...or verifying that they have!
Posted on 02/02/2005 1:31:30 AM PST by JohnHuang2
Following in the footsteps of Arizona voters, two Arkansas state senators have introduced legislation to deny some state benefits to illegal aliens and require proof of citizenship to vote – a move denounced by their fellow Republican governor as "race-baiting and demagoguery."
The Arkansas Taxpayer and Citizen Protection Act is similar to Proposition 200, which Arizona passed in November. The Arizona measure survived court challenges and went into effect last week.
GOP Sens. Jim Holt and Denny Altes sponsored the bill, which was introduced last Wednesday.
One of the first to denounce the move was fellow Republican Gov. Mike Huckabee. The governor described the bill as "inflammatory ... race-baiting and demagoguery." He said it is also "anti-life" because, he says, it would deny pre-natal benefits to illegal-alien mothers and therefore harm their newborns, who would be American citizens. The bill, Hackabee said, "inflames those who are racist and bigots and makes them think there's a real problem. But there's not."
A Baptist minister, Huckabee singled out Holt, also a Christian. Said the governor: "I drink a different kind of Jesus juice."
Next to slam the new bill was the head of the nation's largest Hispanic organization, the League of United Latin American Citizens.
The group's president, Hector Flores, told reporters Senate Bill 206 was an "anti-immigrant" and "misguided" measure. "We're always going to be opposed to any legislation that unfairly targets immigrants," the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette quotes him as saying. "It doesn't set the right tone for Arkansas."
Said Little Rock Mayor Jim Dailey: "This is the wrong bill at the wrong time, and we need to stop it immediately.
"This is the wrong way to go. It singles out a particular group. It's based on emotion and on a misunderstanding."
Altes disagreed.
"This does not single anyone out except for those who are doing illegal things," the senator is quoted as saying. "It's a fairness issue."
Holt told the Arkansas paper the proposal is about justice, not discrimination.
"You don't want to seem like you hate anyone, but what it is is a matter of justice," he said. "People that are citizens don't like it if they can't receive benefits that illegals get."
Nearly 100,000 Hispanics live in Arkansas, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The Democrat-Gazette reports that from 1990 to 2000, Arkansas' Hispanic population nearly doubled to 86,866. That is believed to be the fastest growth in the country.
Besides requiring proof of citizenship to vote, the bill would require state employees to report suspected immigration violations or face possible misdemeanor prosecution.
It isn't just huck, a lot of repubs want to keep the illegal work force coming as it is cheaper to use them.
Repubs like dems are afraid to stand up to the illegal problem for fear of losing votes, and alienating an entire block.
Whichever party collects its sences and takes a firm stand against illegals and takes concrete action will soar in coming elections.
GO ARKANSAS! Nevada is next.
Check out: wakeupamericafoundation.com
Denny Crane: "I want two things. First God and then Fox News."
Denny Crane: "I want two things. First God and then Fox News."
Why can't both sides come together and do what's right for the country without shreiking racism.
People are sick of being taxed to pay for "welfare" services -- I don't blame them. Also, there is nothing wrong with verifying identity to vote. I think all states should follow Arkansas' example.
People will change their tune all over America when they suddenly need to take a loved one or have to go to emergency for themselves and find a line 20 deep of illegal immigrants ahead of them........
Been there, done that.
...or verifying that they have!
Because to do anything else means that you have to deal with the issue based on logic and facts. The only way a politician can embrace and support criminal activity is to suggest that to do otherwise is "racist."
The response of politicians on both sides of the aisle is: the public be damned. All my campaign contributors want to keep their cheap illegal alien nannies, gardeners, and workers
You've hit the heart of the matter. Spend the hardworking taxpayers' money to buy votes to keep you and your party in power. That's what 99% of politicians do 100% of the time.
...and the response of the people of the Great State of Arkansas is: the politicians on both sides of the aisle be damned!
That's what the left always shrieks when logic, morality, and facts are on the other side. They'd shriek racism about the law of gravity if they thought it would hide their pandering to the illegal hispanic vote.
Politicians of both parties are first beholding to special interests and all the money they get...then comes you.
Let W, Huck and the rest of the pro-illegal Republican leaders crow about racist-baitist-schmaitist legislation and initiatives. Just get the laws passed and implemented.
The Pub leaders can always say "Don't Blame Me".
Being two-faced is a good tactic here.
Yes. It's called kool-aid. Spiked with stupidity and avarice.
Isn't that going to disenfranchise a lot of "Democrats" from voting? If they don't get benefits, they might not stay. I guess the next State in line will end up footing the bill as they migrate. But, the next State might not be able to afford it. Uh Oh, this might be the first step of a revolution... ;-)
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