Posted on 11/16/2002 5:27:16 AM PST by madfly
PHOENIX - How to help rural Arizona counties, especially those along the U.S.-Mexico border, is one of the priorities Governor-elect Janet Napolitano said she will work on during her administration.
While the problems of border counties are not on the back burner, Napolitano said she will first take care of the state's budget crisis and clean up Arizona's educational woes.
Part of the state's economic well-being is tied to the border and the nations south of the United States, she said in a telephone interview Wednesday.
"Arizona is the gate to the south, and I don't just mean Mexico," Napolitano said. Mexico is the main trade partner for Arizona, but the governor-elect said Arizona has to look beyond its immediate neighbor to the south at markets in Central and South America.
Next week, Napolitano will travel with Gov. Jane Hull to Mexico to meet with Mexico's border governors and Mexican President Vicente Fox. "I'm going as an observer," Napolitano said.
A big believer in technology, she said she wants the federal government to do more at the ports of entry in Arizona to make it easier for traffic bringing the flow of goods north. With technology, the federal government can create cyberports instead of using a large numbers of people, who can be better used for other border functions, Napolitano said.
The whole border issue has to be addressed by the federal government, and that includes establishing a new guest-worker program, which she supports, she said.
Napolitano said she will not militarize the border by using armed Arizona National Guard forces. "The border has to be taken care of by the feds."
She also said that when illegal immigrants or drug smugglers come across the border, the federal, state and local law enforcement agencies are the only ones who should handle the situation.
The governor-elect said she opposes any group of civilians acting, in her words, as vigilantes. "Law enforcement should be done by law enforcement."
Rural counties also are facing other problems, such as a lack of medical care as insurers flee the less populated areas of the state, she said.
Many doctors do not want to work in rural areas where the pay is less than in the more urban areas of Arizona, she added. "It's not going to be easy to fix the problem."
Napolitano also is looking for ways to help senior citizens on fixed incomes purchase less expensive prescription drugs. She said she is looking at successful state plans to adapt for Arizona's needs.
Her transition is well under way, and Napolitano said she is reaching out to Republicans to be part of her administration. "There are a lot of good people in the other party," the Democrat said.
For her to succeed as governor, Napolitano said she needs bipartisan support and has a history of working with people of different political persuasions. "We've had too much partisanship in Arizona. It's time for bipartisanship."
Once she takes her oath as governor on Jan. 6 and she makes her first state-of-the-state address to the Legislature on Jan. 7, Napolitano said she will go around the state and listen to the people.
"I don't intend to stay in Phoenix all the time," she said.
I will have more to say in next report."
Ben Anderson (AZAnderson.org)
Recent quote from Col. Anderson, who owns a ranch right on the border in Southern Arizona:Col. Anderson believes that the out-of-control illegal immigration situation this country is currently experiencing constitutes a threat to our national security and that U.S. Military should be used on our borders to stop it. In addition to making a convincing case on that issue, he addresses a wide range of geopolitical issues from the middle east to China. Col. Anderson brings a wealth of experience to a very interesting conversation.To list just a few of his qualifications, Col. Anderson retired in 1993 after almost three-decades of Army service, which included assignments in Europe; Far East, including Vietnam; Central and South America; Caribbean; and North Africa. Among the retired Infantry Colonel’s military decorations are 2 Silver Stars, 2 Purple Hearts, 2 Legions of Merit, The Defense Superior Service Medal and 3 Meritorious Service Medals.
He also wears the Combat Infantry Badge, Aviator Wings, Ranger Tab, Pathfinder Designation, Senior Paratrooper Wings, Scuba Badge and both German and Paraguayan Paratrooper Wings. Anderson graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1966 (BS, Engineering).
He holds three masters degrees: (German Linguistics), Georgetown University, Wash. D.C.; MA (International Relations), Salve Regina College, Newport, RI; and MA (National Security & Strategic Studies), Naval War College. He also taught on the faculty at the United States Military Academy, West Point (1974-76).
"We have often written of the "Vacuum" created by the out-of-control border situation and the total failure of the law enforcement and federal agencies to properly address the horrific situation on our border.He is not a happy rancher.Of course, the citizenry is furious and demands that something be done - and if government at all levels refuses, then the citizenry has every right to act accordingly.
The Cochise County citizenry is fed up with malfeasance, political pandering and outright cowardice.
As for the naysayers and pro-immigration, pro-open borders seditious activists and, above all, political cowards --- the pox on you all."
(from his emails)
Mission Statement
"To inform and motivate citizens to act in the best interests of the United States of America, their State, County, City, Town or Rural area. "
BORDER ISSUES
EDUCATION ISSUES
”...she opposes any group of civilians acting, in her words, as vigilantes. "Law enforcement should be done by law enforcement."
The owner has the right to detain trespassers on his property until law enforcement arrives and shouldn’t they be made to clean up the trash they leave on your property by the owner while waiting or will someone from the EPA come in and do that work; must the land owner provide clean sheets, beds and refreshment while waiting? How ridiculous will this get. Right off the bat we have a mixed up person to govern the state. I have a suggestion, all ranchers and others living along the border...get yourselves deputized! I’ve no idea what that involves, but do it!
If it were my life and property that the fed's utter failure is jeopardizing, this woman and I would have some serious friction, because I do not hesitate to protect my family, myself, and my property with deadly force if I think it's necessary. And it wouldn't be any different on the border.
Since it's glaringly obvious that the fed is totally unwilling to address this problem, my question is: Why?
Yes, . . . WHY???
http://www.globalexchange.org/economy/alternatives/americas/Immigration.html
(Snip) . . .Other displaced peasants come north and are met by the militarization of the U.S. border with Mexico, new laws that violate their civil rights, and racist hysteria promoted by right-wing politicians and their constituencies _________
Like most pols, she is not serious about solving illegal immigration problems, or she would "first" address the problem that is causing the budget crisis ad educational woes. Her statement doesn't make sense.
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