Illegals' tax deal could kill bill

The Washington Times ^ | Charles Hurt

[2NY]

The long-fought Senate immigration bill that opponents say grants amnesty to 10 million illegal aliens is unconstitutional and appears headed for certain demise, Senate Republicans now say. A key feature of the Senate bill is that it would make illegals pay back taxes before applying for citizenship, a requirement that supporters say will raise billions of dollars in the next decade. There's just one problem: The U.S. Constitution specifically prohibits revenue-raising legislation from originating in the Senate.

[TomGuy]

most illegal aliens are not child molesters and only want to make a better life for themselves and their families.

Partly true. But look at the stats. 27% of US prisoners (all types of crimes--robbery, sex crimes, murder, drug related, etc.) are illegals, and that number increases to nearly 50% in California.

If we had controlled immigration, we could reduce those numbers significantly by prohibiting the free-flow across the border.

And many articles about crimes being committed by illegals have a further comment -- the perp had committed other crimes in the US, and some had even been deported, only to return and commit new crimes.

[conservativecorner]

This is the main cheerleader for an amnesty:

[clawrence3]

Where else would the problem about "The U.S. Constitution specifically prohibits revenue-raising legislation from originating in the Senate" get resolved?

[Semi Civil Servant]

The prevailing wage aspect of this law doesnt bother me. If you really think about it you would see that it really creates a disincentive to employers to hire illegals.

True, if you believe this law will be enforced. Since the current laws are not enforced, and employers who hire illegals are already breaking the law, no employer will give a second thought to breaking another law.

The only way to stop the invasion is to dish out some serious jail time to several high profile CEO's and scare the bedbugs out of the employer community. The jobs would then dry up, the invasion would slow considerably, and many illegals would go home.

The current administration has demonstrated it has no interest in enforcing the immigration laws on the books. Ditto for other recent administrations. That's the fundamental problem.

[stopem]

And YOU are bashing AMERICAN CITIZENS....hmmmmmmmm

[Jameison]

"That's what I'm asking you: does "anything" good to kill this bill include the assassination of the President of the United States "

The guy that made that statement about putting a bullet between President Bush's eyes is actually a RAT here in New York State, and he backs the Senate Amnesty Bill.

He is just one of the normal RATS moonbats that have hated President Bush long before this immigration Bill came up.

[clawrence3]

I agree - massive increases in LEGAL immigration will free up Border Patrol and other law enforcement to focus on said REAL criminals.

[Map Kernow]

Sounds like the bill also needs a provision imposing fines for supplying information on its unconstitutionality, just like it now has (up to $10,000!) for immigration officers supplying information on immigrant fraud, including concealment of terrorist activities.

[clawrence3]

Does your definition of "amnesty" include other criminal "plea bargains"?

[Blazing Saddles]

"Yes, the income tax was once prohibited. Congress tried to impose one in the late 1800's and the SCOTUS ruled it unconstitutional. Congress then proposed, and the states ratified the 16th Amendment, which legalizes the income tax."



I've read all over the place that there is no record of all 38 states ratifying the 16th Amendment, which legalizes the income tax!! I used to wonder about this, but with the sh*t going on now, I don't doubt what I've read!!

[clawrence3]

I am not "bashing" anyone by ACCURATELY stating the facts.

[clawrence3]

Which is exactly why I asked my question to that person.

[conservativecorner]

I'm talking about illegals who crossed over our sovereign border and now think they have rights. They have none except the right to go home.

[stopem]

And so was I!!

[azhenfud]

"INSERT BILL FACE UP"

[Vaquero]

absurd. BTW Hevesi is an anti gun liberal.

(the tag line is about politness as being a necessary survival skill when everone is armed....not about some daffy assassination)

[TomGuy]

I've heard some anecdotes here in the DC Metro area which don't support the "cheap labor" argument. Like employers who can't keep "native" Americans in manual labor jobs for more than a couple weeks or months, or newspaper ads that go unanswered for weeks at $14 and $15 an hour.

Scrutinize those reports heavily.

A couple of weeks ago, a lady from California was making the rounds on the cable news channels. She was crying that her company couldn't get job applicants for jobs at $34.00 per hour (IIRC).

Well, that smacked of suspicion, so some FReepers investigated her claims and found them VERY conditional. The actual jobs started at $6.00 to $7.00 and MIGHT develop into state contractual positions that paid the higher rate.

[clawrence3]

Actually, it is settled law that illegal aliens have most rights under the U.S. Constitution too - with the exception of those reserved for "citizens" or "natural-born persons" - now, can you answer my question?

[JamesP81]

Direct election of Senators would still work imo if their terms were two years instead of six

I disagree. It strikes directly to the heart of the kind of nation the Framers intended us to have. They set up a bicameral legislature so that one house would represent the people and the other would represent the States. The Framers were shrewd; they understood that sole rule by the people was an invitation to mob rule. They knew from Greek and Roman history that mob rule could violate an individual's rights just as surely as the worst monarch or dictator.

Having the senate elected directly means both chambers represent the voice of the people, and thus invites mob rule. The sort of system we have now is appropriate for a democracy; but we are not a democracy. We are a republic, and having the Senate as it is now is not appropriate for a Republic.

[Little Ray]

Last time I checked, they were making us slaves to take care of the "less fortunate," including illegals and newly shamnestied "guest workers."