Now that President Obama has conceded that he did indeed lie when he said illegal immigrants would not be eligible for health care under the Democrat health plan now before Congress, perhaps he will concede something else: that he’s planning an amnesty for illegals to get them that health care. That, at least, is what Mr. Obama’s leftist Hispanic supporters think. And it might be a stronger dose of political cod liver oil than the Democrats’ general overhaul of health care.

Recall the insane reaction when Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., shouted “you lie!” during Mr. Obama’s speech on health care to a joint session of Congress. Here is what Mr. Obama said: “There are also those who claim that our reform efforts would insure illegal immigrants. This, too, is false. The reforms — the reforms I’m proposing would not apply to those who are here illegally.”

When Wilson blurted out what Pat Buchanan rightly called his “gauche” remark, the Obama left collapsed in a conniption. They called him rude. They called him ridiculous. They called him a racist. But he was right. Mr. Obama lied.

The Congress Research Service had analyzed HR 3200, the Democrat health plan, and concluded it would, indeed, provide coverage for illegals. CRS, said the bill would mandate such coverage. That was no secret.

But Mr. Obama implicitly admitted that Mr. Wilson was right two days after the speech when he said that any health bill must include a provision for immigrants to prove they are citizens. Mr. Obama endorsed an amendment to HR 3200, introduced by Rep. Dean Heller, R-Nev., that requires exactly that: proof of citizenship to enjoy the benefits of the Democrat health bill. Democrats had rejected that amendment at the behest of leftist Hispanic agitators.

At the 32nd annual award dinner of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, the president tacitly suggested a solution to that problem: “Even though I do not believe we can extend coverage to those who are here illegally,” Mr. Obama said, “I also don’t simply believe we can simply ignore the fact that our immigration system is broken. That’s why I strongly support making sure folks who are here legally have access to affordable, quality health insurance under this plan, just like everybody else. … If anything, this debate underscores the necessity of passing comprehensive immigration reform and resolving the issue of 12 million undocumented people living and working in this country once and for all. That’s what I’ve said from the start. That’s what I say tonight.”

The fastest way, of course, to “resolve the issue” of 12 million illegals is by amnesty, as The Washington Times reported. The Hispanic lobby was ready for a fiesta. “It’s the first time I’ve certainly heard, publicly, him talking more about legal immigrants,” said Eric Rodriguez, of the racialist National Council Of La Raza. “I think that was certainly positive progress. We were absolutely concerned about not hearing that.” Still he said, “We don’t know where they mean to draw the line,” he said. “Our biggest concern is that most people don't realize legal immigrants are currently barred from receiving health care benefits for the first five years in the country.”

That rule came with the immigration reform bill in 1996. The question, of course, would be how to get around it. Amnesty would legalize the illegals. Then, the leftist Hispanic groups will lobby to eliminate the rule that limits federal aid to those who have been in the country for five years. Democrats, The Times reported, “have tried this year to chip away at that rule.”

The one-two legislative punch of amnesty and dropping the five-year rule would solve the problems of uninsured immigrants, without, of course, giving free medical care to illegals. Proposing this, of course, is one thing; passing it all is another. But whatever happens, Obama’s endorsement of the Heller amendment is meaningless. He simply solves the insuring illegals by legalizing them.

Such would be a disaster for this country given the welcome departure of so many illegals over the past two years because of tougher workplace enforcement and the bad economy.

Americans must stand as firm on this point as they have on the socialization of American health care. Congress needs to hear them loud and clear: No way, José.

R. Cort Kirkwood, managing editor of the Daily News-Record in Harrisonburg, Va., has been writing about American politics and culture for more than 20 years, beginning his career as an editorial writer at The Washington Times.  In addition, Kirkwood has written for Chronicles, The New American, National Review, The Remnant, The Christian Science Monitor, The Wall Street Journal, The Baltimore Sun, The Orange County Register, Taki’s Top Drawer online magazine, and LewRockwell.com. Mr. Kirkwood is the author of the nonfiction title, Real Men: Ten Courageous Americans To Know And Admire, published by Cumberland House.

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DDW

September 23, 2009

173.74.213.85

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Yeah!!!

No way. Illegals go home!!!

Ivan

October 05, 2009

66.192.111.118

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Disgusting article

Too bad Billy Bob has lost this battle, he just doesn't know it yet. Racism always loses in America and a comprehensive immigration reform w/ path to citizenship is a matter of when, not if! And it is the right thing to do!

Ivan

October 05, 2009

66.192.111.118

Votes: +0

• 
• 
• 

disgusting article

Too bad Billy Bob doesn't know he has lost this battle. A comprehensive immigration reform with path to citizenship is a matter of when, not if, and it is the right thing to do. Racism always loses in America!!!

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