Obama said this today: "So, we have gone above and beyond what was requested by the very Republicans who said they supported broader reform as long as we got serious about enforcement. But even though we’ve answered these concerns, I suspect there will be those who will try to move the goal posts one more time. They’ll say we need to triple the border patrol. Or quadruple the border patrol. They’ll say we need a higher fence to support reform.

Maybe they’ll say we need a moat. Or alligators in the moat.

They’ll never be satisfied."

It's comforting to know that in a parallel universe, Obama is using the very same logic against himself and his party, and at least those people aren't being screwed.

This is one of the fundamental flaws with a centralized government. We send our money to the folks in DC, and they give us some of it back if and only if we behave in a manner they find acceptable.

In this case the foolish people of Texas had the unmitigated gall to elect an outspoken Republican. Therefore the Federal government's politicians will withhold the money that the Texas taxpayers sent to DC.

The politicians decide how our money is spent and that means that their priorites supercede those of the people. Things are decided based on a calculus that looks at what is best for the politician not what is best for the taxpayers.

This situation is the best example we have lately of how socialism ultimately fails us. Our money will never be spent more wisely by others. It is always better to let us keep it and use it as we see fit.

Afterthought: If so much of Texas went up in flames, then why not give it back to the Native Americans from whom it was taken? I am sure they will accept it, charcoal and all, without further federal or state funding. That is, provided that the restored territory is not taxed.

Well - it seems he might as well. Is there value in paying taxes to support services that the President is deliberately withholding? So why not get rid of all of it. Make disaster relief a state only duty. Then we can cut that amount for a start on the trillions. Then Texas can ask its own citizens for financial help through their own tax system. Probably cost them less too through by-passing the federal trough first.

Watch out- Obama is looking for votes gang...

My wife and I are always poking fun at each other for our uncanny ability to read the plot of one of our favorite television shows, "Criminal Minds." But frankly, Obama and the Demwits are far easier to read than that! I wish there was a way I could bet money on the track for their next move.

Obama can't possibly be "distracted" by some fires in Texas. Come now...

I was trying to find your email address on the Corner the other day to write you about this very thing.

As a Texan, I'm outraged that the Obama administration is up to its old tricks of "punishing" those who, like Gov. Rick Perry, don't go along with what they want.

How dare they hold back disaster funds from Texans hit so hard by those sweeping fires!

We're just missing the link between the two issues Mr. Williamson discusses. See, the wildfires are supposed to serve as a substitute for a fence. Illegals won't come across a burning border. Of course, the fires are in the wrong place. But hey, close enough for government work!

President Obama knows that he is presiding over the worst economy since the Great Depression. His plan to get re-elected is to generate very high turnout from a political coalition of blacks, hispanics, and white leftists. He is probably correct that blacks will vote for him in overwhelming numbers despite suffering terrible economic loss during the Obama presidency. His only hope for hispanics voting in a similar way is to get them to identify themselves primarily as an agrieved racial group.

The GOP should be able to parry this attack by talking about how a very poor economy hurts people on the lower end of the economic ladder especially hard. They need to be hard hitting and specifically accuse President Obama of race-baiting. One strategy would be for the GOP to re-play Democrat ads that are broadcast on black and hispanic radio stations that make overt racial appeals. The GOP needs to have the whole country hear what the Democrats intend to only have black and/or hispanic audiences hear.

@cdscott1968: You're on point. Something to consider (and that I haven't seen any discussion of), is that for Obama to win in 2012 he need not sweep the entire country. He simply needs to win key states with the right numbers for the electoral college. Indeed, there are entire regions of the country he may bypass while favoring those areas he believes he can squeeze votes out of. Such a divisive tactic isn't healthy for our form of government. Nor is the strong possibility that his campaign will employ questionable practices - just like they did in 2008 - in generating money and votes. Democrats rarely win at the ballot box fair and square so we shouldn't expect it of them in 2012. There will be funny business afoot. It will not be anything close to a clean election cycle.