Rasmussen [3] has an extensive look at the latest polling numbers re: the immigration issue and the bill currently up in the Senate. As you can guess, support is mi-T-slim. From the report:
Public support for the Senate immigration reform [4] bill has slipped a bit over the past week. A Rasmussen Reports poll conducted Monday and Tuesday night found that just 23% of voters now support the bill while 50% are opposed.Last week [5], 26% supported the Senate bill while 48% were opposed.
But that hasn't stopped them from trying to go forward with a bill that the public is sure won't work.
...a solid plurality believes it would be better for the country to pass no bill at this time rather than letting the Senate compromise become law. Forty-nine percent (49%) of voters prefer no bill over the Senate bill. Just 32% prefer the legislative compromise over inaction. ...Voters have consistently viewed immigration reform as meaning improving border security and reducing illegal immigration. Seventy-two percent (72%) of voters believe it is Very Important for "the government to improve its enforcement of the borders [6] and reduce illegal immigration." Adding pressure to Congress is the fact that voters see this objective as achievable --68% of Americans believe it is possible to reduce illegal immigration [7]. Just 20% disagree. A New York Times/CBS News poll found that 82% believe the federal government could do more [8] to reduce illegal immigration. ...
In other words, the public knows it's possible, but the politicians just don't want to try, for various reasons, (either support of the business/agriclutural community...or in the interests of finding new voters and customers for government benefits). Again, the public knows it COULD be done, but that the government, for all its promises in this bill, WONT get it done:
The key to building support for such a compromise is convincing voters that the government is serious about controlling the border. That's where this particular compromise has failed in the court of public opinion--just 16% believe it will actually reduce illegal immigration [5]. ...
And it's not just us obstinate conservative Republicans who oppose this deal, as the survey points out:
It would be a mistake, however, to see the difference as a typical partisan divide--just 29% of Democrats support the measure while 40% are opposed. Among Republicans, support is at 21% 57% are opposed. Only 17% of those not affiliated with either party support the measure. Fifty-seven percent (57%) of unaffiliateds are opposed.
Wayda go get those Independent voters! Since suggesting that people opposed to amnesty were somehow bigots, or whatever, the Republicans pushing this deal have seem their approval numbers take a hit..
Senator John McCain, a leading supporter of the bill, fell to fourth place in the latest Rasmussen Reports poll for the Republican Presidential nomination [9]. Voters in McCain's home state of Arizona [10] are no more enthusiastic about the bill than voters nationwide. Just 47% of Arizona voters now have a favorable opinion of McCain.President George W. Bush, a primary backer of the immigration legislation, saw his Job Approval [11] ratings tumble to record lows in May as the debate heated up.
The point is people want their laws enforced, and they understand that's not happening...and that, because it's not, their country is at greater risk and their pocketbooks are going to take a huge hit.
While favoring an immigrant-friendly society, most Americans also favor a society in which the laws are observed by everyone. By a 3-to-1 margin, voters say it doesn't make sense to consider additional laws until the government first gains control of the borders and enforces existing laws. [7]Earlier surveys on immigration have found support for building a http://legacy.rasmussenreports.com/2005/Immigration [12] November 7.htm">barrier along the Mexican border and positive attitudes towards http://legacy.rasmussenreports.com/2005/Immigration_Sept [13] 22.htm">citizen patrols along the border. Another survey found that most Americans consider current immigration laws a threat to both national security and the economy [14]. Three-fourths of all Americans believe it is too easy for people from other countries to enter the United States.
The problem with what the majority of the American people think is that the political leadership doesn't want to listen, or doesn't care. They're bent and determined to do what they want, no matter what we think. Time to let them undertand in no uncertain terms that there's no political future in ignoring us. Call or write them today [15].
