Poll Analysis: Large Majority Favors “Guest Workers”

TIME ^ | 03/31/06 | MARK SCHULMAN AND TARA REGAN

[singfreedom]

It would change the status of the crime from a MISDEMEANOR to a FELONY. That is what all these pricks are protesting. Sensenbrenner wants the status changed and jail time mandated for all those who attempt to cross the border AFTER the law is passed. This is, of course, assuming that we do whatever is necessary to seal the border!!!

[thoughtomator]

This poll is nearly 180 degrees from previous polls on the subject.

[wardaddy]

good snag.....what is the technical name for agenda driven research or polls?

I heard Liddy use a term for research or polls that set out to prove a preconcieved notion wholly subjective while claiming to be objective

that covers nearly all social academics research these days

it was a nice terminology...wish I could recall it

[navysealdad]

Providing and enforcing penalties for employers convicted of hiring illegal immigrants 71% For 

 

Allowing illegal immigrants to register as guest workers 79% For

 

Majority wants them to register as a guest worker but majority wants to enforce penalties for employers convicted of hiring them--doesn't make sense!! 

[singfreedom]

Clemenza is right though. Fax, write, call, all of it!

Also, I am so TIRED also of hearing "Oh, we can't separate families", so what? When my family came here we had to leave family members behind!!! Your families' probably did too. It's sickening!!! You ought to read the list of extended relatives these fools can drag across the border after them---their mother's brother's stepsister's kitchen sink!!!

[Congressman Billybob]

It is,of course, a false equation to ask voters to choose between the House bill (dealing with sealing the border) and the Senate bill (dealing with amnesty). Notice that Time magazine never mentioned the word "amnesty."

Neither did Time mention the Bracero Program, instituted in 1942 to let Mexicans enter the country to do farm work, when American boys were going into the Army to fight WW II. That program lasted until 1964, providing most of the agricultural workers in California's farm belt.

Nor do they have a clue about the details of the Bracero Program. Mexico then controlled its own side of the border. Mexico and the US jointly agreed on how many workers would come in. There were provisions to guarantee that they would return to Mexico afterward. And none of the time they spent here counted toward gaining US citizenship, because at all times they were counted as Mexican citizens.

No there's a "guest worker" system that worked. And it was the Democrats in Congress who insisted that it be abolished. IIRC, the total workers allowed was less than a million at the height of that program.

Congressman Billybob

Latest article: "Death of a Hornet, and a Civilization"

[Congressman Billybob]

The question is not whether violating the law is a crime. By definition it is. The question is what level of crime? Misdemeanor? Felony? Felony punished by penalties of what severity? The range runs from fines for parking tickets to death for felony murder.

John / Billybob

[singfreedom]

Thank you, Congressman! I had TOTALLY forgotten about that program. I grew up on a farm and there were a few of those guys who worked on our neighbor's places. You are right, though, it worked well and they all went home at the end of harvest!

[JohnRand]

We ought to have a Guest Worker program for those that will play by the rules, the ones that don't ought to be shipped to US Army boot camp. After successful graduation they should be sent to Iraq to rebuild that country for a 1 year tour of duty and then honorably discharged at the end of the year tour of duty and granted citizenship...

[Mike Darancette]

Interest that RATS think that Illegals take American jobs more than Republicans do and that RATS are less inclined to want people who hire illegals to face penalties. The last sort of proves that Republicans like Illegals for low wages false.

[singfreedom]

I don't think those that are already here, having broken the law, should be eligible for ANY benefits emanating from this current legislation---in any way shape or form!!! The Congresscritters talk about how it would be so difficult to round them up. I don't think it would be hard at all, if everyone would just turn them into the cops every time they rear their ugly heads.

I think we are setting a very dangerous precedent when we reward lawbreakers. Shoot, if they can do it, why can't I get away with not paying income tax??

[John Jorsett]

Calling somebody a "temporary guest" who has no intention or obligation to ever leave seems like a perversion of the words. Also, the guests to my home don't demand that I pick up the tab for their medical care or their kid's schooling. Perhaps I'm just a bad host for not offering ...

[Supernatural]

We don't need no steenkin' guest workers.

[Barnacle]

Why would I even consider readin something published by TIME?

[Right Wing Assault]

Build the fence!

[navyblue]

I aint buyin it!

[singfreedom]

You're absolutely right. This whole thing only works IF we MAKE them leave!!!

[Torie]

The voters are in a state of dissonance, and confused. No surprise there.

[Washi]

Make Illegal Immigration a Crime...

Do I need to point out the fact that because it is "Illegal Immigration," by definition, means that it is already a crime?

[Torie]

Feel free to extend your remarks as to why you think the poll is biased. Yes, the results are internally inconsistent. The human mind is not like a Swiss watch, for most. Add to that, that are leaders have not been candid about the cost and benefits, and the hard choices that must be made, and how likely they are to achieve any intended consequences. This very site is an object lesson in much of that.