In my last post, I wrote about a potential threat to the future of immigration in America that might come from President Obama's evident reluctance to take a hard line on Iran's nuclear program, something which might erode his support among liberals and moderates whose votes he badly needs to be re-elected. But there is an even bigger and more immediate danger - the huge influence over campaign financing that has been given away to a veritable rogues' gallery of far right wing billionaires by the US Supreme Court's appalling Citizens United decision.
Both the Washington Post and the Financial Times (which is also publishing my letter today calling Mitt Romney out on his extreme right wing anti-immigrant stand), have published articles in the past two days identifying some of the billionaires and corporate special interest groups which are pouring tens, if not hundreds, of millions of dollars into Super-Pacs supporting the various Republican presidential candidates this year.
According to the Washington Post, the biggest contributor of all so far is the Texas corporate raider, Harold C. Simmons, who covered himself with shame in the despicable "Swift Boat" attacks against John Kerry in 2004. But there are plenty of other billionaires who are not far behind - and neither article even mentions the Brothers K. Even granting that some Republicans may favor more open immigration so America can stay competitive (see 2/22 ID), the great bulk of Super-Pac money is going to candidates who are taking an extreme hard line in this issue - including, without question, Romney, Santorum and Gingrich.
Apparently the Republicans' logic of winning elections through a coalition of the wealthy elite and white working class anti-immigrant, anti-gay, anti-women's rights and anti-religious freedom voters, is more important than creating an immigration system that would truly benefit America.
About The Author
Roger Algase is a graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Law School. He has been practicing business immigration law in New York City for more than 20 years.
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