Springtime's Here! Time for flip-flops!

Get them liquored up enough with the potent elixir of PAC money, and shoot them up with enough adulation and encouragement so that they are drunk with power, and politicians will happily "flip-flop" on political issues of the day.

The issue: Immigration Reform

Back in 1993, this Senator was sponsor of Senate Bill 1351 - The Immigration Stabilization Act of 1993. The goal of the bill was to:

"...curb criminal activity by aliens, to defend against acts of international terrorism, to protect American workers from unfair labor competition, and to relieve pressure on public services by strengthening border security and stabilizing immigration into the United States."

Sounds great, huh? It gets even better. According to Mark Krikorian, a press release from the Senator's office about this bill said,

"Our borders have overflowed with illegal immigrants placing tremendous burdens on our criminal justice system, schools and social programs. The Immigration and Naturalization Service needs the ability to step up enforcement. Our federal wallet is stretched to the limit by illegal aliens getting welfare, food stamps, medical care and other benefits often without paying any taxes. Safeguards like welfare and free medical care are in place to boost Americans in need of short-term assistance. These programs were not meant to entice freeloaders and scam artists from around the world. Even worse, Americans have seen heinous crimes committed by individuals who are here illegally."

You're ready to vote for this guy, aren't you?!? Are you ready for this? The bill even states that children born to illegal aliens would not be granted automatic citizenship under Section 1 of the Fourteenth Amendment!

Unfortunately, if this person were to put forward this legislation today he would be run out of town! Just who is this "flip-flopper"?

None other than U.S. Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D - Nevada)! It's OK, though... I'm sure he would just chalk it up to a "youthful indiscretion".

EXCELLENT UPDATE!::: Drudge has the text of the original 1993 press release here.