to bring Republicans to the polls.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
OmmmSweetOmmm Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-07-06 10:26 AM
Response to Original message
21. I think Randi Rhodes hit the nail on its head yesterday on Lou Dobbs.
The Shrub and Vincenti Fox seems to have entered into a deal that if Mexico DeNationalizes their oil and sells off its oil business to US companies, then we would take off of Mexico's hands, a good percentage of Mexicans. The Shrub's stint in office is slowly ending (not soon enough!) and he has to get the deal sealed somehow.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
DU AdBot (1000+ posts) Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list Click to add this author to your Ignore list Thu May 16th 2024, 04:01 AM
Response to Original message
Advertisements [?]
 Top

Home » Discuss » Archives » General Discussion (01/01/06 through 01/22/2007) Donate to DU

Powered by DCForum+ Version 1.1 Copyright 1997-2002 DCScripts.com
Software has been extensively modified by the DU administrators

Important Notices: By participating on this discussion board, visitors agree to abide by the rules outlined on our Rules page. Messages posted on the Democratic Underground Discussion Forums are the opinions of the individuals who post them, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Democratic Underground, LLC.

Home  |  Discussion Forums  |  Journals |  Store  |  Donate

About DU  |  Contact Us  |  Privacy Policy

Got a message for Democratic Underground? Click here to send us a message.

© 2001 - 2011 Democratic Underground, LLC