GOP’s “Pledge To America” Falls Short … VERY Short!

GOP’s “Pledge To America” Falls Short … VERY Short!
A Commentary by J. D. Longstreet

The Republican Party made a spectacular mistake in publishing their “A Pledge to America.” In an attempt to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory they have raised questions about their own party’s commitment to issues their base is most concerned with and about which they would like answers.

For instance, the pledge says nothing about a fence along the US/Mexico border. It is ambiguous about worksite enforcement of immigration laws and, most important of all, it does not mention amnesty for illegal aliens. WHY???

The 2008 Republican Platform committed the Republican Party to completing a border fence, enforcing immigration laws at the worksite, and opposing an amnesty. But “The Pledge” is ominously quiet on these extremely important issues. Again … WHY?

“The Pledge” says this: “Our borders are a vital part of our security, so we will act decisively to ensure that the federal government fulfills its constitutional duty to protect our citizens and our Nation, working closely with our state and local governments …” This is far too broad a statement to satisfy the GOP base -- not to mention the host of Independents and Tea Party members looking to cast a GOP ballot in November.

Nowhere in The Pledge is the word “FENCE” mentioned. The Pledge only says: “We must take action to secure our borders, and that action starts with enforcing our laws. We will ensure that the Border Patrol has the tools and authorities to establish operational control at the border and prohibit the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture from interfering with Border Patrol enforcement activities on federal lands.”

The Pledge says nothing about putting the quietus on the Federal Lawsuit against the state of Arizona for passing a state law that would, in fact, assist the federal government in enforcing immigration laws -- at least along that part of the border that bisects Mexico and Arizona. Why do you suppose that was left out, huh?

What about those employers who hire vast numbers of illegal aliens? Reports tell us the government already has a list of the worst of these offenders. What will a GOP controlled government do about them? Why doesn’t The Pledge address this?

In 2008, the Republican Party Platform had this to say about worksite enforcement: “Our commitment to the rule of law means smarter enforcement at the workplace, against illegal workers and lawbreaking employers alike, along with those who practice identity theft and traffic in fraudulent documents.” As broad a statement as THIS is better focused than The Pledge.

And what about amnesty for illegal aliens already in the US? The GOP platform of 2008 said this: “"We oppose amnesty. The rule of law suffers if government policies encourage or reward illegal activity. The American people’s rejection of en masse legalizations is especially appropriate given the federal government’s past failures to enforce the law.” The Pledge to America does not mention the party’s position on amnesty for illegal aliens now living in the US. Again, we have to ask WHY?

This omission is worrisome, very worrisome. I have to wonder what, exactly, is the position of the Republican Party on amnesty for illegal aliens, on constructing a formidable fence along the border between the US and Mexico, plus what, exactly, the GOP plans to do to bring the full force of the law down on those employers who continue to hire illegals they know, or should have known were/are illegally in the US.

All indications are that the US electorate is readying itself to place its trust in the GOP and hand them control of the legislative branch of the government in a little over a month. I don’t think it is asking too much to inquire of the GOP what the party’s position is on amnesty for illegal aliens, on securing the border with a physical fence, and enforcement of immigration laws with employers. We want to know and we want to know NOW before we cast a vote for another government with which we will be constantly at odds over illegal immigration.

Look, the American people feel the Democrats, and especially the Obama Regime, have snookered them. They are looking for a change… a change “BACK” if you will, to a responsive constitutional republic in which they can have, at least, a reasonable amount of trust and confidence. With The Pledge to America, the Republicans have given them reason to be distrustful not for what The Pledge says – but for what it does NOT say.

The GOP did itself no favor by publishing The Pledge to America. It was a dumb move on their part and it will cost them at the polls.

Now is not the time for overconfidence. No election is over until the last vote is counted. Even then, there are times when a recount is required to determine a winner.

Never, ever, present the enemy a target unless there is a well thought-out plan to use that target to entrap said enemy. With The Pledge to America, I see only a target with nothing very well thought out – at all.

J. D. Longstreet