Posted on 08/29/2005 1:49:54 PM PDT by FeeinTennessee
President Bush Vows to Help With Border Problems NewsMax.com Wires Monday, Aug. 29, 2005
EL MIRAGE, Ariz. -- President Bush said Monday he will work with Gov. Janet Napolitano and other border governors to secure the U.S.-Mexico border, where political leaders have been calling for help to deal with waves of illegal immigrants.
Bush told a crowd in this retirement community that he understands the federal government's obligation to enforce the border.
"It's important for the people of this state to understand, your voices are being heard in Washington, D.C.," he said.
Making reference to Sen. Jon Kyl, an Arizona Republican who introduced Bush here, the president said, "This senator and this Congress are going to work closely with the administration to make sure we have the resources necessary to do our responsibility, which is to enforce this border. And we'll do so."
Bush made the trip west from his Texas ranch to lend a hand to the administration's effort to sell older Americans on the value of a prescription drug benefit that begins next year for Medicare patients.
Trying to combat confusion about and criticism of the new government drug plan, Bush was making appearances in both Arizona and California Monday to talk it up.
After spending the night in San Diego, he speaks on Tuesday at the Naval Air Station North Island there to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II. His remarks focus on fighting terrorists and the ongoing campaign in Iraq. They recall the Aug. 14, 1945, Japanese surrender that came just days after the United States incinerated the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki with atomic bombs.
There has been indications that efforts to build support for the Medicare drug benefit - including a few other appearances around the country by Bush - are paying off. Congress allocated about $300 million to an awareness campaign.
A recent survey from the Kaiser Family Foundation found for the first time that people were as likely to have a favorable view of the plan as to have an unfavorable view. Still, the survey found that more people do not plan to enroll than do.
The prescription drug benefit kicks in Jan. 1. About 43 million beneficiaries will be able to choose from two or more private plans that offer drug coverage.
Enrollees will pay a monthly premium averaging about $32, but the amount will vary among regions, and millions of poor people will pay nothing. Beneficiaries will also have a $250 deductible, meaning they will have to pay that amount for their prescriptions before the drug plan covers expenses. Again, millions of poor beneficiaries will not have any deductible.
After spending more than four weeks operating from his Texas ranch, Bush returns to Washington on Friday. © 2005 The Associated Press
I love GW announcing his committment to border security in a town called El Mirage. That's too funny.
I think the world of President Bush. But on the issue of illegal immigration he is every bit as gutless as the Democrats.
Words...false words I say. Deeds. Deeds I say!
Chertoff is on Hannity now giving the double talk. He said the cost of sending people back to their country is high. Building a fence would require 3 tiers of fencing in urban areas and no fence in the desert. Crap. Build the fence, concrete not chain-link, under a works program like the TVA.
Well an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Build a fence and stop them at the border and we won't have to buy bus or plane tickets.
ping
Really ???
Listening to Bush's sec. of homeland security call illegal immigrants "economic migrants" on Sean Hannity's radio program today made me sick.
Bush isn't going to do anything other than pimp an amnesty.
I love GW announcing his committment to border security in a town called El Mirage. That's too funny.
It is, indeed...he could just as easily have given his talk in Surprise or Sun City.
prove it sir
Few Freepers like GWBush on this issue. We don't like amnesty for foreign born law breakers. Particularly when we don't see viable enforcement coming after such a George Bush amnesty. Where are my amnesties for my crimes? Our justice system gives foreigners a pass when they are illegal aliens.
This is good news if Dubya is pulling for the Kyl bill I think it's the best one yet. At least it has zaps employers for hiring illegals, doesn't allow anchor babies, enables local law enforcement to enforce immigration laws, etc.
Not a bad idea since at this point we have more than enough illegal aliens to do the "jobs Americans refuse to do"
And even that's not a reason to keep the border secure. If it's true that we need the foreign cheap labor, than we can bring it in the proper way. But there's absolutely no reason whatsoever to keep the borders so porous.
No, since Bush is an allegedly conservative Republican, then his awfulness on immigration is much, much worse than Democrats. We expect this type of nonsense from liberals like Kennedy or Hillary, but its especially disappointing and disheartening from a Republican.
I won't believe he has come to his senses until he drops his support for his delayed-amnesty plan, and (if the poster here is correct) until his surrogates stop using PC expressions for illegal immigrants on shows like Hannity.
Prove what? That a speech on Medicare Drug Coverage could just as easily have been given in Surprise or Sun City?
You'd have to be an idiot or ignorant not to believe that. Both towns are full of Medicare-Eligible retirees, both have large facilities that would hold the 400 invitees, both are as secure as El Mirage, and all three are within spitting distance of each other.
Did you perhaps pose a question to the wrong comment?
Whoops!
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