Bush circles the wagons as approval ratings slip

The Washington Times ^ | June 3, 2006 | Joseph Curl

[investigateworld]

"...Furthermore it is intellectually empty to suggest that unless a President make exact statements in reference to future solutions....his is never again entitled to do so..."


I'll pass on that little shot there, heck if that's all ya got?

But the most frequently stated comment was " two six year terms for guest workers then their out of here".

I think everyone who followed the campaign would agree there was no 'path to citizenship' stated or implied.

So please share with us why Dubya wants 20 million new Democrat voters here?

[SevenMinusOne]

But the most frequently stated comment was " two six year terms for guest workers then their out of here".

Exactly in reference to new workers who would come here via a reformed guest / temporary worker program. Once this new program GWB is proposing was implemented (from today going forward).

This was not addressing those 12 million that are currently here (though of course a segment of those would be put into a newly established temporary worker program while in the process of seeing if they meet the requirements for citizenship....but that would only apply to those current 12 million that are here). - There was never any honest suggestion of mass deportation of those currently here (who have come via one means or another ...both legal and illegally over the past 20 years).

[Chgogal]

Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance.

[WFBFan]

"Any thoughts? "

Much of the illegal alien labor is of the unskilled variety.
There are a limit to the number of jobs that match that skill set in any advanced economy. In fact, the existence of this "cheap" off-the-books labor force holds back innovation.

Let me give you a historical example. Roman industry was built on "cheap" labor (slaves). Easy access to that cheap labor meant they did not have to advance technologically. In areas where there was a shortage of cheap labor, they were forced to employ automation - such as the mill at Barbegal in France. This technology only saw limited use, as slaves were the cheap alternative - the path of least resistance, as it were. Now, imagine what might have become of the Roman Empire without that easy labor source. Imagine the industry that might have developed. They were theoretically aware of steam power. They knew how to build water wheels. They didn't. It was cheaper to not bother. Technology stagnated.

Now, a technological answer to hanging sheet-rock may not be forthcoming, but there were Americans doing that job at one point. Labor laws made the illegals cheaper in the eyes of contractors, so those jobs became effectively closed to citizens in many areas. Legalize the illegals and you don't have that cheap, off-the-books labor.

Add the net drain that illegal aliens represent in increased taxes and medical expenses and I have a hard time worrying about short term impacts to some industries.

[thatdewd]

Hey dubbya, how's that whole "new tone" thing working out?