Via
avordvet
Senator Marco Rubio, the leading Republican behind the Gang of Eight
comprehensive immigration reform proposal, has often challenged those
who criticize the bill to come up with ways to improve it. And not just
his fellow lawmakers; Rubio has opened a
new page
on his Senate website asking for help from the public.
“Visit our
website and submit your ideas to ‘Help Us Improve the Bill,’” says an
announcement from Rubio’s office Friday. “Since the immigration
legislation was introduced, Rubio has received over 1,100 suggestions
for how to improve the bill. Rubio encourages the public to continue
reviewing the bill and sharing their ideas on ways to make the bill
better when the time comes to amend the legislation.”
A visit to the “Help Us Improve the Bill” page shows the senator has
posted just 147 out of the 1,100 suggestions he has so far received.
Rubio’s staff is reviewing each one — a wise move, given the emotions
that the immigration issue can involve and the tendency of some people
to say nasty things on the Internet.
But even after screening for foul
language and general content, the suggestions Rubio has so far received
are remarkably negative. Actually, they are overwhelmingly, crushingly
negative, criticizing a wide spectrum of issues included in the Gang of
Eight bill. The commenters Rubio has invited to speak really, really,
really don’t like what he has done.
“This amnesty bill is awful and you should back away from it as you
promised you would,” says the very first suggestion, setting the tone
for what is to come.
“Here’s how to improve the bill,” says another. “KILL IT.” “The only
way to improve this bill is to chuck it into the garbage can,” says
another. “We cannot believe you are so naive to believe that this bill
would work.” “My suggestion is a simple one,” says another. “Throw out
this bill and enforce our current immigration laws.”
“NO, NO, NO,” says yet another.
Other suggestions focus specifically on the enforcement provisions in
the bill. “Secure the border first, this is not debatable,” says one.
“As a Cuban-American myself, I can tell that a lot of Cuban-Americans
are against this bill if the border is not secured first,” says
another. “I would not be voting for Sen. Rubio again if border security
is not first achieved.” “NO amnesty for those here illegally,” says
another. Yet another: “Enforce the laws that we already have.” And
another: “Please — no agreement unless the borders will be secured, and
no rewards for wrongdoing!!” “The border must be sealed FIRST,” says
another. “Obama lies. He will not enforce border security.” Then:
“Common sense would dictate STRONGER ENFORCEMENT at the border FIRST!!”
“I suggest that until the borders are secure, nothing else should
happen,” says another.
“We have been promised secure borders before and
it hasn’t happened. Once secure, we can discuss the rest of your
bill.” Says yet another: “I have no problems with compassionately
dealing with the illegals that are already here, but by giving then
amnesty (or whatever else you want to call it) before any real
enforcement kicks in is the biggest problem. Don’t tell me no one gets
legalized until DHS submits and starts a plan to secure the border.
That’s not enforcement.”