Our Junior Tennessee Senator Bob Corker has been in the news plenty these last few days. The main reason: his sponsoring of an Amendment to the Gang of Eight Immigration Bill known as the “Corker-Hoeven Amendment.”
Since much has already been written on the Immigration Bill in general and the Corker-Hoeven Amendment specifically, I will forgo the repeated regurgitating of their numerous flaws and dangers (specifics are below in the Footnotes). Rather, I intend to simply weigh in as one of Senator Corker’s constituents and voice the concerns I have had with the process and his role.
First let me say that there is plenty of information on both sides of this issue to at the very minimum muddy the waters and totally confuse the issue for the general public who don’t read the fine print or follow the debate closely. Personally, I believe that was a purposeful strategy as is the case with much of what Congress does.
Consider that our Constitution, the founding document of our nation is only 6 pages long while the Immigration Bill is 1200 pages long. This one point should reveal a huge problem with not only the process but the ability for everyday citizens to realistically understand the legislation.
I would love an answer from Senator Corker as to whether he personally read all 1200 pages of the FINAL version. Further, I wonder if the other Senators voting for this bill read all 1200 pages as well. Don’t hold your breath for an honest answer to those questions.
In my view it’s shameful that a 1200 page bill that so fundamentally affects the future make-up of our nation was pushed through in such haste. What is worse though is that Senator Corker played a key role in a broken and perverse process that in this instance produced a dangerous outcome.
During my own thirty year business career I have had to read dozens if not hundreds of extensive and voluminous business agreements and contracts. Some of these contracts have reached to many hundreds of pages long. Given these facts, I believe it is very deceptive of Senator Corker to assert that his amendment was only “119 pages” and the “1100 pages have been public since May.”
Anyone who has been involved in reviewing contracts knows that as they change from one version to another the wording, placement and impact of the changes are critical. In the case of the Corker Amendment, the 119 pages were not simply added onto the end of the bill. Rather, it is reported that the entire bill was updated and the 119 pages were placed throughout the bill. So for Senator Corker to allege that one could just read the 119 pages and know exactly how it all interacts and plays out is either naive, misleading, or false.
Ultimately though, the issue at stake is Trust. Do you and I trust our government? Do we trust Barack Obama? Do we trust Congress? And specifically, do we trust Bob Corker?
Relationships consistently boil down to trust. Whether it’s a marriage, a business partnership, or an elected official – trust is paramount. And in this momentous piece of legislation much trust was lost… again. And Congress wonders why their approval ratings continue to drop.
What I have concluded after interacting with the Senator’s representatives for the last 6 years is that it appears that Senator Corker’s trust continues to grow for Obama, his team and the progressives who are openly destroying our nation. Corker’s track record of cooperation, approval of nominations and complicity with much of his progressive counterparts in the Senate is cause for concern. And I would contend that the Senator’s philosophy and flawed approach is contributing to the demise of our nation.
Assume for a moment that the Gang of 8 bill was the best document since the Constitution (although I believe it is actually the antithesis of the values presented in the Constitution), what is Senator Corker going to do when Obama and his agencies choose to simply ignore or violate the provisions that Corker so proudly extols?
If Senator Corker is honest he must acknowledge that this is a customary and routine strategy for Obama and his administration. The concept of the “rule of law” has absolutely no meaning to Obama, Holder, Sebelius, Napolitano and the rest of his gang of thugs. So when Napolitano chooses to selectively enforce or use her own “discretion” to ignore aspects of the Immigration Bill that Corker has so vocally endorsed and championed, what then? What will Corker do at that point?
I hate to say this but my belief based on Corker’s actions to date, as well as the other progressive Republicans will be that they will do NOTHING. They will respond with speeches, letters and TV interviews. But ultimately they will not do one thing.
In a speech I recently gave at the “Audit the IRS” Rally in Washington DC I described this type of inaction by the spineless Republicans in Congress as playing T-Ball while the treacherous progressive Democrats play Hardball. When your adversary shows up with a Louisville Slugger, you are sure to lose swinging a plastic bat. What’s worse though is that the Republicans are willfully showing up with a T-Ball bat. Their Louisville Slugger is in the dugout, but they refuse to use it. It’s no wonder we are losing the battle for our nation.
If I could ask Senator Corker a question it would be this:
“Senator, what is it that changed from 2006, when you spoke emphatically against amnesty when running in your republican primary, and today when you swooped in to save a bill that can only be described as amnesty? You went from Bob “No Amnesty” Corker to Senator “Pro Amnesty” Corker. Did you simply change your mind or were you not completely forthright in 2006?”
I’d love to know the answer to those questions.
As a reminder, here’s what then “candidate” Corker said in 2006: “The immigration reform bill passed by the Senate is too lenient on illegal immigrants already in this country. I would have voted against it. Comprehensive immigration legislation must include strong provisions to secure our borders without the inclusion of amnesty…” http://www.chattanoogan.com/2006/5/25/86509/Hilleary-Bryant-Corker-Hit.aspx
And here’s Corker’s TV ad in 2006: “For centuries, immigrants have come to America legally. They worked hard and made America great. But today we’ve lost control of our borders. We need a new immigration policy that reflects America’s values. First, secure this border. Allow people to work here but only if they’re legal. No amnesty. Those employed but here illegally must go home and return through legal channels. And those who want to become citizens must learn the English language. I’m Bob Corker and I approve this message.”
Wow! What a difference 6 years in Washington will do to change a person’s views… or to reveal a politician’s true heart.
Footnotes (more on the specifics of the bill):
A quick concise explanation from Senator Ted Cruz as to the major flaws of the Corker-Hoeven Amendment:
