Passive- aggressive presidency
http://www.pittsburghlive.com
Passive- aggressive presidency
By Dimitri Vassilaros
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Monday, July 3, 2006
Stopping illegal immigration is a mental-health issue. Defending America's defenseless border with Mexico, protecting the U.S. Constitution and preventing companies from doing business with illegal immigrants hinges on a psychological evaluation of President George W. Bush.
It won't be easy.
Mr. Bush is in denial about his issues. An intervention by loved ones and trusted advisers (gently suggesting psychotherapy) could save the republic. But Dubya first must admit he has a problem before therapy can help with his passive-aggressive personality disorder.
Passive-aggressive is a chronic condition in which a person seems to passively comply with the desires and needs of others, but actually passively resists them, becoming increasingly hostile and angry, according to www.drugs.com.
Indicators include procrastination, intentional inefficiency, avoiding responsibility and resistance to suggestions from others. That describes the Bush doctrine on immigration perfectly. He discreetly puts out the welcome mat for illegal aliens while posturing in prime time that he wants to stop (wink-wink) the Mexican invasion.
Perhaps the most outrageous Bush passive-aggressive move is a barely noticeable, seemingly innocuous sentence in very small type buried in a dreary report by the Treasury Department a few years ago.
Financial institutions nationwide are advertising in so many words (and usually in Spanish) that they lend money to "undocumented workers." That's code for illegal aliens.
Even PNC Financial Services Group of Pittsburgh advertises in Spanish and states "Spanish spoken here" on its Web site. Is the 24/7 automated banking also Spanish-friendly? Si.
Ask how it screens out illegals and you'll be told that "PNC Bank will open consumer banking accounts only for individuals that can present valid and unexpired ID. What are the primary forms of valid ID? Driver's license, passport with photo and a Mexican Matricula Consular card are all valid."
But only illegals need matricula consular cards and the Mexican government hands them out as indiscriminately as candy scattering from a pulverized pinata.
PNC and other financial institutions should be on their knees thanking Bush for the fig leaf he created for shameless lenders willing to accept the Mexican card -- worthless save for mocking American citizenship.
In "A REPORT TO CONGRESS IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 326(b) OF THE UNITING AND STRENGTHENING AMERICA BY PROVIDING APPROPRIATE TOOLS REQUIRED TO INTERCEPT AND OBSTRUCT TERRORISM ACT OF 2001 (USA PATRIOT ACT) SUBMITTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY," dated Oct. 21, 2002, there was one sentence in very hard to read print at the bottom of page 16.
"Thus, the proposed regulations do not discourage bank acceptance of the 'matricula consular' identity card that is being issued by the Mexican government to immigrants."
And with that wink and a nod, President Bush allowed the 11 million-plus illegals in the U.S. to apply for mortgages, car loans and their very own ATM cards from lenders willing to bet on the credit-worthiness of foreigners who freely violate immigration laws.
Taking the oath of office, President Bush solemnly swore to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States. Did anyone notice if his fingers were crossed?
Dimitri Vassilaros can be reached at dvassilaros@tribweb.com or 412-380-5637.
