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.
"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."
This is true and there is STILL time. Something has to be done here.
sw