Posted on 09/28/2011 5:01:27 AM PDT by bobsunshine
With Republican presidential candidate Rick Perry under attack for supporting tuition breaks for children of illegal immigrants, former Gov. Jeb Bush on Tuesday offered some solidarity by calling a similar proposal in Florida “fair policy."
In 2001, Perry signed the first state law in the country that allowed the children of illegal immigrants to pay in-state tuition rates. Former Florida state Rep. Juan Zapata said the Texas law was "the model" for legislation that he repeatedly—but unsuccessfully—pushed in his state. Two of his key allies then are now among the GOP's most sought-after stars: Bush, the subject of perpetual draft movements to run for president, and his fellow Floridian, Sen. Marco Rubio, a sure bet for the GOP's vice presidential shortlist in 2012.
“I think that is a fair policy," Bush said in an e-mail to National Journal on Tuesday, adding that the students who benefit from the tuition breaks find themselves in the United States through “no fault of their own."
(Excerpt) Read more at nationaljournal.com ...
It strikes me as odd that a kid could graduate from a high school in Texas without being a Texas resident. We are talking residency here and not citizenship. Thanks to our liberal courts, governors cannot deport illegals or even ask about their immigration status in the course of conducting state business. I think this is a non issue that politicians are trying to exploit for political reasons (I’m shocked I tell you). Perry could have and should have explained this better, and was stupid for calling opponents heartless, but I’ll bet that illegals get in state tuition in Santorum’s PA, Bachman’s MN, Romney”s MA, etc. etc.
The benefits which are offered to illegal immigrants are supported by the establishment.
Whether we like it or not, illegal immigrants have become the base for a huge voting block, due mostly to the policies of both parties.
The questions become, can we have a flourishing economy while also supporting as many as 40 million illegal immigrants? Will our existing laws pertaining to illegal immigration be enforced?
With the continuing push to implement an open border philosophy and the American public increasingly being swayed, I think you're right....we'll get what we deserve.
Thanks, I knew it was close to 180 but too lazy to look up the exact number.
To be sure, Perry has been unimpressive during these debates - his failure to explain the issue and move the discussion to issues with Obama’s handling of the economy has hurt him badly - but can’t people see that this is being engineered (with the help of FOX no less) to insure that Romney is our candidate? It’s McCain redux.
He advocates workers permits which is one of the most reasonable solutions out there. Mexicans stay Mexican, they can come in to work when there is work, they go home when there is no work. People who bring them in are financially responsible for them. Kyl had a really good solution before they came down on him. Everyone goes home and gets a permit and then comes back but you can only get that permit by going home. Great solution, it disappeared.
It’s McCain redux.
Sans a Sarah Palin to excite the electorate.
These kids are illegals too, just to be clear
“I will not vote for anyone who supports this.”
I agree and ALL conservatives should think long and hard before trying to rationalize their way into supporting this guy. Lots of people here, along with Hannity on TV have been tripping over themselves trying to excuse Perry for his support of illegals.
In the minds of conservatives this should be the end of his chances.
We’ve been down this road before. Congress is itching to pass Amnesty and there are more than a handful of Republicans willing to go along - they’re just looking for cover from a Republican President. They thought they had it with Bush, but the American people managed to save the Union once again, if only by a hair.
We won’t be that lucky next time - especially with the media portrayal of Perry as a Tea-Party guy.
If we elect Perry - Amnesty will be certain.
I will NOT vote for Perry. I just hope he stays long enough to destroy Romney.
According to the author Perry is a “rock ribbed conservative.” I beg to differ.
Your post hit the nail on the head so hard that is pretty much the bottom line on the issue.
The illegal, or even the legal immigrant, will reflexively vote for whoever he perceives to have been his friend, or rather against whoever he thinks opposes his interests. One party is united about this issue and openly takes advantage of it, the other party is divided on it.
I will cross that bridge if or when I get to it. Right now, we aren't there.
The fact remains that none of the current crop of candidates is idealogically pure and we are all going to make some compromise on our ideals.
From a personal perspective, I don't like and don't trust ANY politician. IMO, they're ALL liars, cheats and crooks!!
“The questions become, can we have a flourishing economy while also supporting as many as 40 million illegal immigrants?”
The question is how do we break the cycle of “supporting” these people? Shouldn’t the focus be on assimilating them into the economy?
They are NOT going to be deported, they will stay here, the question is, under what status and conditions.
Lowering the higher education costs on par with citizens is an economic argument. Will the cost to the taxpayer be repaid in future productivity of these people? The best guess is yes.
The illegals seeking a college education are the cream of the crop. The payback becomes that in our future economy they are givers, not takers
This is the position taken by even conservative politicians and it is a shame to see them eaten by our own
Let’s face it, the establishment has had many years to structure the system to make it virtually impossible for anyone outside of the system to get in. BOTH parties like things just the way they are, and they will villify (with the media’s enthusiastic support) any person that tries to call them out on it.
Reagan was only able to break through this wall because of his EXTRAORDINARY powers of communication, that even the media could not thwart. Ronald Reagan was a fluke - and unfortunately - I don’t see another one on the horizon.
I think the fix is in, once again. We are screwed.
Jeb Bush’s wife is not only Mexican, she ‘forgot’ to declare some $10k of goods she brought into the country. Don’t we already have enough problems with illegals running stuff across our borders from Mexico? Jeb also taught English in a student exchange program with Mexico when he was 17yo. Jeb’s daughter’s tragic situation with drugs is also on the table. His son, who could have become a political star in the Republican party, seems to have escaped into the background because of all of the Busch noise. Jeb’s not our man nor is he even close.
It's that simple.
People from other states, don't pay taxes in Texas, and thus don't get the discounted tuition rate at Texas colleges.
This argument they are using is like that of a child:
"Come on mom and dad, let me do _ _ _ _ (fill in the blank) because everyone else is doing it."
"So what if their illegal alien parents broke the law to come to America; so what if their parents committed a felony because they had to STEAL an American CITIZEN'S identity and Social Security number to get a job. So what if they and their illegal alien parents continue to break the law by claiming to be someone they are not or by working under the table, and taking jobs from American citizens by the millions while paying NO taxes. So what if while paying no taxes these same ILLEGAL aliens and their children are also availing themselves of all sorts of health care, welfare benefits and in-state tuition to the tune of hundreds of BILLIONS of dollars EVERYYEAR that should be going to American citizens who are PAYING FOR IT ALL! " So what it they are breaking the law by driving without a drivers license, without the car being registered so that if they get pulled over they are given a legal slap on the wrist and sent on their way knowing full-well that they will totally ignore the ticket and never make their court appearance "... So what if they are driving without car insurance so WHEN, not IF they hit someone or kill someone the injured American citizen will have to pay for the repairs and health recovery with their own car insurance."
"SO WHAT?... They are ILLEGAL ALIENS, they represent and are the future voting block and MY future constituents who will put ME in to political power and keep ME in political power."
"As for all you little American citizen shmucks who are having your jobs taken, your identities stolen, your tax money squandered, and who ultimately footing the bill by having to PAY FOR AND PUT UP WITH ALL OF THIS injustice;... DON'T BE SO 'HEARTLESS'! "Sit down, shut up, VOTE FOR ME and take it! WHY? Because: "HISPANIC ILLEGAL Aliens come first!"
This is the exact position and attitude of our vaunted politicians, "elected officials" and the main-stream, leftist, communist, socialist, Marxist, "main-stream media."
Is it any wonder why honest, hard working American citizens who have played by the rules all their lives and are continually getting the shaft, are totally up in arms and have finally said "Enough is enough, this pandering to ILLEGAL ALIENS has got to stop and it has got to stop NOW!" "We will not support or vote for ANYONE who continues to coddle illegal aliens and give them 'rights' and benefits that rightly, morally and legally belong to American citizens alone!"
If by “GOP star” they mean squishy for ILLEGALS? Than yes Perry is a star of the GOPeans.
My list of candidates I will not vote for is getting longer and longer.
Actually, Jeb’s wife is Columbian.
But, he’s not part of this discussion.
Jeb also at one time supported giving drivers' licenses to illegals as well... sometime in 2002 or '03. His rationale: "We can't stop them anyway.. this will help us track them."
The Bush family is comprised of mainly good, patriotic people, but I won't vote for another one for POTUS.
Every candidate must be fully vetted. No more unpleasant surprizes. And the Lame Stream Media cannot be trusted to do an adequate job of vetting our candidates on issues that conservatives are concerned about.
Sample questions regarding immigration:
What specifically will you [Candidate X] do to stop the invasion of illegal aliens?
Will you enforce employment laws regarding illegals? What other specific steps will you take to bring about self-deportation of illegals by drying up jobs, welfare handouts, government services, and other magnets attracting illegal aliens?
If an illegal is discovered in a traffic stop or otherwise, will you ensure they will be swiftly deported?
How many millions more legal immigrants should be imported into our country? Are you aware that immigration is near record highs? Was the 1965 Teddy Kennedy immigration law a good thing or a bad thing? How many more do you think we can absorb and still retain our cultural identity? Is mass legal immigration good for this country? How should we select candidates for legal immigration: low numbers and very selectively as to type of immigrant (e.g., scientists, inventors, etc.), or continued huge numbers picked randomly by lottery, family connections, or “refugee” status?
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