Timing Is Only Problem With Obama's Order
- Print print this page
- Discuss 26 comments, Blog about
Advertisement
President Obama did the right thing in issuing an executive order to curtail deportation of illegals who have grown up in the United States, graduated high school and have not run afoul of the law.
My disappointment lies in the fact that he did not do it earlier.
The timing rightly taints the act with political opportunism. Ensuing discussion has focused on the politics of the move rather than the benefits to young Hispanic men and women who have grown up in the United States.
It's about time something was done about this group. Can you imagine your son or daughter, having graduated from high school and possibly college, not being able to get a job because of something you did 15 years ago?
Allowing such individuals to remain on a work visa buys them time until the issue is settled by legislation. It allows them to contribute fully to the American economy by taking jobs commensurate with their qualifications and frees them from potential exploitation by employers. It allows them to function legally in society. In my view, it is the least we can do.
The politics are not surprising. Contrary to the protestations of the right, the Dream Act is not the product of the left, and President Obama's actions do not constitute an imperial exercise of power.
Lest we forget, the Dream Act - which called for a path to full citizenship for such individuals - was introduced by Republican senators in the first Bush administration. To repeat, in 2001 an effort was launched by the Republican Party to deal with individuals who came to the U.S. illegally as children.
Clearly, however, it was not high on President Bush's legislative agenda, falling to the wayside as many bills in Congress typically do. John McCain was heavily involved in subsequent legislation on the same issue. President Obama called for its enactment while running for office, and he worked actively to get the bill passed, only - not surprisingly - to run into a Republican roadblock. This, in my view, is when he should have acted unilaterally.
A number of critics have decried his use of executive authority in this matter. Not being able to move the bill through Congress does not necessarily give the president the right to do his own thing. However, presidents have traditionally used, constitutionally, their executive powers to dictate policy in areas not specifically covered by congressional legislation.
If Congress is displeased with this or any executive order, all it needs to do is pass legislation to the contrary. By way of background, President Bush issued >almost 300 executive orders while he was in office.
Citizens need to decide on their own whether America is better off as a result of Obama's decision to go easy on those illegals that came to this country in their youth. Forget the politics of the issue, for that is exactly what it is - politics.
Do you want to give such people a break or not? How would you like your children to be treated? Would you like to know where presidential candidate Romney stands on the issue? Are you disappointed that he refuses to give an answer to the question?
In many regards, the hoopla around the immigration issue is reflective of the larger imbroglio that characterizes the federal government and its leadership. Even while advancing essentially Republican solutions, President Obama has been cast time and time again as an intransigent socialist who would not work with Congress.
The lack of movement due to Republican-manufactured congressional gridlock (the same Republican senators who signed on to the grand bargain to fix the debt helped sustain a Senate filibuster that prevented it from happening) has caused many to question his leadership.
Only recently has the president's frustration with Congress caused him to use his executive powers to move his agenda forward - gays in the military, recess appointments, nonsupport for the Defense of Marriage Act, immigration reform. Now the same Republicans who refuse to work with the president in Congress take him to task for being imperial in undertaking unilateral actions in areas where Congress normally has a say.
At the end of the day, this president has been and will continue to be pilloried by Republicans, no matter what he does. As in the case of immigration reform, the news is all about the president's values and leadership and/or congressional stonewalling. There is little discussion about the impact of the issue on the American people and the American way of life.
Voters need to get beyond the political rhetoric and personal political affiliations and focus on the facts. They need to ask themselves who is trying to advance solutions that work best for them.
Paul Ericson teaches social studies at Pinecrest High School. He previously served with the U.S. Army and the Central Intelligence Agency.
More like this story
Advertisement
Comments
MikeNC 10 months, 3 weeks ago
Paul: Repbulican Senator, Marco Rubio, was sponsoring a bill to address children of illegal citizens and Obama decided to "steal" Rubio's thunder after Obama had delivered a disasterous campaign speech in Cleveland, on the economy. Funny it's taken Obama 3 1/2 years, or four months until Election Day, to reach a fevered pitch of frustration. Remember: the strategy of the Democrats in this election, is a page stolen from Truman's campaign strategy, "Do nothing Congress", because the Democrats have an incumbent President, who can't run on his record when it comes to the number one thing on people's mind, the ECONOMY ! (Good Try, though Paul) Diane
bufordsplay 10 months, 3 weeks ago
It seems like Every time a teacher speaks out I shudder at the thought of the warped views that our children are recieving in our GOVERNMENT schools. We are a nation of laws and we have a Justice Dept. that is sueing the states that are trying to remove illegals from their voting rolls. Obama and holder are the head of a criminal oraganization called the Democrat party.Just remember, If Obama and Holder are going to violate the Constitution in order to destroy our country then there are many of us who will violate to Constitution in order to save us.
nothingspecial 10 months, 3 weeks ago
Wow, imagine if November actually happens as Mr. Ericson hopes for in his last sentence? Mitt would win with the biggest landslide in history.
NocOwl 10 months, 3 weeks ago
I think before I agree or disagree with this executive order, I'd like to know how many children of illegals go on to graduate and become productive members of society vs how many go on to be burdens on society with crime and/or welfare.
Bentpan 10 months, 3 weeks ago
Mr. Ericson you really miss the point. whether or not this is the "right" thing to do is not the point, This action by the president circumvents The legally passed laws of this country, bypasses the congress and the senate, and violates the oath he took when he took office to uphold those laws, He could have done this legally 3 years ago when he had overwhelming majorities in both houses, so the real question is why didn't he? And I really have to agree with bufordsplay that every time I hear modern teachers views I get a more than a little worried for the next generation and the warped political drivil that is being spoonfed to them by so many far left agenda driven teachers
skylinefirepest 10 months, 3 weeks ago
So give them an accelerated road to CITIZENSHIP but we really don't need an outlaw president refusing to uphold the laws of the land. We don't need an extra million illegals running around with work permits. Illegal=PROBLEM...citizen=NO PROBLEM!!!
MikeNC 10 months, 3 weeks ago
I had a number of Liberal teachers in high school in the late 60s, but they pan by comparison to the Liberal Teachers of today and it bothers me, a lot ! Diane
The_AnonymusProfit 10 months, 3 weeks ago
There is absolutly nothing wrong with immigration to this country. Immigration is what makes this country great. I have been saying this for years, the difference between the immigrants of old and the immigrants of new are that the immigrants of old had to go through an immigration station, they were vaccinated, given ssn's semi educated in american history etc etc. When they were done they were tax payers who would be given citizenship legally through our courts.
My grandfather was an Irish Immigrant from Barbados. He went through Ellis Island. Todays immigrants do not go through such facilities. We should be building immigration centers in Texas Arizona California and Florida. If these centers were easily accessible. Then we would not have the inflood of "illegals".
This is not something that requires alot of intellectual thought. It is common sense. As to immigrants in this country illegally. I broke the law. I went to prison. I payed my debt. Its kinda messed up that I was punished for breaking a law but someone else gets a pass because of "economic hardship"
jimt 10 months, 3 weeks ago
Pest: From a previous thread: "And once again, Thatcher, when I confront the JimmyT voice of reason and ask for proof of lying, etc., there is nothing forthcoming. As I said before, I can substantiate what I say and apparently JimmyT cannot.
Here are some very recent posts by pest. Note that he maintains that he can substantiate what he says:
"Thatcher, when I confront the JimmyT voice of reason and ask for proof of lying, etc., there is nothing forthcoming. As I said before, I can substantiate what I say and apparently JimmyT cannot.
“I find it amazing that the Democrats would charge a woman with murder if she killed a day old baby but smile and say it's her "right" to kill that same baby within minutes of birth!” That is a lie. Substantiate your claim.
“We have an administration that has lied at each step of the way, while spending five trillion new dollars of our money and trying to blame Bush for it, while talking trash about our country to foreign countries…” The assertion that Obama or any other official of the Administration has talked trash about the U.S. to foreign countries,” is a lie. Substantiate your claim.
“Unfortunately this administration has decided that Muslim studies are far more to his liking than exploration of Space.” That is a lie. Substantiate your claim.
“Jimmy, how about the "New" party???? Or hasn't the major media bothered to let the public know about that yet? Oabammie is ( or was ) a card carrying member and that spells SOCIALIST.” That is a lie. Substantiate your claim.
“JimT....I must admit, much as I hate to, that you really do make a good argument for abortion!!!” That is a lie. Substantiate your claim.
“Hey dude...just one comment to start the good argument...FIVE TRILLION dollars of OUR money in just over three years!!! Blame that on Bush?? Yeah, Right!! Lowered our credit rating? Spent more than our GDP? The claim that Obama’s Administration has “spent more than our GDP,” is a lie. Substantiate your claim.
“A liberal Republican beats Obama and his goal of making the greatest country on the face of the earth into a third world has-been in a heartbeat.” With regard to Obama’s goal, this statement is a lie. Substantiate your claim.
“Your idol has no business experience, has created czars for everything under the sun, has lowered our respect in the world, has killed our economy, has no idea how to produce jobs ( since he's never really held a productive job! ), has lowered our debt rating..” The statement that the Obama Administration “has lowered our respect in the world…” is a lie. The statement that Obama “…lowered our debt rating..” is a lie, substantiate these claims.
This only goes back ONE MONTH. Pest has over 50 pages of comments, these are drawn from the latest four pages. Now remember folks, he claims he can substantiate EVERYTHING he posts. Let’s seem him do so, in each and every instance I’ve noted as being a lie.
fatboy 10 months, 3 weeks ago
Nobama can't run his campaign on his accomplishments over the last 3.5 years, so he's going after another voter base. He sees the value in the Hispanic vote, but that won't help him much. The majority of people in this country are tired of the lies and want change, just like they did before he was elected. Only problem is that the change was opposite of what they expected. I hope his new campaign slogan of "Forward", moves him "Forward", back to Chicago. We can't take another 4 years of failed leadership.
DingoMike 10 months, 3 weeks ago
I submit to you Mr. President that the very people that your trying to help are by definition criminals simply because those folks came into our great country by the back door. My Grandparents came to America during the Great Depression and managed to get here thru the front door. They became productive members of the American Society and NEVER thought themselves as German Americans. If we are a nation of laws then lets start to enforce the laws we have before we start to govern this great nation by decree. We have a President not a King.!!!!!
skylinefirepest 10 months, 3 weeks ago
The problem is JimT that except for a couple of comments everything I said is easily substantiated by simply having watched or read the liberal mass media of late...if you don't bother to keep up with the news it is simply your bad...not mine! Now the New Party was not covered by the liberal media so you'll simply have to look it up for yourself...as I have said before I will not do research for you lazy liberals. The only comment that was subjective was my saying that you would be a good argument for abortion. Since I don't know you and really don't give a hoot in hades who you are my only introduction to you is through the comments you make....and I'm afraid that I have judged you ( possibly in error, I'll admit ) as such a worthless human being that abortion would not have been a bad decision in your case.
jimt 10 months, 3 weeks ago
pest refuses to provide evidence that his claims are accurate. He's a liar. He knows it. Now everyone else does too.
OldSpook 10 months, 3 weeks ago
Mr. Ericson, do you teach Social or Socialist Studies at Pinecrest High School? The families of these "children" knowingly violated the laws of these United States. I remind you of your oath to uphold the Constitution of this country and the LAWS thereof.
Hembloche 10 months, 3 weeks ago
Wow, real classy there skyline. Next time you get an inkling to complain about name callers on here I hope you keep that last sentence you wrote in mind.
jimt 10 months, 3 weeks ago
pest doesn't know the difference between an opinion or assertion and a fact, as I think I just proved. He's an angry oldster who hates anyone other than "people like me." So of course he hates Obama. Of course he hates racial and ethnic minorities. Of course he hates non-heterosexuale. That's all he has left, his "hate." His hate justifies what remains of his miserable life.
The only truly sad part is that he thinks he's factually right. As a wonderful Congresswoman, who I' sure pest would hate (she was black and possibly a lesbian)once noted, he is entitled to his own opinions, but not his own facts. pest truly does not know the difference.
pgericson 10 months, 3 weeks ago
Author Responds To one and all. The description given in the Pilot is dated: I am a retired teacher. Secondly, what I may pen in a column has little relationship to how I teach. In government I do teach that voters need to be informed and to participate in the political process. Writing op-editorials is a form of practicing what I preach in terms of political participation. I also instruct my students that they need to develop their own sense of the appropriate role of government and analyze the positions of political parties vis-a-vis their own informed views. I do not tell them what their views should be. You can validate this with any of my students.
I have always been professional in the conduct of my duties.
As an aside, I find it interesting that many of the comments ignore the premise of the piece, which is that individuals need to look more to the policies themselves than which party puts them into place.
skylinefirepest 10 months, 3 weeks ago
Hem...you're right, of course...I shouldn't have stooped to JimT's sorry level. He keeps on claiming that I'm lying without the slightest bit of evidence. And he is apparently too lazy to find out that "I am right, and he is wrong!" as all he would have to do, as I said, is pay the slightest attention to the news as delivered by a liberally biased mass media. Of course, JimT wouldn't recognize a fact if it kicked him square in the middle of his ....cheeks. So what I said was very sarcastic and shouldn't have been said...probably. So I'll apologize to you JimT for that last sentence...I'm sure your parents love you and possibly even others!!
JimT, once again you let your mockingbird mouth overload your hummingbird brain. I hate Obama because of what he has done to this country. Otherwise I could care less about the man, his color, his religion, his sexual preference, etc. and your comments are not true AS USUAL!
LSM 10 months, 3 weeks ago
http://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2010/0714/NASA-chief-says-agency-s-goal-is-Muslim-outreach-forgets-to-mention-space
People are aware I guess that the US depends on the kindness of strangers when it comes to getting back and forth to the space station. But hey, the Obama policy of muslim awareness is working pretty well over in Egypt.
jimt 10 months, 3 weeks ago
Come on pest, substantiate just one of your absurd lies. Take this one, “Hey dude...just one comment to start the good argument...FIVE TRILLION dollars of OUR money in just over three years!!! Blame that on Bush?? Yeah, Right!! Lowered our credit rating? Spent more than our GDP?
The claim that Obama’s Administration has “spent more than our GDP,” I assert is a lie.
Prove me wrong. It took me less than three minutes to prove to my own satisfaction that this claim is a flat out lie. See if you can find bona fide evidence to support your claim. Here's your opportunity to show me up, how can you resist?
Thatcher 10 months, 3 weeks ago
jimt and skyline-- With all due respect to both of you (and I really mean that), I hope you end your feud soon, and apologize to each other for some ill-conceived posts (both ways) which have been made here. This "liar" name calling business is, quite frankly, getting old. jimt-- skyline was correct that Obama has increased the national debt by over $5 trillion in less than 4 years. http://cnsnews.com/news/article/5-trillion-man-debt-has-increased-under-obama-502776147648456. He is also correct that our debt has been downgraded under Obama. http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/nilegardiner/100099762/america%E2%80%99s-debt-downgrade-is-a-damning-indictment-of-president-obama%E2%80%99s-big-government-disaster/. As to his claim that Obama has "spent more than our GDP," I suspect he may have been referring to this: http://www.zerohedge.com/news/obama-revises-cbo-deficit-forecast-predicts-110-debt-gdp-end-2013. However, skyline, your "abortion" post was, to me, way out of line (I'm glad you apologized for that, but in fairness to jimt, you've posted some other attacks which might also call for an apology). Both of you make great posts here, and I hope you can put the past behind you and start fresh. Cheers!
skylinefirepest 10 months, 3 weeks ago
"You assert" is a lie. Fascinating. It was all over the news a while back and as I have said repeatedly, I will not do your research for you. Maybe in your prostrated bowing to your idol you missed seeing it on the news. Obama's administration by itself? No...a technicality just like comments made about the Bush administration. But under the Obama regime? Most definitely and well reported. Did Obama's regime take us over the limit...yes! So quit trying to put a spin on the truth to protect your golden idol. He is a liar and incompetent and will be disposed of shortly! The American public ( most of the ones with an iota of intelligence anyway ) have seen through Obama and his lies. As I have said before Mitt Romney is not my ideal choice but Obama has got to go for the good of the country.
OldSpook 10 months, 3 weeks ago
Mr. Ericson, Thank you for expanding upon your position. I for one certainly appreciate any instructor who educates our young on their civic responsibilities. The only question now is how do we motivate these young people to become States/wo/men and replace these career Senators and Congresspersons? How can we even get them to run (and win) positions on city or county seats?
jimt 10 months, 3 weeks ago
Thatcher,.pest simply does not know what a GDP is, does he. Nor can he correctly interpret the data from your link, if that was what he was basing his "LIE" on.
The U.S. credit rating was downgraded under Obama's Presidency, but it was also downgraded under the Republicans control of the House and the Republican's use of the filabuster to block the President's every attempt to enact measures that he believes will improve the economy. In fact, it was this political deadlock and the increasing meaness of our politics that the rating companym Standard & Poors cited as a core reason for the downgrade:
"S&P press release stated: "We believe there is a material risk that U.S. policymakers might not reach an agreement on how to address medium- and long-term budgetary challenges by 2013; if an agreement is not reached and meaningful implementation is not begun by then, this would in our view render the U.S. fiscal profile meaningfully weaker than that of peer 'AAA' sovereigns."
They went on the put the blame on both Congress and the White House:
"More broadly, the downgrade reflects our view that the effectiveness, stability, and predictability of American policymaking and political institutions have weakened at a time of ongoing fiscal and economic challenges to a degree more than we envisioned when we assigned a negative outlook to the rating on April 18, 2011. Since then, we have changed our view of the difficulties in bridging the gulf between the political parties over fiscal policy, which makes us pessimistic about the capacity of Congress and the Administration to be able to leverage their agreement this week into a broader fiscal consolidation plan that stabilizes the government's debt dynamics any time soon."
And another ratings agency, Moody stated shortly thereafter: "... that if Congress did not quickly raise the debt ceiling above $14.3 trillion, the agency might reduce the debt rating. Moody's also commented on the political process, warning that the heightened polarization on both sides increased the risk of a default."
I believe S & P was, in an attempt to be even handed, was too harsh on Obama, in my opinion, and not nearly enough on Congress, also in my opinion (see, I said "opinion", pest should try it sometime). It was the teahadists in the House and the Senate that brought this crisis upon us, not Obama. Never before in U.S. history had the Congress seriously threatened to refuse to increase the debt ceiling -- until this time. And keep in mind, the debt ceiling had to be increased to pay for legislation that both Houses of Congress had already passed and the President signed into law.
So pest's claim that the credit rating was downgraded because of Obama is a lie.
I could go on all night. The man shoots from the hip, doesn't know what he's talking about, and vents his hate via these posts. We should all just ignore him once and for all.
Thatcher 10 months, 3 weeks ago
jimt-- "We should all just ignore him (skyline) once and for all." Why ignore him? If you disagree with him, tell him why and post a link. Actually debate the issue, instead of using personal attacks. You are obviously a smart guy jimt, and you can hold your own in a debate. So can skyline. At some point, blaming the other for starting the feud...and focusing only on that...detracts from your argument, and his argument. You both are intelligent adults with lots to offer here. Forget the past, and start fresh. Of course, I can't make you or him do anything. This is a suggestion, from one that has read both of your posts and has found some really interesting insights in many of them. Cheers!
native 10 months, 3 weeks ago
I have a real problem with this. today ==breaking the law of the USA... tomorrow==ONE SIGNATURE ...a PARDON and I have added rights in a nation I and my family have been lawbreakers for 18+ years. Does no one see a problem with this?????
jimt 10 months, 3 weeks ago
It's hard to believe you could have ever found any interesting insights from anything pest has ever written.
skylinefirepest 10 months, 3 weeks ago
Jimmy, you are the epitome of the liberal mindset...when you can't put up you start mouthing insults! Typical behavior to be expected from the Obama followers. Thatcher is right...you're just simply not worth arguing with because you spout from a position of ignorance and call names when you get spanked. I said earlier that your parents probably loved you and that was true...they probably are embarrased by your ignorance but they still, I guess, love you. Good somebody does!