World Net Daily: Schwarzenegger Ready To license Illegal Aliens (Driver's Licenses)

World Net Daily ^ | January 30, 2004 | WorldNetDaily.com

[Pubbie]

Though he campaigned hard against it, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is negotiating with a Democratic state lawmaker to draft a bill that would grant driver's licenses to illegal aliens.

Schwarzenegger's first act as governor last fall was to repeal SB 60, signed by then-Gov. Gray Davis, which would have opened the road for the estimated 2 million illegal immigrants of driving age in the Golden State.

This week, however, the new governor said he was "absolutely positive we'll come up with a great bill" to replace SB 60, opposed by 70 percent of California voters, according to exit polling during the October recall election.

Schwarzenegger said his office has been working closely to craft a successor to SB 60 with state Sen. Gil Cedillo, D-Los Angeles, a former member of MeCha, the radical Latino student movement demanding annexation of all southwestern states.

"This is the way we move forward," Schwarzenegger said at a Sacramento Press Club lunch Tuesday, according to the Riverside Press-Enterprise.

Despite opposition from many Republicans and a majority of Californians, the governor said he is confident of the outcome.

"It's one of those things that we'll all have to get together and see that this is a good idea and this is the way we move forward," Schwarzenegger said, according to the Riverside paper. "I'm talking with my Republican friends all the time about it and also with my Democratic friends. We will do it."

Cedillo's chief of staff, Dan Savage, said tentative agreement has been reached to grant driver licenses to all illegal immigrants, the Press-Enterprise reported. The licenses would look identical to those of other residents.

Savage said there were two sticking points in the earlier bill -- insurance requirements and verifying applicants' identities.

Republicans have demanded applicants be subject to background checks, but Savage said that has not been a main topic during the negotiations, according to the Press-Enterprise.

A co-author of the legislation repealing SB 60, Assemblyman John J. Benoit, R-Palm Desert, remains firmly opposed to the plan.

"To actually give a legal document to an illegal immigrant, I'm not there," Benoit told the Riverside paper.

But, Jesse Diaz, 39, a graduate student at UC Riverside and a member of the Mexican-American Political Foundation Backers, sees it as a practical move.

"There's definitely a need for it," said. "They're going to drive regardless. It's just now the rules will be safer. They're going to have insurance. There will be driver's training. It will be great."

Davis signed SB 60 in September after blocking a similar bill in 2002, raising charges he was pandering to Latinos before the recall vote.

In a statement after signing the repeal Dec. 3, Schwarzenegger said:"The swift bipartisan passage of this legislation is a perfect example of how the peoples' will can change politics-as-usual in Sacramento.

Benoit said President Bush's proposal to give illegal workers temporary status might change the debate. If the measure passes Congress, Republicans might be more receptive to giving driver licenses to people with temporary work permits, he suggested.

[FairOpinion]

I repeat -- ping us, if Arnold actually does something.

This news item appeared in ONE paper, from where the WorldNetDaily picked it up, and even here all it says is that Arnold is talking with the Dems. So what? Were you there, do you know what Arnold actually is saying to them?

Arnold had the legislature repeal SB60, we are NOT giving driver's licenses to illegals. And this is the current status. FACT.

Arnold bashers just can't stand how successfuly Arnold is being so far, so they try to invent something.

[Pubbie]

Thanks sruleoflaw, I just call them the way I see them.

[sruleoflaw]

You have a point and I'll be fair -- You will hear from me when Arnold does push the bill with the drivers licenses for illegal aliens, and you will also hear from me when -- as I expect -- he raises taxes.

I owe you one already, however: Did you like his refusal to support a real spending limitation measure, breaking his promise? He caved like a cheap suit to the Dems on that one -- thankfully the taxpayer advocacy groups (National Tax Limitation Committee and Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association) plan to end run him for the November ballot. DOES THAT BROKEN PROMISE COUNT FOR ANYTHING -- OR IS THAT ONE OK? By the way, FairOpinion, rack that one up as a fact.

[StarFan]

Since, during the campaign, Arnold Schwarzenegger always supported legalizing Illegal Aliens and then giving them drivers' licenses, how meaningful could his promises to support the overturning of SB60 have been?

He either speaks out of both sides of his rather wide mouth or the Sacramento Bee is loosely interpreting his words. He was rather clear on Sept. 3, 2003 when issuing the following statement after the California Senate voted to approve Senate Bill 60 – granting drivers licenses to undocumented immigrants – and sending it to Governor Gray Davis:

“The California Legislature has now voted to give drivers licenses to undocumented immigrants. If Gray Davis signs this bill, I will lead the fight to repeal it as governor. I am an immigrant. I waited for ten years to get my American citizenship. And I know first-hand how immigrants who come to this country and obey the laws have struggled to achieve their dreams. I am pro-immigrant. But we should not invite fraud or undermine law enforcement. The federal government has expressed security concerns over this measure, and in a time of heightened national security, we should not undermine our nation’s immigration laws.”

IMHO his statement left little doubt where he stood and was a major factor in getting him elected. Bait and switcheroo unlike any I've seen.

How strange. Foxnew just reporting that beginning in Feb. the DMV in North Carolina will require all applicants to show two forms of ID (birth certificate, social security card) and will NOT ACCEPT Mexican ID's. Other States may follow suit.

[South40]

Sorry, I was there. You stood for Arnold like a rock...and were always ripping McClintock. Not so. How do you explain your attacks on McClintock -- if they weren't for Arnold?

You may have been there but apparently, your brain wasn't. I've defended my vote from day one...and for good reason; it ws our only chance of defeating bustamechA. I attacked McNeverhadachance because he insisted on staying in the race, despite the FACT that he never had a chance. He knew he couldn't and wouldn't win so all he did was increase the potential of a racist Mexican victory.

[Hildy]

I'll believe it when I see it...from Arnold himself. It seems to me all these stories are coming from the Dems. Let's just wait and see.

[sruleoflaw]

You have saved me absolutely nothing. It's too bad you really don't follow California law very closely. Governor Bustamante would NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE to raise my taxes because a tax hike requires a 2/3 vote of the State Legislature -- and the Dems ain't got the votes.

What you've given is a Kennedy liberal who has already broken his word about a real spending limitation and done a backstab by cutting a backroom deal with Dems to forego this action; and one who will probably try to give drivers licenses to illegal aliens. Will you still defend Arnold if the bond fails and he raises taxes? I can't wait to watch the next couple months.

[Tamzee]

Oh, I don't know about that... my family has all been thrilled with Schwarzenegger instead of Bustamante. McClintock would have been better philosophically, but folks living in the real world know he wouldn't have made it to Sacramento.

Of course some conservatives are part of the "all or nothing" crowd... if they can't have "all" they want "nothing"... and they're REALLY pissed off at "some".

Toodles.

[sruleoflaw]

Good. Keep defending your vote for the Kennedy liberal.

Did you approve of his promise-breaking, backroom dirty deal with the Dems to NOT DO A REAL SPENDING LIMITATION?

That was one of your man's promises -- a real spending limitation. The Dems can drive a truck through Arnold's phony balony rainy day fund. (There will hopefully be a real spending limitation on the November ballot if the taxpayer advocacy groups have their way). One wonders whether Arnold will then oppose the tough spending limitation he promised to enact.

Will you support him if he follows through to enact drivers licenses for illegals? Don't worry, however, South40, people like me (who circulated petitions last year) will stop the Dems again...and we'll stop Arnold too if we have to. HE ISN'T GETTING LICENSES FOR ILLEGALS. By the way, will you be with the Kennedy liberal or the people on this issue?

[sruleoflaw]

Thanks for the note. You reminded me that just like last fall you always ignore the issues that are tough for you.

I'm glad you and your family are thrilled with Arnold. Maybe you'll be able to stay thrilled with him no matter what he does. (Even though I will support President Bush, I guess Bush's amnesty plan and massive govt. spending are fine, too).

It's great that you don't mind if Arnold cut a deal with Dems and broke his promise to enact a tough spending limitation measure.

It's great that you don't seem to care that Arnold is apparently cutting a deal for licenses for illegal aliens.

And I'm sure you will still be happy with him -- even if he raises taxes.

[Tamzee]

Me ignoring issues? Take that plank out of your eye so you can read the post...

The folks screeching about Arnold have been doing so almost violently angry that he is so much "less" than their ideal in McClintock. McClintock was NOT on the menu, Bustamante was. You sound silly and immature with the constant complaints when Arnold doesn't follow the 100% conservative path and poisonous anger toward right-wingers that wouldn't vote for McClintock.

Stop ignoring that HUGE issue and deal with a moderate Governor in the moderate to liberal state. Perhaps your time would be better served lobbying folks on the left to move over to our side of the spectrum... then maybe next time your Golden Boy will actually stand a chance? Naaahh... it's much more fun to whine and blame everyone else for your woes.

[sruleoflaw]

Sorry Tamsey, the beam is in your eye and it's getting bigger by the moment-- and you cannot ever comprehend issues or deal with them.

Go back and please read my previous posts.

It's too bad you consider me silly for thinking that politician's promises count for something... and that politicians who break their word are a dime a dozen. Arnold has knifed California on the spending limitation issue and will knife us on drivers licenses for illegal aliens. If these are small issues to you, what's a big one. Will you get a clue there's a problem when he raises taxes? Houston, YOU have a problem.

[Tamzee]

Nope, you aren't silly for remembering a politicians platform and wanting to hold them to it.... you are silly for screaming in outrage because Schwarzenegger isn't as conservative as unelectable McClintock would have been.

You're also silly for holding childish grudges against people who supported Schwarzenegger as the right-most candidate who had a viable chance at winning.

Grow up.

[sruleoflaw]

You really do a poor job of debate.

I raise one issue -- a broken promise on a spending limitation vow -- and you go off with little remarks like calling me silly, immature, etc. Try to get beyond the remarks and deal with the issues.

My issue is that Schwarzenegger is a double-dealing politician who, in the end, is going to look a lot more like Bustamante than a Republican.

What are you so pleased about Arnold after he screws California on the spending limitation measure and starts negotiating licenses for illegals? I bet you'll still be happy with him even after his coming tax hike.

[I_Love_My_Husband]

That's it.

I want Arnold recalled.

[Tamzee]

I don't care to debate you.... YOU were the one who posted to me and solely for the purpose of flame-throwing. My remarks about your Schwarzenegger complaints were referring to your many posts about his actions since he got to Sacramento.

You continue to ignore my point, but that was to be expected. Schwarzenegger is a vast improvement compared to Gray and Bustamante, you may feel differently and people can judge your intelligence and values based on that opinion. I avoid initiating discussions with you based on my lack of affinity with your political strategy and also the way you treat people here in the forum. I don't think we'll ever be friends, but I see that won't stop you from posting to me with yet more flame-baiting.

Until the next one, goodnight.

[kellynla]

Well I won't say "I told you so"...for months and months I predicted this during the campaign. But noooooooo...nobody wanted to believe me. Anyone who was pro-abortion, pro-illegal immigration, pro-gun control. pro after school taxpayer programs and pro-homsexual was nothing more than a jackass in an elephant's costume. You can't be a fiscal conservative and a social liberal at the same time. Ya gotta pay for those programs some how. But FReepers called me every name in the book and tried to bait me with personal insults daily. Well get out your wallets folks, 'cause here comes the check. That 15 billion dolllar bond issue is going to cost us another 6 BILLION DOLLARS IN TAXES AND FEES!

[Lazamataz]

The Republicans move to the left and the Democrats move to the left.

We're screwed, you know.

[sruleoflaw]

You mention that your remarks -- calling me silly, immature -- were based on my many posts since Arnold's election. Why don't you check the posts? I have written about the licenses for illegals on two threads in the past three days -- and maybe one other posts in three months. I've been saying almost nothing about Arnold, watching, waiting and seeing.

I'll tell you what, since you consider talking about issues (failure to enact a true spending limitation, licenses for illegals, coming tax hikes) to be flame-throwing, I won't post to you again -- until the day Arnold proposes his tax hikes.

[South40]

I've told you more than once why I voted for him. Do you think everyone who did is for everything he does? If so, you're a bigger fool than your posts suggest.