Question 1:
Watch Obama and Romney Debate Each Other’s Immigration Policy (2012 Presidential Debate #2).
(Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpDhxD7e0OU)
As a supporter (Obama) of one side of this issue, identify the points made by the presidential candidate that most closely represents your perspective. Discuss policy changes that you would like to see and why? Would this require change, reform, or termination of current policy?
Question 2:
Don’t Ask Don’t Tell (DADT) was a compromise between the Clinton administration and its opponents in Congress and the military. Compromise sometimes yields good policy, but sometimes it produces internally inconsistent and counterproductive policy. Using DADT as an example, what do you see to be the potential strengths and weaknesses of policy borne of compromise? The 18-year process of repealing DADT suggests that policy termination can be a lengthy process. Should policies be inherently difficult to terminate, especially those rooted in public attitudes?
Question 3:
Explore aspects of your personal experience and/or beliefs regarding significant public policies and what you have learned in your readings. As you reflect, please address the following questions:
a. What are the major current federal immigration policy issues?
b. How do you feel about related policies?
c. What, if anything, has changed or is changing, and how does it affect you personally?
d. What were your thoughts prior to reading this week’s reading assignments?
e. How has your perspective been either reinforced or changed now that you are more informed?