Gov. Spitzer in the Driver's Seat

Earlier this month New York Governor Eliot Spitzer announced that he would be issuing driver licenses to undocumented immigrants -- this is a bold and smart move. Not only is this good politics, it is also good policy. The simple fact is unlicensed drivers are almost five times more likely to be in a fatal accidents than those with valid licenses. Furthermore, what this policy does is help bring thousands of immigrants out from out of the shadows.

On the political side, with a rising number of Latino voters, the long-term politics of immigration means that a smart humane policy that encourages the integration of new immigrants into society will help progressives in their long-term organizing strategies. While some right-wing politicians see appeals to xenophobia as a smart political strategy, the reality is that Latino citizens are one of the fastest growing demographics -- and a traditional swing vote in elections.

This is also a moral issue. It is unconscionable to prevent law-abiding immigrants access to driver's licenses which in some cases make it possible for them to be able to drive to work, school or to the doctor.

There are some that are now criticizing Gov. Spitzer for making such a bold move and would rather turn a blind eye to this problem. Thankfully Governor Spitzer has provided national leadership on a critical moral and safety issue and he deserves to be applauded for his efforts.

Comments

[demockracy]

Nowhere in this discussion is U.S. culpability mentioned. Who jammed NAFTA down the Mexicans' throats, thereby lowering incomes roughly 20% there, and flooding their markets with subsidized Iowa corn (40% of farm income is federal subsidy)?

Could this possibly have led Mexican corn farmers to come north because they could no longer make their subsistence living in Mexico (where half the population survives on $4 a day)?

Gee, I wonder.

And could those U.S.-sponsored proxy wars in El Salvador, Nicaragua and Guatemala, for example, have made enough refugees to swell the number of immigrants?

Having workers fight each other, and promoting racism is nothing new. Henry Ford published anti-semitic tracts, and J.P. Morgan said he thought Hitler had the right idea about the Jews.

Let's keep our eye on the ball here.

[CLR]

The governor should be deport ILLEGALS not giving them driver's licenses. He is breaking the law.

[NYDamien]

Isn't it breathtaking that folks who haven't a clue regarding a complex topic sure as hell are positive they know the answer. Can we at least give Gov. Spitzer the simple acknowledgement that he may be a little smarter, and more knowledgeable about this subject than most of us? Don't you think he knew the political heat he was going to take from the mouth breathers? Maybe, just maybe, and I know this is hard to believe, he's performing his sworn duty and making a tremendously difficult and courageous decision.
And to "whatstheidea." I own a labor intensive construction business, employ many Hispanics, and agree with most of what you say regarding them. I also know that there would not be a construction business without them. And I also know that 99% of my colleagues in the trades believe that also. The nonsense that cheap politicians use to whip up their brain dead followers with crap like, "Don't tell me Americans wouldn't do that work," or even better, "If contractors paid a living wage, THEN Americans would do that work." I don't know what part of the country you're from, "whatstheidea" but from where I come from Americans WON'T do that work, and we make NO pay adjustments for anybody, white, black, female, or Hispanic. I believe YOU'RE not xenophobic nor racist, and being in the trades, you know what I'm saying is true. Unfortunately the politicians find it easier to lable people and appeal to their emotions then to solve difficult problems.

[whatstheidea]

Listen before you go throwing around the hate-baiting words like "xenophobia" or "racism" over 70% of NY'ers are against Spitzers plan and 9 out of 10 local lawmakers are moving to crush Spitzers idiotic plan.

I worke side by side in the construction trades for years with Illegal Immigrants,

Hardworking - yes
Send 90% of their money back home - Yes
Flee back home if arrested - Yes
Skip out on fines, rent and other debt when it's time to go back home for an extended stay - Yes.

Illegal immigrants are some of the most talented hardworking people in the construction trades but they also hold very little respect or allegiance to this country and a drivers license wont change that.

Until you know their games and M.O. from the inside you should really refrain from commenting on a topic you seem to know very little about.

[ORSunshine]

I don't have a fundamental problem offering driver's licenses to undocumented illegal immigrants -- afterall it does establish some tracking system. However, if the laws in this country were enforced, these people would not be able to gain employment in this country... eliminating the need for a long-term stay in most cases. Additionally, in this post you say
"It is unconscionable to prevent law-abiding immigrants access to driver's licenses which in some cases make it possible for them to be able to drive to work, school or the doctor." I don't think that people who cross the border and enter this country illegally can be termed "law-abiding immigrants."

[Wilson33]

"It is unconscionable to prevent law-abiding immigrants access to driver's licenses"

It's amazing how "progressives" conveniently leave out how they are NOT law abiding immigrants since they BROKE FEDERAL LAW when they entered and stayed in this country illegally. But now, let's reward them! Yes, for our own political gain, let's bring them into the fold, brainwash them into thinking we care about them and then treat them the way you liberals do with black people, give aways to keep them poor and unresourceful...all for votes.

You just admitted that you are willing to forgive LAW BREAKING ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS all for political power. Wow, just wow.

If you really think that Spitzer is going to get anywhere with this, just remember what happened when Bush tried to push amnesty through earlier this year. The backlash is coming.