Why is "amnesty" a dirty word now in American politics?

Question

I was planning an event with some of my friends in College Democrats, and I suggested that one of our planks that we talk about be amnesty for illegal immigrants. They said no one would ever come to our meetings if we so much as breathed that word. I know that Republicans are dead set against an amnesty (despite the fact that Reagan approved one), but why would it be a problem for Democrats like me? When did amnesty become a bad idea?

Answer 1

They are trying to say that the illegal immigrant bill is NOT amnesty. I disagree.

You will hear pro-amnesty people say it is not amnesty because they have to pay some preset fine. To me, it's like a person that has gotten away with breaking several laws for years and then gets a slap on the wrist and rewarded with the very goal that he/she had been breaking the law to obtain in the first place.

Answer 2

Ronald Reagan also admitted that an amnesty was a mistake. So quote RR completely. An amnesty for a single individual is usually given after a decision of guilt has been handed down and punishment is in progress. There is none of that here. I have been to several illegal rallies and it is infuriating to have people into my face that they DEMAND rights when they broke into this country. I'm also shocked by the number Che t-shirts. Many of these people see Che as a hero which is very disturbing. I read about a Cuban military pilot who defected several years ago. He then rented an aircraft flew into Cuban air space under the radar, landed on a city street, picked up his family and flew back to Florida. That is the kind of attitude that I want for a new American. If you want to come here, come legally, and take the oath in a few years. Give up foreign alliances and be a United States citizen. Think of this way, how would react if you found someone in your house cooking dinner for you. They clean, do the grass, and then they demand to be a member of your family!

Answer 3

I think that most people you know do not recall what it was like when Reagan's amnesty was passed so it's probably nothing to to with that. But I think the problem is the declining quality of life in the US while we continue to support people who come here with no intention of being legal citizens. It's kind of an insult when someone has their hand out but can't even oblige even simple requests. There is a long list of the downfalls to being swamped with 20,30,40 million illegal immigrants so that list could provide some insight into why people do not want amnesty. I think the most obvious though is that, why should we reward one nationality for criminal behaviour? It's disgusting when you hear about good honest people being sent back to their homelands because of simple visa problems meanwhile we bend over backwards to cater to people come from Mexico that offer nothing more than to drag down the wages of the lowest paid workers already in the US.
I think it would be racist to allow 30 million people here from Mexico knowingly against the law to get away with breaking the law while we do not allow our own citizens to get away with breaking laws. That is practicing preferential treatment which is the same as racism.

Answer 4

An overwhelming majority of American voters - Democrat as well as Republican - are against amnesty for illegal immigrants. They don't like the fact that they are in this nation illegally and nothing is done to change it, other than giving them what they want.

And by the way - I am a Democrat. And I am DEAD SET against amnesty or rewarding of any kind. No one is looking to free all of the prisoners that are currently in due to committing crimes because of poverty. So why should this crime be any different than selling drugs or a woman selling sex to feed their kids?

Answer 5

Yes it would be a bad idea to talk about amnesty for immigrants with the republicans. Amnesty can only be used to protect the republican cronies as George Bush commuted the prison sentence of Scooter Libby without any moral justification

Answer 6

when did amnesty become a good idea?
The majority of democrats support amnesty, yet, no one seems to think of the consequences.
If democrats cared about wages and benefits for workers, why would they want 12+ million new low skilled workers in the country?
supply and demand.. right?
when you have short supply, the demand increases... when you dont have enough workers in an area, companies offer benefits and high pay to bring people there... now say you have all these new legal workers.. why would an employer offer benefits and high wages to find workers?
It seems the only reason congressional democrats want amnesty, is so that they can get more people in unions and take more political donations.

Answer 7

Because we don't even give Amnesty to US citizens. Why would we feel compelled as a whole to give amnesty to millions who brOKe our laws and now expect us to give them a break and after expecting didn't work now they go to our streets and US buildings demanding amnesty and we as a nation are suppose to sit back and go wow ok you can stay because you threatened us. No way. They can stand together to demand things from our government but they can't stand together to overthrow their own. Makes no sense to me.

Answer 8

When it became another "all or nothing" political hot-button.

People have gotten so irrational, that it's tantamount to heresy to even discuss certain topics -- which is a guaranteed way of ensuring we'll never find solutions to those problems.

Answer 9

I agree with Chi. Oh yeah, you're still in school? Eventually you'll be on your own and like so many of us, will probably change your tune. I give you ten years. :)

Answer 10

When the immigration bill was proposed