Looks like Bush needs to cut back on the burritos. He risks losing the tender affection of Vincente F. if he keeps chunking up like that.
Posted on 03/30/2006 6:00:20 PM PST by NormsRevenge
CANCUN, Mexico - With Mexican President Vicente Fox at his side, President Bush gave Congress a long-distance push Thursday to open the United States to immigrant workers who have been sneaking across the borders to fill low-paying jobs.
"We don't want people sneaking into our country that are going to do jobs that Americans won't do," Bush said at the end of a private meeting with Fox, where the issue was on top of the agenda. "We want them coming in in an orderly way, which will take pressure off both our borders."
The meeting between the Mexican and U.S. leaders came on the first day of a two-day North American summit that also includes Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Harper, meeting with Bush for the first time since taking office two months ago with the promise of building stronger ties with Washington, said the two countries are moving past their "tension" over Iraq.
Still, he took a combative stance on their long-standing dispute over U.S. tariffs on Canadian softwood lumber, saying Canada would "pursue all its legal options" if he and Bush can't work out an agreement.
But it was the immigration debate, which has dominated the U.S. Senate this week, that took center stage in talks conducted in a beachfront resort surrounded by bikini-clad spring breakers. A new immigration law could affect as many as 6 million Mexicans living illegally in the United States — about half of all those who are estimated to have sneaked in from other countries seeking new opportunities they can't find at home.
Bush is pushing for a guest worker program that would let foreigners in low-paying jobs stay temporarily, which Fox says is a good first step toward some form of legal status for all Mexican illegal immigrants.
The issue has united the two leaders, whose friendship dates back to Bush's time as Texas governor but was strained over Fox's objections to the war in Iraq. But immigration has divided Bush's Republican party, with business interests who want cheap labor battling conservatives who want a get-tough policy against illegal immigrants.
Fox suggested the issue is largely out of their hands now.
"The matter is in the Congress of the United States and that is where the decision will be made," Fox said. "It is no longer between President Bush and President Fox."
But both leaders were clearly trying to sway the debate.
"I told the president there is a legislative process that's going forward," Bush said. "And that it may look cumbersome to some, but that's how our democracy works."
Bush added, "I'm optimistic that we can get a bill done."
The summit included plenty of time to be neighborly. The three leaders dressed casually in open-collared shirts and strolled together among the ancient Mayan ruins at Chichen Itza before sitting down for more intense one-on-one meetings. Fox planned a lavish dinner for his guests.
After spending the morning sightseeing, Bush had a few hours off before the formal meetings began. He used part of the time to work up a sweat in his hotel's gym.
There was tight security despite the fun-loving atmosphere generated by college students who have flocked to Cancun for spring break. Gunboats patrolled the turquoise waters off Bush's spa resort, and fencing kept out all but hotel guests. "I'd like to make sure you work more than you play," Bush joked to reporters.
The trilateral meeting was expected to be Fox's last, since he is set to leave office this year because of term limits. Bush lauded Fox for stabilizing the Mexican economy and improving the net worth of his people.
"That's important for the American economy as well," Bush said. "The more net worth there is in Mexico, the more likely it is the Mexican may be wanting to buy a U.S. product. And vice versa, by the way."
In his meeting with Harper, Bush sought to make the newly elected leader look good at home, making it a point to stress how hard the Canadian leader had pressed him on the softwood lumber issue. Harper "made an emphatic case," Bush said.
"I appreciate his steely resolve to get something done," the president said. "I appreciate your pushing."
But Bush didn't give Harper much of substance, saying only that "my intent is to negotiate in good faith and a timely fashion to resolve this issue."
___
On the Net:
U.S. Trade Representative: http://www.ustr.gov
White House: http://www.whitehouse.gov
I think I heard the rustle of straw...
According to the SCOTUS, it is.
Looks like Bush needs to cut back on the burritos. He risks losing the tender affection of Vincente F. if he keeps chunking up like that.
this thing isn't over yet.
I hope he does. He was a darn nice fellow with the Packers.
I have had it with those who are encourgaging law breakers and spreading their lies here. I am tired of being civil to skunks and liars.
I have no intention of trying to debate the idea of whether or not it is OK to destroy this country by illegal aliens who hate us, make it clear they hate us and are doing everything in their power to destroy us.
I have nothing but contempt for you and your ilk.
Nationalism, nativism, same thing.
Nativists are afraid of any culture but their own. There are a lot of nativists in America, and not an insignificant number on Free Republic.
They hurt, rather than help, any kind of compromise on a immigration reform bill.
By the way, I hear he has a real tough election coming up. Supposedly the other guy (his opponent) is a real nasty character.
I hope you are right. So far its been disappoint to put it mildly.
Do you REALLY think those who have been in the U.S. for 25 yrs and have 3 kids aged 14, 17 and 22 who are all U.S. citizens with the oldest a West Point grad is "not much different from African slaves picking cotton"?!
I hear his father gave the neutron bomb plans to China years ago. How weird is that.
Beyond wierd, and you need to back up that odious claim.
False.
Just lie back and enjoy it then.
I know one thing. The politicians are really thinking twice about what they are doing.
They aren't worried so much about the country as they are about getting voted out of office.
They had better keep their fingers to the wind and make real sure which way the wind is blowing.
A perverse interpetation of the 14th Amendment is a big part of the problem.
I don't see one as having anything to do with the other. My point was being made toward the businesses that want to perpetuate this kind of squalor in the greatest nation on God's green earth. The issue of illegal immigration has everything to do with the unwillingness of these employers to pay a fair wage to a legal immigrant or citizen willing to do the work.
Making this statement in no way demeans our troops, who I honor and admire for their sacrifice. If you want to talk about the living conditions of our troops I am happy to oblige, but it is a different subject and off-track from this discussion.
NO ONE was more elated than I on the night Bush cinched the election over Al Gore. Frankly, now I can barely stand to look at him. Why this issue?
Whatever his child has done is immaterial. I frankly don't trust a thing you say anyway.
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