Basically I liked what I heard --he certainly promised me what I want: tough border security and an overhaul of our immigration system. Five things struck me.
- How refreshing to hear discussion of the issue without the word "undocumented."
- I credit Bush's intentions. Like his AIDS policy, Bush's generous immigration position doesn't play to his base, but it has the merit of being just; what I always sense in his policies is a statesman striving to be true to his Christian principles.
- Thank Heaven a politician finally used the expression "melting pot" and appealed to the need for unity. Having said that, however
- I think it was a mistake to list all the things illegal aliens must do in order to "get right" with the law (though I agree completely with everything he said) without saying what the consequences will be for failure to comply.
- I have my doubts about a guest worker program. I credit the idea in principle --I like its aims and the rationale. But I doubt there are jobs that Americans "won't" do. I suspect there are jobs that Americans can't do because employers don't want to pay minimum wage and benefits for those jobs. Guest-workers will have to be paid minimum wage, and then they won't be able to fill those jobs either --businesses that have relied for years on illegal workers are probably "addicted" at this point. I could be persuaded otherwise, but I'm inclined to think if people are going to come here, it should be on the path to citizenship, period.
I'm writing before I've seen anyone else's reaction. Well, except for Dick Durbin's "response." Hubby put his finger on something that has long bothered me about these "responses." The President, when he addresses the nation, speaks as President of the United States, not as a party partisan. So why is a response required? It's like letting Germany or France give a rebuttal. It's not a debate --if it were, there are many folks in his own party who'd like to speak, too. It's the President, telling us what he thinks is best for the nation. Plenty of time to oppose him later. And yes, I disliked the stupid rebuttal speeches in the Clinton years too.
