Why is illegal Immigration the only campaign issue being covered by the media?

2015-08-26T10:17:34-04:00

This morning I received an E-Mail (admittedly it was a solicitation for funding), that raised a couple of solid points. I am going to post some excerpts from the message without the solicitation part on it. The message is from former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson. The question it made sit and really think about is:

Why with all of the serious issues facing this nation right now is there such a media fixation on the issue of immigration?

I will withhold posting my opinion on this matter because I want to see what the RP Folk think.

Excerpt (Edited to remove solicitation):
If you’re like me, you have watched an amazing argument take place among the presidential candidates over the momentous question of whether the term “Anchor Babies” is offensive or not.

We even have one candidate trying to save face by suggesting that this term actually applies more to Asian immigrants than to Latino ones. It must be a joke, but sadly, I don’t think they are joking.

Of course, the term “Anchor Baby” is offensive. How could it not be? I live in New Mexico -- and was Governor for eight years. Trust me. It’s offensive. Even more offensive is the absurdity of people named Bush, Trump and Clinton trying to decide what’s offensive to immigrants.

I have an idea. Let’s put the issue of birthright citizenship aside for a while and deal with real problems. For the record, in my opinion, if a young woman is enterprising enough to sneak across the border for the purpose of having a child who will then be eligible for citizenship in the U.S. -- and who can, 21 years later when he or she has reached adulthood, perhaps sponsor family members for legal status, that might be a family who will make pretty good Americans.

At worst, it is not a “problem” that needs to be anywhere close to the top of our national “to do” list, much less the lead story on the news.

We have an $18 Trillion debt. We are dropping bombs on the other side of the globe with no apparent strategy behind doing so. Congress will be returning to work in a couple of weeks to, among other things, make critical decisions about our privacy and civil liberties.

THOSE are the issues the politicians should be focused upon -- and the <soliciting organization> is working hard to put REAL issues on the national agenda. If we don’t get government spending under control, illegal immigration won’t be a problem. No one will want to come to a nation whose economy has collapsed under the weight of unsustainable debt. Birthright citizenship in a nation that has destroyed liberty won’t be a very appealing opportunity.

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Aug 26 at 2015 10:21 AM

2015-08-26T10:21:26-04:00

Trump is dictating the pace in regards to the news media and the candidates. If Trump says anything different, the others will latch onto it and chase after him. This is correct there are many MANY other real issues here, but until someone can stop the Trump juggernaut it is what it is.

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Aug 26 at 2015 10:22 AM

2015-08-26T10:22:12-04:00

While there are some great points brought up in the message, I will say this again; we are still really early into the process. I think we see the same thing every time we go through this. You'll see issues raised in cycles. This just happens to be the immigration cycle. After the week that Wall Street has had over the past 48 hours, I wouldn't be surprised to see the Economy be the next cycle.

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Aug 26 at 2015 10:22 AM

2015-08-26T10:22:39-04:00

Because of all the comments being made by the candidate!

Response by CW4 Guy Butler made Aug 26 at 2015 10:24 AM

2015-08-26T10:24:44-04:00

Because that's the issue sucking all the oxygen out of the room right now.

Response by CW4 Guy Butler made Aug 26 at 2015 10:25 AM

2015-08-26T10:25:50-04:00

Electric razors don't require all the prep work.

Response by CW4 Guy Butler made Aug 26 at 2015 10:27 AM

2015-08-26T10:27:12-04:00

Other than a call to arm reporters and cameramen, not much.

Response by PFC Joseph Levi made Aug 26 at 2015 10:45 AM

2015-08-26T10:45:00-04:00

I believe immigration is the main topic because Trump started it all. Wait and see when Trump brings another topic to fruition. See how everyone will jump on that bandwagon too! No one can over speak Trump, only join his campaigning topics.

Response by CW3 Eric W. S. made Aug 26 at 2015 10:46 AM

2015-08-26T10:46:16-04:00

good news doesn't sell and the media (for all the good that can be done) needs to utilize anything with a "shock factor" to keep ratings. If you upset a demographic of individuals, there is the potential for weeks of reporting to follow...

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Aug 26 at 2015 10:52 AM

2015-08-26T10:52:04-04:00

The major reasons that the illegal alien issues are front and center is that they combine both human interest ["everybody knows one"], economic burdens, and fear [there are violent criminals who have been deported and come back]. Reporters don't have to dig deep - lots of low-hanging fruit.
There are many facets of illegal alien situation this country is facing today - the "pipelines" which coyotes and others use to bring illegals here; providing care for all who are inside our borders at taxpayer expense; deportation of "criminals" plays down the fact that they are all criminals in the sense that they entered illegally [ask Cuban's who risked crossing from Cuba in leaky boats only to be turned away because they didn't touch American soil]; the misconception that anybody who is born in this country has a birthright to be subsidized by this nation; the idea that Americans are to proud to do the low paying jobs and only illegal aliens will work for "peanuts;" the idea that there are million of potential voters that will vote with the major party's - liberals froth at the mouth thinking that most of the illegals will vote liberal once they are granted the "freedom" to vote :-)
Conservatives understand that many of the illegals come from countries that are more socially conservative which respect hard work, marriage, family, etc. They tend to forget that second generations tend to break away from nay things the first generation parents held dear.
COL Mikel J. Burroughs, LTC Stephen C., TSgt Hunter Logan, SGT Robert Hawks, SGT Randal Groover, SGT Private RallyPoint Member, SGT Forrest Stewart, SPC Private RallyPoint Member

Response by TSgt Kenneth Ellis made Aug 26 at 2015 11:02 AM

2015-08-26T11:02:19-04:00

For one thing the media just thinks Trump is the only one in the race. And that is his number one issue. Second the media wants to push it so Hillary has something to talk about. Have you noticed that interviewers ask are people born gay, to everyone but Trump. To give Hillary something to talk about because she cannot talk about the real issues..

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 26 at 2015 11:19 AM

2015-08-26T11:19:35-04:00

Sensationalism. Media is afraid Trump is going to say, "JUMP" and they all will.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Aug 26 at 2015 11:59 AM

2015-08-26T11:59:18-04:00

http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs/skills-translator/

Response by SN Greg Wright made Aug 26 at 2015 12:03 PM

2015-08-26T12:03:33-04:00

PO3 Steven Sherrill That's easy: it's easily the hottest, click-generating topic these days, now that the 'whole country' has 'accepted' gay marriage, etc.

Response by SSG Ricardo Marcial made Aug 26 at 2015 12:04 PM

2015-08-26T12:04:53-04:00

Because "the Hair Piece" is making is his main agenda. and Fox News is running with it.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 26 at 2015 12:29 PM

2015-08-26T12:29:04-04:00

I have mixed emotions on this subject. I know the good Mexicans want a better life for their children. That said, if it were only those Mexicans who are crossing our borders, it wouldn't be as bad as it is now. But, they aren't the only ones crossing over. The drug smugglers, the human trafficking, the murders of some innocent children and adults by leaving their tractor trailers on the side of the road, if they have engine problems, the gang affiliations brought across the borders, all contribute to us not wanting to have to Not wanting them here. But they're here and they have to be dealt with. It's true that they do the manual labor jobs we don't want to do, but when you stop and think about it, they pay no taxes. They don't contribute one thing to our economy or our country. It's like stealing from all of us. I hire them for my yard care, and that sounds, well, ok. But when I go out to speak to one of them, and they don't know any English, it reminds me that I am supporting them crossing the borders, I don't want them to cross. I don't know if it's the front runner topic, of all politicians, but our internal countries problems should be first on that list. I believe, nothing we do, will stop the illegal immigrants from crossing our borders. I believe the concentration should be on getting rid of the bad government we have been experiencing, quit using illegal immigrants as a favorite topic for votes, and do other important things like making our country strong again and a country to be reckoned with by our enemies. We need someone in office who isn't afraid to speak the truth and stop being a coward in facing our enemies, or not knowing what we should do. Those men and women in Iraq and Afghanistan, are barely mentioned anymore, and that's got to change. My three cents for what it's worth.

Response by Sgt Kelli Mays made Aug 26 at 2015 12:45 PM

2015-08-26T12:45:48-04:00

Because Trump has made such a stink about it....the candidates both Republican and Democrats are bringing up other issues...but it seems everyone is interested in hearing Trump.

Illegal immigration is a big deal and has been totally ignored by this administration...and with the wave of the potus's magic pen, he implements his amenrsity plan...which is basically illegal and not right.

Illegal immigration is a huge problem and needs to be addressed.

Response by LTC Ed Ross made Aug 26 at 2015 2:05 PM

2015-08-26T14:05:36-04:00

If anyone cares to do a little mathematical modeling taking into account different ethnic and sociological birth rates, it soon becomes evident that American's of European dissent are disappearing. The same is true for primary ethnic groups in European countries. One model projects that given current trends ethnic Germans will be a minority in their own country by 2050. All that is well and good as ethnic melding is a natural evolutionary trend. When you also look as sociological statistics, however, it becomes evident that most of the migration of illegal immigrants to the U.S. and other western countries is from the lower end of the economic strata. They generally contribute little besides unskilled labor, and they place a great burden on social safety-net programs and welfare. Most of these immigrants also come from countries with greatly different value systems than have been the underpinning of American society. Over time, American is transformed into a different country. Now, if that's OK with everyone, that's fine. Oh, and by the way, the overwhelming majority of them, when the vote, vote for Democrats. If you want the entire United States to look like California politically. then I guess that's OK too.

Response by SGT William Howell made Aug 27 at 2015 2:29 PM

2015-08-27T14:29:46-04:00

All valid points. I don't find Anchor Babies offensive at all. It very much describes what that child is. What I do find offensive is "Undocumented Workers". When did "illegal immigrants" become un-PC. It describes exactly what they are much better than the other. When you call them "Workers", you are insinuating something that can't be proven , but it sounds nice.

As for your candidate, 2 paragraphs does not make a plan on how to run a nation.

Also, Donald Trump is just well spoken egotistical idiot. Why everybody is comparing him to Jeb is beyond me. Ben Carson is beating Bush and yet nobody comparing him to Trump. Ben Carson is a real anti-politician.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 27 at 2015 6:58 PM

2015-08-27T18:58:59-04:00

I would respectfully submit that part of that $18 Trillion in debt is spent on illegals in this country, for one benefit after another, including in-state tuition and driver's licenses in the state where I live. While it may not be the biggest issue, immigration/illegal immigration is definitely an issue I'd like to see addressed by the next POTUS and Congress.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Aug 27 at 2015 7:01 PM

2015-08-27T19:01:02-04:00

It is the single biggest item we are dealing with. Illegals could be from any country including from places that want to do us harm. Aside form that it's the sheer cost of caring for them. Don't you think those resources would be be used caring for homeless or sick vets?

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Aug 27 at 2015 8:20 PM

2015-08-27T20:20:10-04:00

This one is simple. The preponderance of media outlets support the progressive/leftist ideology. Although there is little ideological difference between the Democrats and the GOP, the media is fixated on the Democrats and determined to vilify the Republicans. The media is arming themselves almost exclusively with the "immigration" issue to hopefully destroy the GOP chances in the next election, to destroy their majority in Congress and deny them the White House. Thus, that is the only issue you are hearing from them and the Republicans simply aren't smart enough to combat this strategy. If you accept my premise, you can easily see why they won't mention the economy (it never recovered under the Obama Administration), employment (the "statistics" that they publish reflecting a drop in unemployment are bogus), crime (their only strategy is to disarm law-abiding Americans), etc, etc, etc.

Response by SFC Charles Temm made Jun 12 at 2016 7:53 PM

2016-06-12T19:53:29-04:00

It can be used as a hammer by the party the media prefers on the other while many of the other major probs in the nation have either The Party of the State or BOTH parties as the reason why the problems exists to begin with...