GOP hurting itself

Republicans seem determined to ensure their political defeat. The immigration reform bill that recently passed the U.S. Senate with bipartisan support after both parties agreed to compromise now faces an uphill battle in the House of Representatives.

The compromise legislation provides more fencing and border security between our country and Mexico while offering those who entered the country illegally – whom we depend upon for much of our low-income labor – a path to citizenship.

After calling Idaho Sen. Jim Risch, urging his support of the bill, he voted against it, as did Sen. Mike Crapo. Rep. Raul Labrador, who was engaged in a similar bipartisan effort in the House, walked away from the bargaining table. If the bill’s passage in the House is prevented, the GOP will further alienate a growing Latino population in this country that contributed heavily to its defeat in the last election.

They have already lost California – our most populous state – and more recently Colorado and Nevada, with New Mexico and Arizona waiting. They can still win Kansas and Oklahoma, along with Idaho (unfortunately), but they will definitely limit any chances of winning a national election.

James Ramsey

Sandpoint