The Minutemen Will Make A Fool Of President Bush

GDO Online ^ | 4/8/05

[Serenissima Venezia]

How do I answer it ("they're just hardworking people who want a better life for their families") without appearing "mean spirited?"

We may just need to appear 'mean spirited' to those who can't think past simple, basic concepts. I don't know if liberals are just incapable of complex thoughts or refuse to look at anything that they may not agree with, but I've given up even trying to have an intelligent conversation with one! But, if you're talking about people who really do want an answer - I can tell you firsthand that here in southern California, our American way of life is gone. I understand those wanting a better life - but U.S. taxpayers can't afford to take in the rest of the world and give them the standard of living we have. Or our standard of living will match Mexico's soon. From what I understand, the illegals coming over are unskilled workers who can't even find work in their own country and for the most part, don't even speak Spanish well. So their 6+ children won't learn English in the home and our schools are expected to 'teach' the unteachable, and give them free lunches and breakfasts. I believe legal immigrants have to show a skill or education level that we need and will help our economy, instead of suck it dry.

Now, this probably does sound 'mean spirited'. But after decades of living in border states....Where do you live? I'll bet if the people you go to church with have to ask that question, they don't live in a border state! I'll be moving to a nonborder state upon retirement, so I can find the American way of life again. IF I can remember what it was...

[jackbenimble]

I'm wondering to what degree the problem has changed in the last 20 years. What have the trends been? I am an adult and I don't care whose pounding what drum, I don't react with my emotions. I want more info, lots more info.

20 years ago we were told that there were about 1.5 million illegals in the country. President Reagan told us the way to fix this problem was to give them amnesty and to put in place sanctions against the employers who were attracting them by giving them jobs. By the time the amnesty was all said and done, it turned out that there were actually about 3 million illegals who were made into citizens. This amnesty essentially reset the counter to zero.

Since then we have had 6 or 7 additional amnesties. Through the first President Bush and the Clinton efforts we made a poor effort at trying to enforce sanctions against employers. There were about 1000 enforcement actions against employers per year during this period.

Now, after all these amnesties the PEW Research center tell us we have almost 11 million illegals and that the number has grown by about 25% during the first 4 years of this Bush Administration. Bears Stearns estimates the number at closer to 20 million and there numbers are perhaps equally believable. The truth probably lies in between. And at the same time, enforcement actions against employers have fallen to less than twenty (20) per year. President Bush has redirected the efforts of the 2000 agents responsible for interior enforcement against the 400,000 illegals who have either committed serious crimes and not been deported, skipped their court dates or ignored a deportation order. The 2000 agents have arrested a heck of a lot of these criminals but the number has grown from 400,000 to 465,000 so they are not making much progress. We lack detention space so when the Border Patrol captures an illegal who is not a Mexican they just release them and of course 90% of them never show up for their court dates. President Bush has done a little to strengthen the borders. He has added maybe 1000 Border Patrol Agents. But Congress recently authorized him to hire 10,000 more agents in increments of 2000 per year over 5 years but he only budgeted to hire 210.

Obviously anywhere an illegal can enter, so can a terrorist.

What else did you want to know?

[Serenissima Venezia]

State your displeasure with the policy, suggest a better way and promote it.

Do what the MMP volunteers have done or donate to their cause.

Been there, done that. I've written numerous emails and letters to Congressmen, Senators, and the President. I've refused to give the GOP money and included a note with my refusal stating that it was because of Bush's illegal immigration appeasement policy. And I've added that I am donating to the MMP instead. Just 2 nights ago, someone from the GOP called asking about Bush'ssocial security reform - my husband told her that we were more concerned about illegal immigration right now and did not support Bush any more since he called the Minutemen 'vigilantes' and that he needed to apologize.

The sad thing is, nobody is listening!

I have one more way to let them know how I feel, and that is with my vote (or lack of). I won't vote for a Democrat, but I'm not voting for a Republican again until one has a solid stance against illegal immigration. I've lived in border states all my life, and it's only getting worse - very quickly. I bet you live in a nonborder state, or you wouldn't be able to be so complacent. I'll be moving to a nonborder state when I retire, and then I can be complacent too - but not right now! This may seem like a one-issue item to you - but seeing in action how the illegals are ruining California, I think of it as a composite health, education, taxes, culture, and language issue.

[jackbenimble]

How do I answer it ("they're just hardworking people who want a better life for their families") without appearing "mean spirited?"

You could ask them to consider the impact on their fellow citizens who are being impacted by the influx. When a construction worker sees his hourly wage fall from $12 to $8 per hour as the result of an unlimited influx of cheap labor it means a 50% cut in his already meager standard of living.

And then you could ask them to consider the impact on children. Americans tax themselves hard to provide decent public schools for our children. There is always room in school for one more child but that does not mean there is room for 10,000, particularly if most of them don't speak English. Is it right to sacrifice the education of our children because the people of another country won't take care of their own?

Christian charity begins at home and our first responsibility is to our citizens who are already here.

[Serenissima Venezia]

This is ONE ISSUE

It is an issue that affects numerous issues: health care, education, taxes, our economy, our culture and language, and very importantly, our national security.

And for me, it's not just Bush's fault - this invasion has been going on for decades. I've just been so proud of the man Bush is and how he stood by his principles in other controversial issues that it's hard to understand why he's taking the easy way out on this one.

[CyberAnt]

"I've just been so proud of the man Bush is and how he stood by his principles in other controversial issues that it's hard to understand why he's taking the easy way out on this one."

I have to agree with you there .. it's been hard for me to understand also .. especially since 9/11.

[politicalwit]

"I've refused to give the GOP money lately, sending a note along with their requests stating that Bush's appeasement policy on illegal immigration"

My last contribution to the RNC was a mexico 20 pesos bill. They didn't return it. Perhaps this is the way to get the RNC's attention. Contribute in Mexican currency.

[politicalwit]

"Blame the employers (large & small) who are hiring illegals. How many of the Mexicans would come if there were no jobs for them to send UNTAXED $$$ back to the hellhole called Mexico?"

How about the Bush Administration enforcing those laws for employers? Nawwww...that might upset some of his contributors. Bush is sleaze.

[Liberator]

"Mr. President will come around , once he considers the fruit of this effort. No one knew what would happen . Including him."

The "fruit" of Dubya's effort is a big turd.

In light of the President negligence in defending and securing the border, his "vigilante" remark should have been expected.

[BurbankKarl]

[Serenissima Venezia]

My last contribution to the RNC was a mexico 20 pesos bill.

LOL! Very clever.

[LisaMalia]

The "fruit" of Dubya's effort is a big turd.

You have a right to your opinion, and here's mine:

Your comment is disgusting. Why don't you just put a big "Hillary in '08." sign in your yard, because that's what all of this President Bush and Republican bashing is going to accomplish. And believe me, I WILL be here to say "I told you so."

[Czar]

Very well put.

"...the Minutemen need a good marketing team to begin fundraising." Minutemen, meet the Swifties...

[Liberator]

"Your comment is disgusting. Why don't you just put a big 'Hillary in '08.' sign in your yard, because that's what all of this President Bush and Republican bashing is going to accomplish."

Why are you blaming the messenger?

The President dissed me and you by allowing an illegal invasion to go on unabated, the border to remain unsecured after 9/11 -- while referring to patriots as "vigilantes."

And still you think the man is an untouchable king?

NO SALE

[ken21]

another anti-bush thread?

[Czar]

"shrill girl" is right. You may want to consider educating your friends and neighbors in Cedar Rapids.

[Czar]

"Private citizens have no business bearing arms..."

You are either not aware of or reject the Second Amendment. So we've established that you're no conservative.

"...the illegals crossing the border are not shooting their way in."

They usually wait until they get here before they start shooting (see Calif/LA crime stats).

[JarheadFromFlorida]

The Republicans are so damn stupid. Once the illegals sneak into this country, they ain't going back, plain and simple. Once they are here long enough, they eventually get amnesty. Once they get amnesty, they are eligible for most of the legal doucments available to American citizens (including a drivers license which is all you need to vote). These people all vote Democrat. The Democrats might be killing thier own young with legalized abortion but they as quickly replacing them will illegal aliens and the cowardly Republicans refuse to do anything about it.

[BurbankKarl]

YUMA PATRIOTS group is forming from father whose son who served in Iraq was recently robbed and carjacked outside Yuma, ca.