Posted on 05/29/2007 10:15:03 AM PDT by Rb ver. 2.0
GLYNCO, Ga. (AP) - President Bush attacked opponents of an immigration deal Tuesday, suggesting they “don’t want to do what’s right for America.”
“The fundamental question is, will elected officials have the courage necessary to put a comprehensive immigration plan in place,” Bush said against a backdrop of a huge American flag.
He described his proposal—which has been agreed to by a bipartisan group of senators—as one that “makes it more likely we can enforce our border—and at the same time uphold the great immigrant tradition of the United States of America.”
Bush spoke at the nation’s largest training center for law enforcement.
He chose the get-tough setting as conservative critics blast a Senate proposal as being soft on people who break the law. Hoping to blunt that message, Bush emphasized that any new options for immigrants and foreign workers would not start until tougher security is in place.
The presidential stop came during a congressional recess, with senators back home and facing pressure from the left and right on the immigration plan. Bush’s aim is to build momentum for the legislation, perhaps his best chance for a signature victory in his second term. The Senate expects to resume debate on it next week.
“A lot of Americans are skeptical about immigration reform, primarily because they don’t think the government can fix the problems,” Bush said.
“And my answer to the skeptics is: give us a chance to fix the problems in a comprehensive way that enforces our border and treats people with decency and respect. Give us a chance to fix this problem. Don’t try to kill this bill before it gets moving,” Bush told students and instructors at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center.
Bush repeatedly cast the matter as one of political courage.
“Those determined to find fault with this bill will always be able to look at a narrow slice of it and find something they don’t like,” the president said. “If you want to kill the bill, if you don’t want to do what’s right for America, you can pick one little aspect out of it.
“You can use it to frighten people,” Bush said. “Or you can show leadership and solve this problem once and for all.”
The bill would give temporary legal status to millions of unlawful immigrants, provided they came forward, paid a fine and underwent criminal background checks. To apply for a green card, they would have to pay another fine, learn English, return to their home country and wait in line.
The plan also would create a guest worker program. It would allow foreign laborers to come to the U.S. for temporary stints, yet with no guarantee they can eventually gain citizenship.
Both the new visa plan and the temporary worker program are contingent on other steps coming first. Those include fencing and barriers along the Mexico border, the hiring of more Border Patrol agents and the completion of an identification system to verify employees’ legal status.
The legislation would also reshape future immigration decisions. A new point system would prioritize skills and education over family in deciding who can immigrate.
Georgia’s senators both played leading roles in producing Bush’s deal with the Senate. Yet they have also said they may not support the final bill, depending upon how it is amended.
Bush chastised those who say the proposal offers amnesty to illegal immigrants. He called it empty political rhetoric.
Hah! Agreed- but have you found a part of the bill that IS defensible?
I’m still looking for one...
Exactly. How can Bush say I don't want to do what's best for America, when I don't know what is in his 1000-page bill, and neither (I'll bet) do most members of Congress? Does HE even know what's in it?
What part of "The WOT includes serious border security!" don't you get?
SECURE OUR BORDERS!!! ...before something really bad happens.
Senor Presidente, you've had nearly 7 years.
You failed.
L
President Bush attacked opponents of an immigration deal Tuesday, suggesting they “don’t want to do what’s right for America.”
He just gets more delusional every day, what is wrong with this guy? WHERE is the REAL George Bush???
That's right. He and the other elites know better than the little people who want the law enforced and the borders secure. Is it too late for impeachment?
Well, this wealth of information on what 20 Million already do while here, why not add another 20 million or so and see what happens.
America is doomed.
Impeach George Bush then, show me a deportation Bill or I’ll never vote for another Republican, period!!!
Your anger is understandable and reasonable under the circumstances, but please don’t shoot yourself in the foot my making your missing vote an aid to the RATS.
“Does he get this? Does he care?”
The country clubbers don’t care. They want cheap labor regardless of the mayhem it causes us lower run schleps. The peasants can burn and pillage and it won’t affect those in the big houses on the hill, which is what the RINOS represent. It’s a class issue and the GOP is trying to hide that by calling this chicken shit, chicken salad.
I divorce you
I divorce you
I divorce you
DONE!
I would have said it was okay in the past, but this is even less strict than last year’s. I can’t support it.
A guest worker program seems like an okay idea to me in some limited fashion; we are a nation of caring. But, this goes way too far.
The big problem is...it isn’t really temporary and includes way too many people.
Also, while I used to mock the idea of a border wall, I now really think we need one going a good 5-10 feet into the ground across the entire border. Yes, some tunnels and other things will get around it, but it will really help slow down the flow. And with technology, we could find those tunnels more quickly.
As much as I support President Bush, I just can’t support this bill, and I hate going against my own party.
There are still some folks desperately clinging to the notion that all this is just ‘strategery’ and everyone piling on right now is either an ungrateful SOB who hates America and wants the terrists to win, or is a DUmmie stealth troll on the payroll of Hillary Clinton.
What is right for America is up to US Americans not the elite globalist politicians. He should follow our lead and our desires or get out. What happened to his oath of office? Apparently it means nothing to him.
He eerily sounds like Marie Antoinette, let them eat cake....
I think you're seeing him. But we shouldn't make this issue personal. It's a policy issue, and we have to focus on the policy. If people who oppose this bill make it personal, against Bush, they'll come off as cranks and won't be effective. We have to demand that the details of the bill - all the details - be made public, and be submitted to the congressional committee process for careful review.
Where in that disgrace of a bill does it address any border enforcement? Other than just having open borders for anyone to cross at will....
President Bush attacked opponents of an immigration deal Tuesday, suggesting they “don’t want to do what’s right for America.”
::::
Is this what is right for America, Mr. President??
1. Encouraging the breaking of our immigration laws?
2. Forcing American citizens to pay to support criminal illegals?
3. Tolerating the crime, drugs, gangs, poverty these people have brought into America?
4. Snubbing those LEGAL immigrants that have worked hard to immigrate LAWFULLY, waiting and with hard work?
5. Leaving our borders OPEN to illegal Mexicans and terrorists?
6. DELIBERATELY not stopping the flow of illegals into this country by hamstringing the border patrol ?
7. Flooding our civil resources - education and medical with non-english speaking illegals?
8. Destroying the soverignty and demographics of America?
9. And encouraging MORE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS TO FLOOD IN WHEN YOU DECLARE AMNESTY???
This list goes on, Mr. President. IS THIS WHAT IS GOOD FOR AMERICA, Mr. President ????
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.