Posted on 05/05/2008 8:28:51 PM PDT by pissant
Arizona Sen. John McCain has not given up on the idea of comprehensive immigration reform, despite criticism he received for trying to help push forward President Bush's plan to deal with our nation's immigration problems.
In fact, the GOP's presumed presidential candidate said Monday that as president he would again take up the effort in Washington with the goal of combining border security with programs for temporary foreign workers and establishing tamper proof identification so employees would know workers were legal.
It is a little surprising that McCain is willing to step back into the buzz saw of the immigration debate, especially since his more moderate position on the issue in the past has been very unpopular with members of his own party.
His Monday foray into the border battle was nevertheless welcome. It is an issue that needs to be debated by the presidential candidates in the upcoming election. It is an issue that is as important to the nation as the war in the Middle East, gas prices, civil liberties, health care and the economy.
In fact, immigration is a key part of any discussion on the economy because foreign workers, both legal and illegal, are a key component of the country's economic climate. The need for workers from outside the nation is likely to increase as the "bubble" of the baby boom generation passes into retirement and there are fewer available American workers to replace them.
We were pleased to see that McCain continues to believe, as we do, that immigration and border security are federal issues and not state issues. He said it was the federal government's failure to properly deal with comprehensive immigration reform that has encouraged some states - especially Arizona - to intrude into this federal sphere.
"It saddens me to see these conflicting approaches toward the issue of illegal immigration because we would not have this problem if the federal government had carried out its responsibilities," he said.
What he did not say was that there are some who really do not want comprehensive immigration reform and broader legal opportunities for foreign workers. The will do what they can to defeat federal efforts which they feel will "water down" actions against illegal immigration.
That is the hurdle that will have to be jumped if the next president, whoever it may be, wants the federal government to again assume its immigration responsibilities, as it should.
Hi Nord, McCain will be in San Diego to speak at the LaRaza conference 14 July.
The Republican groups here should get together where he
is speaking with signs letting him know he is peeing away his chances.
Except the significant increase in deportations these last couple of years under GWB. McCain has no plans to deport anyone who is here illegally but does not ‘break the law’ otherwise. Just like queen Rudy’s plan. Bush’s ICE is raiding businesses on a daily basis.
Fredonfiter2 was quoting the article, not himself
In fact, immigration is a key part of any discussion on the economy because foreign workers, both legal and illegal, are a key component of the country’s economic climate. The need for workers from outside the nation is likely to increase as the “bubble” of the baby boom generation passes into retirement and there are fewer available American workers to replace them.
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you know you’re in the presence of a bimbo eruption when this kind of thing is said.
the boomers do the kinds of jobs that aren’t replaceable by illegals.
well that very reason is why I cannot stomach the man.
they both belong in a retirement home.
Why wait until 2012? He could be replaced at the convention, and I think he should be. I'd wager that McCain didn't even get a majority of republican votes in the early primaries where other candidates were involved. I'd say they should not vote for him on the first ballot at the convention and elect another nominee on the second ballot. It CAN be done!
Sorry, I haven’t figured how to italicize quotes. I don’t mind getting slammed if someone thinks I believe in open borders.
I’m all for that. Any of the other candidates that ran would be an improvement.
My apologies freedomfiter2, it is late, and I should have waited a few seconds before posting.
I enjoy a good slam now and then , deserved or otherwise, around here, ya get used to it. Keeps ya on your toes. ;-)
If you do not put the carroted p, your next text will be right on the heels of the italicized portion, like this
holy smokes, I did not want my normal text on this text line. I wanted a space after it....
Don’t waste that vote!
We all hate McCain!
If “Operation Chaos” is a success , as it appears to be.
NOTHING will be accomplished in the next 4 years!
We’ll be safer!
Vote Shrillary! For the Chaos to Continue.
Juan McCain makes me enfermo!
I just watched a piece on the Phoenix news about a bunch of drunken “immigrants” who put Sheriff Arpaio’s face complete with a Sheriff’s badge on a bunch of pinatas filled with tooth rot and then had their kids beating on them. I guess they were trying to teach their offspring that if you beat a policeman with a stick, you get candy. Those kids are going to make some great “americans.” The “adults” there said that Arpaio is a “racist” for arresting people who are in this country illegally. Happy Sinko da Mayo.
<< Why wait until 2012? He could be replaced at the convention, and I think he should be. ... I’d say they should not vote for him on the first ballot at the convention and elect another nominee on the second ballot. It CAN be done! >>
I’m with your team, KoRn. Where do I sign up?
Please at LEAST vote for local conservative representatives. You OWE that to the rest of us who love this country.
Of course he does, he is the Manchurian candidate. There is a reason why the NY Times endorsed him, why liberals voted for him in open primaries, and why the MSM loves him. The reason is that he is a freaking liberal with ties to Soros!
Good grief, the people here on FR these days absolutely amaze me.
Why would it be surprising considering the things he said about those who opposed him last summer? Only an idiot would believe he really "saw the light" about amnesty after he got his ass handed to him. McCain still knows that he knows best and you know he wants revenge too.
If he stuck to what he just said here, he’d be fine — the number of people who want to shut down temporary worker programs, while vocal, is small.
The problem isn’t tracking legal immigrants, or guest worker programs, but letting illegal immigrants stay here and get ahead of the line for citizenship over those who are waiting and obeying the law.
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