No Reason for Compromise Now

For much of the campaign, president Obama has been lambasting Republicans for their refusal to "compromise". What he means, of course, is that Republicans refuse to abandon their principles and accept Obama's views; there is no attempt by Obama to meet in the middle. Still, the idea of compromise is one that appeals to most Americans. Congress ought to be able to come together and resolve problems with each side conceding on some of its positions.

In the last two weeks, however, Obama has made clear why no compromise can be had with him. Two weeks ago, Obama unilaterally ordered the federal government to no longer enforce the immigration laws as written. Obama told us all that it was the "right thing" for the American people to do. Who cares what the law actually says! Obama would just have the government do what he wants. Then yesterday, we got the decision of the Supreme Court on the Arizona immigration law. Both sides had presented their positions in great detail to the Court, the ultimate arbiter on such matters. When the Court held that Arizona police could question people who were stopped for other reasons about their immigration status, it should have been the end of the matter. The Court had spoken. So what did Obama do? First, he had Arizona ousted from the federal program that deputizes local police to enforce federal immigration laws; only federal agents could now enforce those laws in Arizona. Then, Obama announced that the INS will no longer take calls from Arizona reporting illegals unless they fit within the parameters that the feds were enforcing. In other words, Obama took steps to make sure that the Supreme Court decision was meaningless.

So, Obama will not enforce the law as written, and he will not allow enforcement of laws in the form determined correct by the Supreme Court. Why would anyone decide to compromise with him on anything? Imagine a grand compromise on comprehensive immigration. After it was passed, is there any way that Obama could be expected to enforce it? No, Obama would still do whatever he wanted and tell us it was the "right thing" to do.

Obama swore to uphold the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America. He has made a mockery of that oath. He deserves to be impeached, but that is not realistic. He deserves to lose the election, and for that we can all hope that Americans realize the extent to which his actions are the epitome of impropriety.