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DUMPING CONSERVATIVES AT THE BORDER
Laura's Weekly E-Blast ^ | 1/8/2004 | LAURA INGRAHAM

Posted on 01/08/2004 3:34:13 PM PST by kellynla

I am beginning to think John McCain actually won the presidency in 2000.

Conservatives were relieved when the Straight Talk Express petered out during the 2000 primary season. John McCain, although tough on national security and runaway spending, was hardly a conservative on major issues such as campaign finance, healthcare reform and immigration.

Yet this is exactly where we find President Bush today (except unlike McCain, Bush doesn’t seem to have much of a problem with runaway spending). Last year President George Bush signed the McCain-Feingold bill into law, which is one of the worst assaults on political speech this country has ever seen. When conservatives (and many liberals) howled, the President’s advisers whispered that they believed the Supreme Court would “clean up” the more onerous parts of the bill which dictates the types of political ads that can air before a general election or primary contest. Of course the Supreme Court rubber stamped the entire thing and so the result is less, not more political speech in the U.S.

And now President Bush charges across the landscape to rescue us from our “unfair” and “broken” immigration system by rewarding people who came here illegally with the promise of legal status. This proposal essentially mirrors the immigration legislation sponsored by—you got it—Sen. McCain. Under the Bush/McCain plan, anyone outside the U.S. who wants to come into the country would only need to show proof of a “job offer” in order to get an initial three-year work permit that would be renewable for an unspecified period. Such temporary workers could also bring family members here. What prevents these people from staying on beyond their time premitted for "temporary" work? As it stands now, there seems to be no limit on the immigration —temporary or permanent— allowed under this plan. And as for the claim that this would be a big boon to the American economy? Illegal immigration costs taxpayers $20 billion each year, in extra education, healthcare, welfare, and prison costs. Today thirty-four percent of Mexicans legally in the U.S., and 25 percent of Mexicans illegally here are welfare.

How are those costs diminished under the Bush plan?

Most bewildering is the Administration idea that this plan is necessary for homeland security reasons. On the contrary, it would not be surprising if some would-be terrorists are among the millions of illegals who will become “documented” under the Bush plan. As Rep. Lamar Smith (R-TX) charged, "Guest worker programs and gradual amnesty provide cover for terrorists."

It’s easy to understand why Vicente Fox, McCain, big business, and La Raza are happy this week—but what’s in this new proposal for working class American families? How about those immigrants who a lot of time and money to comply with our immigration laws?

The real answer is absolutely nothing. The only reasonable prediction is that wages for a wide range of jobs will be kept artificially depressed by outside workers—now with “legal status” will work for peanuts. “I have worked construction for 30 years as a truck driver (18-wheeler),” wrote one of my listeners, “And every year my pay has gone down because Mexicans are flooding the trucking industry…."

When Bill Clinton says we live in an “increasingly borderless world,” we’re not surprised. It’s the usual globaloney blather. But when a Republican president advocates a policy that will make our borders effectively meaningless, we should be outraged.

With his approval numbers high, President Bush has made a devil’s bargain with business and Hispanic groups. Elites from both parties are ignoring the view of a strong majority of Americans that we need to stop illegal immigration, not high-five it.

Another listener wonders: “What happened to the ‘party of principle’? More like the party of pandering. Considering the massive numbers involved, this amnesty being floated really is Pandora's Box, once opened cannot be closed.”

President Bush has now done the equivalent of posting a sign at the border: “Help Wanted for $5.15/hour.”

Conservatives are right to be disappointed in President Bush. We are right to ignore the Administration’s promise that this time, non-amnesty amnesty will be good for the American people. Our citizenship and legal residence should be reserved for people who love this country enough that breaking her laws—whether at the border or on the street—is out of the question. The next time I hear from his Administration that it is doing all it can to protect our homeland, secure our borders, and increase our standard of living, I will laugh.

Now I know the definition of “compassionate conservative:” a person who campaigns as a conservative, then sells out key conservative principles.


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Constitution/Conservatism; Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Editorial; Foreign Affairs; Government; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: aliens; amateurtalker; biggovernment; culturewar; gop; illegal; illegalimmigration; immigration; invasion; lauraingraham; rushwannabe; thenannystate; thewelfarestate; toonspardonuscrooks; w2; welfarestate
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To: janetgreen
I like what I see too. I've had enough of Bush's "compassionate conservatism" and spineless Republicans. Time for a change.

Everyone I spoke to today were all saying the same thing. Of course, the language used wasn't quite as polite as you put it.

181 posted on 01/08/2004 7:58:29 PM PST by Joe Hadenuf (I failed anger management class, they decided to give me a passing grade anyway)
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To: NewRomeTacitus
bttt
182 posted on 01/08/2004 7:58:31 PM PST by SerpentDove
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To: SerpentDove
Free Republic Poll as it stands now:

Question ...


After hearing President Bush's speech, do you approve of his immigration reform plan?

Yes
304 votes - 21%

No
937 votes - 65%

Undecided
192 votes - 13%
183 posted on 01/08/2004 7:59:59 PM PST by SerpentDove
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To: Mamzelle
You live out west I presume.
184 posted on 01/08/2004 8:02:04 PM PST by Luis Gonzalez (The Gift Is To See The Trout.)
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To: NewRomeTacitus
"I recall citizens of Cuban descent showered with abuse all during the 1990's bcause they remained staunchly Republican while the majority of Hispanics were politically hijacked by the pro-Marxist La Raza crowd who backed the Democrats."

Well, I'm not sure what recollectionms you may have, but Clinton took 40% of the Cuban-American vote in both his runs.

We have now shifted back to the GOP, but it took a little child to lead the way.

185 posted on 01/08/2004 8:04:06 PM PST by Luis Gonzalez (The Gift Is To See The Trout.)
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To: billbears
"Deport them"

First, you must find them.

How?

186 posted on 01/08/2004 8:05:02 PM PST by Luis Gonzalez (The Gift Is To See The Trout.)
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To: Luis Gonzalez
His base IS the majority who will vote him back in office for a second term.

Hear, hear!

187 posted on 01/08/2004 8:06:59 PM PST by Tamzee (EARTH FIRST!!! We'll stripmine the other planets later...)
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To: blueriver
...this is an H-1B replacement policy wrapped up in an illegal immigration solution package...........This is his gift to corporate America, he added the aspect about illegal immigrants so that the real issue is not even on most peoples radar screen.

You nailed it Blueriver ! Average joe-six-pack at the manufacturing plant , or building those new homes, or building that new bridge , or driving that semi-truck, etc....now has a target on his back.
188 posted on 01/08/2004 8:07:35 PM PST by Peace will be here soon (Beware, there are some crazy people around here !!! And I could be one of them !!)
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To: Happy2BMe
The last Republican to serve in the White House was this man . .

And had Free Republic been around during Reagan's Presidency, freepers would have gone for his throat the same way they are doing to Dubya.

189 posted on 01/08/2004 8:08:46 PM PST by Tamzee (EARTH FIRST!!! We'll stripmine the other planets later...)
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To: Luis Gonzalez
Why would you assume I live in the west?
190 posted on 01/08/2004 8:10:23 PM PST by Mamzelle
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To: kellynla
Has anyone posted a petition on http://www.petitiononline.com
to express the outrage felt by most Americans and legal resident aliens at Bush's betrayal of his office and public trust on this issue??

If they did, let me know, I'll sign it.

If they haven't let me know and I'll draft something respectful, but to the point.

(BY THE WAY, KARL ROVE, IF YOU'RE OUT THERE READING THE FREE REPUBLIC - HAVE A ROTTEN DAY!!)
191 posted on 01/08/2004 8:12:09 PM PST by ZULU (Remember the Alamo!!!!!)
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To: onyx
This thread brought to you by:


192 posted on 01/08/2004 8:12:42 PM PST by Tamzee (EARTH FIRST!!! We'll stripmine the other planets later...)
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To: SerpentDove
There was a time not all that very long ago, when migrant workers from Mexico would come inti the US, earn a living working the fields, then return home until the next harvest season.

Somewhere along the way, we decided to stop this practice, but they still needed those jobs, and the employers here still wanted their labor.

Instead of doing the logical thing, and allowing the employer hire the willing employee, we created a situation where these people came, and stayed.

The Bush proposal addresses this, the willingness to do the work, and the desire to hire the employee.
193 posted on 01/08/2004 8:13:18 PM PST by Luis Gonzalez (The Gift Is To See The Trout.)
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To: kellynla
"Now I know the definition of “compassionate conservative:” a person who campaigns as a conservative, then sells out key conservative principles."

Sums up this ONE TERMER quite nicely.
194 posted on 01/08/2004 8:13:33 PM PST by Beck_isright ("Deserving ain't got nothing to do with it" - William Money)
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To: Tamsey
Yes, it is that urgent, and Bush has brought this on himself.

No warning, no consultation, no coordination.

Mexico knew the details before American citizens did.

195 posted on 01/08/2004 8:14:14 PM PST by Happy2BMe (2004 - Who WILL the TERRORISTS vote for? - - Not George W. Bush, THAT'S for sure!)
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To: Happy2BMe
"How strong has Bush remained in that select community of voters?"

He should receive about 80%+ of our vote.

196 posted on 01/08/2004 8:14:58 PM PST by Luis Gonzalez (The Gift Is To See The Trout.)
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To: kellynla
President Bush has now done the equivalent of posting a sign at the border: “Help Wanted for $5.15/hour.”

I keep telling you people, the minimum wage is meaningless to illegals. They get paid under the table, so that their cost to employers is lower than Americans who get paid less but have to fork over more in taxes and government-mandated 'overhead.'

Does the President really believe that illegals are going to give up this cushy competitive advantage for Social Security -- the world's worst retirement investment?

The joke here is that unless they're heading back home soon and want to receive Social Security benefits right away without having to pay taxes over the long term, they won't apply for this program. Put in a requirement that they have to work a minimum of twenty years in order to receive SocSec, and watch for zero takers!

197 posted on 01/08/2004 8:15:18 PM PST by JoeSchem (Did George Washington rebel from the British so that George W. could submit to the Mexicans?)
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To: Luis Gonzalez
"First, you must find them.

How?"


I know of 12 cities in Florida where 80% of the population could probably be deported. And at least most of Bakersfield and Fresno would be a safe place to start. Then there is Eagle Pass, Brownsville, McAllen, Harlingen, etc. in Texas. It wouldn't be hard until you got to Chicago, Atlanta, Los Angeles and New York.
198 posted on 01/08/2004 8:16:16 PM PST by Beck_isright ("Deserving ain't got nothing to do with it" - William Money)
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To: kellynla
kelly, you have that definition of tidal shorelines yet?

You, girlfriend, are the boor.

199 posted on 01/08/2004 8:17:19 PM PST by Luis Gonzalez (The Gift Is To See The Trout.)
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To: Luis Gonzalez
>>The Bush proposal addresses this, the willingness to do the work, and the desire to hire the employee.<<

With no regard for what American citizens want. Mexicans are elated. Americans (for the most part, from what I've seen) are opposed to this.

Just an observation.
200 posted on 01/08/2004 8:17:30 PM PST by SerpentDove
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