Democrats keep telling us they are not for Open Borders, they just want (insert daily talking point, like they want comprehensive immigration reform, walls are immoral, etc, here). How dare we call them Open Borders! That’s just not right!
There’s Nothing Wrong With Open Borders
The internet expands the bounds of acceptable discourse, so ideas considered out of bounds not long ago now rocket toward widespread acceptability. See: cannabis legalization, government-run health care, white nationalism and, of course, the flat-earthers.
Yet there’s one political shore that remains stubbornly beyond the horizon. It’s an idea almost nobody in mainstream politics will address, other than to hurl the label as a bloody cudgel.
I’m talking about opening up America’s borders to everyone who wants to move here.
Imagine not just opposing President Trump’s wall but also opposing the nation’s cruel and expensive immigration and border-security apparatus in its entirety. Imagine radically shifting our stance toward outsiders from one of suspicion to one of warm embrace. Imagine that if you passed a minimal background check, you’d be free to live, work, pay taxes and die in the United States. Imagine moving from Nigeria to Nebraska as freely as one might move from Massachusetts to Maine.
There’s a witheringly obvious moral, economic, strategic and cultural case for open borders, and we have a political opportunity to push it. As Democrats jockey for the presidency, there’s room for a brave politician to oppose President Trump’s racist immigration rhetoric not just by fighting his wall and calling for the abolishment of I.C.E. but also by making a proactive and affirmative case for the vast expansion of immigration.
Would it surprise you that this was written by a legal immigrant, Farhad Manjoo?
As an immigrant, this idea (of border security) confounds me. My family came to the United States from our native South Africa in the late 1980s. After jumping through lots of expensive and confusing legal hoops, we became citizens in 2000. Obviously, it was a blessing: In rescuing me from a society in which people of my color were systematically oppressed, America has given me a chance at liberty.
It was such a blessing that he’s now demanding that America change itself completely.
A new migrant caravan is forming in Honduras, and the president is itching for the resulting political fight.
Here’s hoping Democrats respond with creativity and verve. Not just “No wall.†Not just “Abolish ICE.â€
Instead: “Let them in.â€
Farhad is really just saying what most Democrats are thinking.
Doubtful. I don’t agree with him, but I don’t support The Wall, either. I don’t support abolishing ICE, but I don’t support tRump, either.
Can you refute any of his arguments?
Just like you he has no arguments, little fella.
This guy made a statement, not an argument, he opined. He gave exactly zero reasons why his premise would be good for America or even for the Democrats. Even Jethro doesn’t buy what this guy is selling.
Even the author is not sure what open borders means.
Does that strike you as open borders? Stopping everyone entering and doing a background check?
What does “open borders” mean to you?
Actually he did make an argument:
Again, it doesn’t seem to me he’s actually advocating “open borders”, although he says he is. Probably salesmanship to get right-wingers to read his article. Made you look! You been trolled.
His argument is a sound economic one and is more persuasive than tRump’s “terrorists, gangsters, drugs and disease” ‘argument’ for building The Wall.
Did you read the editorial or just Teach’s excerpts?
In fact, most Dems DO advocate for a more humane, practical and America-centric immigration policy, although that is not an Open Border policy. You know, all that stuff about ‘comprehensive immigration reform.
This has to include border security, dealing with visa overstays, better drug interdiction at ports of entry, better US domestic drug policies (to reduce drug demand), better policing of criminals, working with Western hemisphere nations to address their economies/crime rates, and a path to citizenship for the millions present unlawfully. Or build The Wall.
The American people favor ‘comprehensive immigration reform’, not The Wall. Did tRump not learn anything from the last election?
He doesn’t give a hoot about immigration, he cares only about keeping his virulent, rabid supporters in tow. It’s all he has left. It’s part of his plan to keep GOP Senators from abandoning him. That’s what all the Giuliani shitstorm has been about lately. Keeping the Senators. tRump’s #1 asset is the odious Pence, whom no one would ever have elected president.
But tRump may be running out of time to make a deal with prosecutors, now that Manafort has directly implicated him in a conspiracy with the Russians.
Dream on… I’m sure someday someone will figure out that Trump once ordered a salad with “Russian” dressing and that will be his undoing for sure, THIS TIME!!!!!
Let’s talk about what Dumbocrats say, (as reported by you) and what they mean:
“his has to include border security,” — Drones and people who can always look the other way when needed.
“dealing with visa overstays,” — Since nothing has been done with this in the past, how would this be implemented without house-to-house searches with, “show me your papers” orders?
“better drug interdiction at ports of entry,” — you mean like those random drug finds, usually about 1-2 months BEFORE and election so we can think we’re getting our money’s worth?
“better US domestic drug policies (to reduce drug demand),” — Huh? Dems are all for legalization, that increases demand
“better policing of criminals,” — You mean shutting down the revolving doors of prisons or the death penalty? No, I’m sure you mean way more gun control to create more “criminals”.
“working with Western hemisphere nations to address their economies/crime rates,” — These countries’ failed economies and crime rates are usually due to corruption and socialism. The Dems want more BAD deals for the USA so that US workers are harmed.
“and a path to citizenship for the millions present unlawfully.” — Don’t ya know? No one is illegal, they’re “undocumented”. We’ve done this twice before. Fool me once, fool me twice, fool me thrice?
Or build The Wall. Build the wall, fence, moat, whatever. If it’s good enough for Pelosi’s, and Obama’s house that kind of fence or wall is good enough for the border.
When are you moving to Cuba to enjoy their lack of income inequality, (everyone is dirt poor) and equal access to healthcare, (no one get much of it equally)?
dach,
Build your Wall with alligator moats and machine gun turrets.
How much illegal immigration will it stop? < 50%
How much of a reduction in drugs entering? < 10%
How will it impact our homicide rate? It won't.
How many terrorists will it stop? None.
How many disease outbreaks will it stop? None.
Will it raise wages? No.
Will the Earth stop warming? No.
Will it make tRump feel like a winner? Yes.
Anyway, anyone with a lick of sense understands what tRump and his minions are after – a political win. Period.
So you would do nothing to stop drugs, disease, most immigrants, an underground economy, terrorists, but you would build a Wall.
Congratulations! Here's your sign!
It WILL stop the people who can’t come in due to legal reasons through airports, (people already deported, felons without passports/visas. That’s good enough for me. Particularly since many of the recent murders of US citizens by illegal aliens has been from border crossers who should not have even been here.
I guess dead people don’t matter to you.
Dream on… I’m sure someday someone will figure out that Trump once ordered a salad with “Russian†dressing and that will be his undoing for sure, THIS TIME!!!!!
tRump’s fate is in the hands of about 20 GOP Senators and the American people. If he’s lucky.
We’ll see how they respond on learning their “president” is a Russian asset.
We now know he is, the question is why? Was it Money? Blackmail? Embarrassment?
If. If it is demonstrated to a reasonable degree that tRump has made policy based on being leveraged by the Russians, would you still support him?
I don’t support him now.
I don’t think there’s any collusion or anything. It’s just an excuse Hillary made up to make her and her brain-dead supporters feel better.
So you you feel better?
There is no legitimate argument to be made for open borders. Period. The left has baited and switched the argument and HERE IS A PERFECT EXAMPLE.
The right has never been opposed to immigration and lots of immigration.
Just legally. Because the left can no longer call themselves the defenders of the working class with a straight face they have to replenish their voters with illegals who ultimately will either become citizens or simply vote anyway.
The choice is clear. Law and order and the protection of ALL AMERICAN CITEZENS health, welfare and earning power or open borders in which all of that is thrown out the window. The left knows it they just simply fight it because they have lost the working class and are in danger of losing the Black vote as well.
Even a left wing think tank made the bold statement six months ago the democratic party would cease to exist if it did not ENCOURAGE OPEN BORDERS AND ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION.
The problem for all of us has been the intrangigent GOP who still cling to wall street and the rich which they have now lost to the neo liberal democrats. Had they made the proper decisions a decade ago there would be a sound barrier in place voted for by Democrats who used to champion the working class of this nation.
No longer. The parties are soon to experience almost a complete flip flop in positions with the left becoming war mongers and wall street lovers while the GOP become anti-war and lovers of the working class and are looking actively to embrace blacks and the inner cities.
The author said he was proposing open borders, but he did not. He was advocating for more immigration.
tRump has made opposition to immigration the cornerstone of his permanent campaign, so tRumpublicanism must be squelched before reform becomes possible.
No J, illegal immigration. But nice try
Didja know?
How will Texas and Texans feel if the tRumpfeds come in and seize land for a monstrosity of a wall?
Do tRumpCons now advocate federal seizure of private land?
Didja know?
https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2019/01/california_set_to_seize_1100_miles_of_coastline.html
Not for national security but for madeup “climate change”.
Bye bye Malibu.
How will Texas and Texans feel if the tRumpfeds come in and seize land for a monstrosity of a wall?—nignorant angry little colored fella in st. louis
https://tinyurl.com/y7bn2k9p
CBS news actually did a report on this. A majority of the ranchers were in total support of it and a few were opposed. At least as for the ones who were interviewed. Even the ones opposed were not opposed to the seizure of a small amount of land more than they were politically motivated against such a move. In addition those opposed did not have a problem with the natives flooding their property because their land was hilly and it was not a destination spot.
Their fears is that if the government fences either side of them then they will become a destination spot for crossing forcing them to cede their property to the government for a fence to protect them as well.
Their objections are no different than those of people opposed to the federal government doing anything they disagree with. Those ranchers who were in favor were ranchers whose property was being stomped to dust nightly by 100’s of illegals flooding the border across their land.
Their is the imminent domain law which is used almost daily across the United States. The case against the wall is pitiful. It is totally and politically motivated. The right is not against immigration while the left is against any attempts of controlling the flow of immigrants.
The left has turned on the working class and blacks in favor of their brown and muslim friends they wish to let into the country unimpeded. The problem they are going to face is as the right turns more and more anti-war with Nancy wanting to go over to Afghanistan and tell them murdering sumbeaches…you know…our military…to KILL MORE MUSLIMS. Keep up the good work fellahs. Were proud of you.
Oh by the way we dont want Trump to pull out of Syria. We need to KILL MORE MUSLIMS. Rah, Rah, Rah….kill them Muslims is the new rallying cry of the left.
The Democratic party is so lost right now. All because they are so anti-trump that they would shoot themselves if he told them not too.
StillAlive,
I was meaning to ask how it makes you feel to know that most of your fellow conservatives consider federal workers, especially “non-essential” employees, to be sucking at the taxpayer teat and harming America? Do you support eliminating your own position?
It’s like smelly dave, making a fortune treating Medicare and Medicaid patients, and now collecting Social Security and Medicare benefits AND complaining about how awful the federal government is and how we need to cut spending! N.B. – I’m NOT in any way suggesting that dave was committing fraud by overcharging Medicare and Medicaid.
Hypocrites! As far as the eye can see! Hypocrites everywhere!
Do you think all conservatives insisting on cutting spending should forego ALL government benefits? When conservatives start acting as if the national debt is a crisis the rest of us will believe you.
Same applies to the undocumented immigrant “crisis”. When Donald Trump starts acting as if “illegals” are a crisis by no longer hiring undocumented immigrants, the rest of us will believe him.
Trump’s second term may well be in federal prison.
Anyway, Trump will resign after working out a deal, and he’ll be able to save face by saying he’s doing it for America because of the Deep State Witch Hunt that’s crippling America blah, blah, blah. Pence will pardon Trump and his family. Then America will have to deal with Pence for a while, but the House can block some of his Christian Caliphate ideas.
In 2020 the “lost” Democratic party will solidify their hold on the House, retake the Senate (McConnell is already spending more time lining up Senate candidates than governing) and of course, the Presidency.
We oppose Trump because he is a lying grifter, likely indebted to the Russian oligarchy, who does not care one bit for America or Americans. I thought he might grow into the job, and not be as bad as expected. I was wrong. He’s worse.
The Dems will have to stand for something though. Opposing the excesses of Trump and the gutless GOP is not enough. America needs a positive vision for the future, including addressing global warming as grown-ups, assuring our national security once again by diplomacy not bluster, repairing our broken economy that rewards the wealthy but not those that do all the work, fixing immigration, securing Social Security and Medicare, and slowing the deficits.
We all recognize that electing Trump was a mistake, but it’s not weakness to admit a mistake and attempt to repair the damage. It’s a sign of maturity.
Donald Trump is a broken soul, and so are those who still support him.
It’s the GOP that is lost. They stand for tax cuts for the rich, slashing SS, confirming conservative judges and The Wall. Sad.
Another fact free rant (is there any other kind?) courtesy of the nignorant angry little colored fella in st. louis.
jethro writes the best flights of irrational left-wing moon-battery than anyone out there.
Seriously, it’s almost like a parody.
Probably why Teach keeps the little fella around.
For the chuckles…
I would agree with this statement. The right has been absent and Trump is a democrat. He wants to do infrastructure, spend money on a wall, build up the military and doesn’t seem to care about deficits.
However we have to be honest about the deficits. During Obama the deficits were stimulus. They stimulated the economy and the debt was essentially purchased by the FED which created a massive amount of excess money in the economy. However Dodd/Frank forced banks to freeze their own assets to meet mandated stress tests.
Now leaping forward to Trump. The right needs to understand that Tax cuts are nothing but stimulus. They do create more revenue lest the conservatives here rail against me as being a leftist shill. You can easily prove this by simply looking at the tax structures during the last 80 years vs revenue per gdp. Tax breaks spur spending. Period.
However both sides are disingenuous in their interpretations of the results. More taxes on the wealthy will cut deficits. Less taxes on the wealthy will spur economic growth and increase employment further increasing revenues because you have more people paying taxes.
However many of the jobs created fall into the category of low paying jobs which then result in that individual not paying any tax and in many cases qualifying for the earned income credit, meaning the government is now paying them to work.
Further putting individuals on SSDI and VA disability has the added effect of spurring consumerism while not increase tax revenue and just the opposite spurring a growth in those outlays which add to and do not detract from the federal deficit.
Most of what the left and the right do in Washington DC is misdirection. Both solutions achieve the same results. Higher deficits. The debate is not which side creates deficits. They both do. The debate is in which programs the money should be put into. The left wants it in social programs inflating the deficit. The right wants it in military and other right projects which inflates the deficit.
The Solution has always been a balanced budget and term limits. Once a senator and or representative knows they are a lame duck they will not hesitate to do what is right. Once our officials must follow the law they will find a way to get the budget balanced and once the budget is balanced repeatedly the nation will find a way to adapt.
Would be nice if the Congress critters would actually openly debate and pass a yearly federal fiscal budget kinda like they used to do before Obama.
Ya know actually do their constitutionally mandated jobs.