By TIM KILLEEN
John Hudson wrote a good roundup piece about pundits' views on the White House's treatment of the AZ immigration law and what it might mean politically. The consensus seems to be that Democratic Governors feel like the White House has put them in a difficult spot by failing to take the lead on immigration, allowing AZ to set the tone for the issue and considering the fact that the majority of Americans in each state have responded to polls claiming that they'd support local legislation similar to the AZ law. Hudson asks whether it's politically expedient or advantageous for the Democrats to challenge Arizona's treatment of the illegal immigration issue.
The problem, however, is that political calculations as the basis for policy decisions, on either side of the spectrum, is exactly what the American people are sick of. Whatever your political affiliations, one thing most people can agree on is that they'd rather see a politician take a principled approach on a tough issue despite his reelection bid if it's what's best for his constituents or for the country.
In this particular matter, whether or not the majority of Americans polled like the AZ law or not has no bearing on its constitutionality. What's important is whether state law is being used to trump federal law in violation of the Supremacy Clause of the US Constitution. The Democrats are right to pursue a course of action they believe to be upholding the law, even if it means they lose political points. We elect our representatives to do what's best for us, not what's best for the future of their careers.
John Hudson wrote a good roundup piece about pundits' views on the White House's treatment of the AZ immigration law and what it might mean politically. The consensus seems to be that Democratic Governors feel like the White House has put them in a difficult spot by failing to take the lead on immigration, allowing AZ to set the tone for the issue and considering the fact that the majority of Americans in each state have responded to polls claiming that they'd support local legislation similar to the AZ law. Hudson asks whether it's politically expedient or advantageous for the Democrats to challenge Arizona's treatment of the illegal immigration issue.
The problem, however, is that political calculations as the basis for policy decisions, on either side of the spectrum, is exactly what the American people are sick of. Whatever your political affiliations, one thing most people can agree on is that they'd rather see a politician take a principled approach on a tough issue despite his reelection bid if it's what's best for his constituents or for the country.
In this particular matter, whether or not the majority of Americans polled like the AZ law or not has no bearing on its constitutionality. What's important is whether state law is being used to trump federal law in violation of the Supremacy Clause of the US Constitution. The Democrats are right to pursue a course of action they believe to be upholding the law, even if it means they lose political points. We elect our representatives to do what's best for us, not what's best for the future of their careers.
No comments:
Post a Comment