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Thanks summer. I did see the thread yesterday and was upset about it as stated. I have read Governor Bush's response, and I can say that in spite of what was posted here, it is distinctly different from the one Gov. Davis had here in California. I do think some of what Jeb says makes sense, and I especially think that security issues are addressed in this, something that was missing in California. What do you think. or are you still absorbing it all?

Hi ladyinred, Thanks very much for your post.

I am still thinking about it, but knowing what I know about Gov Bush and his concern for FL, and his record as governor, I am certain that: (1) security is very much on his mind; and (2) he is extremely interested in hearing from his base on this. Right now, that is all I know for sure about this matter. So, I really appreciate people taking the time to honestly post here, because I know many, many people on FR have good hearts and minds.

And, frankly, posts like yours help to keep this discussion as civil as possible! :)

I do think some of what Jeb says makes sense, and I especially think that security issues are addressed in this, something that was missing in California. What do you think. or are you still absorbing it all?

I think there are people (like Jeb) who are willing to twist themselves into however many knots it takes to convince themselves and others that they are not rewarding illegal aliens when they are, in fact, rewarding illegal aliens.

Everything that is done to make it easier for an illegal not only makes a mockery of the law, it is giving tacit approval to all of the garbage that is part and parcel of illegal immigration. It further encourages the breaking of the law (being here illegally) and that is the starting point of the chain reaction that has given us the mess we have today. Why encourage more of the same?

It's very simple to me. You either believe that being a nation of laws is a good idea, or you don't. I expect the government to enforce the law. What Jeb is dishing up is a big ol' spoonful of Bandini's finest and expecting me to chew, swallow, smile and ask for more. No thanks.

What do you think. or are you still absorbing it all?

Hello again, ladyinred. I have now read all the posts on this thread and I have reached some of my own conclusions, a few of which I will share with you here.

Before I begin, I would like to just say that my own grandparents are immigrants, on both sides of my family, with one of my sets of grandparents always voting Republican, and the other set of grandparents always voting Dem. And, both sets of grandparents came here for economic opportunity, and very much wanted to, and did, assimilate into the USA. So, on one hand, I am sympathetic to immigrants because that is in fact my own background as well.

But I would also like to say that I have found myself very sympathetic to the repeated arguments made on this forum by many that our borders are out of control, and while I realize this situation did not begin the day GW took office, I am not convinced it has radically improved, either. When FR had a poll up a while back on what we should do with our borders, I voted to militarize our borders, which I realize now might have been seen by some as the most 'extreme' position offered in the choices on that poll. However, especially in this age of terrorism, that is what I believe. And, other voters I know who do not consider themselves conservative Republicans but are instead swing-voting Americans, agree that securing our borders should be taking a much higher position on the list of things to do in our country. As one person recently and sadly said to me: "What seems to have best protected us in recent decades is the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans being our neighbor east and west." So, I am very sympathetic to those who want to keep our borders secure.

Having said that, I think this entire discussion should be re-focused, as explained below.