In response to Denny Andrews’ letter, “Obama’s divisive agenda” (Reporter, Dec. 19):

According to Mr. Andrews, President Obama is orchestrating “one of the greatest unconstitutional power grabs in history” by “giving amnesty to 5 million illegal aliens.”

First of all, President Obama wouldn’t be the first President to grant an amnesty to illegal immigrants. Ronald Reagan supported a bill that granted amnesty to 2.9 million illegal immigrants in 1986.

In fact, in his debate with Walter Mondale in 1984, Reagan said himself, “I believe in the idea of amnesty for those who have put down roots and lived here, even though some time back they may have entered illegally.”

But I guess the problem is that Obama is doing this via Executive Order. I have to say that if this is the “greatest power grab in history” it needs some work. With only 193 Executive Orders issued by Obama so far, he’s trailing Reagan (381), Clinton (364), and George W. Bush (291). Looks like Obama needs to get busy.

Also of note in Mr. Andrews’ letter is his take on the recent events in Ferguson. First of all, he claims that body cameras as suggested by the Attorney General “would have backed up Officer Wilson’s story.” I am disappointed there won’t be a trial for Officer Wilson as I would have liked to have seen Mr. Andrews give his eye witness testimony in court and explain what he saw from thousands of miles away.

Mr. Andrews also accused Obama of not saying “a peep” about the rioters in Ferguson. However, President Obama said the following in Chicago on Nov. 25:

“Burning buildings, torching cars, destroying property, putting people at risk, that’s destructive and there is no excuse for it. Those are criminal acts. People should be prosecuted if they engage in criminal acts.”

Mr. Andrews ends his letter by saying that the Obama administration appears “to want the races at each other’s throats.”

That’s actually my thinking about the right wing since Obama has been in office. I remember in September 2009, Rush Limbaugh linked a school bus fight to “Obama’s America” by stating to millions of his listeners, “In Obama’s America, the white kids now get beat up with the black kids cheering.” No racial fear-mongering there!

Presidents always have their supporters and detractors. It’s just nice when the detractor’s arguments are somewhat based in reality.

– Jeff Friend