Candidates on the Issues: Immigration

Newsday ^ | Jan. 18, 2004 | AP

[FairOpinion]

Clark:" ensure that undocumented workers have a way to eventually earn their citizenship."

Dean: "We need earned legalization for undocumented immigrants"

Edwards:"...so there is a clear road map to legalization and citizenship for undocumented immigrants"

Gephardt: "My Earned Legalization and Family Unification Act of 2002"...

Kerry: "I support an earned legalization proposal"

Lieberman: "I will create a new one-time earned legalization status...create a work visa program"

[mcgiver38]

I am convinced this is the actual plan, the liberals and courts will howl if we simply shutoff the border, This brings the discussion to the forefront, energizes the base and gets the public sentiment center stage in the congress, The reaction coming from most conservatives is exactly what is wanted to provide public support for shutting down the borders, no work permit, no crossing, total control.
It also causes the demoncrats to expose thier bogus plans and steals the issue, pretty smart actually, there is no way that the lessons of the california recall are being ignored by the administation, think about it. This went right over a lot of people heads.

[nopardons]

There will NEVER be a third or fringe candidate, that all fringers will join in supporting. Go back to LP, where your delusions are appreciated. :-)

[FairOpinion]

I agree -- I doubt that facts will sway the Bush haters, but maybe it will make a few people put things in perspective.

I was also reading another analysis, that Bush has indeed increased the budget for border security by 25%, from $8B to $10B, 1600 Nationl Guard members were deployed to help at the borders, until more people will be hired.

Bush has done a lot to secure the borders, which is not being reported.

This report also points out how much our economy is dependent on foreign workers -- they are projecting a shortage of 6 million workers in the low paying service industry.

http://www.americaspolicy.org/pdf/commentary/0203immig.pdf


Nobody likes illegal immigration -- I wish we had strengthen our borders years ago, and enforced that people have to leave, when their visas expired. But, Bush inherited a major problem, and people are acting, as if he created it.

[JustPiper]

Rep. Dennis Kucinich: "Yes. Immigrants contribute more to our country than they receive in return. Leaving these hardworking, taxpaying workers in second-class status devoid of basic rights threatens the rights of all of us and insults our national history. I will clear out the backlog in the naturalization process and offer immigrants a clear road map to citizenship. I will work with our partners in Mexico to normalize the flow of immigrants by forging an agreement on migration."

Al Sharpton: Absolutely. I think that immigration policies are antiquated and in many cases biased. You see there's a much different policy at the Canadian border than at the Mexican border. I'd have one policy. I'd have it more relaxed, just for opportunity."

Republican:

The Bush-Cheney campaign says President Bush will begin participating in the weekly issues survey in February.

[nopardons]

Please refrain from using terms you don't understand/misuse.

RINO means REPUBLICAN IN NAME ONLY and does NOT refer, in any way, shape, manner, or form, to CONSEDRVATIVE ! The GOP is composed of arch Conservatives,Conservatives, moderates, and liberal leaning Republicans.

[Regulator]

But people here weren't demanding Clinton's head on a platter for totally ignoring the illegal immigration problem and having totally open borders

Gee, that's funny. I remember monumental battles over the IRCA in 1996, the pleasure of watching Judd Gregg beat Daschle into a pulp over an attempt to extend the 245(i) amnesty back in 2000, the gains made in the Congress by the Republicans when Gingrich et al shook their fists in Clinton's face and said go to hell on mass immigration. I was even silly enough to believe that Bush would do the same.

Maybe you weren't paying attention, but a lot of us were.

[nopardons]

Yes, to all you've posted. Unfortunately, there is a small, but overtly vocal crowd on FR, who also post out of all proportion to their size,who are anti-GOP and would NOT vote for one, if GOD ran for PRESIDENT and Jesus for V.P. ! And facts, FACTS...actual facts ? They don't matter and if they don't mesh with their delusions, then facts are lies.

[Hop A Long Cassidy]

>>>"I just cannot believe that some people on FR are gone so mad about the President immigration plan that they are coming up with these silly arguments that it is better to have a Democrat in the White House because the GOP congress will say NO to him. Did those people forget so early how angry they were when Clinton was a President!"

Can you say the words "betrayal from within?"

Hoppy

[glockmeister40]

Bush is keeping us safe? Any terrorist carrying a machine gun and explosives can WALK right into the United States across our border with mexico. Terrorists know this. We don't even know how many of them are here already.

Bush indicated he will he will sign the assault weapons ban renewal.

He has crapped all over his conservative base. He figures who else are we going to vote for, a democrat? His arrogance is astounding. Perhaps it would be better to send him a message and put our efforts on the congress. I think gridlock would work better. Bush does not support conservative issues.

[nopardons]

No, it is YOUR arrogance and abject lack of knowlege about political realities, that are the problem.

[FairOpinion]

Repeating once more: Do you prefer a Democrat as President?

[quantim]

That's what got us Bill Clinton --

Don't forget we got this as part of the package deal!

[FairOpinion]

You are absolutely right. If Bill hadn't been president, we wouldn't have to contend with Hillary today.

[Plutarch]

You'd think that one of the dwarves would think to set himself up as pro-labor, pro-low wage worker, pro-environment, anti-crime, anti-deficit, and come out against illegal immigration and monopolize the votes of 85% of the public against illegal immigration, but noooooo....

[quantim]

You forgot anti-taxes!

[The_Eaglet]

Here is the one I like....

"As President one of my top priorities would be to really secure our borders and deport all individuals who are here illegally"

Mike Peroutka Constitution Party Candidate for President

I have been looking for a statement from Mike Peroutka on this issue. Thanks for posting this. It is quite a contrast from the incumbent who boasts of his willingness to abandon his duty to defend our borders from those who violate immigration laws.

[The_Eaglet]

I made the mistake of voting for Perot in 1992 and was "treated" to 8 years of slime in the White House.

I made the mistake of voting for the Republican Nominee in 1992, George Herbert Walker Bush. I wish I had known about Ron Paul who ran as Libertarian or Howard Phillips who ran with the U.S. Taxpayer Party (now the Constitution Party).

[MissouriForBush]

What difference does it make whether a Republican OR a Democrat is in office if the leadership in both parties is unwilling to tackle illegal immigration? What good are our military and intelligence efforts elsewhere if we will not secure our own borders and -- what's more -- reward illegal aliens for breaking in and entering against the law?

The real question is this -- do we go down the drain at 110 mph with the Democrats or 55 mph with the Republicans? Because that is exactly what is going to happen to our nation if we do not put a stop to illegal immigration.

Ultimately, the REAL beneficiaries of illegal immigration into the US live MUCH farther away than Mexico. But by the time Americans wake up to that fact, it will be too late.

[The_Eaglet]

Michael Peroutka is pro-life and, unlike the incumbent, opposes federal funding of Planned Parenthood and the United Nations which both pay for abortion services.