States’ Rights and Immigration,by Louise Annarino,1-30-2013
Political pundits have ceased describing bi-partisan discussion of Immigration reform as an attitude of cooperation, thank goodness. They have moved beyond that wishful thinking to a more realistic view that Republicans understand they must change their legislative approach to remain more competitivewith Democrats for the Latino vote. This is true, but does not go far enough, to understand why the Republican party is not your father’s Republican party.
Democratic House minority leader Nancy Pelosi(D-CA) recently opined that House Republicans are anti-big government. This is why they will always vote no on any legislation requiring federal government rules,regulation or oversight. However, it is not that Republicans are anti-big government;nor even always anti-federal government. They are anti-federal(big) government only when it does not serve their purposes. They only oppose big government they do not like. And their purpose, following the civil rights gains of the ‘60‘s and 70‘s and demographic changes coloring America since the ‘80’s, is to preserve white-Anglo male dominance and power. Once again, as so often in our history,ethnocentrism and racism tied to money is the underlying force behind our politics.
Republicans have no problem with a federal government which rewards the top 1% and corporations with tax breaks,tax loopholes,and government contracts. Republicans have no problem with federal emergency relief which protects their voting base.This base of Republican support is predominantly white. On the other hand, they oppose such considertion for urban residents,unions-especially government employeee unions, the middle class,and the working poor. The one thing these groups have in common is their diversity. In opposing early voting in the 2012 election,Franklin County,Ohio Republican Party Chairman Doug Preisse,was quoted in The Columbus Dispatch newspaper as saying, “I guess I really actually feel we shouldn’t contort the voting process to accommodate the urban — read African-American — voter turnout machine.” it clear that race is an underlying factor in maintaining Republican power and control. Even Senate Republicans’ renewed interest in immigration reform illustrates this.
Indeed, the Senate Gang of Eight proposes A Bipartisan Framework for Immigration Reform which includes a provision that the governor’s of border states,their attorneys general, and community leaders would staff a commission to monitor and enforce new immigration measures. This is an example of using the power and purse of a strong federal government while claiming control through states’ rights strategy to deflect any outcomes which they disapprove.
Who are the governors of our border states? Rick Perry(R-Texas),Jan Brewer(R-Arizona),Susana Martinez(R-NewMexico),and Jerry Brown(D-California). While their input is certainly of value;they are not currently empowered to direct nor control immigration prolicy and procedures. Who would be the community leaders appointed to the commission? The Southern Poverty Law Center has identified some community leaders incvolved in border security as members of “hate groups”. How would such leaders be denied membership? Former New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson wrote in an op-ed for CNN on Jan.30,2013, the “Supreme Court ruled emphatically that immigration is the responsibility of the federal government, not the states.”http://www.billrichardson.com/news/bill-richardson-oped-cnn-stars-align-last-immigration-plan.
As we watch immigration reform enacted into law,we must assure that neither hate groups,nor hateful politicians,nor persons pushing a racist and ethnocentric agenda usurp what must be a fair and just resolution. We must not forget that Republican opposition will not be due to anti-big government sentiment, but something far more difficult to eradicate. We can support those Republicans who are willing to confront the real issues facing their party. But, we must never consent to the demands of the hate-mongers who hide behind states’ rights.
annarino writes 