Amnesty: Sometimes a little rebellion is good for America

By: Steve Yuhas

During a time of war and deep division in America over both foreign policy and domestic political matters it is good to know that there is at least one issue where virtually all Americans come together.  The issue is illegal immigration and securing our borders and the numbers speak for themselves.  By a 3 to 1 margin Americans do not want amnesty for illegal aliens. 

Many of us want the laws enforced to rid ourselves of the illegals that are already here. 

Yes - that means raids on farms and manufacturing plants to see if people working there are permitted to work or not.  It means throwing the people who broke into America out and putting the people who hired them behind bars. 

May 1st every year has become illegal in America day - wouldn't kill the ICE folks to send in a few thousand agents.

We know now how public bi-partisanship will be met by Washington, D.C. – we get flipped the bird from the President and his men along with our elected representatives and told that we're not smart enough to see the big picture.

President Bush and a "bi-partisan" group from the Senate couldn't care less about how the American people feel about the illegal alien issue. 

Last week they unveiled a nearly 400 page bill that no legislator will read that does exactly the opposite of what so many people in America want.

It doesn't matter to me if an illegal is picking my strawberries or lettuce, cleaning my hotel room, washing my car or cutting my lawn.  I'm concerned about the one in a million chance that someone comes across the border who wants to cut my throat or detonate a dirty bomb in my backyard.

There is but one remedy for leaders who ignore the will of the people in deference to a swift political decision in order to gain votes.  That is the removal from office of any member of Congress that joins President Bush or the "bipartisan" group that drafted this amnesty boondoggle.

It must be made perfectly clear that whether you are liberal or conservative; Democrat or Republican - if you vote for this bill you vote yourself out of office. 

People are incensed by this compromise because politicians decided that we do not matter.  We must make ourselves relevant and one way to do it is to rebel. The American public is on a collision course with our elected leaders over illegal immigration and the security of our country.

Thomas Jefferson wrote his famous letter to James Madison in 1787 about Shays’ Rebellion that “a little rebellion every now and then is a good thing” for America.  We may not be farmers, but the metaphor is great for how to react when government leaders dismiss the American people.

When we are wronged by our leaders we have a right, nay – a duty, to respond.  As Edward Kennedy (D-MA) was talking about bringing illegal aliens “into the sunshine of America" his colleagues, John Cornyn (R-TX) said the bill was not a done deal and Jim DeMint (R-SC) said that rewarding people who broke the law is wrong.  There seems to be hope in the Senate.

Surely someone in the Senate remembers how to filibuster a bill. 

When the GOP was in control all a Democrat needed to do was mention the word and the bill or nomination was dead.

It could be that Senators will vote the way the public wants which will translate to defeat of a bill that makes crossing the Rio Grande in the dead of night the only test for legal residency.  If it passes, though, there is hope in a most surprising place.

The office of the Speaker of the House.

Nancy Pelosi made it clear that in order for the bill to get to the floor of the House at least 70 Republicans must join it.  The American people must make sure there are not seven let alone 70.

Brian Bilbray (R-CA) asked the question, “What part of illegal does the Senate not understand?"  His question is proof that there is also hope in the House should the Senate do the unthinkable. 

If they do the GOP can kiss the Senate good-bye for decades, but a victory in the House may very well give the GOP back control.

If the bill leaves the Senate it is up to House Republicans to kill it.  It is equally important to get GOP candidates for the nomination on record and if they support this bill they should not be the GOP standard bearer.

Representatives take a trip down the electoral parade every other year and voters will not forgive or forget those who sold out the American dream for a piñata full of rewards for law breakers. 

The worst that can happen is that this bill becomes law.  If it does let there be a revolt the likes of which this nation has not seen since Shays’ Rebellion.  

It is not enough that we yell and scream about this being a bad bill for America – we have to do more – even if that means a rebellion inside our own party.

If illegal immigrants are rewarded while those obeying the law sit idle in Mexico and beyond - there must be a consequence.

The good news is that if this bill becomes law it can be reversed – even if it has to be reversed by another group of legislators and an executive who understand that when the citizens want immigration reform it does not mean swing open the doors and let everyone in.

Steve Yuhas is a radio talk show host on AM 600 KOGO and may be reached at steve@steveyuhas.com or www.steveyuhas.com