Jeb Bush Calls Tone of Immigration Debate `Hurtful' (Official "Bush Picks At Toe Jam" th

LA Times ^ | 4/5/06 | Peter Wallsten

[zook]

WASHINGTON — Accusing politicians of "pounding their chests" on immigration for short-term political gain, Florida Gov. Jeb Bush said Tuesday that the tone of the debate had been "hurtful" to him and his Mexican-born wife, Columba.

Bush, the younger brother of President Bush, reserved some of his sharpest criticism for conservatives in his own Republican Party, calling it "just plain wrong" to charge illegal immigrants with a felony, as a provision passed by the Republican-led House would do. He also opposed "penalizing the children of illegal immigrants" by denying them U.S. citizenship, an idea backed by some conservatives but not included in the legislation.

"My wife came here legally, but it hurts her just as it hurts me when people give the perception that all immigrants are bad," the Florida governor wrote in an e-mail exchange with The Times.

[zook]

Gov. Bush suggests that some fellow Republicans are misusing the issue for short-term political gain. Right on, Jeb!

[Bikers4Bush]

"Waaaaaa, it hurts my feelings when people talk about illegals because my wife is an immigrant, waaaaa."

Stick a sock in it Jeb, your wife was a legal immigrant and nobody has a beef with them, the beef is with all the illegal trash.

Either all laws are enforced or they're all subject to being ignored. You don't get to pick and choose just because you have a softspot for illegals.

[Brilliant]

the tone of the debate had been "hurtful"




But why are we having this debate? Because some politicians in Washington opened the doors without first asking us our opinion. The proponents of immigration have pretty much brought all this on themselves.

[WesternPacific]

when people give the perception that all immigrants are bad..

This is not the case. What part of ILLEGAL immigration do these people not understand.

[kittymyrib]

Jeb is the father of George and Barbara's grandchildren, whom #41 referred to as "the little brown ones", so what did anyone expect Jeb to say? Personally, I think we've had way more than our share of Bushes and Clintons and their advice to the masses. Surely in a country of almost 300,000,000 people, we can find someone else to elect to office on the state and national level.

[conservativecorner]

Jeb is as wrong as his brother on the illegal immigration issue. It's tough having to be the little brother when the big Bro steps in it.

[JoanneSD]

Florida should open its doors to all illegal immigrants, if the Governor supports them so much, it could add more to their diversity,

[TomGuy]

It seems the whole Bush family doesn't mind the invasion of illegals. They seem to support it.

We definitely need a 'dynasty' change in Washington, DC.

[shekkian]

Jeb drops the ball.

[Kidan]

Y'know, there was a time when I actually liked having Jeb in office here....

[russesjunjee]

Both Bush's are traitors and illegal alien butt kissers. It's becoming more and more obvious that the Republican party is filled with corrupt globalists just like the Democratic party.

Both parties seem determined to forcibly globalize the American people and sell our sovereignty down the river. We better do something about our government fast or they are going to sell our country right out from under us.

[BritExPatInFla]

Paging all those who want JEB?? to replace Harris on the ticket....Thanks to this sound bite, that would be a case of going from no chance of winning to no chance in hell of winning the senate seat. No more Bushes on any ticket....please.

[summer]

I'm glad you posted this. I think Gov Bush is trying to raise the bar here, by making this debate more of a civil discourse, instead of the trashing of one group of people against another. BTW, I all for protecting our borders, and I don't want to see wages fall. However, I am not convinced the answer is as some have suggested, to lock up 13 million people in jail.

Also from the article:

"Columba and I watch the news early in the morning and in the evenings," Bush wrote in the late-night e-mail exchange. "The cumulative effect of the coverage is that immigrants are bad and hurting our country. The coverage is black and white, good and bad, without the nuances that the coverage deserves."

The Florida governor has said he does not intend to run for president in 2008. But he has been mentioned as a potential running mate for another likely candidate, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.).

In his e-mail, Gov. Bush endorsed the idea of a broad guest-worker program encompassing the kinds of low-wage workers sought by farms and factories as well as high-tech professionals from places such as India.

..."The focus should be on protecting our borders rather than these piling on provisions that are punitive to many who have made a great contribution to our country," he wrote. "Along with that, the focus should be on a guest worker program and a means to deal with the millions of long term undocumented workers….

"Frankly," he added, "I also believe we should open up legal immigration to the qualified scientists, innovators, entrepreneurs and others who can additionally add value to our great country."

[russesjunjee]

The plan is to keep putting forward Bushes and Clintons to the voters. They are the new royal families of America, and even though they hate each other, they want to make certain that the crown stays in the family. That's why Bush Sr. is suddenly so chummy with Bill Clinton. They are getting ready to hand the crown back to Hillery.

[mr_hammer]

You gotta be kidding me!

[Finalapproach29er]

What a wuss.

[TXBSAFH]

He is a Bush, of course he is a free traitor, globalist, liberal.

[Finalapproach29er]

Read "Compromised" by Terry Reed.

Bushes have been friends with Clintons for decades. They're corrupt.

[Rennes Templar]

"..calling it "just plain wrong" to charge illegal immigrants with a felony,"

I'm not going to pay my taxes this year. If the IRS tries to penalize me, I'll tell them they're just plain wrong.

[Joe Brower]

Overall I'm overall pleased with Jeb Bush, but this "hurtful" talk is the sort of touchy-feely crap I'd expect from liberals.

When it comes to immigration, Jeb has got some heavy-duty blinders on.

[stopem]

Jeb, I respect you and your family, but that has nothing to do with illegal invaders who are breaking the law and disrespect our Country. By your admission you say your wife is here legally, does she really support lawbreakers?

[DCPatriot]

Aren't you glad you started this thread so all the morons could spew their rightuousness?

[Bikers4Bush]

Exactly, these idiots actually think that we should just ignore the fact that they let illegals get away with breaking our laws.

Elitist morons.

[butternut_squash_bisque]

SCREW YOU, JEB.

Illegal = criminal = a felony, dammit! You and your older globalist, one-worlder brother are making me sick.

I've already re-registered as an Independent Conservative, here in Penna. You GOPers will get ZERO from me, traitors.

[sure_fine]

those illegals cost me an income, and many, many of my AMERICAN friends in construction (jobs Americans won't so myasp)


screw'em

[ishabibble]

Good God, whatever you do, don't read the entire article!

Jeb Bush offers some very thoughtful insights into this dreadful situation, and in the last line of the article, offers the idea that legal immigration should be open to scientists, entrepreneurs, and other "best of the best" types.

One last thought about Jeb and Columba Bush. A few years ago, their daughter, Nicole, made every front page after being busted for drugs. Her disheveled appearance on the TV during her arraignment in open court was shocking. Don't you think that her Dad could have prevented this? Her uncle, the POTUS, or her Grand Dad, 41? They didn't and I admire them for that, as it is a heartrending experience to watch your child, already bedeviled by drugs, to enter the criminal justice system. Did Jeb have to go back to the holding cell to see his daughter before the arraignment? He let the same laws that govern all his people apply to his daughter, and we all know he could have hushed it up. God bless Jeb and Columba and their family.

[normy]

The cumulative effect of the coverage is that immigrants are bad and hurting our country.

This is the shit I have been talking about that is infuriating me. The Republican proponents of illegal immigration refuse to call it what it is. They keep referring to it an "anti immigrant" issue when they know full well that that is not the case. Conservatives have fought the libs for years who use the exact same tactics. Do the Republicans think we can't recognize it when it comes from our own?

I don't think I know of anyone who wants to put illegals in jail, they want them deported and while we're at it, lets deport the 29% of federal prisoners who are illegals also (of course we need the wall built first and the Mexican gov't notified they are getting some criminals back).

[SUSSA]

I'll bet it hurts his feelings when people talk bad about dope fiends who forge prescriptions to get their drugs too.

[beezdotcom]

However, I am not convinced the answer is as some have suggested, to lock up 13 million people in jail.

Actually doing it may not be feasible - but I think you need to convince those 13 million that they might become one of the subset who DO get locked up, or you have no deterrents against breaking the law. I just don't think a fine is enough of a deterrent, since they pay coyotes more than that to get here.

[reagandemo]

It is sad to watch everything we have worked for since kicking Jimmy Carter out of the White House go up in smoke. "W" and his fellow Repubs better get their heads out of their arses on this and quick or it's all over. What part of "Illegal" do they not understand?

[johnny7]

Make it a felony for the EMPLOYER!

[RdhseRat]

Sorry Jeb, on this issue you are DEAD wrong.

Like you my wife was a legal immigrant, she became a citizen at the first possible moment. She is violently opposed to amnesty for illegals.

Jeb, you should take a page out of Sen. Spector's Scotish Law book. Treat illegals from Mexico, or any other country, like there country treats illegals. Or for that matter, any immigrant.

[Dante3]

Didn't his wife also try to smuggle some items into this country to avoid paying duty?

[ConsentofGoverned]

THe elites have a plan and America and it's citizens are not a concern...the true face of Power in America is rarely revealed ..but on this issue they cannot hide..
Kick out both parties do not give them a dime do not vote the same traitors in. America get some backbone.

[Unicorn]

Control the borders then talk after.

[Unicorn]

Control the borders then talk after.


Poor baby.

[zook]

"Aren't you glad you started this thread so all the morons could spew their rightuousness?"

There certainly are a lot of goons on this thread. I get a kick out of it.

[Drammach]

However, I am not convinced the answer is as some have suggested, to lock up 13 million people in jail.

There shouldn't be any need to do so..

Include in legislation a paragraph that states all illegals have say, 6 months to return to their country of origin and apply for a green card...
State in the legislation that after that "grace period" ends, any illegals caught in the U.S. will be fined and deported.. And permanently Denied citizenship..
Offenders will be forever barred from entering the U.S. under any circumstances, and applications for work, citizenship status, visits, etc.. will be denied..

Want to give them a little more time?
Make the grace period one year..
Illegals will have a choice.
They can stay, and get permanently deported and barred..
They can return home at their own expense, and apply for legal entry..
Simple..

We (the U.S.) could even expidite the process, and/or raise immigration quotas from Mexico, Central and South American countries..
Just make sure that it's understood, legal entry and compliance with the laws are everything, and failure to comply will mean permanent denial and hard time for violators..

I guarantee that "most" illegals would return home before the deadline and start paperwork for re-entry..

We have ignored this problem for too long..
Now it is going to cost us "mucho dinero", and require massive amounts of manpower and time to correct it..
I would bet we'll still be apprehending illegals a decade from now, but if we do the right thing, it will be a very few...

[johnny7]

We all knew Bush was no Reagan when we chose him in 2000... now we're just getting the balance of the order.

[normy]

offers the idea that legal immigration should be open to scientists, entrepreneurs, and other "best of the best" types

That seems hardly fair to the Arabs, Easter Europeans, Africans and Asians who are not "the best of the best" but just common laborers who would like the same opportunity as Mexicans to do the job their limited skill and education will get them in America. As a matter of fact companies should band together, buy a cruise ship of some sort, go to the African coastal cities and offer those folks a job in America. Just unload them at the port and say "have at it".

Why stop there? The Russians would love to come to America to flee poverty, perhaps they could be transported here free of charge and given a job in the American fishing or oil business. You see if they will do the job for half of what Americans will then they will be doing jobs Americans wont do.

Now of course we shouldn't expect these new people to pay taxes because I am sure they have 15 kids back in Liberia or Moscow. As a matter of fact lets not even require they be checked for communicable disease

Truth be told there shouldn't even be a term "legal immigrant". Free buffet to the world.

[zook]

President Reagan would be very proud of President Bush, IMO.

[cripplecreek]

It needs to be painfull for employers to hire illegals. I'm not opposed to a guest worker program after all availiable positions are filled by Americans.

[Drammach]

As a matter of fact companies should band together, buy a cruise ship of some sort, go to the African coastal cities and offer those folks a job in America. Just unload them at the port and say "have at it".

I think a bunch of people tried that once before..

It didn't work out too well..

[joesnuffy]

Nuts dont fall too far from the Bush

imo

[Dante3]

Jeb is revealing his true colors. What a moron.

[jpsb]

"It's becoming more and more obvious that the Republican party is filled with corrupt globalists just like the Democratic party."

The mask is off, this issue exposes them .... traitors each and every one.

[ConsentofGoverned]

"We have ignored this problem for too long..
Now it is going to cost us "mucho dinero", and require massive amounts of manpower and time to correct it..
I would bet we'll still be apprehending illegals a decade from now, but if we do the right thing, it will be a very few..."
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>...............
So passing more laws WE DO NOT ENFORCE is a solution for most of US..see my tag line.