Posted on 10/14/2006 5:36:22 PM PDT by JulieRNR21
Senate Candidates Divided On Immigration Issue
The two candidates for U.S. Senate find themselves on opposite sides of the battle over immigration reform.
Republican Katherine Harris is attacking incumbent Democrat Sen. Bill Nelson, saying he wants to give a free ride to citizenship for people living in this country illegally.
A recent survey shows illegal immigration is a top concern among Florida voters, WESH 2 News reported
In fact, more voters said they're worried more about immigration than they are about terrorism or the war in Iraq.
Willie Telismon said he doesn't mind grueling work. Picking fruit pays little, but he said he's proud to say he's received his immigrant working papers after coming to this country illegally.
More than 800,000 illegal immigrants are working in Florida, mostly in low-paying jobs.
Even for those who attain U.S. citizenship, the process can take two or more years.
Demonstrators who have marched in protest of current immigration laws are demanding citizenship for 12 million illegal immigrants in the U.S.
"We just want to have the American dream like everyone else," said Elias Piccard, who marched in a recent rally.
"We just want to be treated fairly. We want to be treated like humans. And sometimes we're not," Adriana Ortiz said.
Illegal immigrants are committing themselves to hard work, but a new study shows they're costing Florida taxpayers more than $4 billion per year in health care, education and other social programs. Another study shows only half pay taxes.
Harris voted for the U.S. House bill that proposes building a fence along the Mexican border and holding employers criminally liable if they hire illegal aliens. Nelson supports a plan passed by the Senate that would give some illegal immigrants a path to citizenship, but he does not call that amnesty.
"You take a portion of those and you send them back, but a portion of them that are needed for the labor supply, they can't have a criminal record, they have to pay back taxes and fines, they have to learn English, and they have to have a full-time job of employment," he said.
"We differ strongly on that point. The bill that he supports, tens of millions of new citizens would come into our country. Tens of millions. Up to 100 million new citizens. And at a cost of $50 billion annually in social services alone," Harris said. "Those are dollars that our taxpayers, everyday citizens are incurring for an act against our law."
It is an important decision for voters. No compromise bill has been forged, and whoever wins the Senate race next month will play an important role in deciding which immigration law is passed.
It's an easy choice, WESH 2 political reporter Greg Fox reported. If you're a hard-liner on illegal immigration, Harris may be your candidate. If citizenship for millions of illegal immigrants is OK with you, Nelson might be your choice.
Do you even know what a primary is?
If she was a weak candidate, then the primary would have been the time to eliminate her.
Like I said, other prominent Republicans declined to run for the seat. So, she beat the competition and is the nominee.
So, you either support her or you support Nelson.
The FL GOP grassroots are working hard to GOTV! Crist is very popular....he can pull up the ticket!
It ain't over!
The only poll that matters is on November 7 th.
Of course, of the two, I support her.
My money donations will be going to other closer races though.
Do you honestly believe that the result of that primary showed her to be a strong candidate? She had 100% name ID against no-names with no money. She couldn't even get a majority of the vote.
It's her fault that she didn't have better competition?
Jeb, Franks, Bense....where were these guys?
Whatever. She got 50% of the primary vote. That's all that matters. I support Harris and hopes she wins. If she doesn't, hey, she has an impressive background and can easily get a job in the private sector.
Is there an illegal problem in Kentucky?
Is it an important issue in your state races?
Do you have any conservative candidates who oppose amnesty and want stronger border security?
It's the #1 issue in Florida!
For all the naysayers: How about a little support instead of all the negativity?
"She has no prayer of winning.
She would have been lucky..."
They're too busy supporting clowns like Chafee & Lieberman.
Certainly simplifies the choice.
HARRIS FIGHTS AGAINST NELSON’S COSTLY IMMIGRATION AGENDA (Florida)
Some of us are praying for a WIN and don't believe in LUCK.
BRAVO BUMP
Well said Julie!!!
I have not seen one ad from her.
Click on the link http://rajforcongress.com/default.asp and watch the video with the elephant at the border.
Don't buy what politicians lie about the border -- they don't care at all!
she would have held her seat in a landslide.
Apparently, you know nothing about her district.
Yes. Is it an important issue in your state races?
No. Do you have any conservative candidates who oppose amnesty and want stronger border security?
Yes. It's the #1 issue in Florida!
I somehow doubt that...but I'm not there so who knows.
Long time no see. Maybe we can get together at Ms. Harris' victory party in November. Keep up the good work.
5.56mm
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