Wednesday, May 21, Resolved: Juan McCain

The John Adams Society

Marianne Stebbins, Chairman
David Schilling, Secretary
G. Larry Colson, Chief Whip
Mark Sanquist, Chancellor


May 2008

“Our legislation does account for people who are here illegally, it does have an employment verification system, and it weeds out those who shouldn't be here, and it gives others a chance to remain in this country. Look, this is a national security issue first and foremost. What we have done is come together with the President and the leaders of both parties, and sit down and figure out an approach to this problem. It is a serious national security problem. We need to act, and if someone else has a better idea, I'd love to have them give it to us.” - Senator John McCain



FEW ISSUES on the political landscape raise as much controversy as illegal immigration, particularly the waves of people entering from Mexico and other Central American countries. On one side, the argument is simple: those who are here illegally need to be deported. At the exact opposite end are those who say illegal immigrants just want a better life here and shouldn’t be denied that right just because of some arbitrary bureaucratic regulations. Elected officials, and those seeking office, carefully attempt to address the problems illegal immigration creates without appearing to be ‘anti-Hispanic’ and offending an ever growing group of voters.

Presumptive Republican Presidential nominee Senator John McCain is no exception. Rather than address the source of the problem, he attempts to cure the symptoms with more government and more regulation on business. His recent legislation proposal, thankfully shot down after a popular uprising, would have given amnesty to illegal aliens, and required companies to verify the citizenship of their employees – with heavy fines for those evil businesses that employ non-citizens. Given the recent technology debacle with the Bureau of the Census, one can safely be skeptical of the accuracy of a illegal alien tracking system developed by that same government.


ON THE OTHER HAND, one could view Senator McCain’s approach to the immigration mess as a more realistic way of dealing with a problem that has gone unchecked for too long. From a sheer numbers perspective, there aren’t enough INS agents, buses, trains, planes or ships to transport the estimated 14 million undocumented aliens back to their country of origin. And let us not forget about the burden that would be placed on the courts, as there surely exists a legion of lawyers who, for a government subsidized fee, will represent each alleged illegal immigrant. With Senator McCain’s ideas, we at least begin the process of putting the ‘undocumented’ population on a road towards tax paying and voting citizenship.

The Chairman, who believes that good fences make good neighbors, has called for a debate to settle the question:

Resolved: JUAN McCAIN


The Debate will be held on Wednesday May 21st, 2008 at the University Club, 420 Summit Avenue, in Saint Paul. The Chancellor will preside over drinks beginning at seven o'clock p.m. The debate will begin at half past seven. While there is no dress code for attendance, gentlemen who wish to speak must wear a tie; ladies should adhere to a similar sartorial standard. For those gentlemen who arrive tieless yet wish to speak, fret not: the Purveyor of Ties will keep on hand at least one of his quite remarkable ties for just such an eventuality. Questions about debate caucus procedures or about the John Adams Society itself may be directed to the Chairman at (952) 470-8090 or the Secretary at (952) 210-2448.

www.johnadamssociety.org