Not another dime.
Posted on 05/29/2007 10:15:03 AM PDT by Rb ver. 2.0
GLYNCO, Ga. (AP) - President Bush attacked opponents of an immigration deal Tuesday, suggesting they “don’t want to do what’s right for America.”
“The fundamental question is, will elected officials have the courage necessary to put a comprehensive immigration plan in place,” Bush said against a backdrop of a huge American flag.
He described his proposal—which has been agreed to by a bipartisan group of senators—as one that “makes it more likely we can enforce our border—and at the same time uphold the great immigrant tradition of the United States of America.”
Bush spoke at the nation’s largest training center for law enforcement.
He chose the get-tough setting as conservative critics blast a Senate proposal as being soft on people who break the law. Hoping to blunt that message, Bush emphasized that any new options for immigrants and foreign workers would not start until tougher security is in place.
The presidential stop came during a congressional recess, with senators back home and facing pressure from the left and right on the immigration plan. Bush’s aim is to build momentum for the legislation, perhaps his best chance for a signature victory in his second term. The Senate expects to resume debate on it next week.
“A lot of Americans are skeptical about immigration reform, primarily because they don’t think the government can fix the problems,” Bush said.
“And my answer to the skeptics is: give us a chance to fix the problems in a comprehensive way that enforces our border and treats people with decency and respect. Give us a chance to fix this problem. Don’t try to kill this bill before it gets moving,” Bush told students and instructors at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center.
Bush repeatedly cast the matter as one of political courage.
“Those determined to find fault with this bill will always be able to look at a narrow slice of it and find something they don’t like,” the president said. “If you want to kill the bill, if you don’t want to do what’s right for America, you can pick one little aspect out of it.
“You can use it to frighten people,” Bush said. “Or you can show leadership and solve this problem once and for all.”
The bill would give temporary legal status to millions of unlawful immigrants, provided they came forward, paid a fine and underwent criminal background checks. To apply for a green card, they would have to pay another fine, learn English, return to their home country and wait in line.
The plan also would create a guest worker program. It would allow foreign laborers to come to the U.S. for temporary stints, yet with no guarantee they can eventually gain citizenship.
Both the new visa plan and the temporary worker program are contingent on other steps coming first. Those include fencing and barriers along the Mexico border, the hiring of more Border Patrol agents and the completion of an identification system to verify employees’ legal status.
The legislation would also reshape future immigration decisions. A new point system would prioritize skills and education over family in deciding who can immigrate.
Georgia’s senators both played leading roles in producing Bush’s deal with the Senate. Yet they have also said they may not support the final bill, depending upon how it is amended.
Bush chastised those who say the proposal offers amnesty to illegal immigrants. He called it empty political rhetoric.
Define, "some form of", and I'll let you know if you ARE the only one.
No. Have them over for an evening of watching JFK in the White House instead. Talk about “reaching across the aisle” and “bipartisanship”and “reaching consensus.” Then, when they stab you in the back, just ignore it and plan another tea.
We’ve been taking it on the chin for 7 years defending you. You’ve got a lot of nerve, W.
Not another dime.
I’ll second that. I argued vociferously with anyone who called W stupid or who challenged his alleged lack of curiosity but I wonder now if I’ve been wrong all along. Nobody wins from keeping this issue alive except the ‘Rats and they win with or without a bill. But for the GOP this bill is a loser no matter what...if this bill passes with significant GOP support it’s going to tear the party apart. Does he get this? Does he care?
Great minds..........
.....and we desperately need a Part 2 these days.
The "Z visa" is indefensible. It has to go.
Do you have two trillion dollars to pay for it or do you expect others to pitch in?
>>Mark Levin made a good point last Friday. Before Bush had been in office, the GOP had won the Congress though elections for 6 years, even after being viciously attacked. After a few good elections, Bush sqaundered the election in 2004 and in a few years lost Congress. Him and his adminstration are the ones who had been in charge (Rove, Mehlmann, etc.). I find their advice for the past 2-3 years has been atrocious and wrong.<<
Remember the “Rove is a genius” garbage we were hearing for so long?
WRITE! WRITE! WRITE! WRITE! TILL YOU RUN OUT OF INK IN YOUR PEN!
Bombard the Democrats as well, especially the ones that ran on an anti illegal immigration plank and the ones in marginal districts who could be vulnerable. keep pounding on them.
Wow.
Running out of words..but they might run along the lines of ...betrayal..disappointment..shock..
I appreciate him saying this. The best way to kill this amnesty bill is for Jorge to diss his base by attacking us.
OK, first we were “vigilantes” and now we’re “frightened” and unpatriotic.
Strange way for a girl to talk about her date, considering we brung her . . .
One 8”X11” framed, color photo of El Presidente Jorge Boosh goes from upside-down on top of the book shelf—to the trashcan.
“well, lets just say that I am probably the only Freeper who can get along with some form of this proposal”
.
disgraceful
Not sure if he gets it, but he undoubtedly doesn't care. Seems to be doing everything within his power to get Hillary elected, in fact.
Bush has not demonstrated that he has the vaguest idea of the actual workings of this bill.
Yet he has no problem in talking down to American citizens and accusing those who are rightly critical of this measure that they “don’t want to do what’s right for America.”
The man is an elitist fool.
Very deep disappointment in the president would accurately describe my feelings. It is difficult to understand his sellout of things we hold so dear other than, I would speculate, to attribute his actions to a misguided interpretation of his religious beliefs. He is not evil, but what he is doing is destructive and tragic.
ATTRITION is simple and effective. Seal the border, stop employment of illegals, halt benefits, stop funds leaving the country and no citizenship for a child born of two illegal parents.
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