What's in a Phrase?

He’s not revealing too many details but McCain is back in the “Comprehensive Immigration Reform” rodeo again. And because he’s not in a revealing mood, we are left only to divine his intent when he says this must be a priority of the next President. He mentions his previous efforts with Ted Kennedy (bad) but follows up with “I got the message” on border enforcement (good). So at this point, consider us taking up residence in Missouri: Show Us!

We would suggest scrapping this term altogether as many of us see only “amnesty” as it related to last summer’s Rube Goldberg Amnesty Bill goat-rope. Of course, the simple-minded nativist in us would suggest wordy, though focus group-tested phrases like, “Enforcing the laws that are on the books” or “Its called the ‘Temporary Worker Visa Program’: Use It”.

That does not have, however, the sex-appeal of using the words “reform” and “comprehensive” which connotes not screwing up merely one or two things but rather a willingness to cluster-bomb a variety of concepts like “sovereignty”, “rule of law”, “justice”, “right and wrong”, etc… minor affairs all, we can be assured.

Senator McCain needs to strive for a bit more clarity in this matter. Stay tuned.