Posted on 01/27/2004 10:50:21 AM PST by Spiff
MESA, AZ (Talon News) -- In direct response to President George W. Bush's recent call for a temporary worker program for illegal aliens in the United States, the Arizona Republican Party overwhelmingly supported a resolution that would protect Arizona taxpayers from the financial impact this would place on them.
During the Arizona Republican Party convention on Saturday, delegates voted 317-109 for the Protect Arizona Now (PAN) petition, which was drafted to help protect taxpayers against the consequences of granting amnesty to illegal aliens including overcrowded hospitals, increased crime rates, rise in prison populations and escalating health care costs, among other things.
The petition itself states that it wants to prevent "abuse or fraud" by illegal aliens of the government services paid for by Arizona taxpayers.
Supporters of the PAN petition are hoping to get the initiative on the November ballot. If the measure is voted into law by Arizonians, then it would require proof of citizenship to be shown prior to receiving government support and benefits.
However, despite the immense support for the PAN petition by most Arizona Republicans, it is not favored by either state or national GOP leaders.
Regardless, state Rep. Randy Graf, a PAN supporter, said voting for this measure equates to upholding the rule of law by ensuring the rights of all Arizona taxpayers and voters.
"This initiative protects the sacred right of voting in this state," Graf stated. "This has nothing to do with any federal law or guest worker program. It is simply about protecting citizens."
However, state Sen. Carolyn Allen expressed her concern that supporting PAN would ultimately be detrimental to the Bush campaign.
"We want to re-elect George Bush and Dick Cheney in this state," Allen explained. "If this passes, we will suffer."
Allen added that the Bush administration is not happy with this proposal.
"The White House is very concerned about this initiative," she said. "This is not going to help our president in this state."
State House candidate J.T. Ready said concerned Republicans should realize that PAN is a common sense approach to dealing with the problem of illegal aliens.
"Why shouldn't we pass this?" inquired Ready. "After all, Blockbuster Video requires two forms of ID to rent a video."
Ready is extremely concerned that Bush appears to be circumventing the law with his proposal to allow for a temporary worker program for illegal aliens.
"I support the president, but the question is if he supports the U.S. Constitution," Ready expressed.
Sen. John Kyl (R-AZ) told the GOP activists in remarks made early in the convention that his meetings with Bush, Vice-President Dick Cheney and U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft helped educate him on the proposed national Temporary Worker Program.
"My suggestion is as Republicans, we take a breath, gather the facts and not criticize the president other than in our opinions," Kyl instructed.
Kyl admitted that while "virtually all Americans oppose amnesty," Bush's proposal would actually help minimize the continued influx of illegal aliens by holding employers more accountable for who they hire.
"We try hard on the border to keep illegal immigrants out," Kyl stated. "We could do a better job, but we are winking at those hiring illegals. There is a disrespect for the rule of law. It's not good for everybody or the taxpayers who end up subsidizing lower wages."
Arizona Republican Party Chairman Bob Fannin even expressed his concern that the rift between conservatives and GOP leadership over illegal immigration should not be divisive and encouraged the state executive committeemen to support Bush's plan.
Yet Fannin's call for unity was met with criticism and disgust by the committeemen. They believe Fannin should be addressing their sincere concerns with the Temporary Worker Program with the Bush administration directly.
GOPUSA Arizona Editor Dennis Durband warned national GOP leaders to listen to the concerns of the base or else risk losing them as voters in November.
"The lesson to the story is that the Republican Party needs to take in opinions and information from below and give rank and file Republicans legitimate consideration -- as opposed to dictating unpopular policy on an unwilling constituency," Durband wrote.
He continued, "The White House had better start listening to the people and re-thinking its position, because a lot of Republicans are saying Bush will not get their vote as things currently stand. The White House can choose this day whom it will serve. If the White House gets behind PAN, Arizona is in the bag for the president's re-election chances. It's that simple."
Talon News will continue to follow developments in this story.
Copyright © 2004 Talon News -- All rights reserved.
Someone said on another thread that Pete Wilson won more of the hispanic vote in 1994 in California despite supporting Prop 187 than Bush won in 2000, even with all his pandering. Looks to me like Bush is getting terrible advice somewhere along the line.
She did!? Oh man, I thought she was angry at me right now. It's good to hear that she isn't too angry. She probably just doesn't agree with my methods at times. I'm a little more gung-ho and she's very diplomatic. Sometimes it seems that we end up at odds because she's busy trying to put out fires while I'm busy pouring gasoline on them.
Tell me more about what Nancy Salmon is up to. I haven't heard anything.
He's definitely behind the curve on this one. Lets face it though, he did say during one of the debates with Gore that he wanted to do this so it should not come as a surprise to everyone. I will admit, I thought 9-11 would have changed his mind and I am disappointed with him.
We elected a guy who was born very rich and didn't have to get serious about life till he was about 40 years old. What middle and working-class people have to go thru is somewhat alien to him. I've been flamed for saying this being accused of promoting class-warfare. The reality is that GWB is the "Lesser of two evils".
Its now up to the grass-roots to get Congress to put a stop to this. We will get no help from the White House on this matter.
A round of drinks should go out to the Arizona Republicans who have defied the elites.
Yep. So true.
William Flax Return Of The Gods Web Site
Sort of. The Census 2000 Hispanic Population Distribution map can be seen here, but it's a .PDF file, and I can't grab the image for you. Maybe someone can help.
Needs repeating (over and over again).
Well, first you have to get me to accept the premise that all those things will come true. I'm not there yet.
It's beginning to look as though Congress has gotten the message as quite a few are coming out against it. But it's still unsettling that Bush refuses to take the hint. 245(i) amnesty was stopped in committee and that was nothing compared to what he wants here.
A round of drinks should go out to the Arizona Republicans who have defied the elites.
Absolutely, these Republicans deserve a thousand kudos for standing up to the party line and their unpopular idea. I hope it spreads.
As of yet I have not heard Bush speak out against Fox's constant call for opening up the borders in 5 to 10 years. By not doing so he fuels the fire of those who say this is about globalism and doing away with our sovereignty. And this amnesty program of his doesn't help either.
I didn't really have to do much thinking to see where it would be impossible for that many foreigners to assimilate, even if they wanted to, into our culture. America would be making such drastic changes so rapidly that none of us would be able to keep pace with it.
Is that what you want for America?
Look at Iraq and the changes that happened there in six months since we changed their government to a democracy or as close as we could get it. Those folks are seeing a new way of life they never expected. Well, ours will change almost as fast and for some, it will be totally unexpected also. I guess you'll be able to raise your hand if a poll comes out asking if you never expected such large changes with President Bush's wonderful plan. BUT, you won't be able to say you weren't forewarned.
How about telling me why these changes will not take place. Show that you are a thinker and not braindead.
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