It doesn't take an Einstein to know that “insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.”
On May Day 2006, millions of illegal immigrants marched and demanded a “path to citizenship.” The march of the illegals triggered a backlash and a sharp increase in ICE raids and deportations.
In May 2006, the unemployment rate was 4.6 percent. The economy was humming along and Americans were living large inside the housing bubble.
Three years later, the unemployment rate is 8.9 percent and wages are falling. Millions of Americans are looking for work and the housing bubble has burst.
Organizers of May Day rallies are insane if they think this year’s rallies will lead to a “path to citizenship.”
I heeded Vice President Joe Biden’s advice and avoided the subway. Instead, I walked across the Manhattan Bridge to the rally in Union Square.
The turnout was small but the list of demands is long. They include:
- End the raids and deportations
- Humane and just immigration reform
- Abolish NAFTA and all free trade agreements
- No militarization of the border
- Jobs for all at union wages
- Housing for all, no more foreclosures
- Stop dividing families everywhere
- Money for people, not war, prisons or ICE detentions
Hey, why not demand a pollo in every pot.
President Barack Obama wants to get illegals “out of the shadows.” So did President George W. Bush. But, as in 2007, the American people will have the final word.
Dan Stein, president of the Federation for American Immigration Reform, observed:
The 2007 legislation was written in secret with extensive input from lobbyists. It was ultimately defeated because of overwhelming public opposition. In 2009, Americans continue to reject the idea of amnesty for millions of immigration lawbreakers and guest worker programs that would further undermine American workers and taxpayers.
Granting amnesty to undocumented workers illegal immigrants would overwhelm Social Security and DMV offices. With “papers” and a valid SSN, newly legal workers can leave the shadow economy and compete for jobs that require, for instance, E-verify eligibility.
Illegal immigrants and the open-borders lobby don’t get it. Immigration reform must be in Americans’ interest. And polls show Americans are not interested in granting amnesty to millions of poor, low-skilled high school dropouts.
