John McCain has flip-flopped more than a fish recently. Gone is the moderate Republican. McCain has probably learned his lesson after being challenged by far right contender Hayworth. McCain has now jumped on the Tea Party express and has voted against the Dream Act and the repeal of DADT. 2 years ago he supported both of these initiatives. Not only did McCain flip flop on DADT, he led the charge. What’s more defense than gays in the military?
The Dream Act would have been a boon to the military also. According to Salon.com:
For the fifth time in a decade, the Dream Act died in the Senate. It’s one of those rare policy ideas that would benefit both the military and the budget — and it’s one that Tea Party-type deficit-hawk/hawk-hawks should have rallied behind. It was even a boon for states’ rights. Yet, it became the latest victim of xenophobia and partisan politics.
The Dream Act (short for Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors) was designed to solve one of the most heart-wrenching injustices in our immigration system. Some 2.1 million undocumented immigrants were brought to the United States, through no fault of their own, as children. And despite having spent their entire lives here, their parents’ illegal status prevents them from obtaining legal residency. The Dream Act would give these children a chance to “earn” their green cards, allowing them to apply for temporary legal status; then, if they maintain “good moral character” (at a minimum, keep a clean criminal record), graduate from high school, and either complete two years of college or military service, they’d obtain permanent residence.
Right now, there are stories aplenty of children who discover the cruel fact that they are deportable when they apply for their driver’s license. Or of high school valedictorians who are snatched off planes and threatened with deportation because their parents never sorted out their paperwork.
Right now, these children, who are Americans in all ways except having papers, cannot serve in the military without legal residency paperwork. To reject the Dream Act is just foolish. We need good American residents. We need people who work hard and want to serve their country. Passing the Dream Act would be win/win.
McCain flip-flopped on this issue. First he was for it before he was against it. Shame on him. Do campaign promises not count if you don’t win?
Kelly, there is something about our conversation that is bothering me and I can’t put my finger on it. We are both communicating with each other and I feel we are both missing a point the other is making.
I think I am trying to say that so many kids, immigrant or otherwise, just aren’t cutting it in high school. Many areas have a huge drop out rage, between 25-50%. The fact that some of these kids are excelling is a real force to be reckoned with. If a kid is an illegal immigrant because his/her parents brought the kid here as a young person or even as a minor of any age puts that kid at such a disadvantage to start with.
So many kids get involved with stuff they shouldn’t or just do a crap job. Many immigrant kids drop out of school and go to work, especially if undocumented. Those who want to join the military or go to college should be given an opportunity to do so. These are very positive things to do. Positive behavior should be rewarded. Probably these kids couldn’t be identified as illegal immigrants if put in a line up.
I can’t express how strongly I feel about this subject.