That is about the same consideration that they will get by allowing 20 million socialists into the country for no real reason at all, other than a short term economic benefit that will destroy our culture.
Posted on 04/07/2006 7:07:15 PM PDT by pulaskibush
This morning Democrat obstruction dealt a serious blow to America’s border security and to America’s national security.
Several weeks ago, I introduced an “enforcement first” border security bill – the Secure America’s Borders Act – that would have greatly increased the number of border security agents, that would have built physical barriers in high traffic areas and utilized remote sensors and UAVs elsewhere, that would have provided for real workplace enforcement.
But I knew that 44 Democrat Senators would use every means at their disposal to obstruct an “enforcement first” approach. And I recognized that we must deal with the 11-12 million illegal immigrants currently living in America today.
So I helped broker an agreement that would have coupled the strong border security and interior enforcement provisions of my Secure America’s Borders Act with a temporary worker plan that gave those immigrants who’ve been here for longer than five years the opportunity to gain legal status – but only by beginning at the end of the line, behind those millions around the world who want to come to America honestly and legally. And only if they kept a job, learned English and American history, passed a national security and criminal background check, and paid a fine and back taxes. Those who had been here less than five years would have been required to leave the country, with only some allowed back in.
Yet Democrats led by Harry Reid and provoked by the far left of their party decided to cripple this compromise legislation by refusing to allow us to vote on several crucial amendments – amendments that would have greatly strengthened the border security and enforcement provisions of the compromise bill. Over 300 amendments had been filed and the Democrats refused to let the Senate vote on virtually any of them. Here are a few of those amendments on which the Democrats blocked a vote:
An amendment by Senators Kyl and Cornyn, which would have prevented illegal immigrants who had been convicted of felonies such as burglary; involuntary manslaughter; and assault and battery from getting green cards
An amendment by Senator Isakson, which would have prevented the creation of any new temporary worker program until the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security certified that our border is secure An amendment by Senator Dorgan, which would have made the temporary worker program truly temporary by refusing to provide green cards to future temporary workers
An amendment by Senator Ensign, which would have allowed the National Guard to help secure the border
Because of the Democrats stubborn obstruction of these amendments, the Senate will not be able to pass border security and immigration reform at this time. We will not have 15,000 new border patrol agents. We will not expand the program of expedited removal for illegal aliens caught at our border. We will not have a nationwide, mandatory verification program for hiring workers.
More to follow in the days ahead.
Bill Frist, M.D. VOLPAC Post Office Box 158552 Nashville, TN 37215 Office: (615) 386-0045
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The email was billfrist@volpac.org.
I'm replying with my article.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1611002/posts
What do you all think?
What do I think? Well, I think President Bush should start enforcing the laws that are on the books. I think he should stand up to President Fox. I think he should stand up for America. Last week, he said he was going ot enforce our laws. I think he should do that. What do you think?
If they have time for regulating Baseball, and halftime activities at the superbowl, they have time for border security and immigration.
This was the plan. No Action.
I think it's pure b.s. There was no provision to drop the hammer on the illegals who choose to remain illegal and how the #$%@ do you figure out how an "undocumented" alien has been in the country. I do like the Ensign ammendment, though.
Yes, the ThugoRats stink, as usual, they reach out of the gutter to block anything that might be good for America -- BUT in this case, the news that this got stalled, is GOOD FOR AMERICA. This legislation does NOT CONTAIN anything of substance that would CLOSE THE BORDER to further illegal alien traffic and security risks. NOTHING.
The Congress is good at using the scarlet fish, and still thinks the American people don't know their end game relative to the border....with El Jefe sitting in the wings, happy as a clam, along with his buddy, Vincente, and their open border attempt at ONE AMERICA. Sorry boys, America is not buying it and the amendments that might give the American citizen a fighting chance at saving our country from liberal, pro-illegal pols, still has to play.
THE BORDERS NEED TO BE CLOSED. PRIORITY ONE. The rest can come later.
IMMIGRATION DRAMA IN THE SENATE [Stephen Spruiell]
One Republican Senate staffer who's been working on the immigration bill tells NRO how it all went down: Around Wednesday afternoon, it became clear that Sens. Chuck Hagel (R-NE) and Mel Martinez (R-FL) were preparing to offer their compromise bill as an alternative to the original Judiciary Committee bill. The compromise wasn't really a compromise at all, because both bills were big on amnesty and weak on enforcement.
On Wednesday night, as soon as the floor was clear, Sens. Jeff Sessions (R-AL) and Ben Nelson (D-NE) entered the Senate chamber and added their own substitution - an enforcement-only bill that called for the construction of a fence, the addition of more enforcement personnel and broader use of surveillance technology, among other measures. Under Senate rules, their substitution blocked the Hagel-Martinez bill from consideration.
Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-'08) wanted a vote on the Hagel-Martinez compromise, and so he sent the bill back to the Judiciary Committee with instructions that the committee strip out the Sessions-Nelson enforcement bill and add in the Hagel-Martinez compromise.
The committee complied, and sent the bill back to the floor with the changes Frist wanted. This morning, the Senate voted 38-60 against cloture on the Hagel-Martinez compromise, and 36-62 against cloture on the original Judiciary Committee bill - effectively killing both. The similar margins, the staffer says, "show you that the compromise didn't get us very far."
http://corner.nationalreview.com/
"But" always wipes out whatever came before it.
Senator, you coulda been a hero. But you took the cowards way out.
Now ya got nuthin'...
Coulda been a hero, but instead, he's a big zero. Damn straight he's a coward.
I got the same email. I thought it was just some more talk with no real action.
Like hell.
We have laws in this country they can enforce that don't need Dem cooperation in the form of new legislation.
The fact they don't enforce existing law means "amnesty" from their voters politically with these excuses will not be available.
Enforce existent laws on the book Senator.
For 40yrs the leadership of this country has sat back and done nothing to enforce the sovereignty of this nation. Neither the House nor the Senate plan, with or without amendments, would accomplish what is needed.
Call me when the shooting starts.
------
Exactly. How they thought this would not snowball into the mass invasion that it is today, is beyond comprehension...or is it? Let the next guy worry about it, right? The bottom line is gross malfeasance on the part of the Washington government -- they should all be impeached.
How can they be BEHIND people who WANT to come if they got here ahead of them?
I may visit the Frist blog that came with the email sometime tommorrow.
Can't imagine a group of Mexicans without someone hoisting the Virgen of Guadalupe. News here today, Friday in Mexico, G.W. Bush approved 4 million Mexicans are going to stay,and the rest come home. News....flash has it rumored that the Congress is giving a free pass to all illegals, they get to choose which laws they want to abide by.
Yes, we have plenty of laws that can be enforced now! Is there anybody who really thinks that our Constitution or laws prevent the POTUS from protecting our borders? This is crazy. Bush just needs to do his job. If he doesn't, his legacy will be in the toilet. He will be remembered as the President who couldn't even defend the country's borders.
Bye, Bye, in 08, Limp Wrist Frist, we hardly knew ye, but of what we do know, go, blow.
The senators would have us to believe that we cannot identify and send home 11 million illegals. Then why do they belevee that we can:
1) identify and pinpoint exactly when every illegal came to this country.
2) investigate and keep a record of which ones have paid their taxes.
3} keep an exact record of all those who have paid the fine required by this legislation before they can become citizens.
4) test them all to make sure they can read and write english fluently.
5) do background checks to be sure they have not committed any crimes.
6) etc.
If we actually to do all these things it will be much harder and a lot more expensive than just identifying as many as possible and sending them home.
They know damned well that little if any of these things will get accomplished and everything will continue just as it currently is FUBAR.
While Frist is at it, I wish he'd give me "a temporary million dollars". I'd be willing to return it when the temporary worker plan expires and the worker is returned to Mexico, like that will EVER happen.
Here’s what I've been sending Republicans. 1.
The most important aspect of immigration reform is to secure the border. The media and the pro-illegal agenda have created the myth that we can’t secure the border unless we do something for the 11 million. All of the bills being proposed in the US Senate only delay the House bill that deals directly with the border problem.
2.
American voters want to remove the 11 million out of this country. • The recall election of Pro-illegal immigration Governor Grey Davis was won by Arnold Schwarzenegger, who also got 31 percent of the Hispanic vote after opposing SB60 (drivers licenses for illegals) and having Pete Wilson in his camp. Bustamante, the most popular pro-illegal candidate, got only 52 percent of the Hispanic vote and of course lost. • In Arizona Proposition 200, another law blocking illegals from welfare, passed easily with a 56 percent yes vote, including 40% of the Hispanic vote • California, a liberal blue state, voted for Prop 187 which would have denied illegals welfare. This resolution was voted for by 25% of hispanics. • Illegal immigrant groups challenge these propositions in courts because they know that millions of illegals depend on welfare to stay in the US
3.
Forcing illegals out of this country will not destroy the US economy • Illegals are less than 5% of the workforce, they are not a majority in any industry nor are they “the backbone” of the economy. • Many of the companies that hire illegals make billions in profits and could easily increase their wages to hire the majority of US workers in their industry. • The same economic excuse to defend illegal labor was used to successfully defend slavery in the US for decades, resulting in the Civil War. • The Center for Immigration Studies estimates that illegals cost the federal government $10 billion a year. State and local governments lose even more.
4.
Republicans will not get the “Hispanic Vote” by pandering to the illegal agenda • Hispanic activist groups are loyal to Mexico first and the socialist agenda second. The National Hispanic Leadership Agenda give democrats over 90% favorable rating. A Conservative has no chance of gaining favor with these groups • Propositions that cut welfare to illegals are supported by Americans, including many hispanics. Even more support is for securing the borders. • The way for Conservatives to reach out to hispanics is the same way they reach out to the rest of America, by speaking and voting Conservative. • The Hispanic Vote is 6% of the voting population
I'm not in agreement with the President on this issue.
But I am NOT in agreement his legacy rises and falls on this anymore than Reagan's did. Nor am I interested in indulging him as a target.
I'm far more interested in targeting the people that do NOT have principles guiding them (even wrongly) on this issue and those individuals reside in the legislative branch. Their careers rise and fall on a paper ballot. They've demonstrated they project most of their actions on politics, little on principle. That alone can guide them kicking and screaming to the right conclusion...provided the people provide enough pressure. As well, mexican flags in the streets don't hurt in turning up the outrage of the majority of this country either.
I've determined to attempt to make this THE issue the election turns on this fall. Force these Senators and Congressman to take a position.
Just document the people and fingerprint them. Keep out the folks from Saudi Arabia and other countries that are our enemies. Mexicans are not our enemies, folks.
You're right.
This was no true reform plan. Just a way to maintain status quo with cover. But the cover is thin enough to see thru.
I am still wondering why the Mexicans can't make it in their own country?
It's too bad someone can't start a positive campaign about Mexico. By this, I mean look at all the land that is just sitting there. It's mostly untouched. Look at what it's people could do if they just would. The untapped natural resources that the Mexican people should claim as their own; not the government. I do not understand why they can't be resourceful in their own country. It is a gold mine just waiting to happen.
It's too bad someone can't start a positive campaign about Mexico. By this, I mean look at all the land that is just sitting there. It's mostly untouched. Look at what it's people could do if they just would. The untapped natural resources that the Mexican people should claim as their own; not the government. I do not understand why they can't be resourceful in their own country. It is a gold mine just waiting to happen.
Here's how I feel about that. I am with you in supporting even tougher laws to protect this country and its borders and I am with you in holding the lawmakers' feet to the fire to try to get tougher laws. BUT, the fact remains that we have a President who is not even using the tools he has right now to defend this country. Without a change in direction from him, what reason do we have to believe that he would be any stronger or more effective with more tools? Now, I recall him saying last week that he would begin enforcing our laws. I want to see him do that. If he does, if he shows that he IS able and willing to defend the borders, I think a lot of people will be more willing to consider some of the other things he says he wants. If he doesn't, I do believe that this will failure will be a huge part of his legacy.
They are taught from childhood that America owes them a living. The Mexican "government" does everything it can to get it's people across the border. They sue the US, give illegals survival packs, instruction booklets, and dual citizenship. They get billions from illegals so it's worth it to them.
What does "secure" mean? Is there a statistical definition or something?
Absolutely!
He, and other high Mexican immigration enthusiasts, are all concerned about the status of illegals already here.
Hellooooo! You have what you want, Mr. President. Neither the Minute Men nor anyone else is going to do anything whatsoever in the foreseeable future about the illegals who are already here.
So why dont you do your job and fix the EMERGENCY part of the problem? How about securing the border so another 11 million don't come in.
WH credibility here is ZERO.
And let the next group of spineless, corrupt incompetents move into place, just like a Pez candy?
Let's face it--our politicians, left and right, with few exceptions, are out of touch with mainstream America, completely and wholly. They have no idea how the common American lives because (a) it's been decades since they've been here, (b) they've never been here, (c) they've spent too many years in the marbled halls of Washington, (d) all of the above.
Maybe a rigorous succession movement would grab their attention....?
I just think it is a means of applying pressure to do something. If you were the head of DHS right now, would you be willing to "certify" that our borders are presently secure? Can you imagine yourself looking down at that piece of paper and wondering what the press will print about you if you sign it?
Let's face it--our politicians, left and right, with few exceptions, are out of touch with mainstream America, completely and wholly. They have no idea how the common American lives because (a) it's been decades since they've been here, (b) they've never been here, (c) they've spent too many years in the marbled halls of Washington, (d) all of the above.
-----
Well put -- it will take (c). Pray for term limits, but that is asking the fox to relieve himself of the duty of watching the hen house....never happen.
1. Corruption
2. Culture
As it is in most (if not all) 3rd world countries.
Nope. Thus the amendment is a bit of a joke.
I think a lot of people are afraid that the President might gleefully accept and execute any new laws regarding guest workers and that he will not be as enthusiastic about implementing border security or internal enforcement portions of the law. He seems to need considerable encouragement and prodding in those areas. The certification amendment reflects all that.
I agree. I have E-mailed both my Senators(Isakson & Chambliss), and have told them enforcement first!!! I have recently recieved many fundraising mailings and calls from the RNC and have responded to both of them with" I will give you no money until you deal with the illegals, and their better damn well better be no amnesty". Well, there you go! This issue is just pissing me off. I think we should send immigrationj to every protest march and send their asses back across the border. Shoot to maim when they try to cross back over.
and now Russia, China, and IRan are exploiting the open border.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1611044/posts
There was no necessity to sacrifice enforcement of our borders. A real leader would have simply picked-off 5 or 6 dems in the rust-belt.
I think he's a blatant liar.
You want to pass a serious immigration reform? Put EACH of the provisions up separately for a vote as separate bills, and in the proper order.
First, address border security and pass a bill on that. Next, kick out the millions of illegals who are here. Then finally, reform the process for providing us with the immigrants we need.
It's not that hard and this is just the same lame excuse we've heard year after year since the beginning of 2001.
Have you been here for less than 2 years, if you respond yes, you will be deported.
Mr. Illegal Alien: No, no. I been here longer.
Government agent: Have you been here between 2-5 years, if so, you have to go back to your country and apply for a work visa.
Mr. Illegal Alien: Uh, no, no, longer.
Government agent: Can you prove it? Where have you worked for over 5 years?
Mr. Illegal Alien: No, I, uh, ah, mow lawns. People in my community can tell you I live here longer than five years. Just give me time to talk with them before you speak with them.
Government agent: Do you have any questions?
Mr. Illegal Alien: Yes, where do I trade in my illegal counterfeit documents for legal documents.
But even those illegals who are not our enemies do not belong here.
I could give you many reasons, but if the reality hasn't already sunk in, nothing I say will help you see past your own prejudices.
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