Posted on 05/18/2008 12:17:10 PM PDT by Bob J
Immigration is one of those challenging issues that touch on many aspects of American life. I have always believed that our border must be secure and that the federal government has utterly failed in its responsibility to ensure that it is secure. If we have learned anything from the recent immigration debate, it is that Americans have little trust that their government will honor a pledge to do the things necessary to make the border secure.
As president, I will secure the border. I will restore the trust Americans should have in the basic competency of their government. A secure border is an essential element of our national security. Tight border security includes not just the entry and exit of people, but also the effective screening of cargo at our ports and other points of entry.
But a secure border will contribute to addressing our immigration problem most effectively if we also:
Recognize the importance of building strong allies in Mexico and Latin America who reject the siren call of authoritarians like Hugo Chavez, support freedom and democracy, and seek strong domestic economies with abundant economic opportunities for their citizens.
Recognize the importance of pro-growth policies -- keeping government spending in check, holding down taxes, and cutting unnecessary regulatory burdens -- so American businesses can hire and pay the best.
Recognize the importance of a flexible labor market to keep employers in business and our economy on top. It should provide skilled Americans and immigrants with opportunity. Our education system should ensure skills for our younger workers, and our retraining and assistance programs for displaced workers must be modernized so they can pursue those opportunities
Recognize the importance of assimilation of our immigrant population, which includes learning English, American history and civics, and respecting the values of a democratic society.
Recognize that America will always be that "shining city upon a hill," a beacon of hope and opportunity for those seeking a better life built on hard work and optimism. Border security and our failed immigration system are more examples of an ailing Washington culture in need of reform to regain the trust of Americans. In too many areas -- from immigration and pork barrel spending to Social Security, health care, energy security and tax relief -- business-as-usual politics prevents addressing the important challenges facing our nation.
Yes and it sounds so much better than black folk pickin' cotton!
He didn't use "undocumented," either.
So much for making any progress with this bull-headed, arrogant %#@#^%$#!!
Well,yes, I was including all his wording which leaves out any mention of “illegal” - he’s not going to say that word unless verbally tarred and feathered. He may become president, but he won’t get my vote to do it - I don’t vote for liberals.
I don't know exactly what the exact figures of illegal aliens present in this country. They have been saying 10-12 million for several years now, but we all know that they have continued pouring over the border, so the total is more than 10-12. They have used some census information to arrive at 10-12, but that count is low because of the 'living in the shadows' aspect of being illegal -- many were bound to have not answered the census.
Then, in my mind, you can pretty much take whatever the proponents of amnesty use as a figure and double it, as that is how it worked back during the last amnesty. Reagan told us there were what, 3-5 million and it turned out that we gave amnesty to twice that number.
I have seen figures that seemed to have a credible methodology of counting and those figures were 20 to 25 million illegals currently in the country. Then if you take the provisions of the amnesty proposals concerning chain immigration (allowing relatives follow them in) and you get to a figure closer to 50-60 million total.
There you have the basis for my statement. I could be wrong.
McCain wants a merged state with Mexico. Not easy to massage that treason into something that will “WORK FOR US”.
The best he can do is pick a running mate that doesn’t share his anti-Americanism, win, and then...well put it this way...do what a lot of 72-year-olds do every day.
Maybe we should clear it with Barker’s lawyers first? :)
Hmmmmmmm..............would that be to change his Depends, take his Geritol, and flip through his old Playboy's to churn up a few memories?
LOL-——is Barker still coherent?
Thanks for your usual dose of condescension. Did McCain train you on that?
These "issue debates" carefully meted out over days isn't helping his case. No intellectual discussion can hide the fact this man is an idiot who lies and cannot be trusted.
.... and take long naps.
Get a huge banner asking that question, and make sure the people are off any property he has a permit for. If he tries to have them taken away, make sure there are a dozen video cameras around, listening to those people say they have a right to be there.
The first sentence says it all of the absolutely mind-numbing stupidity of this man. I can't even stand the sound of his voice anymore and he hasn't even be elected yet.
I think they are moving to Fabian Socialism. Whichever, it ain't good.
Well I hope that's not what I'm doing when I'm 72 years old. :)
In mccain's case I think it's more about making sure he takes his meds.
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