Congressmen urge Bush to drop guest-worker plan

The Washington Times ^ | November 17, 2004 | Jerry Seper

[Ron H.]

The chairman of a House International Relations subcommittee yesterday urged the Bush administration to drop its proposed temporary guest-worker program and not "reward Mexican nationals living and working illegally in the United States" with legal status.

"It is our hope that in future discussions with the Mexican government, you will encourage Mexico to do its part to address illegal immigration rather than encourage their citizens to illegally enter the U.S.," said Rep. Elton Gallegly, California Republican, who heads the subcommittee on terrorism, nonproliferation and human rights, in letters to Secretary of State Colin L. Powell and Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge.

"Cooperation with our close neighbor Mexico is essential, but we also feel that Mexico must respect our sovereignty and our laws, and ........

[brianl703]

I think it depends on where in the country you are.

I'm going to go further and say that the more affluent the part of the country you are in, the less likely those teenagers will be cutting grass and working at fast food restaurants.

You'll NEVER find any teenagers cutting grass or working at fast food restaurants here in Northern Virginia where a typical single-family home sets you back half a million, but in Hanover, PA where that same single-family home might cost $150K, you WILL indeed find teenagers cutting grass and working at fast food restaurants.

Frankly, what I see happening in Northern Virginia is the erosion of the middle class--what is middle class in much of the rest of the country simply cannot afford to live here anymore. So now you have the "upper class" (whose teenage offspring wouldn't degrade themselves by working those "crap jobs") and the "lower/servant class" (who does all of the "crap jobs").

Sounds like that two-tier society that works so well in other countries.

[brianl703]

Oh, if you're wondering how the "lower/servant class" can manage to afford to live here, wonder no more: They just overcrowd houses. 3 bedrooms, 8 people, that sort of thing.

[brianl703]

Oh, Kerry won Fairfax County (Northern Virginia's most populous county, which Bush won in 2000) and I also believe that areas without a strong middle class presence tend to swing to the left, politically. Washington, DC is a fine example, Bush won 9% of the vote there.

I predict that Fairfax County will start turning bluer and bluer as the years go on.

[Independentamerican]

I predict that Fairfax County will start turning bluer and bluer as the years go on.

Yeah I am from Howard County MD and I know Fairfax county rather well. I was looking to purchase an investment property in that area but could not find a Townhome in that area for under $350K. So I came back to Howard County and found one for a little under 225k. Most of the single family homes in Howard County sell for 500k and above but the surprising thing is the Republican party gained votes this time around.

[Marine Inspector]

Are more apprehensions a sign of more efficient border control, or are they a sign of more border activity, and how can you make the distinction?

It's hard to make the distinction, but my guess is it's both.

[iconoclast]

What's up with Bush? What's his real agenda?

FOLLOW THE MONEY!

[FairfaxVA]

I did not ask why the gov't has not increased spending, I asked why they refuse to secure the border. They are two different questions. I think that we are moving in the right direction, but my question was directed at the reasoning behind why the government appears to be afraid of offending people by requiring foreign nationals to enter this country through official channels. Heck, in some jurisdictions, the police are not allowed to report illegals caught breaking the law to the INS! Drives me nutz!.

[iconoclast]

Once they're apprehended they'll be deported back to their home country

I hope you're being sarcastic. ;o)

[Joe Hadenuf]

Just wanted to see who's paying attention. Follow the money is right.

[BlkConserv]

But no, your idea of capitalism appears to be what the executives of Enron, Global Crossing and others think that it is. A quick buck, damn the future consequences.

I never condoned the practices of certain employers who hire illegals and in fact condemned them in a previous post by saying what they're doing is not good. All I'm saying is that Congress and liberals in both parties have spoiled the business climate with high taxes, suffocating regulations, and unfair trade policies.

[BlkConserv]

As they say in the South, you don't know your butt from a hole in the ground.

As they say in the 'hood, "Man, I ain't trying to work there dog over that s--t G!"

[BlkConserv]

In order to receive welfare, current (American) citizens on welfare will be required to work these "jobs Americans dont want" in order to receive welfare.

If they were working these jobs they wouldn't need welfare then, right? The fact that they aren't means that they don't want to and no amount of government force isn't going to make them.

Speaking of water....UH, AHEM...

[brianl703]

Did you know about Virginia's new law targeting felonious illegal aliens that took effect July 1?

That's the sort of thing we need more of.

[Luis Gonzalez]

...and the sugar is not just jobs.

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

Teenagers today are not the same as they were when you were a teenager, and farms cannot rely on teenagers to do the work.

My guess is that's because Mommy and Daddy are not the same as they were a long time ago. Mommy and Daddy (not all, but some) just want to give Junior all the things they could never have themselves, or all the things money can buy. And spoil them in the process. Parents...

[brianl703]

No, it's more than that. Driver's licenses, for example.

[dougherty]

"It is our hope that in future discussions with the Mexican government, you will encourage Mexico to do its part to address illegal immigration rather than encourage their citizens to illegally enter the U.S.," said Rep. Elton Gallegly, California Republican.. "Cooperation with our close neighbor Mexico is essential, but we also feel that Mexico must respect our sovereignty and our laws

This man is a breath of fresh air. It is also nice to know there are a few politicians left that have retained their sanity when it comes to illegals, Mexico and our sovereignty.

[dougherty]

Tom Tancredo 2008 = Last Hope to Save America

That would be a dream come true. I wonder if he is really considering it?

[dougherty]

and when their guest-worker permits expire, they'll have no choice but to return home.

Hehehe, that has to be the funniest thing I've read on FR in awhile.

[dougherty]

Spending on border patrols and enforcement has increased under President Bush.

Maybe so, but it's still not working.