Thread: Spitzer should have put the pedal to the metal

Spitzer should have put the pedal to the metal
By Bob Ray Sanders
Star-Telegram Staff Writer

Spitzer New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer was right the first time when he proposed issuing driver's licenses to illegal immigrants.

But sometimes right doesn't matter, especially in a political climate in which the contagious diseases of prejudice and fear afflict so many so-called leaders of both political parties.

Conservative Republicans, who are pushing to make illegal immigration the major issue in next year's elections as a way of taking voters' minds off the Iraq war, quickly cloaked their anti-immigrant bias in the trappings of "national security" as they unified in opposition to Spitzer's plan.

The easily cowed Democrats were eager to let the governor take the hit on this one while they hid behind the mantra of "bad timing" and a renewed, noncommittal call for "comprehensive immigration reform."

You would think that straddling a fence eventually would become uncomfortable. But Democrats have become masters of that art on a whole range of important topics.

And so after a national outcry, from without and within his own party, Spitzer withdrew the bold, principled and reasoned proposal that he had announced in September, declaring that he simply could not overcome the growing resistance fueled by Republican presidential candidates and conservative commentators.

"I'm not willing to fight to the bitter end on something that will not ultimately be implemented," the governor told The New York Times.

He added that "we also have an enormous agenda on other issues of great importance to New York state that was being stymied by the constant and almost singular focus on this issue."

Democratic presidential aspirants breathed a sigh of relief, hoping that the whole issue would just blow away, particularly after Sen. Hillary Clinton tripped all over it in a recent debate.

Even the usually vociferous U.S. Rep. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y., was much more subdued when he appeared with Spitzer last week soon after the governor had announced the order to retreat.

While thanking Spitzer "for the attempt," Rangel went on to say, "The idea was right; the timing was wrong."

The timing was wrong because Democrats really don't know how to deal with the issue. Any position that remotely attempts to legalize people who entered the country illegally -- such as creating a guest worker program -- brings accusations that they simply want to coddle "lawbreakers."

If Republicans have their way, more states will have referenda on their ballots next November that will call for more punitive measures against undocumented workers. After all, that kind of plan worked during the last general election, when many state lawmakers rushed to draft anti-gay-marriage initiatives to place on the ballot.

Keep in mind that none of these measures will be brought forth because conservatives don't like immigrants. No, I'm sure they'll tell you that it's all about national security, and maybe because of the detrimental effects on our economy.

When Spitzer first proposed issuing driver's licenses to illegal immigrants, he argued that it would help bring many of the estimated 1 million illegal immigrants in New York state out of the shadows. He also insisted that giving people state identification was actually in the best interests of national security.

And I would agree. But because it's right, well ...

Some opponents went so far as to say that giving undocumented aliens official state identification would lead to more voter fraud because they would use the ID to illegally register to vote. Conservative radio talk-show host Rush Limbaugh ranted that this was the real reason that Democrats would support such a move in the first place.

Eight states do issue driver's licenses to illegal immigrants: Washington, Michigan, New Mexico, Utah, Oregon, Maryland, Maine and Hawaii. And until recently, so did Texas.

Although the federal government won't really do anything about immigration reform, there will be another move in Congress to forbid issuance of state IDs to illegal immigrants and/or to require a national ID card for citizens and legal residents.

Expect to hear bashing of undocumented workers as long as some politicians, local and national, think that it will help them get elected.

Also be prepared to hear the word sanctuary used as a pejorative that will be hung on any city or state whose government refuses to begin implementing oppressive measures against these immigrants. The term "sanctuary cities" is catching on and will be branded onto any governmental entity that shows the least bit of tolerance for those who are indeed the least among us.

Perhaps Spitzer did the politically astute thing by backing away from his original idea.

Then again, perhaps it was a cowardly thing to do.

bobray@star-telegram.com
Bob Ray Sanders' column appears Sundays and Wednesdays. 817-390-7775

http://www.star-telegram.com/245/story/308851.html

Also be prepared to hear the word sanctuary used as a pejorative that will be hung on any city or state whose government refuses to begin implementing oppressive measures against these immigrants. The term "sanctuary cities" is catching on and will be branded onto any governmental entity that shows the least bit of tolerance for those who are indeed the least among us.

Can't happen fast enough! With enforcement they will no longer be among us.

"The easily cowed Democrats"

YEP! Especially Spitzer..........COWED by a REAL COW, BOSSY HILLARY.

Originally Posted by CitizenJustice

"The easily cowed Democrats"
YEP! Especially Spitzer..........COWED by a REAL COW, BOSSY HILLARY.