Today’s QC Times has an article titled Branstad won’t work against Q-C immigrant initiative. The title pretty much covers the Branstad position, with the core of the story being this quote from Branstad’s spokesman Jimmy Centers: “Gov. Branstad isn’t involved in the efforts in the Quad-Cities, which means he’s not working with the group, nor is he working to halt any organizing,”
Well thanks Governor for not clarifying what is at issue and offering an opinion (previously) but no leadership or policy statement with regards to matters under your purview . . . the propriety of the potential expenditure of state funds should Gluba’s “Caring Cities” or the “1000 Kids for Iowa” initiative mentioned in the article succeed.
Are you saying no state funded social services are possibly implicated in the relocation of the individuals contemplated? Two days ago you stated “I do not want to send the signal to send these children to America illegally” which is fine, but does not address the issue that the contemplated individuals are presenting themselves, arguably, legally, based on their country of origin. Calling for border security, which you have also done, is not quite what is at issue either, although we encourage you to say more.
The issue is the expenditure of resources pending deportation hearings that could be interminable and your views on that. Actions to increase claims on state resources would seem to be a matter to be concerned about. Yours was not a bowdlerized political statement, that would have had more merit, it was more a revised statement of effective indifference.
In the same article we see that Mayor Gluba of Davenport continues his evasions.
Gluba steered clear of any criticism of the governor Tuesday, suggesting his comments Monday were based on a lack of information. “Sometimes, we make statements without all the facts, . . . I’m just trying to figure out the best way to help children.”
Shhuurre, no dig intended there against the guv, he is just ignorant, but be assured old Bill is in possession of all the facts, he just won’t be forthcoming with them. But typical of liberals like Mayor Gluba, while telling each other how smart and compassionate they are (with other peoples money), their transparency is non-existent and actual association with the truth is scant.
Gluba is not forthcoming and definitive as regards expenditures and claims on tax supported resources. Local resources that should be reserved for citizens are affected derivatively upon arrival of the Central Americans. Far more significantly, resources will inevitably be commandeered when their stays move past the 35 days allotted for by federal agencies supposedly paying the bills pending initial deportation proceedings. As the pro-immigration Wall Street Journal reports : “Data from immigration courts, along with interviews with the children and their advocates, show that few minors are sent home and many are able to stay for years in the U.S., if not permanently.”
The primary Obama strategy contained in the demand of Congress to come up with 3.7 billion dollars in supplemental appropriations is not border security, and is way beyond repatriation costs, it is to lawyer up the border rushers in order to delay their return and make them part of the ongoing immigration travesty. See See also yesterday’s Veritaspac.com article.
The QC Times article also makes reference to Gluba raising former Republican Gov. Bob Ray’s efforts to resettle southeast Asians in the aftermath of the Vietnam War as a parallel.
But the historic differences are profound. The circumstances of the Vietnamese involved an urgency of a genuine persecuted class of political refugees (anti- communists) and the fact that communist regimes were and continue to practice brutal retribution and treatment of political opponents.
No serious claim can be made that the extensive border rush of Central Americans has anything near the substance of even threatened political persecution. The anti-communist Vietnamese faced endemic persecution. Surveys of the The Central Americans are conclusive,most are simply pursuing perceived opportunities here, like every wishful but lawful immigrant. They are taking advantage of loopholes in U.S. law to do so. Loopholes that must be closed immediately.
Gluba is further quoted as saying: “I’m willing to work with anybody of goodwill on this.”
Mayor, first you will need to develop some good will toward the whole truth and end your phoney “for the children” selectivity. R Mall
