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.
Actually, Huckabee couldn't care less about "Jesus juice" - he's just worried about keeping the cheap-labor workforce flowing for Tyson Chicken.
You probably heard already, but... some good news from Arkansas.
What do you expect from someone who quotes Michael Jackson? "Jesus juice"?
We will also see Bill and Hillary come to Arkansas and side with Huckabee on this issue. I have the feeling this will be much harder to pass in Arkansas than Arizona.
Only 20 deep ??? LOL
Dallas TV had a special report about a month ago........Said if you needed emergency treatment at Parkland hospital you should be prepared to wait some 7-8 HOURS, & if you needed to be admitted your *wait* could be 12-13 HOURS, or until a bed was available.
To remain 'politically correct' however, the words, illegal, immigrant, entrant, undocumented, etc.etc. were never mentioned.
>>Next to slam the new bill was the head of the nation's largest Hispanic organization, the League of United Latin American Citizens.<<
If they are against it, I am FOR IT!
Mr. President,
Stop trying to protect CRIMINALS! We are going to consider you one too if you keep this up!
Who is the REAL race-baiter here? Sounds like Huckabee (the Huckster) is. I don't believe the bill specifies any race in any way. It simply cuts off benefits to ILLEGALS - period. Are all illegals of one race? No. I guess Huckabee thinks so. But then again, the Huckster is a leftist, Socialist, pinko who's only "conservative" positions are on Gun Ownership and Abortion (or so he claims). Yes, these are two important issues - but not enough when you won't keep the Fox out of the henhouse.
The very subject has been discussed heavily on the Arkansas board (and has resulted in some account banning....so be careful).
wow....will do.....thanks
Alabama also has a RINO governor. He fooled the people getting elected. Then he tried to pass a heavy tax on them and now he probably can't be elected dog catcher.
I have a friend in Atlanta who says that the illegals there are now almost outnumbering the natives, and they're taking the construction jobs, etc. etc.
Your not alone. I can't believe he played the race-card like this. It makes him look really bad.
Looks like prop. 200 was the beginning of a hurricane of brobdingnagian proportions.
We need this in TEXAS.
Why? Does it specify race in the bill? I don't want illegal Mexican aliens to get benefits any more than I want illegal French alients to get benefits. So how is that racist? Illegal is illegal.
Mike, pull your head out. Just because Tyson, and WallyWorld employ them by the gazillions, doesn't make them LEGAL.
Stop screwing the taxpayers' of your state, nitwit, traitor.
Defend the Constitution - remember that oath you swore?
That just about sums up what everyone else I know is saying about Gov. Mike. What a shame he has chosen to go against the people who made him what he is today, while pandering to a large group of illegals who will end up bankrupting this State and Nation.
These ILLEGALS aren't taking the jobs Arkansans don't want...they just do it for less.
We, the people who made him what he is today, are mad as hell. We'll bring him back down to earth, as quickly as we raised him up. If he is planning on going to D.C. after leaving the Governor's mansion, he is living in a dream world.
BTW, I campaigned for Mike when he was a nobody running for Lt/Gov. Now, I'm living to regret it.
sw
"GOP Sens. Jim Holt and Denny Altes sponsored the bill,"
I'm proud of these Senators (though I don't live in Arkansas).
I hope ALL of the good folks living in Arkansas will stand with these Senators and their bill----let them hear your support!!
This is the ONLY way that progress will be made to stop the illegals.
Let Governor Mike know how STRONGLY you disagree with him!
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