Posted on 03/23/2005 3:58:02 PM PST by ambrose
Posted on Wed, Mar. 23, 2005
Bush to push for more lenient immigration laws
By RON HUTCHESON
Knight Ridder Newspapers
WACO, Texas - President Bush told Mexican President Vicente Fox on Wednesday that he would keep pushing for more lenient immigration laws, but said he couldn't guarantee that Congress would go along.
Bush renewed his commitment to a guest-worker program during a daylong summit with Fox and Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin. The leaders pledged to work together on a host of issues, but they acknowledged some of the differences that have strained relations in the past.
Bush's failure to win congressional approval for more lenient immigration laws has been a sore point with Fox.
"You've got my pledge - I'll continue working on it," Bush told Fox during a joint news conference here at Baylor University. "You don't have my pledge that Congress will act because I'm not a member of the legislative branch."
Bush's guest-worker plan would let several million immigrants who are in the country illegally become legal by getting temporary work visas. The idea has stalled in Congress because of opposition from both parties.
Some Republicans oppose Bush's call for more open borders. Some Democrats think Bush is more concerned about providing cheap labor for businesses than he is about making life easier for foreign workers.
A study released earlier this week concluded that the illegal immigrant population has reached an all-time high of nearly 11 million. The study by the Pew Hispanic Center, a private research group based in Washington, also found that undocumented Mexicans accounted for 57 percent of all illegal entrants.
Bush said his goal is to match workers with jobs.
"That job ought to be filled on a legal basis, no matter where the person comes from. That makes sense," Bush said. The president also echoed Fox's criticism of citizen groups in border states that seek to catch and detain illegal immigrants entering the United States.
"I'm against vigilantes," Bush said. "That's why you got a border patrol, and they ought to be in charge of enforcing the border."
After their news conference, Fox and Martin joined Bush at his 1,600-acre ranch in nearby Crawford. Taking advantage of a beautiful spring day, the president took his guests on a tour of the property and then hosted a luncheon of grilled chicken breasts and fried shrimp, followed by chocolate chip brownies with vanilla ice cream.
In a joint statement, the three leaders announced the creation of a "Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America," which is intended to encourage cooperation on problems ranging from terrorism to traffic jams at border crossings.
As part of the effort, officials from the three governments will work together over the next three months to come up with steps to improve security, commerce and the quality of life throughout North America.
But for all the talk of cooperation, Bush and his guests remained apart on some issues. Martin flatly ruled out Canadian participation in Bush's plan for a missile defense system for North America, telling a Canadian journalist that "the file is closed" on that issue.
Martin also prodded Bush to ease U.S. import restrictions on Canadian lumber and Canadian beef. Some Canadian lumber is subject to trade duties, and beef imports have been banned because of concerns about mad-cow disease.
"Look, we've got differences," Bush said. "I understand why people disagree with certain decisions I have made, but that doesn't prevent us from cooperating."
You betcha!
the one other issue that ended larger families was taxation...either you can raise children with your cash....or society will demand you raise others children....while taking a 50% cut for itself in the Wash DC burocracy cycle..Until the 1960's the middle class was protected from predatory taxation.
si.
another issue is, as people grow more affluent, they don't want their children doing physical or demeaning work. this also reduces the introductory labor pool.
"my kids AREN'T going to flip burgers"--bill handel, radio kfi am 640, los angeles.
but even in the 1950's bread truck drivers, milkmen other relatively menial service workers in the community could afford to live locally...often in their own houses with their children.
that's true.
non-union where i grew up.
i was reminded of this by an acquaintance who retired at age 57 in 1971 or so in california. he's still alive, and collecting his union pension and health benefits for driving a wonder bread and twinkies delivery truck!
when he got those benefits, they didn't think people would live as long as they do today. he's collected benefits and health care longer than he worked for the company!
Good point!
Na, won't need `em. Once the illegals still south of the border hear about this....
"You've got my pledge - I'll continue working on it," Bush told Fox...
and this...
The president also echoed Fox's criticism of citizen groups in border states that seek to catch and detain illegal immigrants entering the United States. "I'm against vigilantes," Bush said. "That's why you got a border patrol, and they ought to be in charge of enforcing the border."
Great. Just freaking great George. The grinning little illegals will be absolutely STAMPEADING across the border. And take a wild guess what is going to blend right in with that herd?
It's very hard to justify allowing employers to import foreign labor so that they can save a few dollars and stick taxpayers for the huge collateral costs that accompany that activity. Even in the days when employers were permitted to import slaves into this country, the slaveholders never looked to taxpayers to finance the health and welfare of their slaves.
Voted for GW both times.Right now i feel like someone just kicked me in the b@lls.
"game over in a few years,or is it game over now?"Not over yet.IMO,Bush will serve his last term of office before the immigration situation implodes,and we have to act.The only exception would be a terrorist attack traced back to the border.
It's O.K. Bush has an R after his name. Besides which, there will always be jobs Americans are unwilling to do.
Good fences ake good neighbors! I always liked that.
OOps! Good fences MAKE good neighbors.
agreed
You got that right!
In a few years there could be 35 million peasants with their hand out, and then it will be game over.
I have been telling people for years, they have been passing through here daily on their way to everytown U.S.A. with their hand out.
Or is it game over now?
No I don't think the game is over, "IF" we can apply enough pressure to build the will to adress the problem from the District of Criminals.
click for more
"When is Bill Clinton ever going to leave office?"
Equally important...when are the republicans going to become the majority party?
We're screwed. America loses, again, on border security. I just can't believe we're bending over and grabbing our collective ankles for the lowlife scumbag, Fox.
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