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Bush backs temporary work ID for immigrants
MSNBC \ AP ^ | Oct. 22, 2004

Posted on 10/22/2004 3:48:58 PM PDT by Walkin Man

Bush backs temporary work ID for immigrants

OK for jobs unfilled by Americans, he tells Hispanic audience

The Associated Press

Updated: 3:31 p.m. ET Oct. 22, 2004

WASHINGTON - President Bush, saying the United States should find a more humane way to treat immigrants, told a Spanish-language television network Thursday that he supports offering temporary cards to immigrants who want jobs that go unfilled by U.S. citizens.

Bush said the card would provide legal status for undocumented immigrants or those who want to come to the United States to work. But he said he would not offer amnesty.

"I recognize that people are coming here to work," Bush told Univision. "And while they're doing jobs that aren't filled by Americans, I think there should be a temporary worker program and a card that helps the workers and employers who want them."

The president had made immigration reform a priority, but put it on the back burner after the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks. He championed immigration reform again in a White House speech in January, but election politics have prevented any legislative action.

(Excerpt) Read more at msnbc.msn.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Constitution/Conservatism; Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Extended News; Foreign Affairs; Government; Mexico; News/Current Events; US: Arizona; US: California; US: Texas
KEYWORDS: aliens; amnesty; bushamnesty; hispanics; immigrantlist; immigration; mexico; openborders
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To: Dane
I surmise making the Mexican economy more viable is a verboten concept to you.

I can point out to you the portion of the U.S. Constitution which insists that the Federal Government must protect against invasion. I challenge you to point out to me the portion which empowers the Congress to make laws to make another nation's economy more viable.

So, if you want to do that on your own - a charity, a personal investment, or something like it. Great! Go for it! I'll support your efforts.

Now, tell me how allowing nearly all of young Mexicans to enter our country legally, illegally, temporarily (there's no such thing) helps those back in Mexico. Our town's mayor just spent 3 days in a Mexican town about 100 miles south of our town. I heard him on the radio this morning talking about it. Now, he's definitely no "close the borders now" advocate by a long shot. But what he described was that there are NO young people in the town there. As soon as they come of age they hire a coyote and come across the border. Meanwhile, the town is falling apart, the elderly are working the fields well beyond their years, the economy - especially for the lower and middle class - is dying as all of its vitality and workforce are being sucked north to steal American jobs, clog our hospitals and schools, raise our crime rates, add to our congestion and pollution, fraudulently vote, illegally suck on the welfare teet, etc. NAFTA is NOT working there.

I propose a three pronged effort.

  1. Significantly enhance security on our borders (no more dog and pony show - do it for real).
  2. Significantly enhance interior enforcement (raids, deportations, business assets seized for those who hire such illegal, slave labor)
  3. Pass legislation which, while putting America and Americans first, creates an environment in which Mexico's economy MAY flourish (if, somehow, they can depose the Marxist elite that is ruling and trashing the place.) This, of course, is the trickiest part of this. I don't know how you can do this within the bounds of the Constitution.

Then, and only then, can we talk about temporary guest worker programs and relaxing our entry requirements.

The trouble is that Mexico refuses to reform itself. They have vast natural resources, a rich culture, and some hard working people. Yet, their government is corrupt beyond belief and they want their undesirable illiterate OUT of the country and into ours. America should not suffer because of Mexico's inability to properly govern itself.

61 posted on 10/22/2004 4:54:52 PM PDT by Spiff (Don't believe everything you think.)
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To: Walkin Man

Thats all well and good Mr. President but you still are not dealing with the problem.... undocumented Criminal Illegal Aliens who destroy the infrastructure of America and send the money earned out of the country refusing to establish a permanent residence, get on the tax rolls and social security and pay their fair share of the tax burden. I say no a thousand times no; not now not ever! This stinks and you know it compassion; BAH!HUMBUG! Get legal or get out and stay out!


62 posted on 10/22/2004 4:57:55 PM PDT by winker
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To: Dane

It's not a violation of Federal law to stay in a hotel - a concept evidently lost on you. Your response is flippant and does not seriously address the issue.

As Michelle Malkin stated this AM, Kerry doesn't need his media shills to cook up an October surprise, Bush is giving him one all on his own. I wonder how many will just stay home because of this idiocy and craven corruption on Nov. 2nd? Our only real hope is for a huge landslide for Bush, with long coat-tails. Only then can this nonsense be opposed - where it needs to be - in Congress and in the courts.

For some people, personal gain trumps everything: patriotism, faith, basic knowledge of right and wrong. Even the wicked Karl Marx was well aware that there are all too many businessmen who will gladly sell you the rope today that will be used to hang them tomorrow. Marx, of course, was funded by the sweatshop owner Friedrich Engels - who operated his business on the same principle as those who hire illegal aliens.


63 posted on 10/22/2004 4:58:57 PM PDT by Bogolyubski
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Comment #64 Removed by Moderator

To: Spiff

Well said! Have you sent that to the Bush-Cheney campaign?
So do it! All Freepers should let them know how we feel.


65 posted on 10/22/2004 5:13:03 PM PDT by Paperdoll (I guess I'll vote for Bush anyway.........)
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To: Lunatic Fringe

STOLEN HONOR NOW! (cable 15) channel 38 Tampa Bay Fl)


66 posted on 10/22/2004 5:15:18 PM PDT by Anticommie
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To: eno_
It's not the illegals WITH jobs that are a problem. It's the illegals that come here to leach off our schools, hospitals, and welfare programs that are the problem.

Around here it seems it's mostly an overlap of those two --- the man might work --- usually only seasonal jobs for very low pay but lives with woman -- common law wife or other who collects every kind of welfare benefit there is. You often see these families in the store together --- the man is buying beer and cigarettes using cash he's made from part-time jobs he finds here and there and he's with a woman with a bunch of kids who uses a food stamp card and loads of WIC coupons to buy the food.

67 posted on 10/22/2004 5:23:10 PM PDT by FITZ
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To: FITZ
Around here it seems it's mostly an overlap of those two --- the man might work --- usually only seasonal jobs for very low pay but lives with woman -- common law wife or other who collects every kind of welfare benefit there is.

Yeah, and this is what makes the work ID only a small part of the solution. Job #1 should be sweeping illegals out of our schools and welfare system.

68 posted on 10/22/2004 5:28:35 PM PDT by eno_ (Freedom Lite, it's almost worth defending.)
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To: Spiff

Terrific post!


69 posted on 10/22/2004 5:30:59 PM PDT by cassie22
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To: Walkin Man

Those cards are the ballots illegal aliens cast for the democrats. They will insure that the country will never have another republican in the WH.


70 posted on 10/22/2004 5:39:10 PM PDT by STD (Last Action Hero)
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Comment #71 Removed by Moderator

To: Walkin Man

I don’t object to legal temporary workers if the law is changed regarding citizenship for all born here. And it would slightly reduce the number of illegals crossing. However, there is a market for illegal workers and, as long as that exist, someone from somewhere will attempt to supply that market. I think there will still be large numbers crossing in the boondocks that terrorist can use as cover. So, don’t believe it will really address the problem.


72 posted on 10/22/2004 5:42:28 PM PDT by al_possum39
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To: Tacis
**These illegals don't do "jobs Americans don't want" that is a wetback smuggler's canard.**

I am not a 'canary' and we have so few blacks up where I live that if we didn't have UNDOCUMENTEDS to do the work, you would not have those nice yellow chicken pieces at your local grocery store.

The border won't get closed off, so if you want to change the status quo, you'll need to come up with another idea. I emailed the President about the "worker card" so that undocumenteds could at least be paid and have taxes (SS taxes, Fed and State taxes) taken out of their checks. They wouldn't have access to the Social Security, of course, because they are not 'green card' carrying immigrants. BUT you and I would still be able to draw our RSDI when we retire.

I am one of those "some people" who believe in the humane treatment of NONTerrorist Undocumented Immigrants.

I'll stand in line for my opportunity to shoot a Terrorist, but I'll defend the NonTerrorists who just want a better life and a house with a real floor, indoor toilet, clean food, etc.

Something does need to be done, I agree. If you come up with a workable plan, please email the President. I did. Sorry that you don't like my idea.
73 posted on 10/22/2004 5:55:43 PM PDT by HighlyOpinionated (November 2, 2004. Can't get here quickly enough.)
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To: Dane
I surmise making the Mexican economy more viable is a verboten concept to you.

Oh yeah --- like that's really happening even after 15 years of massive immigration. Vicente Fox's economic plan of sending his citizens out of the country is a dismal failure --- immigration is all the more desperate after 1 out of 5 Mexicans has left their country --- Fox is all the more threatening about us taking even more --- in other words IT's NOT WORKING !!

74 posted on 10/22/2004 5:55:58 PM PDT by FITZ
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To: Dane
Bush was talking about getting the corruption out of the Mexican system.

There is no less corruption in Mexico --- so that's another plan that isn't working --- but what it's really about --- the Mexican elite will be run out of there in a heartbeat if immigration was slowed in any way --- and for whatever reason, some want them kept in power. You certainly must not live anywhere near the border if you think there is less corruption today in Mexico, or if you think they are less intent on getting their shipments of drugs into the USA or have seen fewer executions lately. Very violent crime is skyrocketing in Mexico.

75 posted on 10/22/2004 5:59:14 PM PDT by FITZ
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To: eno_

Yes --- if they cut off all the handouts to the newcomers, that would solve a lot of the problem --- but the amount and type of handouts just keeps going up and up and up --- we're definitely bringing in the lesser types --- although you do find a few hard-working illegals, most who work for everything they get can't afford to bring their families over to the USA anyhow --- not too many Mexicans come over with health insurance or wait for jobs where they could expect to have it. From what I can see the only decent illegals left their relatives at home where they can afford the cost of living --- but then that isn't too good for their culture --- all those divided families.


76 posted on 10/22/2004 6:04:18 PM PDT by FITZ
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To: Bogolyubski
**If you arrest, prosecute, and jail those who HIRE illegals - which is a direct violation of Federal law, much of the problem would resolve itself. If all welfare benefits, free medical care, education, etc. had a proof of citizenship or valid Green Card requirement, it would also go a long way to reversing the flow.**

No it won't. No it won't.

What will happen is that your chicken will now cost you close to $4 a pound because cheap labor is no longer abundant. And chicken wouldn't be the only thing that goes up. Orange juice for $6 a carton "on sale" and fruit $7 a pound.

It's the migrant worker, the undocumented immigrant who are keeping OUR prices low. They have no papers. They're treated by SOME employers as 'expendable' help. So they get histoplasmosis from sweeping up chicken poop and later get cancer. Big deal. They have no 'rights' here; they can't get medical help in many States. So they have two choices: stay in the USofA and die or go home to Mexico and die. If they apply for Food Stamps, the undocumented immigrants in the family are reported to INS/HS and can be deported.

WHAT would YOU do if the roles were reversed? Would you not want MORE for your family?

I know, I sound like a 'bleeding heart liberal' -- I prefer "Generous Christ-like-one" if you will. It's a What Would Jesus Do moment.

Safety for the Nation balanced with Humanity for others. It's not an easy situation to resolve. If it were, it would already have been.

So, email the President with your workable ideas. And spend a lot of time praying for him to make the best decision for the Nation.

+Pace e Bene+
77 posted on 10/22/2004 6:15:01 PM PDT by HighlyOpinionated (Told ya I was Highly Opinionated. Am I proving it yet?)
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To: Dane

Is he running for president in Mexico too. He certainly won't last long there with those goals. If the US president is in a position to raise a middle class it should be the US's. His job is to protect our borders and keep illegals out.


78 posted on 10/22/2004 6:20:37 PM PDT by PersonalLiberties (An honest politician is one who, when he's bought, stays bought. -Simon Cameron, political boss)
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To: Tacis

"who want jobs that go unfilled by U.S. citizens."

"Unfilled" because the Americans would have to be brought in by advertisements and a little leg work. They aren't standing on corners.


79 posted on 10/22/2004 6:27:18 PM PDT by Shermy
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To: Dane

You said (i.e I'm not afraid of your empty threats).

If I vote for the Constitution Party candidate then it's not an empty threat is it? It wasn't a threat to begin with but you chose to read it that way because you feel threatened by people who don't go along with your way of thinking. I've voted Republican four 35 years and the party I see now stinks like a dead fish. Are they better than the Democrats? Yes, a thousand times! But the same tactics that allowed the Dems to rule for forty years have been adopted by the Republicans.


80 posted on 10/22/2004 6:43:13 PM PDT by dljordan
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