No doubt you're well aware that President Barack Obama was in El Paso yesterday, where he said that "genuine, comprehensive reform" was the only way to repair a "broken immigration system." In his speech, posted in its entirety to the White House website, Obama insisted his administration's doing what it can to keep people from entering the country illegally; he described "the real human toll" of a broken system; and he talked about stepping up patrols along the Texas-Mexico border and the increasing amount of drugs and gun seized by agents. And, he acknowledged, yes, more needs to be done. At which point he said that for some, though, there will never be enough:
We have gone above and beyond what was requested by the very Republicans who said they supported broader reform as long as we got serious about enforcement. All the stuff they asked for, we've done. But even though we've answered these concerns, I've got to say I suspect there are still going to be some who are trying to move the goal posts on us one more time.Which brings us to this: Tuesday evening, former Dallas mayor-turned-candidate for U.S. Senate Tom Leppert felt compelled to post his own response to the president's speech. Guess what -- he was not impressed.
You know, they said we needed to triple the Border Patrol. Or now they're going to say we need to quadruple the Border Patrol. Or they'll want a higher fence. Maybe they'll need a moat. Maybe they want alligators in the moat. They'll never be satisfied. And I understand that. That's politics.
Here's what Leppert had to say, from start to the bitter end:
"Washington has failed to secure our border, and violence continues here in Texas. Barack Obama visited the Lone Star State today claiming he has cracked down on the border, and he is pushing legislation that would give amnesty to many who broke the law and entered our country illegally.
"In Texas, we know Washington's failed policies will only encourage illegal immigration and make it more difficult to enforce the law. It is disappointing the Obama Administration has decreased the enforcement of our country's immigration laws and cancelled initiatives for new border protection technology.
"Texans support immigration -- legal immigration. Immigration has bestowed vast benefits on America in commerce, business and trade. But illegal immigration is a crisis for Texas and other border states, and Washington has refused to act. As President, Barack Obama has an obligation to enforce our nation's laws and keep us safe. Here on the southern border, we're still waiting for action."
