Me, too! It is as though Bush is saying, "You fat, lazy good-for-nothings, if it weren't for Mexico nothing would be getting done in this country. You should thank them for getting past our border patrols."
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
The fix is in. Done deal.
I'm an American, and I don't mind - would the following be better: "do jobs that Americans won't do for that wage"?
Within a few years it will never be possible for a Republican to win the Presidency. There will be too many people in the country reliant on the government.
I agree.
The Nazis had no problem moving 6 million 60 years ago.
There are few things worse in political discourse when a supposed conservative echoes and gives credence to the leftist smears of conservative motives. Sadly, Bush does this on immigration, just like the WSJournal, Jack Kemp, Bill Kristol, et al.
There is a huge furor going on at FR right now about the illegal immigration problem.
Time to go fishing or golfing...
Nothing much else to do.
It would appear that we have lost the war without even ever having fought a battle.
Bingo. Now, the next question is will you vote for Hillary or McCain for POTUS?
President Bush's comment is so lame it needs no clarification...
Will is a dunce. If we just begin enforcement a lot of illegals will self-deport. They're not stupid- as long as they know absolutely nothing will happen to them they'll come in droves. If they know there's a good chance they'll get caught and deported they'll make a life back home. A really useful tool would be asset forfeiture. Why violate the law and accumulate assets here if you could have them taken away?
Well yes, everybody is capable of a brain fart now and then>
"The fix is in. Done deal".
For once you and I agree on something.
No.
The illegal aliens and the criminals who hire them and the criminals who harbor them are getting out in the street making their desires known. It is way past time those of us who support the rule of law and secure borders did the same.
Join Veterans for Secure Borders, The Minuteman Project, Latino Americans for Immigration Reform, Mothers Against Illegal Aliens, and other groups protesting amnesty for these criminals, and demanding the government protect our borders.
http://www.areckoning.com/
FReepers should be at this rally in strength. Saturday, May 6, in Crawford, TX.
Please stop doing that; I'm too young to have high blood pressure... :-/
while an invasion continues..... to a "how are ya....???
has me believing why so difficult . I'm surprised someone hasn't called for our surrender. America has never allowed an invasion without retaliation. Will America now???
Me, too! It is as though Bush is saying, "You fat, lazy good-for-nothings, if it weren't for Mexico nothing would be getting done in this country. You should thank them for getting past our border patrols."
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.