One of the best statements I heard on the defeat of the immigration bill came from Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney: "The immigration bill failed because the politicians in Washington are out of touch with the American people.  The voice of the people is loud and clear – secure the border, enforce the law and no special deal for permanent residency or citizenship for illegals.  America will always welcome legal immigration, but as a nation we also insist on the rule of law."

Those supporting the measure want to know what will be done with the millions of illegals already here. The answer is to first stop the invasion of the illegals. When someone sustains multiple injuries in an accident or is wounded in war, a medic first stops the bleeding. Illegals are bleeding into our country and bleeding our country of its character. We have to stop that before we normalize those who are here.

This is all about votes. Democrats want the Hispanic vote and Republicans are afraid of the Hispanic vote. Congress must build the fence and seal the border or pay at the polls. Americans are taking their country back from the politicians.

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Cal Thomas is a nationally syndicated columnist based in Washington, D.C.