The guest-worker program changes the status of the illegal to legal. That's all it does. This will facilitate the guest-worker to obtain a driver's license. It will make it easier for them to get government services. Healthcare, Education and Welfare services will still be free. Isnt' that a great improvement? These are the things U.S. Citizens have overwhelmingly spoken out in opposition to. Our current President disagrees with them. The fact that he does and is in a position of power, and has backing in the Senate and House is the worst possible scenario for our nation.
As for whether this is an amnesty or not, it has been suggested by this President that a road to citizenship should be provided for these folks. No matter what you want to call it, these people will be naturalized. If you want to call this process a pancake, I don't care. It is still going to wind up in citizenship for people who broke our nation's laws.
You and I don't just disagree about which plan is worse, the Republicans or Democrats. They are both dead wrong on this topic. Since the Republicans are in a position to exert their will, they are the worst culprits at this point in time. If the Democrats were in power and doing nothing about it, they would be the worse. They aren't.
I supported the Republicans gaining control over the Legislative and Executive branches of government. On this topic, it was a wasted effort. I backed them so they could cater to foreign naitonals on my dime against my will.
I bow out. I can't refute anything you've said. It seems what I've read about the GWP failed to mention these important facts. My initial comfort with it was based on: 1. we'd be able to identify and track these people; 2. they'd be sent home after the temporary period of time and could then apply for citizenship. I thought this was a good plan b/c we'd be able to identify these people and maintain some control over them, but I didn't realize they'd have the rights you defined.
The only other "objection" I have to the "get 'em all out" side of the spectrum is - how? How the hell could we identify them, round them up, and deport them? What about those reprots re: cost? Finally, wouldn't that piss off a load of people who could then turn on us from the inside and perhaps be more sympathetic to other groups trying to get in and cause us problems?
I agree some of these people are contributing to our problems and thus, they should be removed. But, I also think it's impractical to round up all these people and perhaps counterproductive to do so when some are actually doing good here. Also, I think our focus should be on securing the border first, then we can figure out what to do with those here already. I don't see how we can do both while fighting terror abroad and at home. With what resources, what money?