[StBernard] Amnesty is not immigration reform

[Westley Annis]

Like you, I'm disappointed that Mitt Romney lost and that Republicans did not pick up seats in the U.S. Senate. Whenever political parties experience such defeats, factions from within the party begin to disagree or blame other parts for the election results. 

My response: everyone calm down. It's irrational for a party of principles to quickly change or vacate them completely only because some people think it will help them win elections. Worse, it’s shortsighted. 

One issue that the liberal media and the Democrats would absolutely love to capitalize on is "immigration reform." For these folks, that means nothing more than amnesty. 

What they forget is that in 2007, when I helped lead a small group of senators to defeat Ted Kennedy's amnesty bill, a majority of Americans opposed amnesty for illegal aliens. 

I believe we need to lead by pushing for real immigration reform: better securing our borders, a better naturalization process for immigrants who are trying to become citizens the right way, and enabling states and cities with the ability to enforce the immigration laws already on the books. 

Selling out our principles wholesale for potential political expediency is not the answer. 

Rest assured, I'll keep fighting for our voice to be heard. 

David