Replies

This is a message from Mike Huckabee. I don't mind posters disagreeing, but it's unfortunate when the posters attacking me are generating heat instead of light. The comments are mostly being made based on a California column by a writer who hasn't a clue as to the issue in Arkansas and the basis of my comments. Let me personally set the record straight because I value the opinion of the Freepers, even when I don't agree with all of them.

I opposed the legislation proposed by Senator Holt for the simple reason is that it does nothing to stop illegal activity and has only caused the kind of inflamed passions as evidenced by some of the postings. I am against illegal immigrants voting or getting welfare, but the truth is, those things are ALREADY ILLEGAL in Arkansas and neither Senator Holt nor anyone else has presented ONE single case of it actually happening. I personally asked Senator Holt if he could point to any specific instance and he could not. I asked him what exactly his bill would do that isn't already covered by existing law. He could not list a thing. True conservatives aren't interested in passing unnecessary laws that duplicate those we already have. It's that simple.

I have advocated that the CHILDREN of immigrants (regardless of status) who were already educated in our public schools should be allowed to access colleges in our state in the same manner as other graduates of Arkansas public schools, including the opportunity to compete for academic scholarships. Despite allegations to the contrary, no one has suggested that children of illegal immigrants should be given free college tuition--only that those who met the requirements of a scholarship (which includes rigid academic achievement in an Arkansas school) be allowed to apply.

As a governor, I will never make everyone happy because too many decisions are made on any given to please some who get their "facts" from talk radio and from highly biased opinion writers instead of from source documents. But there's much more to the story than perhaps meets the eye.

Thanks for letting me set the record straight, and by the way, I really enjoy FR.com and have defended it on national TV from those who take the same cheap shots at this forum that some critics take at me and others who actually run for office, make tough decisions, and have the guts to be held accountable for them.

In the name of truth, honesty, and the American way,

Mike Huckabee

We listened to Mike when he was on talk radio a couple of weeks ago.

The fact is he is encouraging all illegal pregnant women to seek free prenatal care, without the fear of being deported. He justifies it by saying these babies should be born "healthy" and therefor it would be less of a strain on the State Budget taking care of premature or sick babies. Of course, after the child is born, he or she becomes and American Citizen and is now eligible for our State and Federal programs. Arkansas Kids First comes to mind. Why do so many pregnant illegals rush to our state in the last trimester? They are called "anchor babies" and whether anyone wants to admitt it or not, the Illegals know this, and take full advantage of our generosity.

I have advocated that the CHILDREN of immigrants (regardless of status) who were already educated in our public schools should be allowed to access colleges in our state in the same manner as other graduates of Arkansas public schools, including the opportunity to compete for academic scholarships. Despite allegations to the contrary, no one has suggested that children of illegal immigrants should be given free college tuition--only that those who met the requirements of a scholarship (which includes rigid academic achievement in an Arkansas school) be allowed to apply.

Regardless of status? No person who resides as an ILLEGAL in our state should even THINK of applying for a College scholarship. NO child of an Arkansan should EVER have to compete against an ILLEGAL for any academic money or in State Tuition...

Mike is a nice guy, but he is not listening to the people of Arkansas and they are very angry with him. What a pity.

Governor,

Thanks for replying directly to the criticism I and others have felt free to heap upon you, here. I think this is the first time I have ever witnessed such a post, and I appreciate your being bold enough to respond.

I gather you can hear the "however" coming, so here it is: The statements you made in the press regarding Jim Holt and his drinking another kind of "Jesus juice" than you were mean, inflammatory, and uncalled for, to say the least.

You can try and justify your wrong-headed policies re ILLEGAL immigrants in any forum you see fit, but the majority of Arkansans that I come into contact with are disgusted with the huge influx of ILLEGALS into this state, and feel you must bear a large part of the blame.

Anchor babies are just one example of how good intentions sometimes have unintended consequences. As an earlier poster has pointed out, the argument that these folks are only taking jobs that Arkansans won't do will not hold water.

If the only problem you had with Senator Holt's legislation was that it didn't address the immigration issue to your satisfaction, you should have demonstrated a modicum of leadership and fought for teeth in the bill and strong, enforceable penalties for both the ILLEGALS and employers.

Good-paying jobs, that should be being filled with Arkansans, are going to ILLEGAL Mexican and other immigrants. This is a sad fact in many other states, as well. You are the governor of THIS state, and we would appreciate your spending whatever time is left in your term in trying to find a solution to this problem.

I'll probably be banned by the mods for still insisting on criticizing you and your policies. So much for your anonimity, and fair is fair; I am V.C. Wheeler -- Jonesboro -- and that's my 2-cents worth.

It seems to me that Mike Huckabee may be afraid of Holt's bill. If everyone on welfare or voting had to present US citizenship, then maybe the welfare rates may go down and voter fraud with it.

As I am only 10 miles from the Mexican border, I remember seeing the ads for Tyson Foods in the mid 1990s in the newspapers here. The ads emphasized that you didn't have to speak English. The pay was around $6.00 an hour. These ads were for Arkansas, Wisconsin, Alabama and any state that had a Tyson Food Company.