Watch Live: Second House Hearing on IRS Scandal

Check Out Today’s Hot Posts on TheBlaze Blog!

Government

Conservative blogger & Marco Rubio duke it out on immigration

Jan. 30, 2013 12:57pm Meredith Jessup

On Tuesday evening, Red State’s Erick Erickson declared, “I don’t like Marco Rubio’s plan.”

In a comprehensive blog post on Rubio’s comprehensive immigration plan, Erickson argued that the Republican plan actually made the problem of immigration more difficult to solve. ”On the specific plan, for lack of legislation, it is clearly written by a group of men who seemingly love government, but do not love free markets, small businesses, or individuals. It is a plan based on faith in government, not free enterprise or the American people,” he wrote.

Erickson also quoted Ben Domenech who argued that the GOP plan would increase government, not liberty; it would set up another fight over how to manage the border; and it would place significant burdens on employers.

Since we on the right prefer informed debate over blindfolded fear, Erickson’s Red State invited Rubio to personally respond to the conservative criticisms. Rubio argues that our illegal immigration problem is caused by our broken legal immigration policies. He writes:

In his post, Erick raised several points. First, he expresses doubt that the border can ever be secured because no one will ever agree that it is secured. There are ways to measure the security at the border. There are real and identifiable standards that can be used. And there are ways to certify this, free of political interference. If the bill that is ultimately crafted achieves this, I will support it. If it does not, I won’t.

Second, he objects to the notion of “jobs that Americans won’t do”. He correctly points out that the more accurate description is “jobs that Americans won’t do at that price point”. The fact is that, as Americans, we have reached a certain standard of living that requires us to make a certain amount of money before we will do certain jobs. The problem is that, in a free market, the cost of production is always passed on to the consumer. That is one of the reasons why I object to tax increases – because the cost is always paid by workers and customers. The same is true for labor costs. There is a price point at which our farmers simply won’t do business because they will not be able to offer products at an affordable price.

Erick’s final objection is that the plan does nothing to address the real problems with immigration – in other words, the black market for low skilled labor, long delays in the system and so forth. This is not accurate. Our principles call for the creation of a guest worker program that, when effectively implemented in conjunction with a workplace verification system, would wipe out the black market for low skilled labor. And as the principles call for, any modernization effort would have to address the long delays in the system, which a modernized agricultural worker program and STEM visa reform would do.

Perhaps the most widely used criticism I have seen is that this nothing but an updated version of earlier efforts. There are significant differences. The previous efforts did not have effective border security, workplace enforcement and entry-exit enforcement triggers, whereas this plan must or I will not support it.

The previous plan created a special pathway to citizenship through a Z-Visa, whereas these principles do not. And if the bill does, I will not support it.

Finally, Erick expresses concerns that we should not pander in the name of a solution. On this point, Erick and I are in total agreement. I’m not pursuing reforms to our immigration system because of the last election or future elections. I’m doing what I can because I believe it’s important for our country, because conservative principles can make this legislation better, and immigration is one of the few issues where government has a legitimate and central role to play.

As I have clearly stated, I will not engage in a bidding war with the President to see who can come up with the fastest and cheapest path to citizenship. That is why having these principles in writing was so important. We now have a bipartisan collection of senators – including some prominent allies of the President – committed, in writing, to border security and other enforcement triggers, a functional guest worker program and the idea that those who violated our immigration laws and stay on a work permit will not be able to receive federal benefits. We even got President Obama to concede that undocumented immigrants who avail themselves of this program will not be eligible for federal benefits, including Obamacare, during their lengthy non-immigrant status. If the President decides to support a plan to the left of this, he will do so in conflict with leaders of his own party – not to mention the majority of Americans – and ultimately bear the responsibility for derailing a bi-partisan immigration plan.

I do not pretend that this is a perfect solution. I know that the idea of accommodating people who violated our immigration laws, in any way, makes many people uncomfortable. But I have concluded that it is not good for our country to continue to allow this problem to linger. We are better off solving this once and for all.

Still waiting to see if Erickson offers up a rebuttal, but in the meantime, I’m curious to hear what our readers think. Who’s in the right here and how realistic is each of their proposals?

In CONTROL, Glenn Beck presents a passionate, fact-based case for guns that reveals why gun control isn’t really about controlling guns at all; it’s about controlling us. Find out more HERE.

Back to The Blaze »

Comments (15)

zoe8
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 2:51am
This is one of the most incredible blogs Ive read in a very long time. The amount of information in here is stunning. Your blog is great for anyone who wants to understand this subject more. Great stuff; please keep it up!Daihatsu Terios For Sale

Report this comment
RoAdFiXeR
Posted on January 31, 2013 at 6:30pm
The idea of accommodating people who violated our immigration laws tells me that they are more important to politicians than a natural born citizen.

The second these illegals are given the same rights and privileges I have I will never vote for anyone or anything ever…why should I 11 or 12 million natural born citizens just had their vote pissed on by an illegal.

Report this comment
asybot12
Posted on January 31, 2013 at 2:06am
Securing the border? Why isn’t Rubio screaming about the radar system that covers the border right now that is being dismantled as we speak and gone by march 15th ( Zeppelin type platforms with look down radar) They are all destroying the USA and please do not talk about drones replacing that there are not enough qualified drone controllers to do that because the people that were running the zep system are being laid off and fired!

Report this comment
Capt. Ron
Posted on January 30, 2013 at 10:57pm
Rubio is another RINO. The dream act did not help Mcain!!!!!!!!!!!

Report this comment
crystalsky
Posted on January 30, 2013 at 6:54pm
Why don’t some of the people in politics hire some people who are not working and ask african and latino americans not the illegal ones. Like give them books on the issues and a sheet of what they would like to see of the USA. Find out what they care about. some will not take it but some will care and some we don’t know but ask them 1st what do you know about the republican party what would you like about the republican party or if you start a 3rd party and also to the republicans that registered and did not vote you should find out the problem there each state to find out there own then you can give these books out or Quistions and there answers of what they would like to see happen.but you need to find out what they are thinking now. Not These People that are in Washington because there just looking at the pie for the next vote. each state needs to find these things out now. before the elections.

Report this comment
- CathyvanDyke
  Posted on January 30, 2013 at 8:34pm
  MARCO RUBIO’S ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT FLIP FLOP
  
  Marco Rubio, The Immigration Reform Savior or Fraud?
  January 28, 2013
  
  “I am strongly against amnesty. The most important thing we need to do is enforce our existing laws. We have existing immigration laws that are not being adequately enforced. Nothing will make it harder to enforce the existing laws, if you reward people who broke them.
  
  It demoralizes people who are going through the legal process, its a very clear signal of why go through the legal process, if you can accomplish the same thing if you go through the illegal process. And number two, if demoralizes the people enforcing the laws. I am not, and I will never support any effort to grant blanket legalization/amnesty to folks who have entered, stayed in this country illegally.”
  
  Marco Rubio, March 2009
  
  http://shark-tank.net/2013/01/28/marco-rubio-the-immigration-reform-savior-or-fraud/
  
  Report this comment
KidCharlemagne
Posted on January 30, 2013 at 5:29pm
Rubio has simply dusted off the amnesty proposal offered up by Teddy Kennedy and John McCain back in 2007 and has adopted it as his own proposal now:

—————-
“Republican concerns about border security and amnesty helped scuttle a 2006-2007 immigration plan, which closely mirrors this proposal, said Arizona Sen. John McCain who unsuccessfully pushed for that legislation with the late Sen. Ted Kennedy. He said Republican resistance to immigration reform has kept Hispanics away from the GOP.”
http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/01/28/3204447/rubio-senate-gang-of-eight-unveil.html

Report this comment
TexanBelle
Posted on January 30, 2013 at 5:16pm
I believe in what Rubio says because his stance has not changed since he took office in 2010 and before while running for the Senate seat. He has said the Border security must be in place before we can build an immigration reform bill that includes a path to citizenship. Marco needs to show Obama and Big Sis an episode of Border Wars on NatGeo which shows the ‘mules’ trying to smuggle drugs through the Rio Grande with Border patrol agents on the other side catching some EVERY NIGHT not all of them. And tunnels, containments, houses full of drugs and illegal Mexican nationals or who knows from where hiding in DECENT neighborhoods where neighbors have no idea whats going on next door. Yes ! Fix the system now so we can get back to the Economy ! I believe like one lady said on Rush ….these IIlegals will be paying SS taxes (fica) which will add to the SS fund for the baby boomers who will be looking for their share pretty soon! Too many are working under the table right now and that will stop once they become legal.

Report this comment
24AheadDotCom
Posted on January 30, 2013 at 4:14pm
While CrazyOtto and I agree on our dislike for Erickson*, CrazyOtto is engaging in a fallacy. We don’t have to choose between Rubio’s plan (or similar) and deporting everyone. The alternative is “SelfDeport”, which is favored by the leading groups (NumbersUSA etc.) and which even Romney briefly (and half-heartedly) supported.

* I was booted off RS after ~75 *posts* (not just comments) and, despite having no right I could see to do so, they kept my content on their site

Report this comment
24AheadDotCom
Posted on January 30, 2013 at 4:10pm
Much of what Marco writes about this is on its face delusional. The only question is whether he’s actually delusional, or whether he’s just trying to deceive.

For instance, he thinks that illegal alien criminals will “come forward” to be deported. And, that’s delusional.

He thinks his plan will “wipe out the black market for low skilled labor”, and that too is delusional. His plan will *reward* those who’ve helped create the black market: chicken processors, growers, big banks, construction companies, etc. They’ll all be let off the hook for their past actions *and* they’ll get what they want: even more “cheap” labor (paid for by everyone else).

If you want to do something about this, make sure as many people as possible see my extensive discussions of why his plans won’t work:

http://24ahead.com/s/marco-rubio

Share that page – or just the ideas on it – with as many people as you can on Facebook, Twitter, and in forums. Turn as many people as possible against Marco, and that will send a message to the rest of the GOP that they should support our current laws, not amnesty.

Report this comment
AxelPhantom
Posted on January 30, 2013 at 1:31pm
I have heard Rubio talk about the plan he envisions and it sounded like the best proposal I have heard in a very long time. I like his insistance that the border be secured before any of the “benefits” are implemented. Now I’d like to see how that would be measured. Big sis, says it is secure, those of us who live in border states know that nothing could be further from the truth.

Whether or not he can get it passed as formulated is another issue altogether.

Report this comment
- piper22
  Posted on January 30, 2013 at 3:48pm
  Rubio: “There are ways to measure the security at the border. There are real and identifiable standards that can be used. And there are ways to certify this, free of political interference.”
  
  Really? Like what specifically? This is no different than when Obummer says “a whole host of ways to secure the border” but never names a single specific one.
  
  Report this comment
- SocialistSlayer
  Posted on January 30, 2013 at 4:11pm
  No, Communist obama has no intention of securing the border and keeping illegals off the Government Teat ! Rubio, are you really this Naive ??? If so you just lost my vote !! The Republicans as a party are dead !!!
  
  Report this comment
brooks1977
Posted on January 30, 2013 at 1:17pm
Who still thinks Mark is anything other than a RINO at best. He is a liberal and I have never trusted him. He confirmed my suspicions when he spoke out against Romneys comment about Obama promising to “give” people gifts to get their votes.

Report this comment
- Crazyotto
  Posted on January 30, 2013 at 3:55pm
  Seriously?
  Erick is a jerk. Who is in this for the money. Thanks to him and others we now have a second term of Obama.. which I half heartedly believe was their plan all along. He loves to be controversial because it sells. He doesn’t bring anything to the table. Marco may have the only plan that is tenable. Unless you believe that deportation of 12 million people is a workable plan. Calling Rubio a rhino is a little misguided. He may be the only weapon we have in 2016. We allowed this ridiculous Reince Priebus to ruin the GOP. and now we continue to self destruct with comments like this.
  
  Report this comment

Comments are closed.

It appears that you have Javascript Disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser preferences for a better user experience on TheBlaze. You can not comment without Javascript enabled.

« Back to The Blaze