Obama’s solution on illegals and health care? Amnesty; Update: Video added
posted at 9:29 am on September 18, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
The Washington Times reports that Barack Obama has finally concluded that Joe Wilson was right, and that ObamaCare presents a big problem in handling illegal immigrants. Fortunately, the White House has found a solution to the problem. No, they’re not going to beef up enforcement or require identification before receiving subsidies and services. They’re just going to offer amnesty so that no one’s illegal anymore:
President Obama said this week that his health care plan won’t cover illegal immigrants, but argued that’s all the more reason to legalize them and ensure they eventually do get coverage.
He also staked out a position that anyone in the country legally should be covered – a major break with the 1996 welfare reform bill, which limited most federal public assistance programs only to citizens and longtime immigrants.
“Even though I do not believe we can extend coverage to those who are here illegally, I also don’t simply believe we can simply ignore the fact that our immigration system is broken,” Mr. Obama said Wednesday evening in a speech to the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute. “That’s why I strongly support making sure folks who are here legally have access to affordable, quality health insurance under this plan, just like everybody else.
Mr. Obama added, “If anything, this debate underscores the necessity of passing comprehensive immigration reform and resolving the issue of 12 million undocumented people living and working in this country once and for all.”
Republicans said that amounts to an amnesty, calling it a backdoor effort to make sure current illegal immigrants get health care.
In other words, not only should everyone pay for Americans to get health care, we should pay for health care for those who came here illegally. That’s going to be a winning argument in 2010, especially in Blue Dog districts! We’re going to bust the budget and infringe on your personal choices, and we’re going to make you pay for insurance for illegal immigrants!
If a Republican had run an ad making those charges in 2008, the media would have called it a “smear”. If comedians used it in their act, it would have been a joke about GOP paranoia. The joke, unfortunately, is on those who voted for the Blue Dogs because of their supposed conservatism, and on those who voted for Obama because of his supposed centrism.
Update: Here’s the video:
Blowback
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Oh f*ck no, Obarky
HELL NO!
blatantblue on September 18, 2009 at 9:31 AM
Hmm. I don’t think so.
He really wants civil unrest don’t he.
ted c on September 18, 2009 at 9:32 AM
You all knew this was coming.
You don’t have to insure illegals if you just make them all legal. Then you’re just insuring citizens!
And if you oppose this, you’re racist on two fronts!
While we’re at it, why don’t we just do away with immigration completely and make everyone in the world a US Citizen so they can come here and get health care.
Nethicus on September 18, 2009 at 9:32 AM
And the hits just keep on comin’!
NickelAndDime on September 18, 2009 at 9:33 AM
Bring it.
artist on September 18, 2009 at 9:33 AM
GatewayPundit also has a video of President Obama admitting that Health Care Reform will require tax increases.
Not a good couple of months for him…
BadgerHawk on September 18, 2009 at 9:33 AM
Wow, and there it is! You knew Obama could solve two issues at once… didn’t you?
WhoU4 on September 18, 2009 at 9:33 AM
He just double-double downed on stupid! This is the one issue that, if handled right, can galvanize conservatives and independents, and drive a stake through the heart of two issues at once.
Thank you King Hussein!
J.J. Sefton on September 18, 2009 at 9:34 AM
1 million march on DC last week.
Oh boy. There are going to be 5 million marching next time, if he keeps this up.
bridgetown on September 18, 2009 at 9:34 AM
This is why none of us were fooled that illegals wouldn’t be leeching Obamacare.
The solution always was going to be they’d just make them “legal”.
Obama truly isn’t very bright if he thinks doubling down on the government takeover of healthcare disaster by adding amnesty to it is going to improve his current situation.
If he starts pushing for amnesty NOW, he hits the low 30′s. If he thinks people are pissed now…
wildcat84 on September 18, 2009 at 9:34 AM
He gots the unicorns!
TexasJew on September 18, 2009 at 9:34 AM
The hits keep coming. It’s what happens when your whole shtick is a lie.
tarpon on September 18, 2009 at 9:34 AM
It was pretty clear all along that Obama would go for amnesty for illegals at some point. I naively thought he would do it at a time of strength, when his poll numbers were high, but I don’t have the genius administrative experience he has.
jwolf on September 18, 2009 at 9:34 AM
Indeed it is.
Wellsy on September 18, 2009 at 9:35 AM
Everyone knows this is the plan for the Dems… it’s also the plan for the Dems permanent minority status… they’re stupid if they think they’ll get universal health care and amnesty….
ninjapirate on September 18, 2009 at 9:35 AM
lol maybe it’s time for me to slip over the border … oh wait I’m not hispanic. Can I still get amnesty? ;)
CityFish on September 18, 2009 at 9:35 AM
And blue collar Democrats who don’t want to see wages depressed.
BadgerHawk on September 18, 2009 at 9:35 AM
Just following the Alinsky model.
izoneguy on September 18, 2009 at 9:35 AM
This jackass is playing with fire. He is going to get burned.
sherry on September 18, 2009 at 9:35 AM
Like we couldn’t see this coming.
Blake on September 18, 2009 at 9:35 AM
Gee, who didn’t see this coming?
Chainsaw56 on September 18, 2009 at 9:35 AM
Speaking of comedians, doesn’t Obama look like a 1960′s nightclub comedian in that picture? This Marxist is determined to accomplish everything the American People are against.
kingsjester on September 18, 2009 at 9:36 AM
1 million march on DC last week.
Oh boy. There are going to be 5 million marching next time, if he keeps this up.
bridgetown on September 18, 2009 at 9:34 AM
NBC will count 6,000 Nazis.
TexasJew on September 18, 2009 at 9:36 AM
While I understand your passion, can you seriously not make your without saying f*ck?
therightscoop on September 18, 2009 at 9:36 AM
Yes, if we renounce our citizenship then can we get all the free stuff and quit paying taxes?
izoneguy on September 18, 2009 at 9:36 AM
He really has a knack for trying to cover up bad news with worse news.
ted c on September 18, 2009 at 9:36 AM
Well, maybe not permanent but enough power will switch hands to make sure this doesn’t happen…
ninjapirate on September 18, 2009 at 9:36 AM
You keep piling the manure on the cart, and she’s gonna break.
Hening on September 18, 2009 at 9:36 AM
Did he go to clown college? …because he’s developed some really amazingly advanced ideas.
Oh, and don’t forget Joe Wilson’s a racist!
NickelAndDime on September 18, 2009 at 9:36 AM
Duh. Saw this coming a mile away, and pointed this out as Hussein’s strategy weeks ago.
fogw on September 18, 2009 at 9:36 AM
I’m terrified to hear about his solution to high rates of murder.
DrAllecon on September 18, 2009 at 9:37 AM
I doubt he’ll tackle this one right now. Too much of a hot potato.
AnninCA on September 18, 2009 at 9:37 AM
*UCK NO!
izoneguy on September 18, 2009 at 9:37 AM
Alternate headline: Obama owes Joe Wilson an apology.
gwelf on September 18, 2009 at 9:37 AM
Unfreakin believable, this SOB must be stopped!
farright on September 18, 2009 at 9:37 AM
I can just hear his ad for this:
“Barrycare, now with extra amnesty. Get yours today!”
Vashta.Nerada on September 18, 2009 at 9:37 AM
This guy really is trying to bottom out his poll numbers ain’t he?
ted c on September 18, 2009 at 9:38 AM
OK, is Dear Leader actually a GOP plant, specifically designed to make Democrats look like out of control radical leftists?
The One is
1) selling out our allies
2) cozying up to our enemies
3) trying to take over our health care
4) cutting Medicare
5) instituting fascism in the auto & financial markets
and now wants amnesty for illegal aliens?
This has to be a parody, right? Please tell me this is a parody, a bad Saturday Night Live skit.
I’m staring at a bust of George Washington on my desk, and he’s staring back, none too pleased.
rbj on September 18, 2009 at 9:38 AM
Next time, I’m in. But I know we definitely can’t wait until 9/12/10.
NickelAndDime on September 18, 2009 at 9:38 AM
Ed, a note on Killgore Trout. He’s one of Charles Johnson’s top sycophants – maybe #1. I’m guessing that he was illustrating that no one monitors the comments, which invites the worst type of people to hang out and spew garbage here. Clearly he’s proud of his accomplishment.
OTOH, maybe you guys can figure out how to prevent this from happening going forward?
perroviejo on September 18, 2009 at 9:38 AM
heh.
fogw on September 18, 2009 at 9:38 AM
Quel surprise.
angryed on September 18, 2009 at 9:39 AM
How do I obtain this undocumented status everyone is talking about. It seems like a pretty good deal. You don’t have to pay taxes and you get free healthcare.
2rightwings on September 18, 2009 at 9:39 AM
This get’s better day by day…Obama really doesn’t have a clue how the American public feels.
Watch the dems up for election run from this idea…record unemployment, and let’s make illegals legal so they can get what? Health Care paid for by you, AND your job…
right2bright on September 18, 2009 at 9:39 AM
They may not just be marching next time.
farright on September 18, 2009 at 9:39 AM
Yeah, we need to make sure that illegals also have access to affordable third-rate healthcare. Then again, it’s better care than they’ll get in
KenyaMexico.TXUS on September 18, 2009 at 9:39 AM
I can’t decide if this is step two in Obama’s Cloward-Piven strategy (throw as much as possible at the oppos) to bolster his tanking numbers or if Obama and his team are as inept as this appears to be politically. If this is indeed a new bullet point in Obama’s playbook on how to win this, I’d say that the odds just went from about 50/50 to 70/30 against. How this will work to galvanize support for this plan is beyond me – among legal citizens that is. Unless of course, they know that support for it has peaked amount the electorate and now he’s going after the illegal hispanic vote to prop it up. This reaks of desperation and potential political disaster for them, which is always a good thing.
volnation on September 18, 2009 at 9:40 AM
Mr. Obama added, “If anything, this debate underscores the necessity of passing comprehensive immigration reform and resolving the issue of 12 million undocumented people living and working in this country once and for all.”
–Suggests this will have to be done by legislation, not something he will do himself. And wouldn’t it make more sense to require illegal immigrants to have insurance or pay a fine, instead of allowing them free use of emergency rooms? We are already paying for illegal immigrants who get free use of emergency rooms.
Jimbo3 on September 18, 2009 at 9:40 AM
Well, at least we can be confident that Barry will be a one termer. This is so out of touch with American sentiment that it makes me think he’s doing all he can TO get himself kicked out of office. Maybe he decided “Prezidentin” was too hard- cut into his work-outs and waffle eatin’.
anniekc on September 18, 2009 at 9:40 AM
I’m sure it will be amnesty only for the hardworking people who were already here and paying taxes and just want to work. It’s not like they’re going to make just anyone legal, especially the people who come here just for the free health care…. um… right?
johnmackeygreene on September 18, 2009 at 9:40 AM
I love the smell of Sebellius in the morning.
NickelAndDime on September 18, 2009 at 9:41 AM
It’s just a matter of making them legal. Voila: not covering illegals. Keep on f@#king that chicken.
Kenosha Kid on September 18, 2009 at 9:41 AM
Well, at least the libs and the media can’t call us racists for opposing amnesty./
ICBM on September 18, 2009 at 9:41 AM
And, who didn’t see this one coming. Note to BHO: amnesty for illegals was poison for GWB.
Phil-351 on September 18, 2009 at 9:41 AM
the black people i know down here in the depressed rural parts of Virginia HATE the mexicans because they see the Mexicans as being a drain on every entitlement dime.
this amnesty thing won’t play well in the black community unless they are bought off BIG Time.
(and yeah, the “black community” tag is stupid, but i couldn’t come up with alternative on the fly)
kelley in virginia on September 18, 2009 at 9:42 AM
It is getting really hard to be an optimist. I do not see a more prosperous future, just a more tax laden one, for my kids.
WashJeff on September 18, 2009 at 9:42 AM
He really is going for it all.
At the end of four years, it’s going to be either a fascist state or a figurative Democrat graveyard.
Say, how did things ever work out for Benito Mussolini?
I forget.
justltl on September 18, 2009 at 9:42 AM
Republicans: “Hey Obama, please keep talking.”
Democrats: “Hey Obama, please shut up.”
fogw on September 18, 2009 at 9:42 AM
Well, duh. Otherwise, he would be a liar when he said his health care plan wouldn’t cover illegal aliens.
Nothing but citizens in this soup line!
Spc Steve on September 18, 2009 at 9:42 AM
Well at least with amnesty the underage Guatemalan prostitutes won’t have to worry about being illegal aliens.
rbj on September 18, 2009 at 9:42 AM
Obambi seems to get stupider with each pronouncement.
Percy_Peabody on September 18, 2009 at 9:43 AM
Now you know why LaRaza wasn’t rasing hell about Obama’s “no illegals under my plan” schtick.
VelvetElvis on September 18, 2009 at 9:43 AM
If President Obama is going to urge support for the 8th Amnesty (code word: “Comprehensive Immigration Reform”), then why in the world should we have borders?
If the USA is going to provide a pathway to citizenship for
people who break our laws, then can’t we also find another cost-cutting approach??
I propose that we eliminate the INS. Eliminate all funding for border/visa/customs agencies, etc.
Stop pretending that this final Amensty ( Number 8) with be the “Amnesty to fix all Amnesties.”
ColtsFan on September 18, 2009 at 9:43 AM
well, that’s one way to shut up the birthers … just make Obama a citizen.
Barneys Bullet on September 18, 2009 at 9:43 AM
Come get some.
LibTired on September 18, 2009 at 9:43 AM
-Piers…………**ankkkkkkkkkkkk**- “X”
-Sharon………..**ankkkkkkkkkkkk**- “X”
-David…………**ankkkkkkkkkkkk**- “X”
Limerick on September 18, 2009 at 9:44 AM
and if geo bush couldn’t get Texas to love up on amnesty, then it sure must have been a tough sell.
kelley in virginia on September 18, 2009 at 9:44 AM
Note to Self: click preview next.
Stop pretending that this final AMNESTY (Number 8) will be the “Amnesty to fix all illegal immigration, all visa overstays, all illegal border crossings, etc.
It won’t.
ColtsFan on September 18, 2009 at 9:45 AM
do you think Obama really cares about polling numbers? Come on.. he’s lurching as far and as fast as he can and if his chances for re-election go down in flames, so be it. He knows full well how hard it is to change things once enacted and he’s on a full out sprint to change all of these policies in the name of ‘social justice’ before the clock runs out.
gatorboy on September 18, 2009 at 9:45 AM
Hmm. I don’t think so.
He really wants civil unrest don’t he.
ted c on September 18, 2009 at 9:32 AM
////
That’s the truth right there.They would like nothing more than to see us start something.This man is OUTRAGEOUS!If these dems. aren’t unseated in 2010,that’s all she wrote.
ohiobabe on September 18, 2009 at 9:45 AM
That was my initial response, but now I say “Keep going”, keep giving us your total plan…he won’t last a term.
The dems are going to have to start to revolt.
The list:
Record unemployment
Health Care speech a failure
Called a liar, and people generally are not upset
ACORN de-funded and on the way out
Missile defense disaster
Illegal immigrants offered to become legal
….all in just one week…
right2bright on September 18, 2009 at 9:45 AM
I am starting to think that he just is flying blind and they don’t have a clue and this is not some sort of grand plan…..
tatersalad on September 18, 2009 at 9:45 AM
barneys bullet: good one.
kelley in virginia on September 18, 2009 at 9:45 AM
“Good luck” Barry…
I’ll say one thing for you, you have solved white guilt.
sven10077 on September 18, 2009 at 9:45 AM
Anyone who didn’t see this one coming down 5th Ave. like a Snoopy balloon on Thanksgiving just hasn’t been paying attention.
DrAllecon on September 18, 2009 at 9:46 AM
That joke has no bounds as of yet. It’s also on those who stayed home, protesting the vote. And on those claiming we need Obama to either purge Bush’s faults, or to find the GOP messiah, depending on your take. Either Pres.Thompson or Pres.Giuliani would have prevented STIMULUS, and even as the GOP ticket candidate would have prevented TARP and the horrible last minute progressive clean sweep that GWB flooded through Washington before his departure.
The joke, unfortunately, is on EVERYONE regardless of whom we voted for 2008 given Pres.Obama 2009.
maverick muse on September 18, 2009 at 9:46 AM
Now we finally understand Obama’s remark about visiting 57 states. The extra ones are in Mexico!!!
Steve Z on September 18, 2009 at 9:46 AM
He’ll make them all legal, and they will all join the SEIU.
RIP America.
rockmom on September 18, 2009 at 9:46 AM
Remember the sign at the 9/12 event:
Million Gun March — Don’t Make Us Go There
TXUS on September 18, 2009 at 9:46 AM
Video from College Park MD, health care rally by Obama…why wasn’t this part aired?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBgBh90t7K0
milwife88 on September 18, 2009 at 9:46 AM
–Suggests this will have to be done by legislation, not something he will do himself. And wouldn’t it make more sense to require illegal immigrants to have insurance or pay a fine, instead of allowing them free use of emergency rooms? We are already paying for illegal immigrants who get free use of emergency rooms.
Jimbo3 on September 18, 2009 at 9:40 AM
Wouldn’t it make a lot MORE sense to DEPORT said illegals instead?
They. Are. Illegal.
VelvetElvis on September 18, 2009 at 9:47 AM
When McCain starts looking really really good; you know you’re in trouble.
Haunches on September 18, 2009 at 9:47 AM
Amnesty?
Well, at least now his pal John McCain will have a reason to go back across the isle and support government health.
bofh on September 18, 2009 at 9:47 AM
Recent studies have shown that it’s a fallacy that providing preventative care will save money compared to what we’re paying now to treat people in ‘emergency rooms’ – in fact it would cost more.
Even if there were ‘savings’ there you’d still argue the best solution is to turn control of our healthcare system over to a massive government bureaucracy and that this system will provide better healthcare to more people for less money?
gwelf on September 18, 2009 at 9:47 AM
Do you think the Mall in DC will hold 5,000,000 people NEXT TIME????
stenwin77 on September 18, 2009 at 9:47 AM
The Democratic party won’t survive half his agenda.
DFCtomm on September 18, 2009 at 9:47 AM
10% unemployment is going to turn a lot of people into Republicans when they see the president favors a flood of non citizen peasant laborers which will further reduce employment and depress wages.
Barak Obama is Jimmy Carter 2.0
wildcat84 on September 18, 2009 at 9:47 AM
He wants to destroy the country so that he can re-make it in his image.
PatriotRider on September 18, 2009 at 9:47 AM
Now you know why LaRaza wasn’t rasing hell about Obama’s “no illegals under my plan” schtick.
VelvetElvis on September 18, 2009 at 9:43 AM
///
Yup!Also planned parenthood,they know he will take care of their butts!
ohiobabe on September 18, 2009 at 9:48 AM
Come one, come all. Free tacos,free healthcare,free low riders. Big fiesta at the plaza. Voter registration by ACORN. We have it all.
Lincoln Cadillac on September 18, 2009 at 9:48 AM
Or we could enforce the current workplace and border laws and stem the flow of illegal immigrants into the country.
What’s your plan for getting illegal immigrants to pay a fine for not having health insurance? Because if we can track them well enough to collect money, you’d think we could also remove them from the country.
BadgerHawk on September 18, 2009 at 9:48 AM
Bbbbut they’ve got a fundamental human right to live here and receive their other fundamental human rights of healthcare and jobs and to vote for Democrats.
gwelf on September 18, 2009 at 9:48 AM
The One’s poll numbers are sinking. His health care plan is tanking. The economy is in shambles. The deficit is out-of-control. The Dems and the media(I know, I’m being redundant) are already being forced to play the race card less than 8 months into his Presidency.
So what does Obama decide to do to calm everyone down and regain his popularity? He shuts down the missle defense program in eastern Europe and follows that up by proposing amnesty for 12 million illegals. Something so unpopular with the American people that even a vast majority of Dems don’t want it.
I think he’s basically decided at this point to say “$%#& it”, drop the disguise, and go full-blown leftist radical.
Doughboy on September 18, 2009 at 9:48 AM
Oh, there’s a reason to be optimistic – Obama is destroying himself slowly, but surely. This is a move from extreme weakness and desperation. Let’s recap:
Baucus’s bill is pilloried by his own party (as being too expensive not less), O recruits his own wife as a pitch person, Dems have overwhelming numbers in both houses and O still can’t close the deal, and now he lobs the amnesty of illegals out there. He’s flailing guys, and he must know it (or maybe not). It must really suck to be an Obama staffer right about now – hellish hours and working for a nutjob. Hillary begins typing up resignation letter in 3, 2, 1 ……
volnation on September 18, 2009 at 9:49 AM
I don’t think so ted, he may want to stir the pot, but I don’t think he is smart enough to get civil unrest, he is choosing programs that are universally opposed.
This immigration won’t cause civil unrest, it will unite the independents, conservatives, union, and many liberals.
right2bright on September 18, 2009 at 9:50 AM
Well we saw this coming from a mile away and it demonstrates the Democrats real game plan, which is to create a massive new voting bloc that is dependant on keeping the Democrats in power in order to maintain the flow of government hound outs. Carvel was talking about this at the start of the year when he was yammering about Obama’s election heralding the beginning of a Democrat Hegemony that would last forty years and its pretty obvious this is how they were intending on bringing their political hegemony about.
Hellrider on September 18, 2009 at 9:50 AM
Tried, convicted, shot AND hung upside-down.
It wasn’t a happy ending.
(I know you knew justltl, just educating others)
fogw on September 18, 2009 at 9:50 AM
another instance of the black man keeping whitey down /s
gatorboy on September 18, 2009 at 9:50 AM
Right, because McCain had no intention of pushing Cap-n-Trade or Amnesty.
McCain was a loser, get over it.
TMK on September 18, 2009 at 9:50 AM
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