Posted on 06/28/2007 10:32:55 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
PHOENIX (Reuters) - For day laborers seeking work in a sun-baked parking lot on Thursday, defeat of U.S. President George W. Bush's plans for an immigration overhaul has set back their dreams of a normal life.
The bill, which sought to give legal status to many of the 12 million undocumented immigrants living in the United States, failed to get enough support in a make-or-break vote in the U.S. Senate.
Workers standing around in searing heat outside a building materials store in Phoenix said hopes of an aboveboard life in this country of immigrants had crashed following news of the morning vote.
"Bush wanted to do something good, but the Senate wouldn't let him. It's disappointing," Miguel Gonzalez, 37, who has been in the United States for five years, said in Spanish.
"I have heard nothing but proposals and more proposals since I arrived ... but they all get thrown out for one reason or another," the Mexican national added with a shrug.
Bush has sought an overhaul of U.S. immigration laws for years and this bill may have been his last chance for a significant domestic legislative victory before leaving office at the end of his second term in January 2009.
It tied tough border security and workplace enforcement measures to a plan to legalize illegal immigrants and create a temporary worker program sought by business groups.
For Juan Carlos Esquivel, 36, a day laborer from Mexico City with a wife and three children, the defeat made no sense.
"There's work to be done, we want to do it, and now we can't. So how can that be a victory?" he said, standing in the shade of a mesquite tree in a straw sombrero. "Everybody loses, and the economy will suffer."
'WE'RE TRASH TO THEM'
Bush was unable to overcome fierce opposition from fellow Republicans who said the measure would reward an estimated 12 million immigrants for taking up residence in the United States illegally.
In Los Angeles, Roman Catholic Cardinal Roger Mahony, a key supporter of immigration reform on the West Coast, expressed regret about the Senate's decision.
"Without reform, our current system will continue to permit the exploitation of workers, the separation of families, and will handicap efforts to secure our nation's borders," he said in a statement
Janet Napolitano, the Democratic governor of the border state of Arizona, said she was "sorely disappointed" by the Senate's failure to act on the issue.
"By leaving it unattended, Congress is shirking its responsibility to not only Arizona, but the entire country," she said.
Back in the parking lot, where the temperature hit 107 F (42 C) in the shade, day laborer Bonifacio Sosa said the Senate's move would keep him on the margins of society and on the run from police.
"We are illegals, we are just trash to them, and we'll just have to carry on here in the shadows hiding from everyone," said Sosa, 58, who has raised four children since arriving in the United States 14 years ago.
"I have neither a voice or a vote, except when I pay fines or taxes," he added as traffic roared by in the street.
I like your idea, but my question is still this:
WHY do we continue to give ANY freebies to illegals? (Wish I knew how to underline...)
That is why they have so much money to send home to Mexico! If I had free food, free medical care, subsidized, cheap housing, didn’t pay any property tax or mortgage, I would have a lot left over, too!
This country wants to look after our poor. Great. I have no problem with that. As long as they came here (and are here) legally. They must go through the proper channels, including medical testing. Remember Ellis Island?
I’m beginning to think all this wailing and gnashing of teeth by the illegals is phony. After all, unless the US gets serious about closing the border, they still keep coming across and finding jobs. They’ll just bide their time until all the kids they are having are old enough to vote. It’s a win-win situation for them. And our sleazy politicians have given themselves cover and can say, “See? We tried to do something about immigration, but you people stopped us!” I may be paranoid, but I think the fix is in. Heads they win, tails we lose.
My giveashitometer is pegged at 0.
I could be wrong, but I like to think I’m smart enough to pick up at least some of a language in FIVE YEARS.
Get used to disappointment, Lawbreaker.
"I have heard nothing but proposals and more proposals since I arrived ... but they all get thrown out for one reason or another," the Mexican national added with a shrug.
WELL DUUUUUUH!!!!!! Maybe its because...YOU BROKE THE LAW GETTING HERE AND AMERICANS STAND FOR THE RULE OF LAW?! Hows THAT for a proposal?
For Juan Carlos Esquivel, 36, a day laborer from Mexico City with a wife and three children, the defeat made no sense. "There's work to be done, we want to do it, and now we can't. So how can that be a victory?" he said, standing in the shade of a mesquite tree in a straw sombrero. "Everybody loses, and the economy will suffer."
Think again, muchacho. We'll do JUST FINE without illegals in this country. We were here before you came and we'll be here long after youve tucked tail and run. Oh, and by the away, about that "work to be done"? Why not try it in your own d*mn country FOR ONCE? Pig.
'WE'RE TRASH TO THEM' When you break the law, you are trash. When you break the law, why should I, as someone who OBEYS the law, be interested in protecting you? Trash is as trash does. Get used to that attitude. Until you can suck it up as a man/woman of law, you will be treated as you act.
Bush was unable to overcome fierce opposition from fellow Republicans...
THANK GOD! He too learned about THE RULE OF LAW!!
...who said the measure would reward an estimated 12 million immigrants for taking up residence in the United States illegally.
In Los Angeles, Roman Catholic Cardinal Roger Mahony, a key supporter of immigration reform on the West Coast, expressed regret about the Senate's decision.
"Without reform, our current system will continue to permit the exploitation of workers, the separation of families, and will handicap efforts to secure our nation's borders," he said in a statement.
Silly priest. I guess that little bit about 'giving unto Caesar' (ie obeying the law) can be interpreted any little old way you want? Since when did Roman Catholics (and I say this as a former RCCer) indulge in self-interpretations of the Bible? Oh, and if thats the position of the Holy Roman See, I am DOUBLY glad I decided to step away from the Magister. I want nothing to do with an entity that provokes that kind of chaos in a country that has spent blood sweat and tears to see that Catholics had as much freedom to worship as others.
Janet Napolitano, the Democratic governor of the border state of Arizona, said she was "sorely disappointed" by the Senate's failure to act on the issue.
Heh. Janet. Chica - - you're lucky its only your poor widdle feewings that are 'sore.' If this thing had gone through, you and other traitors might be feeling the light as much as the heat.
"By leaving it unattended, Congress is shirking its responsibility to not only Arizona, but the entire country," she said.
NO S**T!? You don't say?! Really! Seems like Ive heard that sort of thing before...AS IN SHUTTING DOWN THE FRIKKIN' BORDER!
don't play coy, baby...you know what i'm talking about...
Back in the parking lot, where the temperature hit 107 F (42 C) in the shade, day laborer Bonifacio Sosa said the Senate's move would keep him on the margins of society and on the run from police.
I got news for ya, pendejo...YOU'RE the one keeping yourself in the margins like the illegal that you are. You know you're in the wrong here. Keep running to go back to your country. You might actually get to stop once you get there.
"We are illegals, we are just trash to them, and we'll just have to carry on here in the shadows hiding from everyone," said Sosa, 58, who has raised four children since arriving in the United States 14 years ago.
Its finally beginning to penetrate! Seems to me that the heat has addled your brain...is probably a GOOD Thing you are having to stay in the shadows...seems like its actually allowing your brain cells to work. Keep up the good work.
Now...word of advice: go back home and do things the right way!
"I have neither a voice or a vote...
Nor will you, a**hat, until you BECOME LEGAL.
...except when I pay fines or taxes," he added as traffic roared by in the street.
ROFLMAO - and that means what when you do become Legal? Has anyone bothered to explain to you what happens to the REAL citizens of the US when they pay fines or taxes? I was ready to declare war simply by the fact that the traitors in the Senate and our own President were willing to let you get off on paying taxes while my husband busts his butt off and has 50% of his earnings taken from him each year, simply because he's white, male, and educated.
Our Founding Fathers went to war for FAR Less...people like those in this article should be aware of just how MERCIFUL the American people really are by allowing the atrocious, flagrant illegality of their presence here to continue.
Looky here at what I found on another thread
Illegal alien “day Laborers” sitting bold as brass in OUR Capitol building yesterday
Which Senator gave them the passes? Why did security let them in?
http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2007/06/28/us/28immi600.jpg
Very, very insightful.
You may be aware of this famous aphorism:
"Poor Mexico, so close to the United States, so far from God."
Thanks. God bless you.
1. Make English the National Language.
2. Voting ballots to only be in English
3. Immigrants placing children in school must produce a US birth certificate AND Proof of Parental USA Citizenship or Green Card. If not available, Parents MUST REGISTER with the Immigration people.
4. Immigrants receiving Medical Care must produce (same as above)
5. Proof of USA citizenship or Green Card to obtain a driver's license.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
This would have opened our country to invasion from other "peacefull and industrious" peoples around the globe - we can't discriminate
Think France. And then consider alllll the wonderful laws to protect us from the increased violence and crime - bye bye Bill of Rights, starting with that pesky 2nd
“I like your idea, but my question is still this:
WHY do we continue to give ANY freebies to illegals? (Wish I knew how to underline...)
That is why they have so much money to send home to Mexico! If I had free food, free medical care, subsidized, cheap housing, didn’t pay any property tax or mortgage, I would have a lot left over, too!”
Part of my idea of a 10 year economic plan would require a payback of such services (that is if they wish to keep their citizenship or be deported). We should at least eliminate free housing and foodstamps. This would have to work and on the books. The employers must be cracked down on hard and right now as a true first step.
This country wants to look after our poor. Great. I have no problem with that. As long as they came here (and are here) legally. They must go through the proper channels, including medical testing. Remember Ellis Island?
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