Freepers and conservatives need to calm down and use their brains instead of their passions when dealing with the illegal immigration issue. I made my argument and provided what I believe is very good and very practical solution to the illegal immigration issue.
This great forum is going down hill quickly. People on this forum are calling for President Bush impeachment and calling President Bush a traitor and nothing is done about them. This is not Free Republic that I know. It is really sad what is going on.
This is not Free Republic that I know.
Lately there has been a lot of anger about so many things. It is unsettling that is for sure. They have not even passed the thing yet. lol.
This is not the Bush we were sold either.
Yea, ol’ Ben Franklin assumed that the colonists would pay the Stamp Tax, and he tried to get a collector’s commission for a friend. He was soon shocked at the resistance, which he though unwise.
No, they did not. Pres. Bush will be impeached by the Democrats
and the future ex-Republicans (stabbed by Pres. Bush) will do nothing to stop it.
Quite a difference. And if this goes through, quite likely.
Want to bet that Arlen Specter votes for impeachment to boot?
You might be surprised to know that this is exactly the same discussion, of exactly the same tenor, with exactly the same passion as the several days immediately before 9/11. In fact I vaguely recall that it was still going on in the morning before the towers were hit.
Jorge Bush - whom I voted for twice - has been on a tear to get this bill through since his first months in office.
The overwhelming majority of citizens were against it then, just as they are against it now.
Here is one list of the proponents of this heinous legislation. DC lobbyists from top to bottom.
Thank God. By response #315 there is a word of wisdom. Thank you jveritas. Nothing is ever accomplished by the people by just using emotions and not brains. We have to adjust to the fact that the illegals are with us and we have to have some method of control over them. While this Senate bill is not the best attempt, it is a beginning. We do need a beginning. Let’s just everyone calm down and say a prayer asking for God’s direction.
You’re right. Hysterics will get people ignored. It’s time to think systematically of one’s strategy to counter this fiasco - as for me, I’m going to pull my DC reps letters of promise to oppose any amnesty deal and fax it back to their offices just to remind them of their words of opposition.
It’s hard to deny one’s word in writing and the potential of being exposed as a liar gives many politicians severe gastric disturbances.
Here’s one such letter:
Mr. X. Xxxxx Xxxxx
Address line 1
Address line 2
Dear Mr. Xxxxx:
Thank you for contacting me about your concerns on immigration and border security. As a member of the Congressional Immigration Reform Caucus, I appreciate hearing from you on this important issue and share your concerns.
I strongly support efforts to stop illegal immigration, improve our border control, and discourage illegal immigration in the United States. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that there are over 10 million illegal aliens within our borders, and 6.7 million of them have arrived in the last 10 years. Our current immigration system cannot handle the ever-growing demands placed upon it. Illegal immigrants drain resources and opportunities from legal citizens.
To address this growing problem, the U.S. House passed a series of bills in September 2006 to strengthen our borders and step up enforcement of our laws. These included H.R. 6061, the Secure Fence Act, which authorizes protection at the southern border with both a physical structure and surveillance technology along 700 miles of vulnerable land. H.R. 4830, the Border Tunnel Prevention Act, establishes new criminal penalties for individuals involved in the construction of illegal tunnels across the U.S. border. H.R. 6094, the Community Protection Act, sets provisions for illegal immigrants to be detained pending their deportation, bar admission in the U.S. for gang members, and allow alien members of certain gangs to be automatically eligible for deportation. Finally, H.R. 6095, the Immigration Law Enforcement Act, would grant the authority to local law enforcement to enforce immigration if they choose to do so.
Most recently, I introduced the Scott Gardener Act along with my colleague, Representative Sue Myrick, which would ensure that illegal immigrants convicted of DUI are immediately deported. H.R. 1355 closes a dangerous loophole in our law which allows criminals to continue driving on our streets and threatening our citizens by driving under the influence. These individuals should not be in our country in the first place, and this bill would make sure that those who commit such a serious offense would be immediately deported. I am pleased to tell you that this bill has garnered bipartisan support and currently has 11 cosponsors.
In addition, I have joined with many of my colleagues in calling for congressional hearings on the case of Border Patrol Agents Ramos and Compean so that the public and the U.S. Congress may learn all of the details surrounding the agents’ arrest and conviction. Our border patrol agents are an integral part of America’s national security, and it is vitally important that they are treated fairly and justly. I recently signed a letter with strong bipartisan support stating my concerns on this issue.
Furthermore, I am concerned to learn that Bank of America has begun offering a credit card to individuals without a valid Social Security number or a credit history. I have been a strong supporter of identification verification and supported the REAL ID Act when it was passed in 2005. I will continue to work with my colleagues on the Immigratin Reform Caucus to craft legislation that adequately addresses information security.
In the 109th Congress, the U.S. House of Representatives considered the Border Protection, Antiterrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act, H.R. 4437. This bill would have increased security at the international border and at ports of entry into the United States. It would have changed immigration law to increase penalties for immigration-related offenses, and would have allowed new grounds for the deportation of immigrants who commit certain crimes. The measure generally required all apprehended illegal aliens to be detained until removed or allowed to stay in the country. The measure also would have created a mandatory program under which all employers would verify employees’ work eligibility with the federal government. You will be pleased to know that I voted in favor of this legislation which passed by a vote of 239 to 182.
Representative Sue Myrick and I also offered the Myrick-McIntyre amendment that would have required the removal of an unauthorized alien on the first drunk-driving conviction, very similar to the recently introduced H.R. 1355. I supported this amendment which passed by a voice vote.
Thank you for contacting me about this important issue. I will continue to be a strong voice for you in Washington. If you would like to receive my periodic e-newsletter, visit my website at www.house.gov/mcintyre/IMA/issue.htm.
Sincerely,
Mike McIntyre
Member of Congress
This Internet Mail message is sent from an unattended mailbox. To contact Congressman McIntyre, please visit http://www.house.gov/writerep/
I honestly think Mike will do as he says.
I just don't see what other options there were. Instead of everyone reaching for their double-barreled shotguns, it makes a lot more sense to embrace this largely hard-working, Christian, family-oriented underclass and make them Republicans. But, nah. Let's make them enemies instead.
Is it unjust to the millions of immigrants who came here through the system (including my own parents?) and paid their dues. ABSOLUTELY. But we're past the point of reparations on this issue. Reality is, they're not leaving. Naturalize them. Give them amnesty, if only to wipe the slate clean and implement an ironclad system that protects our borders and requires assimilation. This hatred towards illegal aliens is not going to change the system. If Congress has a single brain cell, they will make English the official language of our country and require businesses to pay a penalty for advertising in Spanish, Korean, or whatever language other than English. Anyone naturalized immigrant should be required to take instruction in English proficiency, and be tested in order to receive a driver's license. We can turn these lemons into lemonade, but the fear and hatred of these mostly poor and uneducated people is only dividing us further. It's painful to admit, but it's our own fault for not demanding accountability for the border thirty or forty years ago. And if we choose to marginalize them like human trash, guess who's going to get their votes?
This GREAT forum was started by Jim Robinson to allow like minded Americans and allies to speak and discuss and unite (if need be) against those who wish to invade or dismantle our Free Republic!
There is nothing wrong with passion...
....Passion enhanced by wisdom and fueled by patriotism is not wrong!
Well, it just might be that those posters are hard to refute, or that the site administrator agrees that this is an egregious turn of events. Just speculatin'.
That Franklin quote is 100% on-target, though. This gigantic mess would not exist were it not for our legislators allowing their "feelings" to dictate their actions. The Rule of Law, or even simple logic... it's all being eagerly thrown out the window by people with "passion" - for the power that comes from a virtual lock on national politics in this nation.
Opinions. We are speaking our opinions. That’s what FR has always been about. Conservative opinions. Get it? Now you go calm down okie dokie.