Arizona's law: Ugly but necessary

I agree that there’s something ugly about the police, even local police, asking citizens for their “papers.” There’s also something ugly about American citizens being physically searched at airports. There’s something ugly about IRS agents prying into nearly all of your personal financial transactions or, thanks to the passage of Obamacare, serving as health insurance enforcers.

In other words, there are many government functions that are unappealing to one extent or another. That is not in itself an argument against them. The Patriot Act was ugly — and necessary…

Which is why the Democrats’ sudden decision to push for “comprehensive” immigration reform is so disappointing. If this were a sincere effort at reform, it would be laudable. But it’s almost impossible to find anyone in Washington not paid to spout Democratic talking points who believes this is anything but a naked political ploy. Even such reliably liberal bloggers as Josh Marshall and the Washington Post’s Ezra Klein concede that this is first and foremost a partisan stunt and wedge issue intended to split the GOP and woo Latinos, particularly in Nevada, where Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid needs a game-changer to avoid crushing defeat in November.

Now, I don’t mind wedge issues per se — though liberals have been decrying them for decades. Still, this is beyond the pale. Ginning up a lot of anger on both sides of the issue without any serious hope of success will in all likelihood send the signal that Washington still thinks it’s all a big, unserious game. And that is precisely why we will get more laws like Arizona’s and make real immigration reform all the harder, if Washington ever tries to pursue it seriously.