[goldstategop]

Then where are the huge crowds of Americans protesting illegal immigration? Let's face it, we do need these people, our economy would ground to a halt in their absence and its time to make them Americans. Yes, I am in favor of amnesty because its only fair to illegals if we decide we're not going to protect our borders. Its also a principled position. A so called guest worker program is simply the politicians' way of denying they're for amnesty. So why not be open about it?

(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie. Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")

[Sam the Sham]

If you think there isn't a huge backlash against the betrayal of our country you are dreaming.

No, we don't need these people. Our economy would not grind to a halt. They are entirely a mechanism to keep the wages of Americans who are non white collar professionals down. Outsourcing and offshoring are for keeping down the wages of white collar professionals. If you think reducing the American standard of living is the stuff future GOP victories are made of, guess again.

[EternalVigilance]

Yes, I am in favor of amnesty...

Well, I vociferously disagree with you, but I will give you this: You're more honest than the President is about it.

[Serenissima Venezia]

Then where are the huge crowds of Americans protesting illegal immigration?

They were busy working and going to school today. They don't just take off work and avoid their responsibilities at the drop of a hat to go join a mob. Mob rule works in the 3rd world countries.

But, what they were doing is contacting their congressmen and letting their opinions known, as is done in a civilized society. I tried to call my Senators - both in Washingon and all their Ca numbers. All lines were busy all day long. And the website email for the Senators was so bogged down that even that didn't work.

[DoughtyOne]

Did the amnesty in 1986 stop illegal immigration?

Do you think this one will?

Goldstategop, you must be able to recognize that these amnesties do nothing more than encourage tens of millions more Mexican citizens to flood our borders. Is that really what you want? I don't think it is, but that will be the undeniable outcome if we grant a guest worker/amnesty program.

[Shermy]

"Then where are the huge crowds of Americans protesting illegal immigration?"

They vote. They write their congressman.

"Let's face it, we do need these people, our economy would ground to a halt in their absence and its time to make them Americans."

No we don't. The economy wouldn't grind to a halt. They're here to depress wages, a short term profit increasing strategy for certain industries.

I do believe some stoop agricultural labor are jobs "Americans won't do" or due to their seasonality. I support controlled guest labor there.

The reconquista element is maybe louder than its strength, but it is there.

[fhlh]

Well... I only see one bright side to this... once these folks are documented, they'll finally start paying some taxes... hopefully.

[JeffAtlanta]

Then where are the huge crowds of Americans protesting illegal immigration?

The same place the huge crowds of Americas protesting FOR the Iraq war were - working on a job.

In 2003 the crowds protesting the AGAINST the Iraq war were overwhelming yet they were soundly defeated in the 2004 elections.