Principled Positions and Undocumented People
In respect to granting drivers’ licenses to illegal immigrants, Eliot Spitzer, the governor of New York, initially took a ‘principled position,’ something which politicians almost never do. And we know why they don’t. For principled positions are either too complicated to be understood by the electorate, or they are minority positions and hence without much support among the electorate, or they are too apt themselves to arouse no less principled opposition positions. Immediate and overwhelming opposition to Mr. Spitzer’s proposal to grant drivers’ licenses to illegal immigrants would come from all three.
The governor had unveiled his position in September, when he
announced that the New York Department of Motor Vehicles would begin issuing
drivers’ licenses without regard to immigration status. At the time he said he wanted to bring illegal immigrants ‘out of the shadows.’ He later described this as a "principle position."
Then during a recent democratic presidential candidate debate Hillary Clinton was asked what she thought of the governor’s initiative. She was pushed, unreasonably I think, by Tim Russert ("Do you support the governor’s plan?") to answer yes or no. She said she understood the governor’s position, and that given the fact of some 3 million illegal immigrants in New York alone, she understood why it made sense to the governor (and to her?) to have them driving legally.
I find myself agreeing with Hillary, that, given the failure of Congress to take up and pass an immigration reform measure, the governor’s position is not unreasonable, and in fact certainly understandable. Hillary by seeming to take the governor’s side was almost onto a principled position of her own. Given the opposition that she must have known was out there what she said in support of the governor almost showed some courage. Did we get a glimpse thereby of what Hillary could be when not overly attentive to the moods and swings of the electorate?
Today the governor’s own initiative fell apart. Evidently the opposition to his plan, led by Lou Dobbs et al., was overwhelming. Why! a driver’s license is a privilege! Extending privileges to illegal immigrants, no way!
People seem to forget that our country was founded and settled by "illegal immigrants,"and that for hundreds of years we erected no barriers to those who gave up all to come here. The immigrants to our shores have always been this country’s greatest strength. Why is it any different now? Why do we need to keep them out?
Today also Hillary took back the little courage she almost showed at the candidates’ debate. In her own words to the press:
"I support Governor Spitzer’s decision today to withdraw his proposal. As president, I will not support driver’s licenses for undocumented people and will press for comprehensive immigration reform that deals with all of the issues around illegal immigration including border security and fixing our broken system."
Other than to call them "undocumented people" no word in her words about the immigrants themselves. Have you ever met one of these "undocumented people?" I have, and do you know what, they’re people, no different from you and me.
I take that back. They are different. They’re younger, and they still believe in the American dream. They still believe that here in America they can make something of themselves, contributing to the strength and prosperity of the country while doing so. This really wasn’t about drivers’ licenses.
