In the modern political world "doing something" is important above all. If you're going to pander, you'd better have "done something" you can point to. It doesn't really matter if your achievement had a positive or negative effect. As long as you've got something - anything - that you can sell to the suckers, you'll be blessed with the appearance of having "done something."
You'll get a few talking points, and a little bit of ammo to use against your eventual challengers.
The Republicans have mastered the art of "doing something" in a way that neither solves problems, nor benefits them politically. Say what you will about the disastrous nature of Democrat policies, but when they pass a law, it usually moves them toward their long term goals. ObamaCare is probably the greatest example. It's politically powerful among the 47% the base, and it facilitates their anti-free market ideals.
Now, John Boehner is urging Republicans to "do something" about immigration reform and he's doing so in the most infantile way possible:
First of all, a man who regularly cries at the drop of hat may not want to resort to this kind of childish cry-baby routine. It just reminds people of his numerous, obvious, shortcomings.
Second, he has a point - though I'm absolutely sure it's not the one he's trying to make.
The fact is that Republicans have been avoiding this issue, and they've been doing so because it's both procedurally and politically difficult. They've failed to do much of anything to seal our borders, they've done very little to disincentivize the hiring of illegals over much more costly legal citizens, and they've taken a pass on pressuring Mexico over its facilitation of illegal border crossings. Much more importantly, while they whine about the need for reform, Congressmen like John Boehner have done absolutely nothing to make Barack Obama and Eric Holder to enforce the immigration laws we already have.
So yes, we agree with the Speaker. Many of his Republican colleagues are a bunch of whiny weaklings. Unfortunately, rather than leading them to a stronger position, he's decided to become their poster child.
