Posted on 04/05/2006 5:50:41 AM PDT by zook
WASHINGTON — Accusing politicians of "pounding their chests" on immigration for short-term political gain, Florida Gov. Jeb Bush said Tuesday that the tone of the debate had been "hurtful" to him and his Mexican-born wife, Columba.
Bush, the younger brother of President Bush, reserved some of his sharpest criticism for conservatives in his own Republican Party, calling it "just plain wrong" to charge illegal immigrants with a felony, as a provision passed by the Republican-led House would do. He also opposed "penalizing the children of illegal immigrants" by denying them U.S. citizenship, an idea backed by some conservatives but not included in the legislation.
"My wife came here legally, but it hurts her just as it hurts me when people give the perception that all immigrants are bad," the Florida governor wrote in an e-mail exchange with The Times.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
There was NOT a "huge backlash" against Prop. 187.
Drugs are rampant in Mexico, as a matter of fact one of these same illegals had to sit on a couple pounds of it as payment for reentry after deportation.
So now we have to exclude people to America based on Religious beliefs? Surely there are millions of persecuted African Christians who would love to come to America to work low paying jobs.
Hey, wherever they come from really doesn't matter as long as they are kept to the same standard as "illegal Mexican immigrants" are. They should all be welcomed and the term "legal immigrant" should be dropped completely.
If the argument was logical that is.
Illegal immigration is a problem (NSS) but I suspect if the feds would force states to greatly restrict tax-funded services to illegals -- and the courts supported them -- a lot of the problem would go away.
But as far as government law being sacred, I'm not a legal absolutist. If Congress should pass a law demanding I surrender my firearms, I would disobey. If I were a Mexican sickened by the corruption and hopelessness of my native land, I would hop the border. I cannot get upset at them for doing that.
What I generally hear from Bush's opponents is whining or impractical solutions.
BTTT
Google "Jeb Bush FTAA Miami" and find out what the other Bush's real agenda is.
Those most vocal in this current debate are the shouters and screamers who often have limited understanding and an even more limited vocabulary.
I'm surprised the guy who insists that the solution to illegal immigration is shooting them in the back as they head north hasn't come on here yet. Perhaps he doesn't sober up until lunchtime.
Everything that could be said has already been said; the only way to get any attention at this point is to ratchet up the rhetoric or advocate violence.
That's what you're seeing from those who emote rather than reason.
Pokin' a hornet's nest with a stick is one of the greatest pleasures in life.
Here's what hurtful to hard working taxpaying Americans:
http://www.mexica-movement.org/ENTERHERETEXTONLY.htm
http://wehategringos.com/
Bush should be ashamed of himself.
Thank you, coherently stated and right on target.
susie
We're all for building a fence or a wall.
You can throw in a moat and some crocs too.
Jeb's point is the politicalization of the argument.
Of course handing 20 million potential voters to the jackass party isn't a good strategy either.
As you know, SOME want to stop LEGAL immigration as well: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1608492/posts
You might, if you lived behind walls and were protected by private security. You might if those same people were going to make you millions of dollars in saved wages. You might if those same people were going to vote for you. You also might if you felt those same people were strong enough in numbers to replace the voters who currently form your base.
SOME want to stop LEGAL immigration as well: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1608492/posts
Jeb is trying to curry favor with Southern Floridian electorate who are mainly Hispanic and minority. It's also political posturing for a run at the Presidency in 08 or 12.
And you don't de-politicize the argument by distorting the position of your opponents - especially when they represent a large part of your own base.
Of course handing 20 million potential voters to the jackass party isn't a good strategy either.
hammm ... 20 million potential voters ... versus a large part of the current GOP base. That should be a no-brainer, especially since not passing amnesty would prevent those 20 million from voting in the future.
Alientating the anti-illegal-immigration GOP base is not a very good way to start that run - as McCain will find out in the near future.
Jeb Bush like his brother and daddy - are bought and sold by the business interests. They are putting the welfare of our illegals over that of US citizens. I love how they continue to ignore the racist orgs. like LaRaza and LaMecha and the shouts from the mexicans of viva la mexico and down with America. Yeah right Bush really cares about homeland security - again the Bush's are trying to use race to destroy the Rep party. I, along with many conservatives, have had enough of the Bushs.
It's not hard to understand Jebie illegal or legal see it;s easy.
JOHN NEWBERRY JR. - 1999 Guest Columnist
Well, it appears that Governor Jeb's wife, Columba Bush, has run afoul of the law. She reportedly was fined $4,000 for not declaring items at Customs upon returning from a shopping spree in Paris. Could happen to anybody. In fact, every time my wife goes shopping in Paris, she overspends and then lies about it to Customs. It's just the way the game is played.
The governor has explained that it was just a mistake. An error in judgment, if you please. It seems that Mrs. Bush simply did not want Jeb to know how much she spent on her trip, and so that is why she failed to declare the items.
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