A few thoughts on Barack Obama's action on Immigration.

Just in case you missed it Barack Obama went off on his own and is going to end deportations on about 5 million illegal immigrants. Here's an article if you missed it.  What's my take on it? To be honest it is mostly apathetic. Unlike most people immigration isn't a priority for me. With ISIS, Ebola and the Ukraine conflict there are bigger issues. But I might have a few insights.

1. This is going to be extremely unpopular in middle America. This is a stereotype below but it is true.

And of course there is some truth to that as well. Illegal immigrants take jobs that other people could have. And they also take those jobs even if they pay terribly, artificially lowering wages for everyone else. People always say that other Americans won't do the kind of jobs that illegals take but I'm betting they would if those jobs paid a competitive wage. Businesses won't pay a competitive wage if they have a source of workers who will work for practically nothing. That hurts everyone in the economy.

2. Black people should be more upset then they are since they elected Obama to help them and this action will probably hurt them due to point #1.

3. Both Democrats and Republicans are trapped by this issue. Large majorities in both parties are opposed to illegal immigration. Both parties have influential groups that want reform, big business on the right and bleeding heart liberals (and big business) on the left. Both sides of the debate want to court the Hispanic vote. No matter what anyone does on the issue they will enrage an important core part of their party. It is a lose-lose situation all around.

4. It's a slap in the face to anyone who came here legally.

5. Nobody ever mentions the most important aspect of immigration in the United States. The Mexican Drug war. Of course nobody ever talks about the Mexican Drug war. Even though Mexico is on the edge of a revolution because of it...