Posted on 05/12/2006 5:47:27 PM PDT by ohioWfan
I’m going to try something entirely new to Free Republic………..start a thread restricted to practical, positive. pro-active things that this huge forum filled with good people who love this country can actually DO about helping to solve the illegal immigration problem, and how we can ‘encourage’ our leaders at all levels to get their acts together.
This is not a thread for venting or attacking (Heaven knows, that‘s been done plenty around here!). Let’s keep it entirely positive……..no attacks on the President and ‘Bushbots’ or the GOP………or on each other, from EITHER side. No threats to ’kick the GOP bums out’ …….we all know that the risk of having Dems in power is too great for that irresponsible threat. NO name-calling from EITHER side……..’Jorge‘ and ‘El Presidente‘ both qualify as disrespectful name-calling. (Perhaps we can all just ignore anyone who tries to turn this into a hostile thread, and punch the abuse button, but NOT engage in battle with him/her). Disagree, but be respectful about it.
What we really need are practical things we can do……with links to key Senate and Congressional offices, the White House, as well as STATE and LOCAL government offices, examples of THOUGHTFUL and POSITIVE letters to our leaders that will actually be read, and responded to. Phone numbers, and ideas for THOUGHTFUL and POSITIVE phone calls to leaders. What we also need are specific PRAYER requests for you, so that those of us who believe that our God is the God of the impossible can be on our knees in prayer for the details of this immense problem. We need fervent prayer for the President and Congress, as well as our State and Local authorities. And we need Freeper creativity!
We are LEGION, and together, I believe we can make a difference in moving this engine down the track more rapidly.
There are people who are very angry with the President and the Republicans in Congress, and people who still respect and admire the President greatly, and are angry with the Republicans in Congress……..and even some who are NOT angry with the Republicans in Congress (OK……..maybe not..... :)………..but we ALL want to end this invasion, and help our brothers and sisters in the Southwest to have their safe and normal lives return, and prevent the invasion from moving further.
Those of us outside the region may not understand what things are like, but we want to, so if those of you in the affected states could give us more details about how bad this is, without belittling us because we don’t live there, it would be much appreciated. We know it‘s bad, and we care about it, even though we cannot fully appreciate it from where we sit.
There is a great work force of pro-Bush people out in freeper lurker land who have been shoved out of the discussion by bashers. There are lots of us who want to know what’s going on, but wouldn’t go on a standard immigration thread if our lives depended on it, because the disdain for us there is palpable. We may agree with the idea of a guest worker program, or we may not, but we don‘t want to be labeled just because our ideas are different.
So…… LET US HELP YOU, PLEASE! We are activists, and we are willing to work.
Tell us what we can do. Let’s band together on this important issue to do whatever we can do to put pressure on Congress, the White House, state and local governments………polite, respectful pressure……….as well as encouraging them when they do make good decisions, and see what happens.
What do you think? Can we be pro-active and actually get something done? Can we discuss this without rancor, but with the common goal in mind to rescue our beloved country from invasion?
If you think so, please ping those who will, without personal attacks, tell us their stories, and let us get involved in getting something done. This thread is not to place blame, but to come up with solutions.
This is America………..and we are Freepers! Let’s ROLL!
Thanks for stating that so clearly. I don't know how I got so foggy headed as to miss that point, but I did. I have pointed out that our immigration laws don't suit our needs, but I never posted what I thought our goals should be. And, no, construction of a fence is not a worthy goal. :-)
That is one of the difficult things about just "shutting down" medical services...
When an ambulance is called, those paramedics don't have the mindset, nor should they, to be INS agents and ask for proof of citizenship before treating someone.
Unless there was a law that would let the hospital people call the authorities, if they have no proof, after they get THERE, the people will still get treated.
Our country just does NOT refuse medical help to people, regardless of legal status.
Perhaps, though, like empowering the local police departments to arrest illegals, they should empower hospitals and clinics to at least call ICE..and maybe even the paramedics if they just treat someone, but don't transport to a hospital.
PING.........
Mexico is a problem at all times, but particularly right now because it is under leftist pressure (from Chavez). I think the US is afraid that making Mexico accept any responsibility for anything whatsoever will drive it into the arms of the left.
Fox was speaking at a conference in Europe today and defended the free market and private property, in the face of people like Chavez and Morales (who left the meeting and refused to come to the dinner!), so technically he's on our side. But he's an ineffective leader who is a bit flakey, not well liked, and unfortunately has decided that anti-AMericanism for domestic consumption is his secret formula. Remember that Mexico was one of the last states to send us official condolences after 9/11, mostly because Fox did not have the guts to oppose the left-wing Mexican legislature.
It's complicated, but I think that if we started treating Mexico as an equal - that is, a country that should at least be as responsible as Canada (which is not very responsible, but at least is not as hostile as Mexico), this would be a step in the right direction. It would also be a great support to the forces of law and order in Mexico, which is a state so corrupt they burn honest policemen to death in the streets for having opposed the local drug and prostitution lord (who probably also has a squad of coyotes at his command, trucking immigrants over in meat trucks). I am a translator and I translate a lot of commercial and legal documents from Latin America in general and Mexico in particular, and I think these countries would actually like to be legitimate, law abiding capitalist countries, but we are not giving them either the carrot or the stick to make them so.
I think what we need is an entirely different Mexico policy. I thought that Rice might bring a different approach to Latin America, but unfortunately, it seems as though the old State miasma has swallowed her. (Of course, I realize she's got a lot on her plate with Iran...)
Congrats to the states of OH and KY for the big bust, two years in the making, of the Cincy area builder for employing illegals. Now, for Ryland and Inverness.
Take it all the way and abolish the anchor baby citizenship.
The immediate cessation of all federal, state, and local financial, educational, housing, hospitalization and welfare benefits to all illegal aliens, employed or not.
Stop the merry-go-round at the border. Once deported or sent back and caught crossing the second time, put them in a work camp to clean up the trash along the border from California to the Gulf for six months. Put all employers on notice, publishing and posting the fines for hiring illegals right next to their business license or "No Smoking" signs.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, and the White House contact address.
You betcha! He's one great sheriff!
This was a REAL letter, not a form letter, so WRITE. Believe me, 500,000 letters from Ohioans would go far to move this guy.
>>1. Every year the Social Security Administration receives on the order of 9 million payments from employers that cannot be matched to legitimate citizens social security numbers
I am assuming that the SSA just keeps the cash?<<
that's muy understanding - that we make a profit on illegals in Social security that must be set against losses elsewhere.
Absolutely.
Amnesty will be a disaster.
I think you have hit upon a great balance.
Now, how do you fight laws such as those in Arizona that actually prevent the identification of illegals?
I have a Few questions for all dealing with this issue. The first is if we allow all these people the option to become U.S. Citizens do you think we should also allow them to keep their citizenship to Mexico? What is public opinion about Dual Citizenship? Does Dual Citizenship create a loyalty issue to the USA?
A flood of REAL letters would have an impact on him.
Now, how do you fight laws such as those in Arizona that actually prevent the identification of illegals?
"I would presume that if they can't find and deport 11 million illegals, they could not find or imprison 11 million tax delinquents. RIGHT!
I wouldn't bet on it!
Some things are priorities and some things aren't.
1. Don't let babies of illegals become automatic citizens just for being born in this country.
2. Build a barrier at the southern border & increase enforcement officials to patrol it.
3. No amnesty. Period. Increase the amount of LEGAL immigrants that can come over here. Any illegal here now has to go back home & come over here the proper way. Anyone else is jailed or deported.
4. Heavy, strict penalties for employers of illegals. Rewards for citizens who turn them in.
5. No more free health care, education, etc. for anyone who is not a citizen.
6. Stop paying Americans more in welfare payments than they can make taking on a minimum wage job.
7. Stop making all instructions & signs in 2 languages - ENGLISH ONLY.
8. Be a Patriot - grow a lot of your own vegetables (think VICTORY GARDEN) - cut your own grass - clean your own house - nanny your own children.
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