Bush 35 or 36

Last night was somewhere around Bush’s 35th or 36th televised address to the nation. There’s been so few I’ve lost count. Bush press conferences have also been just as scarce.

For those who don’t really follow media relations, 35 televised addresses to the nation in 5 years, 4 months in office have to be the fewest for a two-term president since the advent of television. Even by a time schedule the Bush event is indeed a rarity. But when considering everything that has taken place in the last five years, not engaging the American people into the business of its government could very possibly explain why Bush is hovering at around 30% approval rating.

Most conservatives will disagree with me on that, however.

Along with having a substance problem, the administration also has a delivery problem. For some reason conservatives have developed such a disdain for media that they feel they should avoid or ignore the media at all times. The one sure way to guarantee bad press is to have no press.

Nonetheless, on to the substance of Bush’s speech. Having secure borders is the most sovereign aspect of any nation. On average around 1300 illegal immigrants cross the southern border with Mexico each day. Nearly five years after 9/11 why is this happening? It must be noted, though, that not a single hijacker on 9/11 illegally crossed that border. Not one. So, even though the terrorist threat that sent us into war was not a result of a porous Mexican/American border, it is vital for future protection that the American government successfully enacts policy that will protect this nation from a terrorist exploitation of a border that gives access to 1300 people a day to our soil. It’s just common sense.

Bringing in the overstretched Guard is only part of the solution. Just six months ago Department of Homeland Security said using the Guard to seal the border would be “horribly over-expensive and very difficult.” So again, despite the judgment of his cabinet, President Bush wants to deploy the military. Why does Bush think the military is the solution for all America’s ills? Do Bush advisors think the public only trusts him when he’s speaking about military operations? Not only do we have a substance problem and a delivery problem, we also have a one-track mind problem.

To be extremely honest, I’m not entirely against using the Guard. Now, do I think 6,000 or so two week rotating Guardsmen will make that much a difference? Nope. The real solution lies in the details, and details are something this administration isn’t concerned with. Immigration troubles did not begin overnight. They were progressively getting worse long before 9/11. A serious coherent policy would target the large businesses that chiefly depend upon illegal immigrant labor and who also attract illegals into the country as part of their business program. The policy would also target the very agency responsible for immigration services, the INS. Throwing a bunch of money at the INS is not the solvent, however. Money, training, expertise, morale, manpower and enforcement/deportation are all vital components for any restructuring of immigration policy.

Last nights speech contained none of the above. I’m afraid Bush’s speech and the subsequent policies set forth therein are too little too late.

NOTE: I'm am also guest blogging at Blanton's and Ashton's.

Tags:
Bush, Immigration, Macbook, Mexico, Pentagon, State of (Political)Emergency