W's Live Speech Thread

Fox News | 1-7-04 | my favorite headache

[My Favorite Headache]

Press conference starts at 2:45 EST....get the prilosec out...we are going to need it.

[BushisTheMan]

It's only a crime if the law says it is a crime. If the law changes and no longer makes it a crime, what say you then? And that is exactly what the suggestion is: change their status from illegal immigrant to documented temporary worker. How hard is that to understand?

[MattAMiller]

B. He's backstabbed his base on so many issues, the latest being immigrtaion, he's lost a significant portion of that base.

Bush has something like a 90% approval rating amongst Republicans.

[Righter-than-Rush]

If you are suggesting that we need to support the law and leave it alone, whether it is good for America or not, then you and I have issues.

[eleni121]

Nobody wants to pander to anyone...certainly not me. As a loyal conservative Republican I want my party to be more inclusive not engaged in retribution against illegals. Most illegals are hard working respectable Christians and many die trying to get here. I want no part of that. The President's plan addresses the work requirement, the obligations of the employers, the security of our borders, and the prospect of these guest workers going bak in to their countries of origin if they wish.

It is the conservative humane approach to dealing with a runaway problem. There is no alternative except for the die hards on these lists who would foolishly create a fortress America.

[Sally'sConcerns]

The workers under temporary status must pay a one-time fee to register in the program, abide by the rules, and return home after their period of work expires.

What happens if they don't pay the one-time fee? Is there going to be a cut-off date for those who don't pay the fee and is there going to be stronger enforcement of deportation if they don't meet the cutoff date? Will there be stronger enforcement of expiration dates than there is currently?

In the future, only people outside the U.S. may join the temporary worker program, and there will be an orderly system in place to address the needs of workers and companies.

If people are still crossing illegally what measures are going to be implemented to enforce mandatory deportation? How will the border be strengthened to ensure no immigrants cross the border illegally?

Since 9/11, DHS has audited 3,640 businesses, examined 259,037 employee records, arrested 1,030 unauthorized workers, and participated in the criminal indictment of 774 individuals.

In 2 years and 4 months 1030 unauthorized workers have been arrested and that's out of 8-12 million illegal immigrants? And this record is going to be improved exactly how?

I could support the program if DHS had proven itself more effective at enforcing current immigration laws. Am I to determine there has been a slackening in enforcement because this new program was in the works? If not, then it appears DHS won't be able to enforce the new program and I wouldn't be in support of this new program until DHS was better able to enforce illegal immigration laws.

Somebody on one of the threads made the comment that if the illegal immigrants are given legal status where they can work legally it might cut out a lot of the under the table cash employment. The demand for illegals could conceivably dry up because it would no longer be profitable for the employer to hire immigrants because the employer would be paying the same amount as he would for a legal immigrant or citizen. That made sense to me.

[LinuxRocks]

" dean and hitlery are crap, but at least that advertise TRUTHFULLY."

So, we should admire MujaiDean and Hilldebeast because they are crap and forthright about it? I think you've lost it dude! Yeah, I really admire the way Hildebeast went to Iraq, right before we caught SADDAM, and stood in front of the camera dissing the troops, saying that "victory is not assured" with the stupid quagmire retoric. You should be careful what you wish for!!!!!!

[Dane]

So, now that we KNOW that we have been SOLD OUT.

What's this we crap. Are you the Queen of England now? I haven't been sold out and I would respectfully wish that you would not talk for me in the future.

[Diva Betsy Ross]

Yes, again the one issue is the Constitution.

I know, I know you don't like that word, and you don't like the rule of law. It's funny I used your argument once when I was trying to talk someone else into supporting GW. I know the bush cheerleaders all love to use the "one issue voter" line. It seems as that is the only thing you all can think of. It's okay , it is a bitter pill to swallow.

You don't like anything about the Constitution, and It appears you are in good company.

[StoneColdGOP]

Hey! Wasn't that the INS agent on duty the morning of 9/11?

Glad he'll be in charge of making sure that those "guest workers" don't overstay their visas...

[ohioWfan]

Why would you speak to someone like that? All she did was transcribe a line the president said in his remarks, then noted since others were not interested in the actual substance of the remarks she was leaving.

Thank you, cyncooper.

Thank you, altura.

When civil discourse is impossible due to reflex insults, it's best to leave.

And when your leaving results in further insult, you know it was a smart move.

If I am strong, and resist any masochistic impulses, this will be my last immigration thread. ;o)

[wjcsux]

I don't have an argument with a guest workers program. As a matter of fact, there was a guest workers program from the mid 40's up to the mid 60's.
I believe the overwhelming majority of us don't have an issue with it at all. Where we draw the line is rewarding people who come into the country illegally with education, health care and SSI benefits. Anyone who is here illegally should be forced to leave, and apply to enter the country legally.
The U.S. instituted a "one time only" blanket amnesty program for people illegally in the country back in 1987. It didn't work then, won't work now. We are simply calling on our government to enforce existing laws.

[kevao]

Amnisty is a pardon. It wipes away any wrong doing and makes you legal. This is NOT amnisty.

Really? This policy certainly "wipes away any wrongdoing" because NOBODY will be deported for having broken our immigration laws. (Any deportations will be the result not of lawbreaking, but failure to find a job.) And the policy certainly "makes you legal" by granting legal status.

Even by your definition, this is a de facto amnesty.

[Beck_isright]

Sorry Daney, but I ain't a "laws, what laws" conservative.

[BushisTheMan]

You have the mentality of a slave who dares not criticize a master.

Whoa, lighten up there! Some of us can actually think for ourselves and we do NOT have to agree with you.

[Sloth]

Exactly. And my point is, we could legalize any other crime, as well, and the perpetrators would no longer be criminals. So what? Does that make it good policy?

Are you Jocelyn Elders? Remember how she wanted to reduce drug crimes?

[Conspiracy Guy]

sheesh.

[meadsjn]

The President is "proposing" this plan, but Congress is supposed to write the laws.

It is obvious that Bush does not care what the American people think about the immigration issue. His plan will further lower wages for citizens, and at the same time cause an increase in taxpayer funded services.

It is Congress that should be getting the heat about how to write a bill on immigration reform, and all of the House is up for reelection, as well as 1/3 of the Senate.

[McGavin999]

Well, whatever you do don't mention it on THIS thread ;o)

[ArneFufkin]

Fellow Rush-o-phile (Band, that is) you were NOT wrong, and we have been SOLD OUT! Guess who does NOT get my vote in November?

Guess who didn't get your vote in 2000 either?

The phony betrayal and disaffection never stops around here.