And if you want to pursue that platform, I wish you well.
Posted on 08/27/2005 10:23:56 AM PDT by GOPGuide
PHOENIX - Struggling to pacify his party's warring wings, President Bush is moving toward allowing illegal immigrants who came to the U.S. before February 2004 to qualify for guest-worker visas. People smuggled in after then would be deported.
State leaders in Arizona and New Mexico have stepped up pressure on the Bush administration and the Republican-led Congress to better police U.S. borders and deal with an estimated 10 million people who are living illegally in this country.
"They're trying to split the baby," Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., said of the White House plan, "and I don't think they can do that."
Bush and his advisers are caught between their supporters in the business sector, who believe the economy needs those workers, and conservatives whose priority is to clamp down on illegal immigration. The White House hopes to have a detailed proposal to Congress in late September or early October.
McCain, who ran against Bush for the 2000 GOP nomination and may seek the White House in 2008, is sponsoring a bill with Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., that would create 400,000 three-year visas for guest workers. The legislation has the flexibility to add more in the future and would let undocumented workers stay in the U.S. while they apply.
A competing plan by Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., would create two-year visas and require that guest workers and illegal immigrants leave the U.S. before they can apply for the chance to work legally in the country.
Conservative House Republicans tend to favor Kyl's tougher approach. McCain mocks it.
"Turn yourself in so we can send you back to Mexico," said McCain, throwing his head back in laughter during an interview at his Arizona office last week. "It's not going to happen."
The White House seems to agree with McCain.
According to administration and congressional officials who took part in a series of White House meetings this summer, Bush does not favor requiring illegal immigrants to be sent home to apply for the visas.
In a nod to his conservative base, however, the president has rejected a part of the McCain-Kennedy bill that the White House believes would put illegal immigrants on an automatic track to citizenship, the officials said.
The officials said it was unclear how many illegal immigrants came after February 2004 or how many later had children in the U.S., conferring U.S. citizenship on those babies. The White House wants to avoid a surge of illegal immigrants who would try to beat a prospective deadline, they said.
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because the White House has not authorized them to discuss the policy, which is subject to change.
All sides agree that illegal immigration has become a national security, humanitarian and economic crisis:
_Intelligence agencies fear terrorists could slip into the U.S. through Mexico.
_Hundreds of illegal immigrants die each year while trying to enter the U.S. Those who make it often fall prey to criminals and opportunists.
_From construction companies in Arizona to farmers in the Midwest and California, many industries need those cheap and available workers.
"Just stop at one of these construction sites and look and see who those workers are. They're all Hispanic," McCain said. "And I bet you they're illegal."
Depending on how Hispanics react, this fall's immigration debate could help determine whether Democrats or Republicans dominate the fastest-growing voting bloc in years to come.
The issue threatens to divide Democrats. Affluent, well-educated liberals are embracing immigration as part of cultural diversity. But poor Democrats, including blacks, are wary of Hispanics' growing economic and political clout.
Democratic Gov. Janet Napolitano of Arizona, who supports the McCain-Kennedy bill, joined Gov. Bill Richardson, D-N.M., this month in declaring immigration emergencies in their states. "We just kept waiting and waiting and waiting but never did see a sense of urgency from Washington," she said.
Voters are frustrated, too, especially in the Southwest, where illegal immigration is an unsettling fact of life.
"It's sad to see Democrats doing what Republicans ought to be doing," Danielle Taylor, 24, a Republican voter in Scottsdale, said during a break from her bank job. "Napolitano may have just earned my vote."
McCain faced tough questions at a town hall meeting Thursday night in Mesa, where conservatives accused him of going soft on illegal immigrants. "No amnesty!" some shouted.
McCain says his bill does not provide amnesty. Conservatives say no better word describes allowing illegal immigrants to remain in the U.S.
Bush may face similar criticism. McCain, Napolitano and other supporters of guest workers argue that it is unrealistic to deport 11 million people.
McCain's bill would require the undocumented workers to register with the government, pay all back taxes and a $2,000 fine, then go through a series of background checks and work at least six years before applying for a green card.
The senator said he is willing to stiffen those requirements. The White House plan probably will have its own.
The White House may take the unusual step of writing the legislation or submitting specific language to Congress.
If you follow the MONEY, it is those who benefit from illegal labor directly or indirectly that fill the coffers of the Washington political prostitutes and it is they who will never want Washington to upset their nest.
Think of how an economy can continue to gain momentum while fewer and fewer jobs are created. It is because the illegal laborer causes wage rates to stagnate or even plummet, increasing corporate profit. That looks good on Wall Street, but does little to help workers' wages maintain a purchasing power parity to even that of a decade ago.
The answer to President Bush would still be 'no'.
Is this why we haven't heard much from Dane or Bayourod or Jveritas lately ? The cheap labor lobby has realized that "matching employers with willing workers to do jobs Americans won't do" just plain isn't working ?
If we enforced laws on employers, disallowed social services to any illegals, and built a fence, the problem of deportation would solve itself. How about taking 50% of any money sent out of country, to pay for medical care for anchor babies?
It's important for Congress not to get out in front of the President on this. He's the head of the country and the party. They should let him take the lead.
Oh, they get it, he's just saying, "screw the American people, I'll do what the hell I please".
""That will never happen. ""
Well no sh*t.
What the Republican's and Democrats are doing is building a third party platform. One plank at a time. And they are doing hell of a job.
And if you want to pursue that platform, I wish you well.
You can blame the two beltway parties. I'd say they're asking for it.
I'm not looking to blame anyone, and there's nothing to blame you for. I just wish you well.
Well thank you. I wish you well too!
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because the White House has not authorized them to discuss the policy, which is subject to change.
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"This is disturbing, because, like you, I am against illegal immigration.
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Without DOCUMENTATION, how can an illegal alien prove that unless he/she gets an employer to admit to a felony? Besides, if they claim they just walked over the border and weren't "smuggled" in - do they get to stay?
Grasp for another straw.
Why isn't JEB doing anything about illegals? And some people suggested he run for prez? I like Jeb for many reasons...but he is married to an hisapanic who steals and does nothing to hinder the illegals in this state.
First he mocks Kyl's plan:
"Turn yourself in so we can send you back to Mexico," said McCain, throwing his head back in laughterAnd THEN he thinks this will work:
"McCain's bill would require the undocumented workers to register with the government, pay all back taxes and a $2,000 fine, then go through a series of background checks...
Now excuuuuuuuse me you pecker wood, but if the illegals won't do the first, they SURE AS HELL 'ain't' going to do the last. And that's because McBrainiac - THEY'RE freaking CRIMINALS, Law Breakers you *&^%head!
Besides the immigration violation, on a DAILY BASIS they commit: Mail Fraud, Bank Fraud, Wire Fraud, Identity Theft, Tax Evasion, Forgery, and 77 gazillion state and local traffic law violations the minute they start "their car" - and those are the "hard working", so-called 'law abiding' ones! Furthermore, if a U.S. citizen, or lawful legal resident alien committed the same crimes WE'D be dong 35 to life in state and Federal prisons!
And Mr "all knowing 'senator' from GD Bizarro World, just were the HELL do you think an illegal making $8.00 to $12.00 an hour is; 1) going to GET the money to pay tens of thousands (hell maybe even a $100K for some who've been here decades) in back taxes AND 2) a $2000.00 fine. Huh from where? What are you going to give them "government grants"?!?
( I hate your slimy guts you maggot)
Yeah, in 2006, we´ll give the guest worker amnesty to those who came before 2004.
Then we´ll give a new amnesty to those who came after 2004 in a few more years.
1986, all over again.
Sorry Lucy, Charlie Brown has already tried to kick that football. Fool me once....
We´ll know they are serious when they build an effective multiple fence system. Until then, it´s all smoke and mirrors to gull the sheeple.
They don't want to get it and McCain is lying through his butt. He would be worse on this than Bush.
And discontinue social benefits for noncitizens, and punish employers who hire illegals ...
When the Whig party refused to deal with the issues of Union and slavery in 1860, they were usurped in their position as a major party by the republicans.
Now that the republican party refuses to deal with the important issues of the day, MOST importantly illegal immigration, who will take their place? Where can a true conservative go to be represented in their beliefs? How do we make a momentum towards what the vast majority of us believe, and if not change the party lines, then at least force the republican party to be serious?
We're suffering from success right now. Why change the MO when we're winning elections? The Democrat party is dying of itself.
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