Arizona Republic Blames Federal Immigration Inaction; “State laws cannot fix it.”

by Dave Levy | 3:03 pm, May 3rd, 2010

» 4 comments

Something strange is happening in the wild west these days. Out in Arizona, the negative reaction from the recently signed immigration act has led to demonstrations against even those partially affiliated, and and it seems that everyone from local sports teams to not really local Iced Tea companies have been put into odd positions of politics.

Of course, there are some voices that absolutely need to respond. The Phoenix-based Arizona Republic is far and away the largest paper in the state, and given that the national reacted related to the immigration, a weigh-in from the editors’ desk was likely. On Sunday, it happened: with a rare, front page editorial that spelled the message quite clearly.

STOP FAILING ARIZONA; START FIXING IMMIGRATION

The lengthy editorial, by-lined by the newspaper, walks through a litany of politicians with ties to the state – and puts the reality of the new law on their shoulders for not doing enough to reform immigration. There were very few legislators and executives who missed the ire of editors. The board hits on Arizona Governor Jan Brewer for pandering to politics needed to secure the GOP Gubernatorial primary instead of not signing the bill; they take on long-time Senators John McCain and Jon Kyl for choosing partisan stonewalling over moving immigration reform. The list keeps going, and hits both parties: Janet Napolitano, the one-time Arizona Governor who now heads Homeland Security did not push real reform as a priority, according to the Republic. Former U.S. representative and McCain Senate challenger J.D. Hayworth gets accused of using his position to fuel anti-immigration sentiment and help keep fear high to encourage passing.

It’s only in that final point that board tries to send home its message: this is a bill of fear because the Federal government sat on its hands instead of reforming immigration policies:

Despite the turmoil and passion surrounding this issue, there is a broad consensus that immigration is a federal responsibility and it demands federal action. State laws cannot fix it.

There is also agreement that Arizona suffers disproportionately because of federal border policies, as was seen Friday when a Pinal County sheriff’s deputy was ambushed and shot by suspected drug smugglers.

Arizona can no longer afford to tolerate elected officials who show so little interest in solving one of the state’s most pressing issues. We need leaders who will push to enact comprehensive reform. We need Arizona leadership – as a delegation all working together -sponsoring and spearheading federal legislation to fix immigration.

No one ever said there wasn’t passion associated with the issue, and the Republic brings even more heat to the Desert.

Arizona Diamondbacks, Arizona immigration law, Arizona Republic, J.D. Hayworth, Jan Brewer, Janet Napolitano, John McCain, Jon Kyl

HanzoSword

I was really impressed with this editorial. Immigration is a federal responsibility and state laws can’t overturn that – it’s time we all worked to defuse the hate mongers who are behind the AZ bill and demand reform, not racism.
Grammie

HanzoSword says:
May 3, 2010 at 3:11 pm

REFORM

–noun
1.
the improvement or amendment of what is wrong, corrupt, unsatisfactory, etc.: social reform; spelling reform.

So, Hanz, what do you wish to correct and how do you propose we do it?

Don’t forget a brief explanation of why your proposals should be accepted. Share with us how implementing them will solve the problems you see with our current laws and situations.

I think that immigration reform is sorely needed and is already well past late. I support the AZ bill b/c AZ needs relief NOW and they are the only ones who can immediately impact their own state. Remember that unlike you (a man of pure and unasailable motives) you are talking to a “hate monger” who supports “racism” (what other motives could there be for anyone who does not march in lockstep with you).
Alfred J. Lemire

Hanz, mein Feind (nicht mein Freund), the claims of “hate mongers behind this bill” and of “racism” are hate lies. One estimate of the annual costs to Arizona in public services from the illegals: $1.3 billion. How many illegals are presently in the state? Roughly half a million, according to one estimate. Reportedly, many have left the state recently. To where? And will more replace them soon?

The editorial surely pleased its writers, who went to bed imagining themselves superior to their targets. That is not the case. The role envisioned for the state’s leaders is to do nothing but try to convince the people in the other 49 states and their representatives in the federal government to do something. The paper does provide what it must think is the framework for a reform, or resolution, of the problem. In fact, even if the path to citizenship it envisions were to be laid out, with some safeguards, the problem would not be solved. A similar attempt was made in 1986. And how effective was that?

The Arizona government has produced a modest and mild law–I have read it carefully; the negative reaction to it results from news media misinformation, deep prejudices inculcated in many in schools and colleges,–which helps to explain why so many young people voted for our disastrous President– and the desire of many, including the President, to exploit the situation, to fire up their blind followers this fall.

In all of this, the lowest marks must go to the failed mainstream news media. The Left is what it is, in any country, a force begun with perhaps some good intentions, but quickly transformed into a force for evil. The press is different, though much of it, like the Associated Press, functions as propaganda megaphones for the Left, in theory, the press ought to be providing truthful and fair reports on matters of significance to the polity.

In Arizona, the press has failed miserably. As this failed and foolish editorial demonstrates, with only marginal exceptions, the news media are unworthy of respect on government, politics and the culture. It’s OK for sports and some local information, but that’s about it.
http://thedailybarb.com Jack Burns

I think its great they are Boycotting AZ businesses. That means the Mexicans that are already paranoid from the new law. Out of work because businesses will be afraid to hire them. Where will they go? California! Put more white people out of work. Put more burden on California’s Welfare system for those that can’t find work. I live for the day when Malibu beach becomes Mexican la casa chicas LOL