June Newsleter

  LD-27 NEWS

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR

            I think the Oklahoma cowboy and humorist would have felt at home in the Arizona Republican Party the last few weeks, because if anything, we weren’t acting organized.  In fact, it looked more like a barroom brawl in a B western.

            It all began when we heard about a compromise immigration bill that included amnesty.  As expected, we heard Ted Kennedy’s name attached to it.  But we were surprised when we heard Senator Jon Kyl’s name.  Hoo Boy!  The words Kennedy and amnesty are enough to raise a conservative’s blood pressure 10 points.  GOP phone lines were soon buzzing.  

            Ironically, the issue hasn’t split the Arizona GOP into pro-amnesty and anti-amnesty factions.  Nearly everyone opposes amnesty.  What has happened is that the issue has reopened the wounds created in the January run up to the state meeting.  It isn’t good for the party or our chances in the 2008 elections.

            Let’s take a breath and look at some facts.  I don’t think anyone of us favor a blanket amnesty.  In fact, Senator Kyl said a couple of days ago, “If I were king of the world, no illegals would be allowed to stay or become citizens.” 

            Unfortunately, the Republicans aren’t in charge of the House or Senate any more.  And, the Democrats were already working on an immigration bill they thought they could pass with their new majorities.  Senator Kyl had a tough choice: either let Kennedy and Grijalva have the biggest input or get involved in the process.  If he stayed away, the Democrats would write an open borders immigration bill that could make it through the Democratic controlled Congress and be sent to a White House willing to sign an immigration bill.

            The Democrats had made it clear that no immigration bill would come to the floor of the House or Senate unless it had some sort of amnesty.  It was up to Kyl to make that amnesty as tough as possible.  In fact, the New York Times in an editorial condemning the immigration bill as being too tough said it had “sweet smelling flowers and poisonous roots.”  Kyl says he is proud that he grafted on those poisonous roots.  And, you can tell how onerous they are to Democrats when you hear the yelps of people like Grijalva.

            No one gets a Z visa until certain immigration enforcement goals are met.  These include border walls, vehicle barriers, radar, and hiring of more officers.  It also has tougher workplace enforcement.  And, guess what?  They can’t get government benefits with a Z visa.  Nor are they even eligible for Social Security until they have had a Z visa and been paying into the system for 10 years.  Previous payments into the Social Security system while illegal don’t count.

            Nor is there an automatic route to citizenship.  And, since a Z visa doesn’t allow you to bring your spouse, you have a strong inducement to go home when you finish your work.

            Admittedly, it isn’t the bill we or Senator Kyl wanted.  But, it is sure better than what Grijalva wanted.  And, if you want it defeated, let our senators know in a respectful manner.  Personally, I think it stands a less than 50% chance of making it through the Senate and even less of getting through the House.  And, Senator Kyl has made it clear that he will filibuster the bill if any of those tough sanctions are stripped by Democrats.

            But, what bothers me most about this immigration bill is how many in the Arizona GOP have reacted.  We have given the Democrats like Grijalva and Giffords a free ride on this bill while we have castigated our own.  Imagine a bill that had input from Pederson instead of Kyl.  It would have been worse and, with Pederson’s vote, more likely to become law.

            Which brings me to the theme of this message.  We have city elections in a few months and a presidential election next year.  But, we are fighting between ourselves instead of focusing on the Democrats.  You may disagree with Senator Kyl on this bill.  And, you may not like the policies of presidential candidates Senator McCain, Governor Romney, or Mayor Giuliani, but they are better than the alternatives.  If we do not start focusing on the upcoming campaign, we will be reading about the Citizenship for Everyone Who Crosses the Border Act passed by the reelected Democratic Congress and signed into law by President Hillary Clinton.

            It’s good to engage in vigorous debate.  However, let’s avoid personal or nasty attacks.  And, use some of that energy to beat Grijalva and Giffords.  Let’s honor Will Rogers’ memory by making sure the Democrats are the only disorganized party of 2008.

Harold Hough

Chairman, LD-27

DISTRICT NOTES

Our monthly district meeting will be on June 16^th at 9:00 am at the Golden Corral.  Our guest speaker will be Mike Vallante from the Giuliani Campaign.

We had planned a district BBQ on June 23.  However, after talking with the Vice Chairs, I thought it might be better to make it in August.  We will discus a new date at the June 16 district meeting.