Biden vows ‘Comprehensive Immigration Reform’ despite Sowell’s earlier warning.

Few figures in conservativism ‌are more revered than Thomas Sowell

A ‍free-market economist, ​social theorist and philosopher, Sowell’s work has spanned decades⁤ and⁤ influenced⁤ generations.

Sowell wrote a nationally syndicated column,​ authored dozens of books and dazzled television audiences time and time again with his common sense, anti-intellectual approach to ‍political and cultural⁤ issues.

The following story is part of The Western Journal’s exclusive series, “The Sowell Digest.” Each issue ​will break down and summarize one of Sowell’s many influential works.

Political buzzwords always conceal truth

In fact, they often ​carry the ​precise opposite meaning of the impression they convey. Thus, defending “democracy” nearly⁣ always entails something authoritarian.

The same holds‍ true for ⁣the word “comprehensive” when applied to immigration⁤ reform. In May,⁤ for instance, the⁣ White House released a statement on “House Democrats Reintroducing President ⁣Biden’s Comprehensive Immigration Reform Bill.”

Eight years ago, Thomas Sowell delivered what amounts to a standing rebuke of such “comprehensive” plans.

In a 2015 opinion piece that appeared in newspapers across the country, including⁣ the Palm⁢ Springs (California) Desert Sun, ⁣Sowell exposed the problem with calls for “comprehensive” immigration reform.

The fatal flaw of “comprehensive” immigration reform

First, he noted⁣ that the guilt for failing to secure the border rests with the entire political establishment.

“Both ⁢Democrats and Republicans are responsible for failing to take control of⁣ the borders,” Sowell wrote.

Furthermore, border security involves practical problems with immediate solutions. Thus, it amounts to a matter of ⁢will.

“In⁤ all the years that have been spent‌ talking ⁢back and forth about every conceivable immigration policy — and some that are inconceivable — we⁢ could have built the biggest fence⁢ of all⁣ time,⁤ backed up by electronics, boots ‌on⁣ the ground and whatever else it takes,” Sowell wrote.

The political ⁤establishment, however, has delayed securing the border until it can find answers to every immigration-related question.

“Instead, many have been pursuing the will-o’-the-wisp called ‘comprehensive’ immigration reform,” Sowell wrote. “In other words, we ‌are supposed ​to do everything ⁤all at once, like Obamacare. How well did that turn out?”

Therein lies ⁢“comprehensive” immigration ⁢reform’s fatal flaw. ⁢We cannot⁣ do anything, its‌ proponents say, ⁢unless we can do everything.

Sowell then ⁢rightly observed that‌ border security need not wait on “comprehensive” reform. On the other hand, “comprehensive” reform ‍cannot occur without border security.

“There are​ very⁢ serious and complex questions to be ‌confronted⁢ before immigration ‍issues are laid to rest⁣ by ​new laws” Sowell acknowledged. “But none‍ of that stops ⁣us from taking control of the borders now.”

Indeed,​ “if the ⁣border is not secured, it does not matter what kind of immigration policy we have — or think we have — because people will cross the borders​ when they want to, regardless of ⁢what the policy turns out to be.”

Eight years later, Sowell’s “comprehensive” buzzword translation still rings true. In ⁢practice,‌ attempting to do everything means accomplishing nothing.

Worse ‌yet, decades of inaction on this front have raised plausible suspicions. It appears that those who argue for all-encompassing immigration reform as a precondition to ⁢ border security in fact have​ deliberately inverted the meaning of the word “comprehensive.” They‌ tell us that ⁣they plan to do everything because they plan to do nothing.

Political buzzwords have that truth-inverting quality. “Comprehensive” means “nothing ‍at ​all.” “Democracy” means “surrender your rights and freedoms.”

Small‍ wonder⁢ that professional liars love their buzzwords.

The post Biden‌ Promises ‘Comprehensive ⁣Immigration Reform’: Sowell‌ Warned Against This Buzzword Years ​Ago appeared first on The Western Journal.