Principles v. Excuses

Principles are important. Principles indicate values. And principles form the foundation of something.

Early this year, House Republican leaders announced their "principles for immigration reform". This was nearly a year after they promised action on comprehensive immigration reform (CIR). And this was after they began voting on "TEA" tinged legislation meant to derail CIR.

So far, those "principles for immigration reform" have taken them nowhere. They're still standing in the way of CIR. They won't even allow a simple floor vote for HR 15. All they've allowed for are worthless excuses.

Excuses are meaningless. Excuses indicate nothing (except perhaps sloth). And excuses form the foundation of nothing.

Perhaps that's why even the US Chamber of Commerce is admitting that the Republican Party it used to know & love (but now just uses whenever it's convenient) is likely screwed for 2016. By p**sing all over 21st century America, G-O-TEA politicians are only handicapping their next Presidential Nominee.

Of course, readers here already know this. And deep down, even House Speaker John Boehner (R-Which Way Is the Wind Blowing?) knows this. But because he's afraid to offend the 21st Century Know Nothings who comprise his party's base, he's stuck in this conundrum of his own making.

It doesn't have to be this way. All he has to do to break this synthetic logjam on CIR is to allow a mere floor vote on HR 15. If he's telling the truth about the "vast majority of Republicans" wanting CIR, then he should give them the chance to vote for HR 15. If he truly wants to give a helping hand to Rep. Joe Heck (R-??!!) and other supposed pro-CIR Republicans in his caucus, then he should give them the opportunity to vote for HR 15.

It's that simple. No really, it is. There's no need to complicate this.

Either House Republican "leaders" actually believe in their principles... Or they have nothing to offer but excuses. They can't have it both ways. And if they keep trying to have it both ways, they'll be the ones paying the price.