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.

[Justin714]

"NONE of these people will be naturalized citizens. IF THEY CHOOSE to, they will go through the same process as you did. I think you are all being very short-sighted here."

I didn't say that these people will become naturalized citizens under this proposed "immigration plan". I was just simply pointing out the irony. I came to this country legally in 1984 (I'm a refugee from Vietnam). I followed the rules and laws of this country and did things by the book. Still it took me 7 years to become a citizen. And what have these illegals done to be granted such "special treatmen"? They came here illegally, they pay little taxes (if any). What will this say to people who came here legally like me? Forget laws, forget procedures? Just sneak in and lay low?
Seems like there are more incentives to come here illegally

[Reagan Man]

While I generally support PresBush on the WoT, his homeland security efforts and his tax cuts, I have to agree with you on this one. Today's public pronouncement by PresBush, on a new direction for US immigration policy, will lose him some support in his conservative base and probably will cost him some significant support among the centrist-moderates too.

The vast majority of American's don't support amnesty, open borders or a backdoor policy that will eventually grant citizenship to illegal aliens.

[eleni121]

In general, immigrants offer much more to this nation than they take. They are not the ones who passed liberal welfare laws. If you want benefits to end for the poor then be wiling to end the breaks that the middle class and rich use.

[antaresequity]

Shouldn't they give first rights to jobs to welfare recipients and unemployed?

A job isn't a 'Right' and the employers should be able to give the job to whoever they damn please [as long as they are legal to work]...and take it away just as fast if they see fit too...

[OXENinFLA]

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,107655,00.html

TEXT OF SPEECH

[rintense]

And what about the tax implications to citizens? Educating their children? Paying for their healthcare? I, too, was less negative after reading Flyer's post. But now all the questions are popping up. This seems too much of a rosie picture to me. And I still want to know how the government is going to track down and deport those illegals who choose NOT to register.

[RockyMtnMan]

Have you taken the Free Republic poll on this issue yet?

[Laura Earl]

You are quite welcome!

[My Favorite Headache]

They can't even show Speedy Gonzalez cartoons anymore because Cartoon Network feels it is too offensive to Mexicans.

[riri]

My grandmother came here from Germany when she was in her late 30's, she never spoke a word of German to me. Only English. My father learned English when he came here at the age of 17, never heard more than a word or two of German in my house growing up.

[m18436572]

This issue may cause the republican party to implode.

Like a black hole that really sucks. I've voted (R) my whole life.

Anyone seen my party?

Hellooooooo?

Anyone there?

[ShandaLear]

"Then perhaps you could do some economic research on the California Ag area, namely Salinas. About $75k a year would be a safe wage...maybe."

I'm not sure how to take your comment this would not be a salary based on market competition. Maybe you're joking.

[Flyer]

*If* we can then *enforce* against employers, why can't we do it NOW ??

That's what we asked for, and we are getting it.

[woodyinscc]

There are several things in this that really make sense.

Thank you!

Your post makes a lot of sense too.!!

[You Dirty Rats]

I just don't understand the unrelenting hostility towards immigrants, and particularly towards Latino immigrants.

My father is married to a Latina, and their family is typical of many Latino families: Deeply loyal to the family, hard-working, very religious (Catholic), proud to be Americans (those who have become citizens), and very glad to be in America (all).

The appaer to me to be natural CONSERVATIVES in their outlook, but the hardcore anti-immigrant Conservatives are alienating what should be natural allies.

The claim that most of the illegals are just collecting welfare and mooching off the rest of us is not true. Most of them work. Those that do sponge off the system should have their benefits cutoff -- this is mostly due to misguided policies in certain states (notably California).

There is plenty of room in this country for people who want to work.

[freeangel]

We are past the first generation of "illegals" and I can tell you firsthand that the dropout rate of hispanics in my area schools is astronomical. However break-ins and social service handouts are on the way up. Sorry, I don't buy your theory.

[pgkdan]

My husband and I were debating the point that our country was founded on immigrants, has grown with immigrants. My only beef is that then the majority of them came in legally. These are illegal immigrants, and will be allowed to remain in our country, even after breaking the law.

immigrants who came here legally AND who were willing to assimiliate and become American. This current crop doesn't want to be come American...they don't bother to learn English and expect a biligual government to cater to their whims. Which it seems to have no trouble doing.

Bush can't be trusted on this issue. Period. Anyone interested in securing our borders needs to put heavt pressure on Congress. We need to flood their offices with letters detailing our disapproval and completely overwhelm the DC phone sytem calling their offices.

[SONbrad]

Doesn't change the fact that he did it. Did you consider him a RINO? Did you vow to never vote for him again? Did you sit and wring your hands about having voted for him in first place???

[Carton boy]

To all,and Jim. Can I have my money back?

[BushisTheMan]

35,000 who are working towards their citizenship versus 6-12 MILLION who are leeching off of our social services and bringing them to their knees. That a good deal?

I think you made a big assumption when you assumed that all the Mexican illegals are all using social services. And if you probably studied who actually received social services, you would find that the majority of them are not illegals.

It is our fault that we make it too easy to get these social services without any requirements. For example, I say that if you are on welfare, you must earn the right to receive it. You must earn it by volunteering to help others, serving your country in some capacity, etc. The states, like California under Gay (no typo) Davis, allowed this to happen to their states. They could have stopped it if they had wanted to.

Instead of all this gripeing and complaining, we should be coming up with constructive ideas that would make this work that is somewhere in the middle of both extremes (close the borders/let them all in without any consequences). A few people have already made some suggestions along that line...alllow Americans to buy property in Mexico.

How about some other suggestions such as:

1. Allow only the worker in, families must remain in Mexico until a specified period of time (1 year perhaps) where they have continued working full time in the U.S. without any crimes.

2. Taxes on their wages must be collected by employers. If they need to send the rest back to Mexico, then they can.

3. Mexico must reimburse the U.S. for any health benefits they receive in the United States (such as emergency trips to the hospital).

4. Mexico must agree to imprison any Mexican citizen (in Mexico) if the U.S. provides proof of the crime that they have committed.

5. Mexico can be sued by a United States citizen if Mexico does not stop/prevent any former prisoner/criminal from entering the U.S. where they then commit a crime against a U.S. citizen.

6. They cannot vote in the U.S. 8. They must pass an English language test. No more Spanish brochures in elections for non-native speakers. This must be a requirement for all immigrants.

9. Coyotes who smuggle in people will get the death penalty if caught, as will drug dealers from Mexico (non citizens).

10.And more....