The Washington Post is raising another instance where the Obama Administration appears to be withholding information on immigration for political purposes — further contradicting President Obama’s pledge to be the most transparent Administration is history. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection releases its annual statistics on October 10th before the elections. Someone in the Administration then ordered the statistics taken down in what the Post is calling a move that seemed to confirm the view of “the Obama administration playing politics with public information.” Notably, the Post however only wrote about the story today so any such intention worked to keep the information out of the public debate. There is a reason why these statistics would be particularly bothersome before an election.
The Administration previously admitted that it would not discuss its plans for unilateral immigration action until after voters had gone home from the polls.
The data that was taken down within hours contained one potentially negative piece of information for the Administration: Most of the people the Border Patrol stopped from sneaking into the country last year were from countries other than Mexico. That would support the view that the border has become a magnet due to the porous protection and the draw of stories promising plans for amnesty. Regardless of the reason, such information should be released to the public — particularly before an election where immigration was a prominent issue.
The Administration says that it merely wants to release all data as part of a comprehensive disclosure and that internal administrative issues have delayed the released until after the election.
Once again, I am less concerned with the merits of the immigration debate than I am about the active effort to prevent voters from learning about the data or the plans for immigration policies. There seems a growing cynicism over the goals transparency in government — an open dismissal of any obligation to allow voters to make their own decisions based on data of this kind. I felt the same way about such efforts during the Bush Administration. While we cannot always expect honest government, we can at least demand open government as citizens. That was one of the most redeeming issues upon which President Obama ran as a new candidate. It seems a long time ago.
Source: Washington Post
Annie, I think I am probably the most vehement anti-shrub poster here; however, he was out in 2008, and I do not use any of his actions as justifications. The absolute opposite. So I don’t know why, in ’14, Bush needs to keep coming back into the debate on issues such as the one this post originally addressed. I don’t give Bush a pass, and I won’t give Obama one either.
From your lips to someone’s ears, Mike.
The Affordable Care Act will not be repealed. In my view, the House leadership has kept that fantasy going due primarily to pressure from the Tea Party. The fact that Republicans will now control the Senate as well does not change the reality. When and if the ACA is ever replaced, it will be with a single payer system, which many of us had wanted from the beginning.
As for health care costs, the rate of increase has been declining. And in my own case, I have received a premium rebate in excess of $1,000.00 in each of the past two years. I realize that that is only one experience, but I do not believe that it is unique.
DBQ,
Not at all immaterial. People aren’t just going to have Bush amnesia because you wish they would. Pointing out hypocrisy is essential.
Annie – did you let your kids use that excuse on you? Jane got a new car so you should buy me a new car! Bobbie shoot dope so I should be able to shoot dope.
I do not agree with executive orders or signing documents. Obama had one signing document where he twisted it so much he might as well have vetoed the bill. There was no way he was going to enforce it.
That’s true DBQ, so don’t do it.
See above…..Boooosh did it tooo……wah wah wah.
Immaterial to the current topic.
DBQ – it is quality not quantity on executive orders. Obama’s have done far more damage and have been far more over reaching than Bush’s.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/executive-orders
Here is a list of Obama’s Executive Orders.
It’s like some sort of click here. You either agree with the poster or you get chastised. It’s interesting to see that happening.
Whether there are cliques or not is immaterial. It is the intellectual shallowness that shows when a commenter can’t address the issues at hand and immediately accuses other of being racists and tries to put all who oppose her or him into a bigoted stereotyped box…in this case racist and christian fundamentalist, is what causes those who have been defamed to retaliate.
If all they can do is see racism and christian fundamentalism in every argument (that and Boooosh did it too!!!) then they are not worth considering as debaters of any real consequence.
Disagreement with each other is a vital part of a debate. Calling names and ascribing false words and false thoughts to your opponent is not a vital part of any debate and is frankly unethical and boring.
http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/orders/
Sandi here is a list of Bush’s Executive Orders.
I cannot give a lot of critique on ‘bamy care. I really don’t know that much about it. I know my primary care lady got caught up and has to pay the fine now, or a $10,000 deductible. That is scary. I would have rather seen o-care be in perpetual gridlock than having something that crazy be a part of policy.
Well, I hate to be a nag, but if that’s your team, gotta run what you brung… (hill talk here). Could be like me and pretty much reject everything outright. But that is my argument. At this point I don’t see the purpose of having a middleman government steal from me along with the people government is supposed to protect me from. One is plenty.
I may be wrong, but I hear from conservative folk here, but they all don’t necessarily seem to be Republicans. I find that to be very good. I like it when most here are equally critical. I would place myself in that category.
And I should add, just as conservatives cheered the do nothing Congress. It’s that turnabout thingie in action.
Sandi, that is precisely what I mean by “shove through”. Half of the American public will cheer it. That is why it’s important to have the Presidency. Veto power. I doubt Republicans will get their candidate through to win the Presidency in 2016.
Annie – the country might just decide that to get things done they need both a Congress and President of the same party. If Obama keeps vetoing bills it would be to the advantage of the Republicans.
“slohrss29
Come on SWM, you usually have a pretty good argument. Put something good up. Getting a little one-sided here…” Oh well let the “red wave” continue. I have an appt. and think they are rather boring and repetitive. Obamacare, illegal aliens and impeachment yada yada and then throw a some homophobia, misogyny, and xenophobia into the mix and there you have it.
I don’t think two years is enough time of bad policy to make people come scrambling back to the democratic party. I grew up in a home that was democratic. I would call my father a Reagan democrat, although he grew to not like him either. I only have one close friend that is a hard core democrat. A few are Repubs (the “kill them before they kill us” crowd…). The rest are sick of the whole lot and would like to see a defining change. The real crime is how both parties stifle independents.
@Mark Ewbanks
No, it’s more like they’re getting chastised for race-baiting, name-calling, and spouting the same old non-substantial crap.
Squeeky Fromm
Girl Reporter
Paul talks about being “low”. Self awareness is a gift.
Annie – was ‘self-aware’ on you new word of the day calendar?
Professor Turley in my linked article, said that the likelihood of Obama being impeached is as likely as him being voted Pontiff. Things have changed since August, I think impeachment will be demanded by the conservative base. Lke Karen said, if the don’t do what the base demands, they will be voted out of office. Now that’s Democracy!
Another factor we will watch over the next few years: McConnell trying to get something done while factions in the Senate maneuver for their future presidential candidacies. Getting my popcorn ready for the show.
Code words, Sandy.
SWM – “code words”? Wow, how low can you go???