Foes lobby against unbridled immigration ("Hold Their Feet to the Fire" begins)

Advocates of stronger immigration controls began a six-day lobbying effort in Washington yesterday that will include rallies, press conferences and a gathering of at least 18 radio talk-show hosts from across the country.

The event, "Hold Their Feet to the Fire," is intended to demonstrate opposition to efforts to legalize immigrants who have entered the United States illegally, including President Bush's plan for a temporary worker or "guest worker" program.

Participants also are pushing for legislation to ban illegal immigrants from having driver's licenses, to crack down on employers who hire illegal immigrants and to resume sweeps "to nab illegal aliens" according to an event Web site, www.nomoreamnesty.com

The lobbying effort is the brainchild of Roger Hedgecock, a radio talk show host in San Diego.

I'm sick of the increased crime, lower wages, drugs, illegal firearms, and the cost of illegal immigration. Enough is enough, secure the borders.

Illegal immigration is a huge issue that many, many Americans are concerned with and want something done about. Sadly, the Republican leadership in this country refuses to address it and instead either ignores the issue or belittles those who are doing something about it (minutemen=vigilantes).

The Democrats can embrace this issue and ride it all the way to the White House. The gains they make with blue-collar white voters in battleground states (their traditional constituency) will more than make up the losses they might face with some latinos and far-left liberals. But it won't really be a loss because they'll still win in the places where the far-left lives (like Berkeley).

The Democrats are going to figure this strategy out before the next campaign and run with it. I'll bet on this. And unless the Republicans address this issue, the Democrats are going to win the next presidential election.

I'm not so sure about losing Hispanic votes. Many Hispanic Americans are the ones being hurt most by illegal immigration in terms of lower wages and crime-infested neighborhoods. Obviously, not all Hispanic are lower-middle-class, but I think you see my point.

I grew up in a lower-middle-class neighborhood that was (and still is) mostly Hispanic, although it's become more middle-class over the years, and I'll tell you, the people were decent and kind and QUIET and respectful to their neighbors, there wasn't litter strewn all over the streets, people didn't let their dogs bark 18 hours a day, they didn't throw loud parties until 2:00 am, and everyone had a sense of (get this) civic pride. The illegals come in to these areas and, frankly, turn them into pigsties, and it makes the legal Hispanics furious, not the least because it gives them a bad name (guilt by association) in society's eyes. I can assure you, they'll be the first in line to stand up and cheer when the laws start being enforced. You want to court the "all-important Hispanic vote," enforce immigration laws!

But it won't really be a loss because they'll still win in the places where the far-left lives (like Berkeley).

Until, of course, the illegals move there as well. Funny how people just loooooooove diversity until they have to live it themselves. I've talked with a few professional types about this issue, and they used to throw out that "jobs Americans don't want to do" crap...then one day, their own high-tech jobs are being outsourced to India, and suddenly helping the "little brown people make a better life and feed their family" doesn't warm their hearts so much.

And in the end, isn't country more important than political party? "Well, everything's turned to crap, but at least it's not a Democrat in office" - I can't go with that anymore. Kerry would have been no better on this issue, obviously, so this last presidential election was a no-winner there, but as this problem spreads beyond the border states and infests every nook and cranny across the nation, people WILL start to wake up and they WILL demand a change.

We can't be like Holland, where they're overrun with Muslims and now they all want to leave. Anyone who won't try to fight for the liberties they have didn't deserve them in the first place. And really, with that sort of attitude, what country would want them? "You made a mess of your own nation, and now you think you're welcome HERE?" "Well, we didn't want to be called racists, surely you understand!" People gotta wake up, and fast, because eventually there will be no more "somewhere else" to run to. It ain't about skin color, it's about quality of life.

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.