Posted on 02/17/2006 3:14:26 PM PST by Conservative Firster
There are jobs that most Americans simply won't do. And because of that, the government should work to let immigrants in to do those jobs, even if it's on a temporary basis.
President George W. Bush outlined that plan to a crowd of more than 300 people at Cruise Terminal 3 at Channelside in Tampa Friday in an appearance meant to boost his administration's Global War on Terror.
"If there's a willing employer and a willing worker on a job an American won't do, then it's OK to fill that job, so long as you're not here permanently," Bush said. "I believe there ought to be a temporary worker program."
The president said that a lot of the country's border patrol, especially in the southern reaches of Texas, law enforcement officers are spending more time policing Mexican immigrants who are trying to find a job in the United States, rather than looking for terrorists.
"Agriculture relies upon a lot of people willing to do the work that others won't do," Bush said. "And it seems like to me there ought to be a legal way to make this happen without creating a sense of amnesty or permanency."
Bush acknowledged that a lot of immigration labor can be found in Central Florida, and even pointed out U.S. Rep. Adam Putnam, R-Bartow, whose family has a citrus and cattle business in Polk County. But the president did empathize that he still does not support illegal immigration into the country.
"I'm not for amnesty," Bush said. "You got about 8 million-plus people here illegally. My worry is if all of a sudden (they become) legal citizens, then another 8 million comes. I don't think that makes any sense. I'm for border enforcement, and strong border enforcement, with a rational guest worker program that's temporary in nature, where it's understood that you're working here for a period of time, then you're going back on home."
As residential construction continues at a fast pace in the Tampa Bay area, Bush expressed a need to pursue more affordable housing, something he said can be done through a variety of options, including good government tax management.
"Interest rates matter, as does good tax policy," Bush said. "We want people owning their own home. We want this to be an ownership society. We want people owning their own business. Home ownership is a high right now. More minorities own a home than ever before in our nation's history, which is a fantastic statistic."
Trying to keep life affordable for Americans also can be complicated by the rising cost of fossil fuels such as what's used in gasoline. Bush said he is continuing his commitment to seek out alternative fuels and lessening the dependence on foreign oil. However, that does not mean he's going to support offshore drilling in the Gulf of Mexico.
"I made a commitment that nothing is going to happen within 100 miles of this coastline, and I'm honoring that commitment," Bush said. "I don't care what people might be saying. It's a commitment that this government has. There's a lot of technologies that are coming on the market, and we're spending money. It's a good use of taxpayers' money it seems like to me in order to achieve some big objectives."
Bush said that a generous amount of energy can be saved in urban areas if technology were advanced supporting vehicles that might travel small distances from home to work.
"A lot of people in urban areas are not going to drive more than 30 miles a day," Bush said. "And so we're developing automobile engines that can run on electricity for 30 miles. And then if you go more, your gasoline kicks in. But it requires a battery that has got good storage capacity and is easy to recharge."
Earlier in the day, Bush met with military officials at MacDill Air Force Base to get a briefing on operations in the Middle East. After the town hall meeting, he headed to Orlando for a political fundraiser.
shamnesty ping
""If there's a willing employer and a willing worker on a job an American won't do"
I swear to GOD if he says this in public one more time, I will demand impeachment!!
So it's going to be easier to get the illegals out years down the road when they have been working as opposed to getting them out now???
Run that by me again...
I was working at an acclaimed steak house this morning. All the workers I met did not speak English except the owner and the head chef. I billed the owner $300.00 for my 2 hours of work and they complained about the high cost of doing business!
"where it's understood that you're working here for a period of time, then you're going back on home." "
R O T F L M A O
well, they would have sent all the money they made out of the country, and there wouldn't be much work here left for them after that.
How many "guest workers" are working on Bush's Texas ranch?
Then stop paying them welfare.
If anybody dare stand up and say the GOP is the party of limited government and fiscal responsibility and national security, stand up and make a laughing stock out of yourself.
50 cents on the dollar, with no benefits.
George W Bush = Paris Hilton
Yeah, this is the part of the argument that I simply don't get.
It's too "difficult" apparently to round up these lawbreakers and get them out now, BUT in 3,4 37 years...they're all going to put down their hoes and willingly stroll back across the border.
Sure.
"I believe there ought to be a temporary worker program."
He then added, "You see, I really am as dumb as they've been saying"
I am just not sure there is a party I can vote for anymore.
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.