I just happen to respectfully disagree that Behney has not fully disclosed where he stands. He's been quite specific. He has said that he wants to see to it that existing laws are enforced. We already have immigration laws, we don't need new ones which is what you're proposing. What we need is to ENFORCE the ones we already have. Behney has been VERY SPECIFIC on this. If we can't enforce the ones we have NOW, what makes you think we're going to be able to enforce anything new Hostettler comes up with????
Now go look at these existing laws, read them, and then think if these were actually enforced instead of ignored we wouldn't have an illegal problem. And they are very specific so I don't see where you keep saying Behney hasn't been specific.
Many of these laws have heavy fines attached to them on the first offense. Rarely would an illegal have the cash fund to pay any of them if they were actually enforced, they would have no choice but to go home on their own, and fear would be a heavy motivation against hopping across the border if your bank account was wiped clean if you were caught. If the offense is committed a 2nd time - its a felony upon which they are jailed or deported. Enforcement of existing law is the key which we are not doing. Examples:
- It is unlawful for any person to bring aliens into the United States. Fine: $3,000 for each alien (Sec. 273. [8 U.S.C. 1323]) - We aren't currently enforcing any of these fines if they're caught.
- It is unlawful to bring in or harbor illegal aliens. Fine: $3,000 for each alien. (Sec. 273. [8 U.S.C. 1323] ) - we don't enforce the fines again.
- It is unlawful for a person or other entity- to employ or recruit or refer for a fee an illegal alien in the United States. Commercial advantage or private financial gain offender can be fined under title 18, US code, imprisoned for not more than 10 years, or both. ...Any person who, during any 12-month period, knowingly hires for employment at least 10 individuals with actual knowledge that the individuals are aliens described in sub paragraph (B) shall be fined under title 18, United States Code, or imprisoned for not more than 5 years, or both. (Sec. 274A. [8 U.S.C. 1324a] ) - If we would just enforce this one simply by making the fine so heavy that an employer would go out of business on the first offense, they would stop. And Behney has promised to legislatively go after offending employers. So yeah, very specific.
Those are just a few examples. If you look at the laws, see where they are not being enforced and start enforcing them the problems are solved. A 2nd area is to cut off all freebies illegals are getting: free medical care, anchor babies, welfare, etc. etc. etc. and Behney has specifically promised to initiate more legislation that puts an end to this practice.
Career politicians may contribute to our inaction on issues, but I blame the public just as much for electing them.
I don't disagree the public has much to blame for their apathy over the past 40 years. BUT, having said that a large number of the public is waking up and are actively engaged in contacting their congresspersons only to be ignored.
Also, I very much disagree with your comment that career politicians 'may' contribute. Bollocks. They are a huge part of the problem. As you yourself put it corruption is rampant in Washington. This is because they are 100% focused on getting re-elected or maintaining their power base instead of listening to their constitutents. You cut off the focus on re-election (because they can't be re-elected) and you cut off the power trip.
In the past few years, the public HAS BEEN engaged, writing letters, phone calls, e-mails, more phone calls. When the congressperson ignores their constituents YOU CANNOT BLAME THE VOTING PUBLIC! Trust me, I have personally sat in Lugar's office and watched his staff field phone calls. During the call they were all polite and oh so encouraging to the calling voter saying they would 'personally' see to it that the Senator heard their concerns, blah blah blah. Upon hanging up the phone the staffers looked at one another, laughed, waded up the paper they had been doodling on and sent it to file 13. Lugar never heard squat even if he wanted to. True story. So tell me again how voters are going to be engaged when we're ignored and mocked???? Career politicians have everything to do with it! Because of this issue and the back room deals, and lobbying, the whole of Washington is a sewer. Term-limits, and an end to lobbying would go a long way to cleaning it up.
LOL. You lost me on that one
You shouldn't have been lost. You admitted that term limits were inconsequential. Only a lobbyist would think they are not important - wrong. If we elect more and more people to congress with Behney's views - it would eventually get passed. It will be hard work but its worth pursuing. I'm not for anyone who takes a dim view of term limits. And I don't care WHAT a campaign website claims about restoring the constitution, its just fluff if you don't go after term limits and endless back room deals and lobbying.
You absolutely lost ME when you admitted to lobbying. That a lobbyist who cannot even vote in Indiana is trying to get a man elected to the U.S. Senate FROM Indiana is another red flag. The only people working to get a man elected to represent Hoosiers should be a voting Hoosier! I see RINO written enough all over the place that I'm beginning to wonder if Hostettler should even be my 2nd choice!
Now with all that said though, remember what I did say in an earlier post: Hostettler is my 2nd choice and if Behney loses and Hostettler wins he will have my support despite all of my concerns. I'll just do a lot of praying that my concerns will be proven wrong.
Where did I propose that we have new immigration laws re illegal immigration? Attrition thru enforcement is the solution. Even Behney wants to get rid of birthright citizenship. We need a pro-immigrant policy of low immigration.
Now go look at these existing laws, read them, and then think if these were actually enforced instead of ignored we wouldn't have an illegal problem. And they are very specific so I don't see where you keep saying Behney hasn't been specific.
I want to hear him say that he wants to deport all of the illegals who are here--not thru mass deportation, but rather attrition thru enforcement. By the way, I know the laws better than you do.
We had an amnesty in 1986, "Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986". "8 USC 1101 note" The problem is that the enforcement portion was never fully implemented.
You cut off the focus on re-election (because they can't be re-elected) and you cut off the power trip.
And pigs could fly if they had wings. We are not going to get term limits on Congress. It is a wasted effort. And there are some pros and cons to having term limits. The ballot box remains the best curb on the actions of politicians.
In the past few years, the public HAS BEEN engaged, writing letters, phone calls, e-mails, more phone calls. When the congressperson ignores their constituents YOU CANNOT BLAME THE VOTING PUBLIC!
The public has become more engaged, but it is still woeful as is the knowledge of the public about the issues. I see it every day. I have participated in more than a dozen tea party events including the 912 march on DC and the latest April 15 demonstration. I am part of a grassroots immigration group that lobbies on the Hill and in Richmond. I am constantly struck about how little people know about the issues and how their government works. Our schools have failed us. They indoctrinate, not educate.
Term-limits, and an end to lobbying would go a long way to cleaning it up.
There is nothing wrong with lobbying. It is part of our system. Are you against the NRA's or American Legion lobbying efforts for example? Individuals have a right to form groups around issues and make their views known to legislators, including testifying before Congress.
And I don't care WHAT a campaign website claims about restoring the constitution, its just fluff if you don't go after term limits and endless back room deals and lobbying.
What do you mean specifically about term limits? Exactly how long would a senator or congressman be allowed to serve? I think you underestimate the usefulness of experience and continuity in our system that governs 310 million people. You are not only limiting the representatives but their staffs.
You absolutely lost ME when you admitted to lobbying. That a lobbyist who cannot even vote in Indiana is trying to get a man elected to the U.S. Senate FROM Indiana is another red flag. The only people working to get a man elected to represent Hoosiers should be a voting Hoosier! I see RINO written enough all over the place that I'm beginning to wonder if Hostettler should even be my 2nd choice!
You do not seem to understand the function of lobbying and automatically believe that it is negative. I gather you must also favor limiting political free speech ala McCain-Feingold. All that is needed is transparency. I have no problem with lobbyists as I indicated before. There are close to 14,000 lobbyists who represent all segments of our society and their interests. Do you have a problem with democracy?
I am a lobbyist who does it voluntarily without getting paid. I am retired but work every day on the immigration issue meeting with legislators at the federal and state level as well as with groups of citizens.