Why are we paying today, for Reagan's amnesty of illegals in 1986?

Question

Why are neo-cons so short sighted?

Answer 1

In 1980 the year Reagan became President, the Senate was a republican majority, the House democrats, there was no democratic majority as someone erroneously posted. Twenty one years after his comprehensive immigration reform and under republican control of government, we need another. The republican leadership gives their base lip-service but no actual real positive results, yet all I see is unwavering support for this type of politics. The estimated cost for retirement for these illegals is in the hundreds of TRILLIONS. Are republicans really ready to support that when they don't support Americans in New Orleans who have been devastated by a natural disaster? Is this really what you want to pass on to future generations?

Answer 2

We aren't. Those given amnesty in 1986 are now productive law-abiding citizens (with the few exceptions you'll find in any large group).

What we have now is indeed the result of neo-con short-sightedness, however. By 1994 it was obvious that illegal immigration was again becoming a problem. And policy experts had been and continued to point out that some sort of "guest worker" program was needed (they said that in 1986 too, but were ignored).

Had the Republicans dealt with the situation THEN--we would not have this problem. Instead they spent 12 years doing nothing--including 5 years after 9/11 when it was clear reforming the system was a matter of national security as well.

Now--as a direct result of their irresponsibility, we have 12 million people in this country illegally--and no feasible alternative except creating some sort of legal sttus for them.

I'm not concerned abot "amnesty" or whatever you want to call it. History tells us that the great majority of these people will assimiliate into American society and make good citizens. I am concerned that we ALSO get a realistic and comprehensive reform of the immigration system--instead of the half-a**ed job they did in 1986. Or we'll have to go through the whole d*mn mess again in another 20 years.

Answer 3

Reagan was a good President besides him giving amnesty to illegals, and even then, not many illegals came into the country in those years. It was during Clinton's administration, when NAFTA was put into effect, that the illegals started their mass immigration. Reagan was better than the other nightmares like Carter, Clinton, and George W. And a neo-con is a former liberal. Get your facts straight. Reagan was a true conservative, not a neo-con

Answer 4

Reagan's amnesty was a tiny drop in the bucket that mostly affected California and maybe a few other border states at most.Clinton signed NAFTA and it has been a national crisis ever since.Bush has just given us more of the same.

Answer 5

If you don't want amnesty, don't vote Democrat.

Which democratic candidate wants to deport them?

Answer 6

It was a democractically controlled congress that passed the amnesty bill. So ask the dems why they are so weak on immigration.

Answer 7

Short sighted as in Cut and Run?

Answer 8

Actually it was Ted Kennedy who started this whole mess back in 1968. Oh and Ted "the drunk" Kennedy is a liberal. Hmm. Go figure.

Answer 9

Because business leaders want the cheap labor. And the republican party are the whore for business leaders and illegal labor.

Answer 10

Give us something to validate your reference.