Bush Immigrant Plan Likely to Fail (Y'all are getting hot and bothered over nothing!)

The Courier News [Elgin, IL] ^ | January 23, 2004 | Daniel Duggan

[quidnunc]

Hastert visits Elgin: U.S. House speaker talks on immigration, energy, politics issues

Elgin – Several weeks ago, President George W. Bush rolled out a program to grant temporary work permits to undocumented immigrants.

But before the program can proceed, it needs to pass Congress — which probably won't happen, U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert told The Courier News Editorial Board on Thursday.

"I don't think there's support to get that through Congress," the Yorkville Republican said. "But I think this is a chance to start a debate."

Hastert acknowledged that immigration problems are growing in the Fox Valley, and with large immigrant populations in Elgin and Aurora, many family members are moving to the area from their home countries. He stressed that there should be a program for people to come to the United States, work for a few years and be able to go home.

With agricultural and factory jobs across Illinois being filled by immigrant workers, Hastert stressed that they are "doing important work."

"And they shouldn't be forced to stay here and hide," he said.

But Hastert puts his foot down when asked if undocumented immigrants already in the country should be given amnesty, rather than proceed through the existing citizenship process.

"If you put amnesty in there, you short-circuit the system," he said. "You can't change the rules and amnesty changes the rules."

-snip-

[Beck_isright]

"And just how do you propose rounding up and deporting 8-10 million people who don't want to be found."

I don't. I propose infiltrating 1,000 employers and then fining them $50,000 per illegal and seizing their businesses. I mean if it's good enough for the local sheriffs in the WoD, then it should be good enough to help Homeland Security in the WoT.

[ShadowDancer]

He's going to sign the AW ban.

Yes, he is.

First rule of being a real man: If you don't mean it, don't say it. Pandering is not a real man's game.

[Beck_isright]

"First rule of being a real man: If you don't mean it, don't say it. Pandering is not a real man's game."

Amen. The GOP (Grand Ole Panderers) used to take the conservative wing seriously. I guess 40 more years out of power is what it will take to get a wake up call.

[quidnunc]

Beck_isright wrote: I don't. I propose infiltrating 1,000 employers and then fining them $50,000 per illegal and seizing their businesses. I mean if it's good enough for the local sheriffs in the WoD, then it should be good enough to help Homeland Security in the WoT.

Right, destroy a bunch of small businesses, make a bunch of inocent people unemployed and bugger up the economy.

Great move!

[DMCA]

And I am not the one who hopes the toothfairy will save this country.

We are off topic. If you care to continure this in a rational way please respond via frmail.

[Beck_isright]

"Right, destroy a bunch of small businesses, make a bunch of inocent people unemployed and bugger up the economy."

So you're assuming no one would buy these businesses? So you're blessing illegal activities to make money? Do you approve of selling crack and heroin also?

[sinkspur]

I don't debate on email.

Neither of us will change our point of view, so there's reason to debate it anywhere.

[puroresu]

The reason the bill is likely DOA in Congress is BECAUSE a lot of us got "hot and bothered" about it. Phone calls to Republican congressional offices were overwhelmingly against the Bush proposal. GOP fundraising dollars dropped because of donor opposition.

That's why the Bush proposal is headed downhill. If we hadn't got "hot & bothered", the congressional Republicans would assume the GOP rank and file have no problem with the bill and likely would pass it.

Imagine a tax increase that dies in committee because of outraged public opposition. Would you tell the taxpayers to calm down, on the grounds that the proposal is DOA? Without the outrage, it wouldn't be DOA!

[rbmillerjr]

Kinda like Campaign Finance Reform.

I will vote for Bush but relish saying NO when the RNC calls for money.

[DMCA]

You do not have a point of view. You exist on your false understanding of law that you spout as fact (even if you haven't read the law in question) and your hope that people who have been shown not to act in your best interest will magically begin to.

To put it simply, you think you know everything even when you do not and you spot of about things you haven't even researched. I expect such behavior from a /. poster, A DU'er or a Yahoo stock boards poster but I thought I could expect better for you. It appears that I was incorrect.

[quidnunc]

What we have here is Know-Nothingism redux.

[Reaganwuzthebest]

I expect him to push hard for this nightmarish travesty of justice.

Bush has never made secret his philosophy of matching "willing employers with employees", so I agree he will continue to push this with Congress.

[whd23]

So don't get your undies in a bunch until there's a bill on the table, which probably will be… no time soon.

So if someone says they're going to slit your wife's throat and rape your daughter, but don't actually do it you shouldn't take offense?

OK, I understand now....

[e_engineer]

Never heard such a dead flounder hit the table at one of those before.

The "steroids for sportsmen" line got more applause.

[puroresu]

Never underestimate the willingness of the Stupid Party to pander to voting blocks who vote against them.

They should rename our two major parties. The Democrats should be called the Machiavellian Party and the Republicans should be called the Anti-Machiavellian Party.

The distinguishing characteristics would be that the Machiavellians pander to their supporters at the expense of the people who vote against them. The Anti-Machiavellians pander to the people who vote Machiavellian at the expense of the people who vote Anti-Machiavellian.

Changing the party names would be only symbolic, of course, but it would at least make clear why "liberalism" and Political Correctness advances no matter which party wins.

[hripka]

TRIANGULATION!! GW learned from Clinton!

Also, remember that this is the *Republican* (or shall I say the Presidential) version. Just wait until the democRats get a hold of it, and make it even WORSE.

[Reaganwuzthebest]

Never underestimate the willingness of the Stupid Party to pander to voting blocks who vote against them

I'm afraid until we can elect someone committed to border controls like Tancredo, gridlock is the only answer to halting the open borders train.

The competing proposal that Daschle and Hagle just came out with is actually to our benefit. It should help to keep the whole process bottled up.

[sarasmom]

Keep telling yourself that.
I guess it beats waking up and smelling the reality.

[Hugin]

"I don't think there's support to get that through Congress," the Yorkville Republican said.

What he means is this year. They will wait until they are all saftly re-elected then screw us.

[Beck_isright]

"I guess it beats waking up and smelling the reality."

Give it up. The Rovians will never change their marching orders.