Gov. Rick Perry Admits to Being For Open Borders

EllisCountyO.com ^ | February 26, 2010

[SoConPubbie]

The full context of the paragraph, as well as the speech, can be found below:

President Fox’s vision for an open border is a vision I embrace, as long as we demonstrate the will to address the obstacles to it. An open border means poverty has given way to opportunity, and Mexico’s citizens do not feel compelled to cross the border to find that opportunity. It means we have addressed pollution concerns, made substantial progress in stopping the spread of disease, and rid our crossings of illicit drug smuggling activity. Clearly we have a long way to go in addressing those issues. At the same time we must continue to deepen our economic ties, expanding opportunities for Mexican and U.S. companies to do business on both sides of the border. The outlook is promising, even if the road to prosperity is a long one. We share a bond as neighbors, and we find our culture north of the Rio Grande to be increasingly defined by the strong traits of people of Hispanic descent. Texas has long enjoyed a unique identity, an identity forged by an independent spirit, and the convergence of many different peoples. We must welcome change in the 21st Century as we have in every century before it.

Direct Link: http://governor.state.tx.us/news/speech/10688/

[SoldierDad]

The POINT that some have missed was the desire to have a border between Mexico and the U.S. where people from Mexico do not feel economically compelled to leave their country and cross the U.S. border illegally. A border in which drug trafficking does not occur. Is this a pipe dream? Perhaps. But, where is there harm in attempting to achieve these goals?

[SoldierDad]

Hmmmm. Must of missed where I typed “Israel” with respect to closed borders. If some had their way, the border between Mexico and the U.S. would be closed - by a very tall and impenitrable fence replete with guard towers manned by people armed with gattling guns. A good idea? Keep in mind that those guns wouldn’t have to just point towards the Mexican border. Also keep in mind the Berlin Wall.

[South40]

But, where is there harm in attempting to achieve these goals?

That depends in what the attempt entails.

There would be harm if the attempt caused more ILLEGALS to come here causing further burden on the US taxpayer.

There would be harm if people from Mexico came here and took jobs from American citizens.

There could be harm in allowing unskilled peasants from a third-world country to flood over our border when we cannot afford house, feed, educate and provide medical care for those who are already here.

And finally, there could be harm as long as there are muslim terrorists hell-bent on killing every man, woman and child within our borders.

[SoldierDad]

I guess the part about Mexico fixing it’s economic house was missed. As I said, if Mexicans, or others from south of Mexico, do not feel compelled to illegally cross the border into the U.S. to find work this would be a great improvement. No?

[South40]

I guess the part about muslim terrorists wanting to come here to kill you was missed.

Mexico has a corrupt government.

Mexico has a corrupt military.

Mexico has corrupt law enforcement.

And Mexico has a corrupt populace.

Mexico's corruption combined with the fact that muslims will always want to kill us make the idea of an open border inherently inane.

[SoldierDad]

People who miss the trees because of the forest are humorous. Nowhere has anyone suggested the problems you raise aren't real or don't exist or will be solved overnight. Outside of building a "Wall of China" at our southern border (and our northern border as well), there is no perfect way of keeping terrorists hell bent on killing Americans in America out of this country. Even if such a wall were built, all travel into this country from abroad would also have to be ended. So, are you suggesting we become a totally isolated country from the rest of the world? Do you really believe something at that level would be possible to implement?

You state the Mexican Government is corrupt. True. But, there is much corruption in our own government as well. There is corruption in many of the instututions within this country. What answer is there to address these problems? Give up there as well? Simply because at the present time these problems exist does not mean attempts to remedy them should not be made. I'm not a believer in throwing out the baby with the bathwater as some here appear to be suggesting.

[SUSSA]

Perry didn’t say any of this stuff.

###

This is cut and paste from the governor’s web page. I guess you think Romney posted it there??

LOL

http://governor.state.tx.us/news/speech/10688/

[Politicalmom]

Perry said he agreed with Vincente Fox’ vision of open borders, yet people are trying to come up with some way to make that an innocuous statement. It isn’t.

[South40]

I see the trees quite well. And if I walk up the hill behind my house I can see Mexico. I've lived within 10 miles of the border for the past 30 years. It is nonsensical to even suggest that it can be anything other than it is.

It's not isolation I seek but security. It can be done depsite the worn out liberal argument that it cannot.

I believe we started this discussion with my responding to your post wherein you said, "Oh, and this would be as opposed to a “closed” border in which no one moves across the border without first being stopped, searched, interrogated, investigated, etc".

Talk about not seeing the forest. Do you really think it can be any other way? You've not offered one idea as to how. All you've done is share your Utopian fantasy of Mexico being something other than what we know it will always be. That's non productive. Do you have ideas of your own or do you just enjoy criticizing the fact that we as Americans need to protect ourselves with border security?

[raybbr]

Hmmmm. Must of missed where I typed “Israel” with respect to closed borders. If some had their way, the border between Mexico and the U.S. would be closed - by a very tall and impenitrable fence replete with guard towers manned by people armed with gattling guns. A good idea?

YEP!

Keep in mind that those guns wouldn’t have to just point towards the Mexican border. Also keep in mind the Berlin Wall.

I get it now. You are a true "open borders" guy. You want messycans streaming into the U.S. at will. No restrictions.

Do you believe in the "reconquista", too?

[rintense]

It’s called vetting. And it happens all the time on FR, no matter who your fav is. If you can’t handle something from Perry’s past, that’s your problem.

[rintense]

Look at how much stuff is posted about Romney as governor of Mass... 10 years ago!

[raybbr]

The POINT that some have missed was the desire to have a border between Mexico and the U.S. where people from Mexico do not feel economically compelled to leave their country and cross the U.S. border illegally.

Bush tried that for eight years - see where messyco is now?

Hey, "SoldierDad" do YOU believe in the "new America" too...? (Catch the part about how "successful messyco" is?)

THE "NEW AMERICAN"..........<

We are now one of the largest Spanish-speaking nations in the world. We're a major source of Latin music, journalism and culture.

Just go to Miami, or San Antonio, Los Angeles, Chicago or West New York, New Jersey ... and close your eyes and listen. You could just as easily be in Santo Domingo or Santiago, or San Miguel de Allende.

For years our nation has debated this change -- some have praised it and others have resented it. By nominating me, my party has made a choice to welcome the new America.

Our future cannot be separated from the future of Latin America.

As I speak, we are celebrating the success of democracy in Mexico.

George Bush from a campaign speech in Miami, August 2000.

You can read the speech here.

Here is an excerpt of a good critique of that speech:

In equating our intimate historic bonds to our mother country and to Canada with our ties to Mexico, W. shows a staggering ignorance of the civilizational facts of life. The reason we are so close to Britain and Canada is that we share with them a common historical culture, language, literature, and legal system, as well as similar standards of behavior, expectations of public officials, and so on. My Bush Epiphany By Lawrence Auster

[Responsibility2nd]

Vetting???

We’re talking about SoCon Pubbie here. Why would we vet him? (Although that is a good idea.)

Stay on topic, mm-kay?

[rintense]

Stay on topic? How about you get with the program. Every single candidate can and should be vetted. Palin has had it non-stop for the past three years. Bachmann and Cain are also going through the vetting process, both in the MSM and here. Even Romney past is being brought up. Why should Perry be treated any different, especially on a topic so important to the country, one where he clearly has questionable judgment?

You’re not dealing in reality if you think the governor of a border state will not be questioned for what he’s done during his time in office.

[FourtySeven]

Does In-state tuition cover the cost of a college education or is in-state tuition subsidised by State Government, and those who come from out of State are paying cost plus.

I don't know. That's an interesting question; I wouldn't say though hat either way, it puts the illegals in a better light. The only way such a program could be fair, would be to make them (the illegals) pay out of state rates.

I don't think I'd have too much of a problem with that, if they were forced to compete, on an even playing field, with any other out of state student. Grade for grade, SAT score to SAT score. No "affirmative action" quotas to fill. Of course that would never happen, but it would be the only way such a program could possibly be close to being fair. Of course, such illegal students wouldn't be here in the first place if we enforced the LAW......

[SoldierDad]

Do tell, what is Vincente Fox’ vision of “open borders”? Not what you think he thinks, but from him. Once we determine this we’ll have a starting point for a discussion.

[SoldierDad]

With all due respect, your comment is idiotic.

[SoldierDad]

Building a wall across our southern border to prevent anyone from coming across - which would be the only way to completely prevent unwanted individuals from doing so, is defacto isolationism. And, IMHO, if a wall is required to prevent unwanted individuals from coming across the southern border, then a wall is also necessary across the northern border. While you and I agree that border security is greatly needed, I find it difficult to fathom what is being suggested would in any way have been acceptable to our Founding Fathers. And just for the record, I do not accept that the situation in Mexico is forever hopeless. Ideas? How about the people here in the U.S. who use drugs, stop. If there is not a market here, there is no reason for drugs to be coming across the border. How about the U.S. working with the Mexican government - those who really care about that country - to provide incentives for them to develop their own resources, creating jobs for their people? If they have jobs there, there will be no reason for illegal immigration here. In any event, the problems will not be solved overnight. And, unless We The People lead our representatives towards addressing these issues, nothing will ever be done. Bitching and moaning by a silent constituency hasn't worked, has it?

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks SoConPubbie. OTOH:

• New York Times's Washington Correspondent Calls Rick Perry 'Horrifying'