In a 2006 cover story, Time magazine asked that question. For most Americans, the answer is straightforward: We decide who gets to stay. But millions of illegal immigrants think they have a "human right" to sneak across the border or overstay their visa.
In separate appearances before the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials this weekend, John McCain and Barack Obama promised advocates for illegal immigrants that mi casa es su casa. Loosely translated: Vote for me and amnesty supporters will be welcomed at the White House. ...
Obama vs. McCain - The Issues
Foregin Policy
Obama supports tough, direct presidential diplomacy with Iran without preconditions; Expand our diplomatic presence, strengthen NATO and make Israeli-Palestinian conflict a key diplomatic priority; Fight global poverty and seek new partnerships in Asia
McCain plans to fight violent Islamic extremists and terrorist tactics; increase the size of the military; sanctions on Russia until Putin exits Chechnya; Urge Japan to open economy to ensure Asian recovery; No diplomatic or trade relations with Cuba, Iran or North Korea; solidarity with U.S. allies.
Gay Marriage
Obama says "Marriage has religious and social connotations, and I consider marriage to be between a man and a woman." He wants states to decide this and supports legal benefits for same-sex partners.
McCain says he opposes a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage, wants individual states to decide the issue. Supports legal benefits for same-sex partners.
Enviornment and Climate Change
Obama's plan calls for a reduced carbon emissions 80 ppercent by 2050; invest in a clean energy future; support next generation biofuels; and set a path to oil independence.
McCain calls for climate policy built on scientifically-sound evidence; mandatory emission reduction targets; facilitate international efforts.
Immigration
Obama's plan for immigration calls for securing boarders; must fix the dysfunctional immigration bureaucracy and increase the number of legal immigrants; Bring people out of the shadows and work with Mexico; cracking down on employers who hire undocumented immigrants.
McCain's plan for immigration includes deporting some of the 2 million illegal immigrants who committed crimes; Certify border is secure; only then allow guest workers; McCain stands against amnesty plans for illegal citizens; Comprehensive reform requires temporary worker program.
The War
Obama will immediately begin to remove our troops from Iraq. He will remove one to two combat brigades each month, and have all of our combat brigades out of Iraq within 16 months. He has called for no permanent bases in Iraq; Obama plans to make it clear to the Iraqi government and military that the U.S. is leaving.
McCain's plan for Iraq includes succeeding before leaving. He wants to put international pressure on Syria and Iran for aiding in the aided and abetted the violence in Iraq;
improve Iraq's economy.
Education
Obama's education plan includs reforming No Child Left Behind; Address the dropout crisis; recruit, train and tetain better teachers; make the first $4,000 of a college education
completely free throught tax credits.
McCain's plan states if a school will not change, the students should be able to change schools; place parents and children at the center of the education process; create a school systems based on competition and not low standards.
Health Care
Obama's plan call for coverage of uninsured Americans through a national health plan with affordable premiums. Obama has also called for a National Health Insurance Exchange act as a watchdog group to reform the private insurance market; Mandatory coverage of children and better
organized state heal care plans.
McCain's health care plan is focused to reduce spending and extenting more health care options to those who are typically uninsured. His plan calls for pushing Health savings Accounts; work with states to establish a guaranteed access plan.
Economy
Obama's plan for the economy included middle-class tax relief; Creating green jobs; protect homeownership and crack down on mortgage fraud. end predatory credit card practices.
McCain's Plan for the economy includes eliminating broken and wasteful government programs; a middle-class tax cut; Social Security reform; lower trade barriers.
Though Obama voted for comprehensive immigration reform cosponsored by McCain, he bashed the presumptive Republican presidential nominee for backing away from his own bill:
There is one place where Sen. McCain and I agreed and we used to work together to offer change on immigration and I -- he deserves great credit as a champion of comprehensive reform. I admire him for it. I know that he talked about that when he just spoke before you, but what he didn't mention is that when he was running for his party's nomination, he walked away from that commitment. He said that he wouldn't even support his own legislation if it came up for a vote.McCain defended his flip-flop:
Many Americans, with good cause, did not believe us when we said we would secure our borders, and so we failed in our efforts. We must prove to them that we can and will secure our borders first, while respecting the dignity and rights of citizens and legal residents of the United States. But we must not make the mistake of thinking that our responsibility to meet this challenge will end with that accomplishment. We have economic and humanitarian responsibilities as well, and they require no less dedication from us in meeting them.McCain regularly invokes this non sequitur:
I understand these are God's children.Of course they are, but there are billions of God's children worldwide. Does that mean that if, in the words of Oleta Adams they somehow "get here," they should be placed on a path to citizenship? If they are able to "cross the border in a blaze of hope," ICE should not enforce existing laws.
The fact is, illegal immigrants' only claim on America is that they violated U.S. immigration laws. Such a willful disrespect for the rule of law should not be rewarded with a promise that their interests will be a "top priority" of the new Democratic or Republican administration.
Comments: (7)
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By: The Real Issue on 7/07/2008 4:11AM
There are so many illegals here that the government will have to reach a fair solution to the problem. For an administration that focused on ridding the country of terrorist, they have done a poor job in screening immigrants, some of who could be terrorists.
But as always, the focus has been on sending money and military manpower to Iraq.
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By: Joe on 6/30/2008 2:14PM
"There are so many illegals here that the government will have to reach a fair solution to the problem."
What do you consider a fair solution?
Let the illegals stay and take the construction jobs? Let the illegals stay and take auto mechanic jobs? Let the illegals stay and take janitorial jobs, manufacturing and service industry jobs? What's fair? Is it fair to have to compete for a living wage? Is it fair to compete with the illegal for any jobs?
Many of our communities are on the brink of destruction having to compete for everything. Is this fair? Fair solution, what is that? I see nothing fair about illegal aliens.
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By: black steel on 6/30/2008 4:07PM
Perhaps we should reach for something higher. We should now, and this is long overdue, turn our interests over to producing more doctors, lawyers, engineers, businessmen/women, architects, etc. Why do we always try to hold onto the bottom of the barrel? We should not be competing with anyone for crumbs. We've been here for over 400 years. Lets try and up our standards this time around 'cause these folks have made it clear, they aren't going anywhere. Try and force them out, they know they way back. When eating daily is at stake a person will do whatever it takes.
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By: Lisette on 6/30/2008 8:00PM
This is the result of the Marxist multicultural agenda to destroy the middle class and expamd the under-class power base that keeps the machine of the poverty pimps going....illegal aliens get their rent and light bill paid by the government while the eldery citizens need to work for $7 an hour to pay their property taxes....illegal immigrants get favored at the expense of others who are U.S citizens because they do the work that Americans don't want to do is the repeated mantra of the libneo-cons...but it is balloney. It is wrecking havoc on innocent peoples lives and society at large to further a particular political agenda...and it makes me wanna holler!
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By: Natasha on 7/01/2008 8:43AM
Right on Joe! Americans do not realize that the illegal aliens are being used as pawns to destroy the middle class. Middle class jobs are being shipped to third world countries while service industry jobs with no benefits are left for American citizens. It's time we secure the border and take our country back from the libneo-cons before they completely sell the country out to the global elites.
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By: fanywa on 7/03/2008 8:08AM
Black Steel which illegal immigrants get their bills paid by the goverment? This people are so scared to go to any official office including Hospitals let alone go apply for Goverment aid. True they over burden the healthcare system because when they finally do they probably have no insurance to pay their bills and so on and so on. But how many American citezens still have hospital bills pending? I have had the pleasure of working and living with some of this so called illegal immigrants and they live just like any other American. They work hard to pay their bills and send the little they can back home. Yes Some have turned out to be criminals and should not be allowed to be here. Some work their butts off just to earn a living. If they dont have papers to work they only get to work for minimum wage under the table which is a joy to the employer since it lowers his overhead cost.
But look on the other side if we allow them to have work papers at least and a drivers license we can keep track of them like anyone else. He wont work for 5 bucks an hour and will demand the same pay everyone else is getting since he has nothing to be afraid off. He will get a job and expect benefits including insurance and that will make him less of a burden to the system.
As long as we still keep on insisting that they are illegal and should not be given a chance to be here legally we will continue to face this.
Our forefathers got in a ship in europe and docked on the American Coast never called ahead, but just showed up mmmh! for what to try and get a better life for their families and to free religious persecution. this people from Mexico, Africa and everywhere else just want the same. Some are kids who came to school but overstayed their visas since they got caught up with the tuition. Imagine a college student paying his own school fees while working a $5 an hr Job with no financial aid. lets see our american childen do that(some do.
To the hard working immigrants who wake up every morning to try and make a decent living more power to you, to the rest pack up and go!!
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By: Stephen on 7/04/2008 4:50AM
Americans must demand a zero tolerance towards all illegal immigration. Every country has immigration laws they enforce. The US is no different. Did you know the US allows more immigration than any other nation in the world? Did you know the US also gives away billions in foreign aid to 154 countries? Did you know the US is the last nation to grant citizenship just for giving birth on US soil? These issues must change if the US is going to thrive in the world.
We are 10 trillion in debt. Our economy is in a recession. Americans are losing their jobs and homes. Gas and food are sky high in price. The US dollar is at an all time low. We are bankrupt and can't afford to support the poor, uneducated and undesired from the rest of the world.
The Republicans and Democrats are both to blame for their lack of leadership and ethics. Our government is not a democracy and it's not run for the benefit and welfare of it's citizens. The US government is run for the benefit of the wealthy elite and corporations. They have a global agenda and they are forcing it down our throats. The two party system must be reformed to keep corporations and lobbyists out of government. The US two party system gives Americans one more choice than communism. We have traitors in our government that don't give a damn about this country or it's people. It's time to vote against any politician advocating any form of amnesty. We can end illegal immigration once and for all. The American people must demand it and hold our nation's leaders accountable.
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