Posted on 01/12/2005 12:50:36 PM PST by GOPXtreme20
Republican to Lead Immigration Revolt Against Bush
By Alan Elsner
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A Republican member of the House of Representatives vowed on Wednesday to lead a revolt against President Bush (news - web sites)'s immigration reform proposals and predicted that up to 180 party members would support him.
Bush in an interview with the Washington Times published on Wednesday said he plans to force a debate in Congress this year on his proposal that would allow some illegal immigrants to obtain legal work permits in the United States.
Colorado Rep. Tom Tancredo, who heads the House Immigration Reform Caucus, said he was determined to block the legislation. The caucus, which had 71 members in the last Congress, argues for stronger action to stop illegal immigration and a reduction of legal migration.
"Why is this so important to the president?" Tancredo said. "Is it just the corporate interests who benefit from cheap labor? Do they have such a strong grip on our president so that he is actually willing to put our nation at risk, because open borders do put our nation at risk?
"Is it petulance, because we were able to stop it in the last Congress? Why is it so important to give amnesty to people who have broken the law?" Tancredo said.
"I'm willing to lead a fight against this and I would say there are at least 180 members of our Republican caucus who are willing at least to stop amnesty for illegal immigrants," he told Reuters in a telephone interview.
Bush has repeatedly said he views immigration reform as an important issue for his second term. In the Washington Times interview, he said it was near the top of his agenda.
"Look, whether or not you agree with the solution or not, we have a problem in America when you've got 8 million undocumented workers here," he said.
BUSH CONFIDENCE
Bush expressed confidence he could win over opponents, as he did in passing tax reform during his first term. "Initially out of the box, some people said, over my dead body would they pass tax relief ... If I listened to all that, I'd just quit, you know. But that's not the way I think."
But analysts agree that immigration reform could be much more divisive for Republicans since growing numbers of rank-and-file voters are becoming concerned at the continued influx of illegal immigrants across the Mexican border.
"No issue, not one, threatens to do more damage to the Republican coalition than immigration," said David Frum, a former White House speech writer in Bush's first term.
"There's no issue where the beliefs and interests of the party rank-and-file diverge more radically from the beliefs and interests of the party's leaders," he wrote in the National Review last month.
Bush insists he is not offering amnesty to illegal immigrants but Tancredo said that was a "manipulation of language, the kind of thing (former President) Bill Clinton would have done. There is an issue of integrity here and an issue of honesty," he said.
"Actually, I think the FROBL's never got over being beat up by the working class kids after school and this is their revenge."
holy-moly...
I am still laughing 10 minutes after reading this. Thanks for cheering me up, friend.
Nope
They don't accuse blue-collar folks of 'not being willing to work.'
Rather, after the blue-collar has been laid off from a job going to PRChina, they accuse the blue-collar of Not Going To Med School for further training in a Viable Profession--that is, wearing a tie.
"The OBL crowd arguement is under Bush's plan the illegals will register and PAY $1500 to do so and start paying taxes and give up social benefits. That's supposed to be the "carrot"? An incentive? WHY would they do that instead of what they're doing now?"
That's a great example of the deep-seated contempt the OBL crowd has toward the very immigrants they're wanting to import by the millions - they think the illegals are too dumb to do the math and realize how much they'll be giving up if they register as a "guest worker". I guess the OBLs are trying to be like some of the early settlers here in America who conned the Indians out of their lands with some cheap wampum and a few trashy blankets.
And OBLs have the nerve to play the "race card"...
Sounds like the Pres wants a debate in congress.
Good.
Thanks.
But think about it. How many people go through adult life still in variations of their high school clique ? How many FROBL's were "brains" who spent high school afraid of getting beat up by the "greasers" ?
The President Bush of "Election Contribution Reform"? The President Bush of "Spend Every Dollar in the Treasury on Education?"
Some things are simply NOT supportable.
Well, one thing about being a 'brain' - they at least have a choice in being stupid.
LOL! :)
Please don't tease us with your quotes from your fawning Newsweek interview.
I disagree with you, poll after scientific poll shows that immigration is way down on the list.
Yes it is a concern, but your solution(mass deportations) will sink like a lead balloon, IMO.
Just becuase you have a small echo chamber of like minded stridents doesn't make your final solution on immigration politically palatable.
You mean like paying more Congresscritters?
" You actually judge the worth of people by whether or not they wear a suit and tie or workboots and a hardhat."
Bingo!
Most of Latin America is ruled by the pure bred Spaniards (Argentina has many Italians). Why?
Dear Lord Jesus, please post your guardian angels around Mr. Tancredo and keep him safe from all harm.
amen
I'm too lazy at the moment to go through 800+ replies, but last night one of them addressed me as "CHEIF". Now he and I know what he meant, but some probably missed it. His slur was to me for being of American Indian Heritage and that is the same as calling a black man...well, you know. They are the purest bigots I've yet to meet. They will sell you, me, the Mexicans, anyone for their wants and call it "free enterprise", just like slavery was called the same.
A quote:
Gompers, Samuel - (founder and pres. of AFL, an immigrant)
"America must not be overwhelmed. Every effort to enact immigration legislation must expect to meet a number of hostile forces and, in particular, two hostile forces of considerable strength. One of these is composed of corporation employers who desire to employ physical strength (broad backs) at the lowest possible wage and who prefer a rapidly revolving labor supply at low wages to a regular supply of American wage earners at fair wages. The other is composed of racial groups in the United States who oppose all restrictive legislation because they want the doors left open for an influx of their countrymen regardless of the menace to the people of their adopted country."
(Letter to Congress, March 19, 1924)
Once again, your dreaming. There is no manpower to do it.
Hey, one of them admitted on this thread that they talk daily with the Chinese and some other "importers". Pretty much says where their coming from.
Time will tell and history is on my side.
If you want the problem to be worst, then convince Congress to do so. If you think corruption is bad at 10%, hire them and watch it skyrocket to 99%.
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