Posted on 06/07/2007 2:37:46 PM PDT by Ingtar
Immigration Reform
Three weeks ago, a bipartisan group of senators and administration officials emerged from negotiations to announce agreement on a new comprehensive immigration reform bill. I, like other senators outside of this select group, approached the news with caution.
As the details trickled out, it became apparent an effort was underway to take a complex piece of legislation, reforming over 40 years of immigration policy, and rush it through the Senate before most members could even read it. I voiced opposition and voted against proceeding any further until I felt confident there would be a serious debate over an issue of this magnitude.
Thankfully, those of us who expressed concerns about rushing this important legislation were heard, and Senator Reid decided not to push the bill through in one week, allowing us sufficient time for robust debate and amendments to this complex bill. With a fair process in place, the Senate is now addressing a bill which I cannot support in its current form.
Several principles are guiding my approach during the debate: First and foremost, we must secure the border. Second, we should allow people to work here, but only if they are legal. Third, I believe illegal immigrants who want to work here must return to their home countries and re-enter the United States through legal channels. Fourth, we need to create an instant verification system for worker status, so that employers can easily validate that the people they are hiring are legal. And, fifth, all those who want to become citizens must learn the English language.
At present, I have concerns about this bill meeting these five objectives and others such as the additional strain this may place on our Social Security system, and I am working with other senators to address these issues.
This is a major piece of legislation with tremendous long term ramifications. Our illegal immigration situation in this country is intolerable and requires immediate attention, but we should not pass this or any bill until we can ensure that we are creating an immigration policy that will make our country secure, stronger over the long haul, and will inspire confidence in future generations of Americans.
I called both of them today, and the staffer for Lamar’s office said they are getting alot of calls on this today. Keep the pressure on!
I’m starting to feel bad about my phone call to his office yesterday. I might have to call again tomorrow and apologize for my promise to vote for anyone else if he let the bill pass without attempting to filibuster.
I called too. We simply have to STOP REWARDING LAWBREAKERS...and that is all this bill does. I’m sick and tired of my government whether it is local, state or federal REWARDING law breakers with various things, from legalizing 12-20 million law breaking illegal aliens, to states like California giving inmates conjugal visits, day for day off their sentences for ‘good’ behavior to relieve overcrowding...which is a problem of their own creation, because they do not have the pollitical backbone to build more prisons, (they’d rather spend the money on social programs. Or counties letting the likes of Paris Hilton serve the rest of her sentence in her posh mansion.
I still have not been able to get through to Senor Mel or to Bill Nelson’s office..I wonder why they won’t take my calls. Is it because I work from 7am to 530pm and they don’t want to talk to someone who is in direct competition with these people they want to legalize? they could at least have hours so that ALL their constituents can voice their opinions...*grumble*
try the fax
still have never gotten one of those nifty gadgets...I hear they’re pretty neat, though...you can send paper through the phone lines! wonder if I could fax myself to their offices so I could leave handwritten notes everywhere(on paper, of course) that way they find them when openning their desks, sitting in stall #2, taped to the elevator door...when they water the ficus...I could go on and on here...
I called Martinez’ D.C. office today.....and, like all the other time’s I called, the call goes to his voice mail and then a message comes on to say the mail box is full...so, you are not even able to leave a message. In my experience, this is the norm for Martinez’ office.
I then called his Orlando office and got busy signals. Then called his Naples office and, finally, a staffer answered. I suggested someone in the D.C. office clear the phone messages more frequently.
The staffer then said.....I presume your calling to say you oppose the immigration bill. You bet! I then provided my two cents on why this bill should not be passed.
Don’t give up ...keep calling
oops...”time’s” = times
Besides, isn’t the Mexican govt corrupt? Why are we comingling our SS Trust Fund with Mexico's? To prop theirs up and to bring ours to its knees? What is this scheme for?????
This is yet another reason to make more phone calls. No totalization agreement ie. messing with our Social Security Trust Fund (such as it is). FV
Microsoft Word will "print" to a FAX. You don't need a FAX machine. Since I already have FAX machine, I've never tried it, but you might want to give it a try. You'd need a modem and phone connectdion.
I used my cell phone, I have a ton of minutes, but it only took a couple of tries to get through to Lamar, and only one to get through to Corker. Both voted NO on cloture, thankfully, Lamar was doubtful...he’s nearly a RINO.
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