Perry’s Position On Illegal Immigration Is Worrisome

Perry’s Position On Illegal Immigration Is Worrisome

A Commentary by J. D. Longstreet

I am far more concerned over Rick Perry’s position on instate tuition for Illegal immigrants than I am over the all too obvious fact that he is no debater. 

That he cannot debate does not concern me in the least. That he is not as polished a public speaker as a certain orator in the Oval Office doesn’t trouble me – at all.  In fact, I am more than a little tired of the oily-tongued politicians from the halls of elitist academia.  A heck of a lot of Americans are ready for a straight-shooter who will “tell it like it is” and is capable of doing so using less that “sixteen cylinder words.”

I am tired of Washington’s snake oil salesman telling me why all that is wrong with America is my fault – and -- that I am too soft.  That is a crock!

As I was saying – Perry has some problems with many conservatives over his in-state college tuition for illegal aliens. I’m one of them.

I have no doubt that Mr. Perry has done many good things along the US/Mexico border to try to secure it.  But the American electorate, especially that portion from the southern states, and more especially the southwestern border states, want a President who will stop feeding us the line of bull about the border being more secure today than in the past.  I, for one, want the border secured by the US military -- even if that means changing federal law to place US Armed Forces on the border.

Rick Perry is on record as opposing the building of a fence along the Texas/Mexico border.  WHY? I cannot fathom his thinking on a fence.  Everyone knows the old saw:  “Good fences make good neighbors.”  Its old… but it is TRUE. A fence/wall would not only reduce illegal immigration but it would be a huge boon to national security, as well.

Illegal immigration is one of the most important problems facing America today.  It is right up there in importance with the financial chaos of our economy and unemployment of Americans who actually want to work.

  

The following is a clip from an article in the Brownsville (Texas) Herald dated August 28^th, 2007.  It is datelined Mexico City and is titled “U.S. Congress lacks 'maturity' to solve immigration, Perry says.” The article states the following:

“Texas Gov. Rick Perry criticized the U.S. Congress on Tuesday for failing to make progress on immigration reform, suggesting its members lack "maturity" and calling the proposed construction of a fence along the U.S.-Mexico border "idiocy."


Perry was in Mexico City on a trade mission intended to strengthen Texas and Mexico's economic ties through trade, investment and energy initiatives, especially renewable energy.


"I don't think this is that difficult of an issue if Congress would have the maturity to sit down and really discuss it and cut out all of the mean rhetoric and really talk about what is a solution to this issue," Perry told a news conference.


Regarding immigration reform, Perry highlighted the importance of developing a foolproof biometric identification system to track individuals and to ensure that they pay taxes and "live within our laws."


He suggested offering renewable, 24-month visas for those who follow such requirements and "incarceration and/or deportation" for those who do not.


He added that, under such a system, he would support a "free flow of individuals between these two countries who want to work and want to be an asset to our country and to Mexico."  (You may read the entire article HERE.)


Does that sound like a conservative candidate for President of the United States?  More importantly, does that sound like a man who would actually DO something to secure the US/Mexico border, stop the flow of illegal aliens into the US across that border, and enhance the security of the United States?  No, it doesn’t to me, either.


As a conservative voter I am still looking for a candidate I can vote for and expect that that candidate will have a fair chance of besting Obama in 2012. I am as frustrated today as I was at this same time in 2007.


I am not a fan of Romney but I am beginning to believe that he will, in fact, be the republican nominee for President.  However, I still do not believe he can win against Obama.
 
There are two camps among the candidates, in my opinion, who want Romney to be the GOP candidate.  They are: the Romney camp and the Obama camp.


I am convinced that the Romney camp believes conservatives will, in the end, vote for Romney as a vote against an Obama second term.  At the same time, I believe the Obama camp believes it can overcome Romney in the election because history teaches that voters will vote for the real thing every time over an imitation.


Perry is in trouble with conservative voters.  His decline in the polls will become even more pronounced in the coming days.  Romney AND Obama are counting in it.


J. D. Longstreet

Rick Perry's Campaign Is In Deep Trouble

Rick Perry's Campaign Is In Deep Trouble 

Perry’s In-State College Tuition for Illegal Aliens May Have Cost him the Election

A Commentary by J. D. Longstreet

Allow me to be blunt.  I have had my fill of “compassionate conservatives” from Texas. In the last republican debate Rick Perry defended his stance on allowing in-state college tuition for illegal aliens in Texas. His defense fell flat with my wing of the Republican Party. 

Perry wounded himself politically.  He may have dealt a deathblow to his chance to occupy the Oval Office in January of 2013.

As I watched and listened intently to the debate I became instantly angry when Perry told those of us who disagree with his stance that we had no heart.  That is pure Bovine Scatology!

Look.  I am past tired of being the sugar daddy for uncounted millions of illegal aliens who have come into the United States illegally over the years and who have gorged at the trough of American largesse.  ENOUGH is ENOUGH!

I side with those who advocate the building of a wall/fence from the Pacific Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico -- and passing any needed legislation or constitutional amendment that would allow the US military the responsibility for securing that border. 

I think it has become clear, over the past decade, that the leaders of neither political party want that border secured.  If they did – it would have been secured a long time past.  Each party has its reasons for wanting illegal immigrants in this country.  And they don’t give a rat’s rear-end what you or I want in regards to our safety (and the safety and security of the nation) from the very real threat posed by that porous line in the sand between Mexico and the US.

As long as the government continues to offer rewards for those breaking into our country they will continue to steal across that border by the millions.

Michelle Bachman was spot on when she said during the debate:  “The American way is not to give taxpayer-subsidized benefits to people who have broken our laws and are here in the United States illegally.”

Sometime ago I wrote:  “I recall a TV game show where the booth announcer would enthusiastically shout: “Come on DOWN” to those chosen as contestants on the show. The chosen contestants would rush to the stage expecting instant riches to await them there.

It seems to me there is something similar going on at the southern border of the US. I visualize democrats standing along the border gesturing to the would-be illegal immigrants on the Mexican side to: “Come on OVER!” And, boy, they are coming – in DROVES. The illegals climb the fence, go under the fence in tunnels, around the fence, and, quite often, through the fence, all the while, expecting great riches awaiting them on the American side including free healthcare, free education, welfare payment checks each month and a guarantee of citizenship -- if their numbers become great enough to swing the elections in the democrats favor -- all of this as a result of breaking the US laws and becoming criminals.”  (You may read the entire article at INSIGHT on Freedom HERE.)

We are losing our country.  “Very soon America will resemble nothing more than a banana republic with a socialist dictator in the mold of Hugo Chavez of Venezuela – or -- the Castro brothers of Cuba.” HERE.)

“Perry’s stance toward immigrants is similar to that of George W. Bush, another Texas governor and presidential aspirant who likewise was attacked for his moderate solutions to immigration reform, such as guest worker programs. Mr. Bush endured the attacks and won the presidency, but Perry, who polls show is the current front-runner, may face a more difficult time.” (SOURCE)

At least a dozen states already offer in-state tuition to illegal aliens.  It is a huge drain on the pocketbooks of the state’s taxpayers – and -- in my opinion, it gives the back of the hand to the face of American students who are legal residents of the country and may be struggling financially, as well.

Mr. Perry’s stance may play well within the Hispanic community but it sure as heck does not within the conservative republican community.  Perry’s slippage in the polls would indicate that it has already cost him support and I suspect, as the campaign rolls on it may become the deciding factor between Perry and Romney as the eventual Republican Candidate to face Obama in November of 2012.

And by the way, I still contend that Mr. Romney cannot win against Obama.  I am very afraid it will be McCain-vs-Obama all over again.  I do not believe the country can survive another four years of Obama.

  

J. D. Longstreet

Rick Perry To Be GOP Presidential Nominee

Rick Perry To Be GOP Presidential Nominee

A Commentary by J. D. Longstreet

OK.  So my tongue WAS firmly fastened in my cheek when I wrote the title to this piece.  But, I have to tell you that signs are pointing to Perry becoming the GOP nominee and eventually President of the US.

Admittedly, predicting (at this point) that Perry will be “President Perry” is a bit of a stretch, but I am beginning to feel the inevitability of it.

Consider this:  When the media raises the question of a republican candidates IQ… that means they are genuinely frightened that that candidate poses a serious threat to THEIR candidate.   THEIR candidate, of course is the current occupant of the Oval Office, Barack Hussein Obama.

For evidence of this, one need look no farther than President George Bush.  According to the political left, and the leftist media, George Bush was DUMB.  How the heck did a dumb man graduate from two Ivy League universities and manage to fly jet fighter planes   … AND BECOME PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES?? 

And then there was Ronald Reagan.  My, oh, my, how the democrats challenged the man’s intellect.  They ran a pitiless campaign throughout his presidency questioning Reagan’s ability to reason.  It actually gained the democrats nothing as the American people caught on quickly to whom, exactly, the mental midgets were.

It is no secret the democrats favor elitist egghead presidents who are disasters as chief executives of the nation.  As evidence we offer Jimmy Carter and Barack Hussein Obama.  When the democrats manage to elect a non-elitist, good ole boy, for president, the country gets along fairly well – for a country run by democrats, that is.

The United States does not need an elitist, educated beyond his ability, to try to run the country.  America needs a man who can actually lead.  A man who can actually make decisions without confusing himself with advise from a host of councilors, each with his own agenda.

I am a firm believer in the “bumblebee theory.”  Aeronautically, the bumblebee cannot fly.  The body to wing ratio is just too great.  The tiny little wings simply cannot create enough lift for that large bulky body to ever get off the ground let alone sustain it in flight.  But, you see, the bumblebee is so dumb he doesn’t know it – so he just goes on and flies anyway.

So, maybe we need a “dumb President.”   Maybe he’ll be so dumb that he doesn’t know the problems with the US can’t be fixed and just goes ahead and fixes them, anyway.  I’ll vote for that kind of dumbness  -- and I expect a whole slew of Americans will, as well.

Honestly, I am tired of the flowing oratory of the Obama speechwriters.  Well, to be honest, its not so much the oratory I am tired of – it is the FLOW.  The word “flow” does not do justice to the absolute FLOOD of words coming from Obama.  In reality, his oratory falls flat.  Why?  Because they are just words – words from the brain not the heart. 

For an orator to be effective, he must speak with conviction from the heart about his subject.  And he must speak to his audience as if he were speaking to a single person, a confidant, and a friend. 

Obama’s speeches are cold and calculated and the listener knows it.  They don’t know who he is talking to, but they know it is not they.

I have yet to hear Rick Perry deliver a speech.  But I can imagine a southwestern accent where the “g” and the “t” are dropped.  (The Texas accent is not too different from the South Carolina accent.)  Having never heard him, I’d bet that he knows how to speak directly to every member of his audience and each audience member will leave believing that Gov. Perry was speaking directly to him or her.  He will have connected with them and he and his former audience will share an intimacy of knowledge they did not know prior to the address.   That is effective oratory.

If Mr. Perry can, indeed, do that, the White House will be his.

It seems to me, that that ole cotton-picking country boy from Texas is an unexpected problem for the Obama campaign.  Now they must switch gears from campaigning against a republican, whom southerners feel is not too different from Obama, to campaigning against a populist candidate, a man of the people, a country boy who is plain spoken like so many of the American people.  It will be a challenge.

The Obama campaign and the Mainstream Media are, once again, underestimating the GOP candidate they have already judged as dumb.  I think they have made a massive mistake that may cost them the White House – and I couldn’t be happier about that.

J. D. Longstreet

Rick Perry WAY out in Front Amongst Republicans

Rick Perry WAY out in Front Amongst Republicans

A Commentary by J. D. Longstreet

According to the Gallup Poll Perry has taken a huge lead among the Republicans seeking the GOP nomination for President of the US.

In an article entitled “Perry Zooms to Front of Pack for 2012 GOP Nomination” Gallup says the following:  “Shortly after announcing his official candidacy, Texas Gov. Rick Perry has emerged as rank-and-file Republicans' current favorite for their party's 2012 presidential nomination. Twenty-nine percent of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents nationwide say they are most likely to support Perry, with Mitt Romney next, at 17%.” (These results are based on an Aug. 17-21 Gallup poll)

The same article goes on to say:  “Perry is a strong contender among key Republican subgroups. Older Republicans and those living in the South show especially strong support for him, at or near 40%. Conservative Republicans strongly favor Perry over Romney, but liberal and moderate Republicans support the two about equally. Perry's support is also above average among religious Republicans.”

I think there is more to it than just the usual flurry when a new face enters the contest. I think Americans, especially republicans, are yearning for what we consider a “real” man as our leader.

Now – don’t be too quick to snicker. Much of America still loves the “cowboy” image, especially in their leader.  At the moment we are, for all practical purposes, leaderless.  We don’t like would-be leader who “lead from the rear.” 

America is in deep trouble and we are looking for a leader to ride to the rescue astride a great white stallion, packing trusty six-shooters, and waving his white Stetson overhead.  Yeah, it is an iconic figure, for sure.  But, I must admit that even an old dude like me, finds this image compelling.

Contrary to what some are saying about Rick Perry being the second coming of Ronald Reagan, I don’t believe that.  Reagan was one of a kind. It is not likely we will ever see his like again.

However, like Reagan, Perry says he believes in smaller government.  You may recall that in his announcement for his presidential bid he said:  “I’ll work every day to try to make Washington, D.C., as inconsequential in your life as I can.”  I like that and so do millions of other Americans coast to coast.

Also like Reagan, Perry believes government is not the answer. It is the problem.  He has said:   “America is not broken. Washington is broken.”  Americans understand that, and believe that.  We see it every day played out right before our eyes on the news channels.

Does any one remember, “core value?”  Core valises are those things you believe in.  Core values are those things that you attempt to build your very existence around, and those things you will fight to the death to defend.  Core values make you want you are and they make a nation what it is.   When a people lose sight of their core values they are finished.  When a nation loses sight of its core values it, too, is done for. 

Mr. Perry, we are told, shares the core values of conservative Americans who make up the majority of the American population and the electorate.

America is fed up.  It wants a change from the malaise of the Carter Administration brought back by Obama.  Perry promises to do just that. 

We desperately need another “Morning in America.”  Americans are ready.  Get the government off our backs, free up business, and allow Americans to get back to work.

Conservatives have been hesitant about Mitt Romney viewing him only as a last ditch republican to vote for just to attempt to unseat Obama.  Nobody I have spoken with was enthusiastic about Romney.   Many feel he is not that much different from Obama.

But with the differences between Perry and Obama are almost retina searing.  All one has to do is observe the left’s reaction to Perry.  A skunk in an elevator filled with leftists, stuck between floors, could not upset them more. 

Rest assured the left will very soon begin firing volleys of hateful accusations in the direction of Gov. Perry.  It is in keeping with their philosophy of destroying anyone who disagrees with them.

We are assured that Gov. Perry is a “Hard Core” conservative.  Good. I have had about all ever want of “compassionate conservatism” with George W. Bush. 

In my opinion, Independent voters are more likely to support a REAL conservative than a candidate who only “appears” conservative.  Gov. Perry will win the majority of the Independent vote.

Americans are fed-up.  We want a President who actually believes in American Exceptionalism. We like winners.  We LOVE being the winner – and we hate failure.  We are not wired for accepting second best… at anything.

We are sick to death of the current crop of American leaders preaching that America is in decline and that we have to accept that.  No we do not! And we are about to prove it.

It is time for Americans to put their house in order once again. We intend to do that in November of 2012.

J. D. Longstreet