In politics, compromise is a matter of pragmatism or principle, and sometimes both.
For politicians who want to advance their careers, win votes, and receive key committee assignments, pragmatism is the ruling policy, regardless of the consequences.
Principle is more crucial to the party in power, a faction bent on demonstrating to the electorate that brought them into power that they meant every promise that they proffered to get elected.
Compromise can bring these two disparate interests together. But common ground must be a plain that both sides can walk on.
Compromise must comprise elements of integrity. Even if every party cannot be happy with the outcome, the results of bipartisan legislation must benefit the community as a whole, not just appeal to short-term sentiment.
In an attempt to continue currying favor with one segment of the New Mexico community, Democrats have offered half-measures to protect granting licenses to undocumented immigrants. State Senator Jennings of Roswell charged that protecting public safety and ending fraud can be accomplished without repeal of the licensing law.
How can the state of New Mexico discourage fraud and protect citizens driving on the roads, besides issuing an outright repeal? Another agency, perhaps, could be established to assist law enforcement in tracking down DMV fraud. More police on the highways and byways would assist traffic enforcers in stopping bad drivers. But there is one little problem with these proposals: money.
New Mexico, like many states in the Union, are struggling with deep budget shortfalls, and the states cannot be expected to hit up the federal government for another handout. Also, do the New Mexican people really want more government in their lives? The New Mexico DMV has already demonstrated its failure to properly regulate the issuing of licenses, as any foreign national or illegal immigrant can obtain a license in spite of the clear exceptions provided for. Why allow them more personnel to do less of the same thing?
No matter how desperate one party in power may become, the unintended consequences of such short-sighted legislation will always frustrate the strain for cosmic justice and "social equity". Licenses for the Undocumented create more problems for the voters and the state, and therefore those in power will have to contend with these outcomes and offer solutions. This poorly drafter, poorly planned policy even endangers the illegal immigrant. Why give them more reasons to be concerned about a sudden accident or revelation which will certainly lead to their deportation? Attempts to curb the law will avail nothing as long as illegal immigrants are still able to obtain licenses, regardless of their national origin.
Some have chargedas heartless any move to scuttle the law will harm an undocumented family's ability to travel, to commute, or even to get groceries. Others have already contended that cracking down on illegal immigration divides families. Yet all these cries of "unfair" and "discrimination" ignore one common denominator: illegal immigrants know the risks when they disregard the laws of the United States. They know, or at least are responsible for knowing, that by choosing to live in this country "in the shadows", they have to endure the risk of one day being discovered and deported. We cannot fault executives and law enforcement for doing their job because individuals insisted on violating the law. When the sentiment is removed from this discussion, the political will for repeal is easier to muster.
Licensing of undocumented immigrants was an insane political stunt from the beginning, anyway, one whose repercussions reach beyond the day-to-day dangers which may manifest on the highways and byways from Taos to Las Cruces. If the previous governor had demonstrated an seriousness, he would have considered the sad plight that licensing would have created for undocumented immigrants.
Rather than dealing with the symptoms of such unserious legislation, Governor Martinez wants to attack the root of the problem. Undocumented immigrants should not be allowed neither to remain nor remain undocumented in this country, and the states must not enable such flagrant disregard for the law and integrity of the United States.
On a side not, Governor Martinez' push for full repeal will protect citizens' rights and save taxpayer dollars This is an argument that can appeal to all New Mexicans, whether Anglo or Hispanic or any other ethnicity.
Governor Susana Martinez has rightfully dedicated her efforts to repealing the immoral and illogical law which permits undocumented immigrants to obtain driver's licenses. To compromise on repeal would be to compromise on principle, and vacate any meaningful restoration to New Mexico's dignity and state sovereignty.