What should Democrats do re: the Immigration Distraction?

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

[Clarkie1]

1. You call that a "distraction?" n/t

[Justice Is Comin]

2. Three things.

1. Make sure the country understands it wasn't the Democrats who tried to change the bill that was agreed on and would have passed.

2. Let the Republicans decide if they want to bring it up again. They're in control.

3. If appropriate in a similar discussion, propose legislation that will solely strengthen present border enforcement. That is a winner.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

3. Embrace the immigrants and joing the movement for civil rights.

For once, just once, quit pretending to be moderates and embrace social justice.

[lvx35]

4. isn't this a tricky one though?

On one hand you want to support the civil rights/dreams of immigrants, on the other hand, you want to combat illegal slave labor that is making certain corporate interests very rich. Nevertheless I would say they should come out against the felony stuff, but propose a sane system for the borders.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

11. If there is an amnesty, they won't be illegal.

[lvx35]

17. True, maybe that's the best option.

Let em in, get em in unions, seal up the borders, and encourage the kind of civil activity we saw with the protests. The only problem is I'm worried about the borders being to sealed....Its not about terrorists getting in, with George Bush in control I just want to know that I can get OUT ! ;)

[proud2BlibKansan]

6. YES!!

Our rally is tomorrow and I can't wait. You bet this is about social justice!

[RagingInMiami]

7. It's a no-brainer

[leftstreet]

5. ROFL - you forgot the sarcasm icon

DISTRACTION

[tocqueville]

8. the immigrant's "distraction" shows what progressives should do

tehy don't do polls, and LLTE and wait for a savior president, they take to the streets.

In two occasion they have mobilized 10 times what the left has mobilized in 6 years...

[sadiesworld]

14. These protests were organized and funded by business interests.

They have been given constant promotion on spanish-speaking corporate television, radio, etc. and loving coverage by the english-speaking corporate media. The catholic church is heavily involved. Presumably, today's posters have been given the day off from work.

This is a massive elite-sponsored propaganda push.

How likely do you think it is that progressives would be given this same support in protests regarding corporate globalization, the environment, the war or paper ballots?

[tocqueville]

15. the day you put 10 millions in Washington

you'll get all coverage needed

that's how it works in other countries... Do you think that for example the latest French student-worker movement is "sponsored"...? and they put (population sized related) the equivalent of 10 millions in Washington...

if you are waiting to be "sponsored" to move, you'd rather stay at home...

that's was the worse excuse I've ever heard

[sadiesworld]

16. Typical...

make it personal.

My pretty obvious point here is that comparing the immigration protests to the types of protests engaged in by progressives HERE IN THE US is meaningless. Progressives deal with a lack of funding, organizational issues, black ops, and a hostile media--all issues which haven't existed with the immigration protests.

Certainly, the french protests have been wonderful--my hat's off to them. A comparison b/t the difference b/t protests here and in France would be interesting, but not very relevant to your original statement nor my response.

[tocqueville]

18. you missed my point (maybe I didn't make it clear)

it's a question of organisation and approach

I am aware of the problems the progressives have. BUt if the mindset is changed and the focus goes on strategy and organisation of "easy" mobilized masses, insted of lobbying, the results will come.

[sandnsea]

9. Worker Exploitation

Change the issue, it connects most of the other issues we're facing anyway.

[bklyncowgirl]

10. Stand up for labor rights.

1. Push for enforcing laws that are already on the books regarding the hiring of illegal workers.

2. Push for better border security on the grounds of national security.

3. Push for the idea of allowing people who are already here to get some sort of legal status so that they won't be taken advantage of by employers to the detriment of U.S. workers.

Continuously remind people that it's companies looking for cheap labor that drives both illegal immigration and their own downward spiraling paychecks.

[mikehiggins]

12. How is it "social justice"?

I don't get that at all. What I see is a race to the bottom being supported by business and government in collusion at all levels.

Is "social justice" somehow the same thing as allowing people to be exploited, and used as hammers to beat down other worker's standard of living? How does that work out?

Many years ago I was required to PROVE my American citizenship in order to keep my job in the construction industry in NYC. This proved a sad joke as more and more non-citizens began to dominate this field despite any efforts to stem the flood. Needless to say it wasn't the workers--either legit or illegal--or their families who benefitted. Where is the "social justice" in that?

Do not crucify US wage-earners on a cross of "social justice", not when the beneficiaries are the same rich and powerful who have exploited all workers since time immemorial.

Don't do the exploiters work for them.

[leftofthedial]

13. ask all the people at the rallies for donations

then carry on with the business of representing the corporations




if only they had the slightest interest in tapping that energy and commitment . . .

[Douglas Carpenter]

19. put the focus on corporate globalization and neoliberal ideology

that is the real culprit that is losing jobs for Americans, draining our treasury and devastating the third world.

It is not moderate. It is not centrist. And it is certainly not mainstream. The American people don't want it. The people of the developing world don't want it. Just who does want it anyway?

see article below by David Sirota:

link:

http://www.davidsirota.com/2006/04/taboo-subject-at-core-of-immigration.html

The Taboo Subject at the Heart of the Immigration Debate

by David Sirota

Amid all the buzzword phrases like "border security," "guest
workers," and "amnesty" being thrown around in the superheated
immigration debate, one buzzword phrase has barely been mentioned:
"free trade." It's not that border security and guest worker status
discussions aren't important. But, as I discuss more fully in my
upcoming book Hostile Takeover, America's free trade policies get
almost no attention, no matter how central their role is in the major
challenges facing our country. How, you ask, does "free trade" fit
into immigration? It's pretty simple: had America actually had a
trade policy that lifted up the economic conditions for ordinary
workers both at home and in other countries, there would likely be
far less demand by desperate workers for illegal entry into our
country.

To see the full post, go to http://www.davidsirota.com/2006/04/taboo-subject-at-core-of-immigration.html