By Arthur Christopher Schaper ——Bio and Archives--January 9, 2014
American Politics, News | CFP Comments | Reader Friendly | Subscribe | Email Us
“They do not pay into the state subsidy.”An economic reason, free of emotion or political pandering, Christie recognized that extending in-state tuition grants to illegal immigrants is too costly, and that the legal residents will end up paying the bill. That’s not fair. Four years and double-digit reelection results later, Christie has waffled, hiding behind the slogan “tuition equality” to justify enabling illegal immigration and granting the “DREAM” of illegal immigrants and amnesty advocates. This is not compromise. This is naked abuse of power in the name of state-sponsored humanitarianism. This agreement to foster a “DREAM Act is compromise the way that two thieves evenly divide the loot which they pilfered from an unguarded home. Not just with Christie’s caving in to immigration pressures, but with Congressman Paul Ryan’s decision to support cuts to military pensions, and more importantly President Obama’s passage of the Affordable Care Act, which as rendered health insurance unaffordable while raising taxes on the middle class, compromise as a political art form has become compromised. Another example delineating the comprehensive failure of true, problem-solving bipartisanship emerged in a CNN discussion following the last-minute fiscal cliff deal in 2012. Rep Mick Mulvaney voted against the hasty, late-night deal, arguing that the “compromise” would increase spending and taxes without cutting the spending. Willing to negotiate on revenue increases, Mulvaney would never agree to any plan which ignored rising debt. Then the CNN moderator cited complaints that Tea Party Republicans in the House refused to compromise. Mulvaney balked, then criticized that mentality pervasive among the Beltway media classes. “I wish that I could show them what we are trying to do in Washington,” Mulvaney continued. He then illustrated: “Imagine if someone came to you and offered to buy your home for one dollar. I mean, you would slam the door in his face. That’s not compromise!” Exactly. When one side is giving everything, and the other side gets most of what they want, you have acquiescence, especially when the side giving everything abdicates its responsibilities. In the same manner, Christie compromised not only with the Democratically-controlled legislature in Trenton, he compromised his own values, or at least the views of his party, and furthermore he compromised his office, as every Governor must uphold and defend the United States Constitution. The DREAM Act will be a nightmare for the rule of law in Trenton and throughout the country, as well as compromising Christie’s chances for higher political office. Now more than ever, voters need leaders who fulfill the spirit as well as letter of compromise, upholding their vows will respecting the views and values of the other side.
View Comments
Arthur Christopher Schaper is a teacher-turned-writer on topics both timeless and timely; political, cultural, and eternal. A life-long Southern California resident, Arthur currently lives in Torrance.
Twitter—@ArthurCSchaper
Facebook
aschaper1.blogspot.com
asheisministries.blogspot.com