Posted on 01/26/2005 8:03:48 PM PST by SandRat
Proposition 200, the Arizona initiative that was passed last fall and aimed at making sure some social services were not given to illegal immigrants, seems to be having an impact on a national level.
Not only is it mentioned on television programs such as Lou Dobbs' evening show on CNN, but it has spurred a group in Arkansas to seek a similar initiative.
The group is called Protect Arkansas Now, to mimic the group that pushed Prop. 200 in Arizona- Protect Arizona Now.
Like the one in Arizona, PAN hopes to "shrink the magnet" that can draw illegal immigrants to Arkansas.
"There's no doubt in anyone's mind that easy access and fraudulent access to welfare benefits is a large magnet that draws illegals into our state, said Arkansas state Sen. Jim Holt.
The measure being proposed in Arkansas, according to The Associated Press, would:
Require someone seeking to registered as a voter to prove U.S. citizenship, which is similar to the Arizona initiative
Strengthen identification requirements for voter registration by mail
Require someone applying for welfare benefits to prove eligibility, including legal residency in the state, as required by the Arizona initiative
And penalize government employees who don't report people they suspect are in the United States illegally, just as required by the Arizona initiative.
The chairman of Protect Arkansas Now, Joe McCutchen, denied this was a bigoted proposal. Instead, he voiced anger that President Bush hasn't worked to secure our borders.
The frustration in Arkansas is good to see. The border is an important issue nationwide, and we're glad people in Arkansas understand that - even if they don't share the border with Mexico. And the organizers of Protect Arizona Now announcing that they're forming a national group to push such issues.
But we're for a different solution to the problem and don't believe it's the state's place to deal with the immigration issue. Instead, the federal government should be the one to make the reform.
President Bush should take note of this growing discontent for his lack of action on border issues and hear the growing frustration nationwide. It's time to act on reform on the federal level. It's time to get serious about this issue, not just the scattered efforts in Arizona and Arkansas.
Prop 200 ping!
Agree with the good people of Arizona and Arkansas.
California is trying to get another initiative passed, and more signatures are needed to get it on the ballot.
Get petitions to download at:
http://saveourlicense.com/
More and more states are starting to feel the effect of illegal immigration. Unfortunately, it's a slow process to implement once initiated, but there is a glimmer of hope that individual states enacting these propositions will eventually wake of the sleepers in DC to actually do something about it.
My fear is that we will experience our next terrorist attack(with the terrorists gaining entry thru our porous borders) before the individual states will have enough impact. That, in itself, will force these idiots to take immediate and drastic actions to secure our borders. It's sad, but true.
Bush doesn't seem to give a damn whether his proposed policies re: Immigration are popular with his base or not. I just do not get it.
I don't get it either. GW has been a warrior on most issues dealing with national security and protecting the interests of the American public. His stance on illegal immigration conflicts with all these policies.
I believe it will be his undoing if we have a terror attack that's attributed to the border situation.
I agree with you----I don't see why President Bush is not more responsive to his base on the immigration issue. The two reasons most commonly put forth are (1) the Hispanic vote and (2) Americans won't do the work the Hispanics do. As to the latter, I would like to believe that it isn't true; perhaps Americans would do the work, but maybe at a higher cost, including but not limited to not wanting to be "paid under the table", thereby avoiding tax burdens.
In light of the Federal government's attitude, I agree that action at the State level may eventually get the Feds' attention. As to what Arkansas is proposing for its State, it is so mild and so commonsensical, that I don't see how it could be called "bigoted".
It is called corporate money. Clinton heavily supported by unions pushed NAFTA thru because the real money and power in this country wants it. GWB faces the same pressures. Illegal immigrants provide cheap labor for many businesses and puts a downward pressure on domestic labor costs. If goods and services can be globalized, why not labor? That is being encouraged by our business schools and universities. Until the victims of globalization start to organize and unite (we exist in both parties) this will not stop until part of America lives in guarded gated communities and ride in armor columns to guarded gated malls and discos. The rest of America will be poor and outside looking in.
Most Illegals employment is centered in relatively small, isolated businesses (i.e., GM is probably not an employer of Illegals nor is IBM, Pfizer or most of the Fortune 500 Companies). In fact, it could be argued that most larger businesses need relatively high employment levels, at decent wages in order to maintain Domestic markets for their products so one would think they are, at the least, indifferent on the matter. IMO, if money is involved it is more in the form of outright corruption and not, simply Corporate political support.
Whatever the reasons for this Washington arrogance I sense a real vehemence on the part of opponents of Bush's proposals and I strongly suspect that all Hell is going to be unleashed if the DC crowd arrogantly ignores the wishes of the electorate in this matter. I know I would be prepared to actively oppose my existing Republican Congressman for election if he even remotely appears to acquiesce in this matter and I will inform him of my intentions of doing so as a way of communicating my own seriousness about this matter.
Perhaps allowing county and city governments that identify and prosecute employers that knowingly hire illegals to keep major portion of the fines would encourage them to be more vigilant in the enforcement of current laws.
ping
The problem is that those businessmen will just pack up and move to other states--so that governors acquiesce to their demands for illegal slave labor.
What we need is an open revolt and war on Mexico.
Think it was Tancredo that said it would take a massive voice to get this done.
They're not going to do the work on their own...they need us to use as an excuse for their actions.
Sorry, Vincente....I know I promised, but I can't afford a revolution in the middle of a war...mentality.
IMO.
I don't think so. As an example, I live in a semi gated community where we have a property management company that takes care of all grounds-keeping. By my estimate, 60%+ of his employees are Mexican Illegals. He is not about to pack up and move his operation anywhere, let alone out of state. There are numerous examples of this scale of operation and ANY Politician who thinks that permitting the operation of what are in effect 'Domestic Slavery Businesses' in his City or State is financially beneficial just doesn't know the facts re: The lost taxes resulting from this underground economy.
I don't get it, either. Every time he gets hit with the question, we get the same memorized sound bites and the same nervous look. What the hell is it? Videotape with an under-age goat? Really. He hasn't been caught in bed with a live man or a dead woman, so what the hell is this?
Why in hell is he rolling over like a two dollar whore at the sight of a ten-spot?
To be honest, I am beginning to think that is why more isn't being done on this issue. Example in point, Foreign secretary says Mexico may ask international courts to block Proposition 200. Heck, they've already crossed our borders and shot at our law enforcement agents. War with Mexico seems to be the only logical reason for all the "compassion" rhetoric.
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