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To: conservativegramma
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.

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.

Our Fading Heritage: Americans Fail a Basic Test on Their History and Institutions is the third major study conducted by ISI on the kind of knowledge required for informed citizenship. In 2006 and 2007, ISI published the first ever scientific surveys of civic learning among college students. Each year, approximately 14,000 freshmen and seniors at 50 schools nationwide were given a 60-question, multiple-choice exam on basic knowledge of America’s heritage. Both years, the students failed. The average freshman scored 51.7% the first year and 51.4% the next. The average senior scored 53.2%, then 54.2%. After all the time, effort, and money spent on college, students emerge no better off in understanding the fundamental features of American self-government.

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.

61 posted on 04/17/2010 11:02:38 PM PDT by kabar
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To: kabar

No, I have a problem with back room deals, corruption, pay-offs, same old politics as usual crowd elect me so I can continually get elected term after term after term after term after term after term......saying and campaigning on whatever it is they think the ‘people’ want to hear to keep their jobs then heading to washington and then doing a 180 and screwing them over.

That kind of politics took away my liberty. So I’ve got to re-think how I vote and start voting for somebody who isn’t in that camp and push the re-set button.


62 posted on 04/18/2010 6:12:41 AM PDT by conservativegramma (If Congress refuses to listen, its taxation without representation all over again)
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