"Lost cause" update, in a Detroit Free Press interview with Harry Reid:
Q: With more Democrats in the Senate and the House and a Democrat in the White House, how do you see congressional efforts playing out on such issues as health care and immigration?
A: On immigration, there's been an agreement between (President-elect Barack) Obama and (Arizona Republican Sen. John) McCain to move forward on that. ... We'll do that. We have to get this economy stuff figured out first, so I think we'll have a shot at doing something on health care in the next Congress for sure.
Q: Will there be as much of a fight on immigration as last time?
A: We've got McCain and we've got a few others. I don't expect much of a fight at all.
If Obama and McCain have reached agreement, it pretty much means amnesty for all the illegal immigrants already here and a phony "get tough" plan that will do nothing to keep any more from coming. Of course, they do have to get that "economy stuff" sorted out first, so maybe they'll figure out that now, when they just keep piling bailout on bailout and most Americans are beginning to see what a shell game it is, is not the time to enact a plan that will further enrage at least half of us. I know, I'm a dreamer.
And do they really mean to pick this fight early in the year? Some want to:
But Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., said if lawmakers don't consider the issue early, it could "slide into midterms" -- the 2010 election -- and again become a contentious campaign issue.
"This is one of those issues that needs to be done early on," said Menendez, noting that it has been difficult for Congress to approve even bipartisan measures such as the Dream Act.
The legislation, which would allow children of illegal immigrants more access to college and citizenship, is one measure that could pass next year, experts say.
So, get it done early, and maybe by midterm elections, the voters will have forgotten all about it. Good luck with that.
