Posted on 03/27/2006 12:42:08 PM PST by mathprof
President George W. Bush, warned the U.S. Congress against fearmongering on Monday as the Senate tackled immigration reform, an issue that has split his Republican party and spurred huge protests.
``The immigration debate should be conducted in a civil and dignified way,'' Bush said, pushing his own proposals at a swearing-in ceremony for 30 new American citizens.
With his job approval rating at the lowest of his presidency, Bush faces a new test of his political strength on the divisive immigration issue.
``No one should play on people's fears or try to pit neighbors against each other,'' he said. ``No one should pretend that immigrants are a threat to American identity, because immigrants have shaped America's identity.''
The public is divided between those who favor curbing illegal immigration with tighter border security and tougher enforcement and those who say it is essential to bring some 12 million illegal workers out of the shadows with a comprehensive overhaul.
Bush has stuck to his three-part plan -- border security, stronger enforcement and a temporary worker proposal, a legal way to fill the jobs that Americans are unwilling to do.
The Senate Judiciary Committee also opened its hearings to craft broad bipartisan legislation that would tighten border security and make it a criminal misdemeanor to be in the country illegally. It too would establish a temporary worker program and provide a way for some of the 12 million illegal immigrants in the country to legalize their status.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
Except for the ones smuggling in shoulder fired anti-aircraft rockets and a whole host of other things that go boom into the country...sure...no danger at all...
Ok "W" !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
When illegal aliens can march by the hundreds of thousands in an American city waving the flag of Mexico, making demands on this country and nothing is done about it, I call that a threat.
Amazing, Bush refusing to even utter the word "illegal".
""``The immigration debate should be conducted in a civil and dignified way,'' Bush said, pushing his own proposals at a swearing-in ceremony for 30 new American citizens.""
Gosh, a brave reporter would have quizzed the newly sworn in what they thought about Bush's amnesty program!
P.S. Is Bush going to continue hitting the "civil" insults or talk plainly about his wage depression policy?
There goes W's re-election hopes /sarc.
This may be, but illegal immigrants are a clear and present danger to this country.
This is a setup for the vetoing of HR 4437 (if it passes both houses), just watch.
If a competetive, market wage is offered, all kind of college students, high school students, people moving off of Welfare, etc. will take those jobs.
Ten Years Ago: "payroll premiums"=more taxes
Today: "immigration debate"=illegal alien crisis
Whoever hopes to be the GOP candidate in '08 would be well advised to get on the right side of this issue.
My tag says it all...
Bush should just enforce the law and shut up.
Note to President Bush: YES, IT IS
"There goes W's re-election hopes /sarc."
The funny thing is he thinks, or Rove told him, that he's helping Repub. chances in November. The repubs will have to struggle harder to get out the word they're not with him.
I don't think any but Tancredo are brave enough to say a public "no" to Bush.
he's partially right. immigrants are not a threat to identity. ILLEGAL immigrants are the threat. immigrants come over and are willing to conform to american ways. ILLEGAL immigrants come over to leach off the system and demand it comform to them.
I guess I'm not sure where I first heard the description of the Hispanic illegal aliens as as Mexican colonists, but that mob in southern California surely fit the definition. A nation that can't control its border isn't a sovereign nation. I fail to see the difference between a nation that cannot control its border from one that refuses to do so.
Has Bush ever been to the cesspool that is Mexico? Has Bush ever really talked to illegals? He is selling out the working class people of the US like a good patrician.
This issue should be so clear to the president. How can he not see it?
What was it President Reagan used to say?: "A country that cannot defend its borders is not a country."
"President Better Than Kerry" or something.
Whoever makes this statement is a liar. Whoever believes this statement is self delusional.
A true statement would be "fill the jobs that Americans are unwilling to do at the wages currently being offered."
In the next election I'll be voting for the candidates most determined to stop this illegal migration into our country.
After the Dudai thing, can Bush do anything more to alienate people? Yes, this illegal alien matter.
The dems are worse, and I think most people realize that and will vote Rep. However... Jeez, what a mess.
MAYBE you could say there is at times a labor shortage. But unwilling? This immigration thing will take the Bush train off its tracks.
I know Bush is trying to do the right thing, I doubt we can round up all the illegals, but certainly we can stop the flow of new illegals. This country's current policy is insanity.
This is the one issue that pi$$es me off with President Bush. His statement that we should not fear immigrants is correct but out of context. No one is fearing immigrants. It is the ILLEGAL immigrants that are a threat, that are an economic drain, that are trashing the border towns and creating havoc. They don't pay taxes, but they get all the benefits of citizenship. That is a rip off.
I beg to differ. The number of illegals marching is actually, quite a threat!
Then you probably won't be votin'. Neither the Demoncrat nor the 'Pubbies are going to take up this issue in a serious fashion.
Then you probably won't be votin'. Neither the Demoncrat nor the 'Pubbies are going to take up this issue in a serious fashion.
BUMP!
The illegals are clearly a threat. But, Bush sitting on his butt and doing nothing is also a huge problem. Maybe he will wake up and actually do his job to protect this country from invasion.
How come? If they are illegals without papers....
There is something here I don't understand. I saw pictures of the march and was astounded. If they really are illegal immigrants where's the police?
That's MY president!!!!! ;^)
I am sick of this, and will opt out the next election.
There was an interesting thread a few days ago about fruit growers who are hiring illegals because they're the cheapest labor. When I said the same thing you did above, about six people pointed out that paying higher wages will drive up the price of his crops (which I knew and don't object to), leading the country's wholesalers to start buying cheaper produce from overseas. That hadn't occurred to me.
I'm against tariffs, so what's the solution? Start buying our food overseas? Accept that growing fruits and vegetables is going to disappear from America? I'd be interested to know what you think about this.
DoctorMichael: Presidente Boosh, is the USA a 'Country' or is it a 'Market'?
That's MY president!!!!! ;^)
Mine too. And he has my full support.
I'll be voting.
Regarding immigration and spending, the left is right: Bush is an idiot.
Bush is whistling past the graveyard on this, and it ain't gonna work. Positive reinforcement by the admin. in the way of calling them 'neighbors' not criminals, for heavens sake, will embolden them. They're already demanding US rights, privileges, and the land, itself. US citizens should get the h..ll out, according to that mob with the Mexican flags yesterday. How long before they decide a nice Watts type riot is in order..until they get what they want. They'll burn down LA. Wait and see.
There go the election hopes of ANY Republican who does not strongly repudiate this policy. They ain't going to get votes from Democrats, and many of the regular GOP voters are either going to vote 3rd party or sit it out.
There's no one I know who thinks immigrants in general are a threat.
Is Bush now forgetting the difference between legals and illegals? Sorry, I meant to say "document-challenged immigrants." I'm so insensitive.
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