GOP cools on a hot-button issue [amnesty] [Romney on illegals] [barf]

The Boston Globe ^ | 2009-04-09 | Joan Vennochi

[rabscuttle385]

THOSE OLD Republican hot buttons are growing cold. For proof, check out a recent interview with Mitt Romney, a former presidential candidate and ex-governor of Massachusetts.

According to TheHill.com, a congressional newspaper that publishes when Congress is in session, "Romney believes that one way to attract more minorities to the GOP is to pass immigration reform before the next election, saying the issue becomes demagogued by both parties on the campaign trail." The article also quotes Romney as saying, "We have a natural affinity with Hispanic-American voters, Asian-American voters."

This could be extreme political repositioning, even for Romney.

. . . . .

How Romney gets beyond the flip-flop-flips of his multiple-choice positions on immigration and other issues is a mystery only he can solve.

[Diogenesis]

GOP_Lady (chronic liar, RomneyBOT): "In other news, Sarah Palin purchased some shoes."

"Subsidized care plan's cost to double (Uh, oh...bad news for Romney's Healthcare plan)"

---

"Romney Care Is a Sham" by Michael Lewis

"I owe HUMAN EVENTS readers a big apology. I allowed the good spin put on Massachusetts’ new Romney Care legislation by the New York Times tilt my view in favor of the program enacted in an attempt to provide every citizen in the state with healthcare.

My column “Massachusetts Not as Blue as it Seems” reflects my violation of a crucial rule: never trust any law endorsed by the Times. At first glance, the much-heralded Massachusetts reform uses free-market principles to universalize healthcare. Upon reading the actual bill, the Wall Street Journal reported May 5 that the well-intentioned bill is actually a death warrant for small business in the Bay State.

The bill was hailed as a success in that it required individuals who could afford it to buy health insurance or pay an income tax penalty. The legislation also sought to mandate that companies move to provide all employees with health coverage. It was an improvement in that it wasn’t Hillary Care, and it is a disappointment in that it saddles businesses with expenses that threaten their ability to stay open, and shams individuals in that it requires a specific kind of policy be purchased.

Being a native of Massachusetts, I am of course more inclined to look favorably on a bill prided by a Republican governor than legislation sponsored by the commonwealth’s congressional delegation of Neanderthals (Kerry, Kennedy, Frank, Meehan, et al). The lesson here is to never let party allegiances blind you. The bill is destined to fail, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Upon a full comprehensive study of the legislation, it is clear that Romney was pandering to the Democrat-controlled legislature. The new healthcare law, according to the Wall Street Journal, requires businesses with 10 or more employees to provide them health insurance, or face a yearly $295 penalty per employee. While the fee seems punishment enough, businesses that cannot afford to provide insurance to all employees are responsible for all the expenses which the employee cannot pay, with no cap on the liability. After the bills reach in excess of $50,000, the commonwealth will fine companies $5,000 a week for every week they fail to submit the required paperwork on uncovered employees. The Wall Street Journal asserted that the regulations are burdensome enough for businesses to either limit their workforce to 10 employees, or begin laying people off.

Alas, I have learned to be skeptical of blue-state Republican governors. These governors must often sell out to Democrat-controlled legislatures to get anything done. Romney initially vetoed the provision which levied a $295 per employee penalty on businesses, only to be overruled by the Democratic legislature. Additionally, Section 65 of the law mandates that individuals buy HMO policies, rather than PPO plans, which allow much more consumer choice in providers and treatments. A Republican has betrayed the people by restricting choice insurance plans. What a sad day for the party.

As a Republican, Romney should have been more attentive to the consequences of the law for Mom n’ Pop businesses. Under the new cumbersome law, small businesses will be the first to fold because of unsustainable financial burdens. A more sensible bill would have allowed multiple businesses to pool resources in order to provide healthcare benefits to employees through trade associations. A similar bill has been pending in the Congress for two years, but is being opposed by — surprise — Democrats, who cite it as a giveaway to the insurance industry.

My aunt and uncle, owners of Foodmaster Supermarkets, with about 16 stores located throughout the greater Boston area, feel betrayed by Romney, as every Republican should. Foodmaster Supermarkets are renowned throughout Boston for their commitment to public service and charitable causes, such as Hospice of the North Shore, United Cerebral Palsy, the Lupus Foundation, and many others. But as with any business, there is a limit to how much the company can afford to give. The regulations imposed on my family’s business by Romney Care far surpass that limit. As Foodmaster already faces obstacles to survival from conglomerate chains such as Shaw’s and Stop n’ Shop, the new Massachusetts healthcare reform bill saddles the company with burdens which will challenge its ability to remain operational, and will reduce its ability to make much-needed contributions to the greater Boston community.

I hope my readers will forgive me of my misdeeds. But more importantly, I hope my uncle will forgive me for acting like a liberal."

---

Romney should stay home and take care of his wife for a change,
instead of continuing his lying carpetbagging RINO ways,
instead of buying "votes" and buying fake endorsements,
and instead of continuing his TeamRomney-backstabbing, dirty tricks, and "hate" through his RomneyBOTS.

FRee Republic Member Opinion
WINNER - Thompson 66.8% 1,658
LOSER --- Romney 12.7% 315

Post Election Rasmussen poll - GOP voters:
WINNER - Palin -- 64%
LOSER --- Huckabee -- 12%
LOSER --- Romney -- 11%

[Diogenesis]

GOP_Lady says, "Ronald Reagan would approve of this " NO MATTER WHO Romney abused
or who died from Romney's neglect (from liberal judges, to socialized medicine, to BIGdigCOVERUP).

But honest people know that is NOT true. Like everything else posted for Romney, it is NOT true.
Unlike Romney, Pres. Reagan took responsibility (a word unknown to RomneyBOTs).

"National Guard Lt. Anthony Circosta poses in his backyard in Agawam, Mass., on June 9, 2007.
At left, his wife Danielle and daughter Kylie, 2, talk near the swing set. Circosta,
a decorated Iraq War veteran, seemed like an ideal candidate for a pardon from
then-Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney for the 29-year-old's boyhood conviction
for a BB gun shooting. Romney denied the pardon,
twice, despite the recommendation of the Governor's Council."

Response from RomneyBOTs (other than screaming "liar" and "antiMormon hate"):
......... [sound of crickets]

[calcowgirl]

This is a start.

"...He has worked as an analyst for Frank Luntz's firm..."

And you advertise that as a good thing?

[calcowgirl]

it's an unfair criticism of Romney taken out of context - and no one's responded to it.

It isn't unfair, nor has it gone without response.

If you actually read what people posted on this thread, you would find that you were the third person to post the language included in the original article from The Hill and that several people responded to it, including me. That you posted it again does not mean it warrants an additional response.

[yongin]

{Go after the professional Hispanic legal vote as the more affluent they become the more apt they are to become Republican and dislike illegals themselves.}

True. I’ve also noticed that religion plays a factor in Hispanic voting habits. Hispanic Catholics are rabid Dems regardless of how assimiliated they are. Hispanics Protestants (esp. Mormons and Evangelicals) thend to vote like their white counterparts. Perhaps the solution to the immigration problem is security the border and convert Hispanics to Evangelicalism or Mormonism.

[Syncro]

"Syncro" - You are anonymous. I'm not and never was.

I already denied that, so why bring it up and lie?

That you can't figure it out is no concern of mine.

But don't call me a liar.

"This is a start."

No it isn't.

I told you I wasn't going to go hunting for "STUFF" that makes you superior, you are going to have to post it.

A link to your family tree doesn't cut it.

Remember you said "credentials of DOING STUFF to advance the conservative agenda", not republican.

I'm surprised DeMint didn't vett you better, he's a good man.

It doesn't look good for him having someone so condescending and prone to throw around little digs to people not up to your egocentric "standards" working for him. If you ever did.

Calcowgirl, nice comment:

This is a start.

"...He has worked as an analyst for Frank Luntz's firm..."

And you advertise that as a good thing?

LOL, well that explains Luntz!

This is a start.

"...He has worked as an analyst for Frank Luntz's firm..."

And you advertise that as a good thing?

[calcowgirl]

LOL. Call me unimpressed.

My Nov 2007 comment: "Thank goodness we don’t have to watch Frank Luntz again."

Or, other freepers -- whole threads:

Is Anyone Else Getting Sick of Seeing Frank "Putz" Luntz?

Frank Luntz's Fraudulent Focus Group

Luntz was a major reason I stopped watching FoxNews.

[Razz Barry]

"Romney believes that one way to attract more minorities to the GOP is to pass immigration reform before the next election, saying the issue becomes demagogued by both parties on the campaign trail."

If he's wrong (and I do believe he's dead wrong) we'll be stuck with all those millions of democratic voters who will be eligible for all kinds of government hand outs. We will have another 12 + million illegals in five years who, along with their now legal compatriots, will be demanding amnesty. Don't forget, Regan said his was a one time amnesty deal. There will be, like then, nothing done to stop the flood over the border. Unless we want to live in a cesspool, we need to appeal to the selfish side of legal Hispanics. They have to be made to understand that the United States can't take everyone who wants to come. Unless they want our country turned into what they fought hard to leave, they need to stop demanding we let more people in. With the number of Hispanic border patrol agents being over 50%, that should inadequate that Hispanic Americans see a need to fight illegal immigration.

[Syncro]

LOL, I thought of using that rhymin’ middle “name” but it was just too easy!

The guy is just so marshmellowish.

Body and brain.

I think he is Perez Hilton, I've never seen them together.

[calcowgirl]

I think he is Perez Hilton, I've never seen them together

ROFL!

[Canticle_of_Deborah]

For the record - here is Mitt Romney’s reply to this hit piece.

---

Romney details immigration stance

April 14, 2009

CONTRARY TO Joan Vennochi’s assertion in her April 9 Op-ed column “GOP cools on a hot-button issue,” my view on immigration reform is exactly as I described in my 2008 campaign.

First, illegal immigration should be eliminated by securing the border, creating an immigration identification card, and establishing an employment verification system and penalties for noncompliance. Those who have come here illegally should be able to apply for residency, but their application should be given no advantage relative to those who have remained in their home countries.

Second, the legal immigration process should be simplified, and our immigration policies should favor applicants with skills and education. I oppose the McCain-Kennedy bill because it allows virtually all illegal immigrants to permanently remain in the United States.

Mitt Romney, Belmont

http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/letters/articles/2009/04/14/romney_details_immigration_stance/

[calcowgirl]

I have O’Reilly on the TV and Dennis Miller is on one of his normal rants (that I don’t usually find humorous).

But he just suggested that Janet Napolitano “dump the Frank Luntz haircut” and I can’t stop laughing. ;-)

[Syncro]

LOL that's funny!

Do you suppose she hired his old "analyst"?

: > )

[calcowgirl]

I think people like Luntz do what they do for money and cater to whatever audience will bring them the greatest income.
It’s kinda like another old profession....

[mbraynard]

Syncro - if you aren't anonymous, tell us your name. Otherwise, you're a coward. You aren't a coward, are you?

I listed my bio (somewhat outdated) - I don't know what family tree you are talking about.

I've volunteered for National Right To Life going back to help defeat the Clinton Healthcare plan, carrying and delivering their pamphlets to Church's for distribution - for miles by foot because I was far too young to drive.

I multiple organized phone banks with over 50 volunteers for Sanford - in his first run for congress in the General, and for all of the other candidate on the ticket in the 94 and 96 elections.

Before I was old enough to vote, I was Pat Buchanan's campaign coordinator the Low Country region of South Carolina during the 96 primary.

I was the stage manager for CPAC in 2001.

I worked as a staffer for the RNC in 96, 98, and 2000 developing voter targeting databases for candidates all over the country and, most importantly, in TN where we were able to setup a special absentee program for soldiers serving out of state.

I've worked over 90 conservative candidates in the state of Alabama in the last two cycles and on behalf of anti-tax and Christian groups in the state to defeat the tax increase there in 03.

I've worked Senator Thune, for conservative legislators all over Michigan, Don Carciari of Rhode Island (going back to his primary run in 2000), for Bill Russell (who was running against Jack Murtha), and helped get the current conservative chief justice of the AL supreme court elected. I'm working for conservative state leg candidates in the state of Missouri. I've worked for VA LG Gov Bill Bolling. For TX Senate candidate Shapiro. etc. etc. (All pro-life Republican conservatives).

Organizationally, I've work for Americans for Tax Reform and countless other Conservative non-profits all across the spectrum, and on special project opposing the energy tax increases.

I've worked on behalf of Americans for Prosperity to oppose global warming legislation. I educate future conservatives on how to win as a faculty member of the Leadership Institute.

I could write a book on everything I've done to advance conservatism. I would have to pour over years of records to list all of the organizations that I have volunteered for or been hired for.

So then - tell us what you've done since you insisted I go first?

[Syncro]

...since you insisted I go first?

No I asked you to honor your offer to put up your "conservative stuff" and just called you on your game playing.

I listed my bio (somewhat outdated) - I don't know what family tree you are talking about.

Your link went to a "bio" of you, and listed other family members. I can believe you are completely unaware of why I used "family Tree." It's denial, obfuscation and cleverly playing dumb.

Clinton's healthcare plan was dead in the water from the git go so you did nothing to kill something that was dead out of the starting gate.

Most of what you list (even if 1/4 of it is partially true) wasn't for conservatism, but republicans.

Like I told you twice, I am not going to research your achievements, and what you posted would force me to do just that.

I'm not interested in this charade anymore, you did not man up.

I've pretty much had it with your insults and threats and calling me a liar again.

I denied your lying statement twice and asked you to stop, yet you continue.

As far as I can see, you are a troll, a liar, a disruptor and a detriment to conservatism.

As you found my isp number and posted a bloody happy head when you advised me of that fact, I take that as a threat.

You are definitely a danger to my well being.

Obviously your need to know my name is a sick prelude to do me physical harm, and I advise you to stop your efforts now.

Using the same lie three times to rationalize your calling me a coward is so disingenuous as to be laughable if it wasn't for the fact that you display very unstable dangerous tendancies.

If you are really so stupid that you didn't find what you were looking for (which is obviously a ruse), go back to your anti-freeper archives and see where it was posted all over the www for years.

You display all the classic traits of a die hard anti-freeper.

I'm only pinging the one poster who has been interested in engaging you lately, not your whole list.

[mbraynard]

Hah. So now I do know your real name: Janet Napoletano.

Everyone I've worked for is a conservative. If you don't think so, then why don't you explain what a 'conservative' is since apparently you are the pope of this religion.

So no conservative activities from you? No name? How lame.

PS - it's BBQ sauce. I guess you're not a watchman fan.

[calcowgirl]

Talking to yourself again?

[mbraynard]

Hah. So now I do know your real name: Janet Napoletano.

Everyone I've worked for is a conservative. If you don't think so, then why don't you explain what a 'conservative' is since apparently you are the pope of this religion.

So no conservative activities from you? No name? How lame.

PS - it's BBQ sauce. I guess you're not a Watchman fan.

[mbraynard]

It appears so. Fixed. Thanks.