In the past several decades, Democrats have repeatedly walked all over Republicans in virtually every single spending negotiation. With the aid of a willing media, Democrats have successfully pinned blame for any previous shutdown on Republicans, and rather than fight, Republicans have always given in and acquiesced to whatever the Democrats wanted. But not this time. This time, we fight.
President Trump has drawn a line in the sand. During the campaign in 2016, he promised he would secure the border and build a wall to stop the flow of illegal immigration. He was right to do this. Democrats have sought to stop him at every turn, framing the very idea of enforcing our border and the rule of law as racist and bigoted. This is absurd, and President Trump is right to force the issue. Believe it or not, some things are worth fighting for.
In 2014, the American Principles Project released a five-point plan for immigration reform. The very first point in the plan called for us to secure the border and extend “double-layered fencing” along all areas of the southern border where illegal crossings can potentially occur. That’s exactly what the President is doing. There is a crisis on our border, and Democrats are encouraging it to continue with their mixed messaging about how our nation enforces its laws. Building a border barrier makes our immigration policy clear: to enter America, you must come legally.
It’s unclear when the government shutdown will end. Much of the mainstream media continues to cover for Democrats in hopes that they will “win” the shutdown, and Democrats understandably feel emboldened by this. But Leader McConnell has held the line in the Senate, and the Republicans have done a good job at staying strong with the President. Our hope at APP is that they will continue to stand up for what is right and refuse to buckle in the face of the Left’s political and economic terrorism.
Perhaps even more importantly, the President has outlined a strategy for us going forward through his actions during this shutdown. We do not need to submit to the whims of the Democrats every time we risk the possibility of a government shutdown. Republicans should be prepared to fight for our principles, showing the voters that we say what we mean and we mean what we say. This is a far more effective electoral strategy than what we’ve done for so long — folding repeatedly in the face of any sort of pressure.
Thank you, President Trump, for showing courageous leadership and doing what is right. And thank you to the Republican Senate for standing right there with him.
Photo credit: Gage Skidmore
