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Ariz. Republicans say they'll fight bill to cut entrant costs
Arizona Daily Star ^
| 17 July 2003
| C.J. Karamargin
Posted on 07/17/2003 1:00:51 PM PDT by JackelopeBreeder
Republicans in Arizona's congressional delegation have joined their Democratic colleagues in opposing an initiative aimed at reducing the financial burdens created by illegal immigration.
The eight Republicans said in a joint statement that the initiative "will not solve the problems it seeks to address" and might do more harm than good.
"We agree that more must be done to secure our borders and to ensure that Arizonans do not bear the burdens of an ineffective immigration policy," the statement said. "However, guarding the border is, and should remain, the responsibility of the federal government."
Supporters of the Arizona Taxpayer and Citizen Protection Act hope to put the initiative on the November 2004 ballot, when seven of the eight lawmakers - including Rep. Jim Kolbe of Tucson - face voters in likely re-election bids.
The initiative would prevent illegal entrants from receiving public assistance; make it a crime for state and local government workers to fail to report suspected illegal entrants; and require Arizonans to show proof of citizenship before registering to vote.
In announcing the initiative earlier this month, supporters claimed illegal entrants are siphoning away tax dollars through welfare programs as government officials fail to stanch an "invasion" from Mexico. Many Democrats and Hispanics immediately criticized the measure as racist.
Rep. Raúl Grijalva, D-Ariz., called it "mean spirited" and said it has the potential to be as divisive as the bitter debate over the Martin Luther King jr. holiday.
State Rep. Randy Graf of Green Valley, an initiative supporter, said he was disappointed by the statement but confident the effort has strong grassroots backing.
"Quite frankly, I think it's more politics than anything," the Republican said.
He said it appeared to be part of "an orchestrated effort" by the highest echelons of the Republican Party who are concerned about wooing Hispanic voters.
"It's the only thing that can be motivating them," he said, adding that the Republican National Committee and "even the White House" could be involved.
According to Kolbe's office, the statement was also endorsed by Sens. John McCain and Jon Kyl, and Reps. Rick Renzi, Trent Franks, John Shadegg, J.D. Hayworth, and Jeff Flake. All but Kyl face re-election next year.
TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; Government; Mexico; Politics/Elections; US: Arizona
KEYWORDS: aliens; benefits; illegals; initiative; pandering
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This has to be the most cowardly and meaningless statement I've heard in a long while. Of course the real kicker is at the end of the article.
To: Free the USA; Libertarianize the GOP; B4Ranch; madfly; FITZ; Reaganwuzthebest; hsmomx3; ...
Ping! Wait till you see the last couple of paragraphs...
2
posted on
07/17/2003 1:02:12 PM PDT
by
JackelopeBreeder
(Proud to be a loco gringo armed vigilante terrorist cucaracha!)
To: JackelopeBreeder
Traitors, all of them.
To: All
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4
posted on
07/17/2003 1:03:44 PM PDT
by
Support Free Republic
(Your support keeps Free Republic going strong!)
To: JackelopeBreeder
What a bunch of despicable, treasonous pimps. Anybody who aligns himself with the vile anti-American Mexican nationalist Raul 'El Cerdo Grande' Grijalva ought to be removed from office and tried for treason. 2004 could be a very interesting year for Bush and this band of gypsies.
5
posted on
07/17/2003 1:07:15 PM PDT
by
Tancredo Fan
(Stop the invasion. Put the military on the borders, round up illegals, and tell Fox to shove off.)
To: JackelopeBreeder
I don't get it ... it's a death wish for the American Southwest.
g in AZ
6
posted on
07/17/2003 1:07:50 PM PDT
by
Geezerette
(... but young at heart!-)
To: JackelopeBreeder
I'm a little surprised to see Flake on that list.
7
posted on
07/17/2003 1:08:20 PM PDT
by
Carry_Okie
(California! See how low WE can go!)
To: JackelopeBreeder; PhiKapMom
Where's the "Bush-Rove Surrender Alert?"
To: Geezerette
it's a death wish for the American Southwest.
It's a deathwish for the Republican Party.
To: JackelopeBreeder
You're right, the nugget of the article, that concept which the writer wants to leave us with, is the last couple of paragraphs. OTOH, I found this excerpt from the statement rather damning:
We agree that more must be done to secure our borders and to ensure that Arizonans do not bear the burdens of an ineffective immigration policy," the statement said. "However, guarding the border is, and should remain, the responsibility of the federal government.
Don't these gentlemen realize that they are the Federal Government, and ought to be doing something about the problem? </ rhetoric>
10
posted on
07/17/2003 1:15:56 PM PDT
by
HiJinx
(3rd Quarter FReepathon is on...a dollar a day keeps the bombers at bay!)
To: JackelopeBreeder
To: Carry_Okie
Flake is totally open-borders.
To: HiJinx
Sorry but State Govt. is not Federal Govt. AZ republicans should be working on making sure McCain never hold a seat higher than dog catcher!
13
posted on
07/17/2003 1:29:08 PM PDT
by
Bommer
(Tom Dasshole is a Domestic Enemy!!!)
To: JackelopeBreeder
Jon Kyl, and Reps. Rick Renzi, Trent Franks, John Shadegg, J.D. Hayworth, and Jeff Flake. Those are some very conservative lawmakers. Either the wording isn't good or the timing isn't good; look at what happened in California where they passed the referendum but got nothing for their troubles, no 187, only electoral defeat. If you're going to do something like this it has to be done right or you're shooting yourself in the foot. The fact that none of those conservative congresscritters will support it or stay neutral says to me that the format and/or timing is bad.
14
posted on
07/17/2003 1:30:31 PM PDT
by
JohnnyZ
(Bumper sticker: "Keep honking -- I'm reloading")
To: Bommer
I'm sorry, you've lost me...
This article is about a joint statement from the 8 men who make up Arizona's delegation to the United States Congress. They are our voice at the Federal level. They should be trying to solve the problem, not castigating us for coming up with a solution.
15
posted on
07/17/2003 1:34:53 PM PDT
by
HiJinx
(3rd Quarter FReepathon is on...a dollar a day keeps the bombers at bay!)
To: JackelopeBreeder
I got this in an e-mail from one of my Republican friends.
I hit the "Reply all" button and asked if we should all hold our breath.
The replies I received from several prominent local Repubs expressed their frustration with the congress critters.
To: JackelopeBreeder
"However, guarding the border is, and should remain, the responsibility of the federal government."
And a bang-up job it's doing.
17
posted on
07/17/2003 1:51:30 PM PDT
by
Xenalyte
(I may not agree with your bumper sticker, but I'll defend to the death your right to stick it)
To: Carry_Okie
I guess you didn't catch Flake on O'Reilly. He's for open borders.
To: JackelopeBreeder
None of these jokers should be re-elected. Get involved in local Republican politics, help find a viable candidate to run against these RINOS, and then do everything you can to get them elected. I did that last year and ended up as Jim Behnke's Assistant Campaign Manager as he ran against RINO Jim Kolbe. We didn't win, but we sure had fun trying. I'll do it again if an acceptable candidate presents himself.
19
posted on
07/17/2003 1:55:02 PM PDT
by
Spiff
To: JohnnyZ
Renzi co-sponsored the "Dream" whatever bill that allows children of illegals to attend state colleges for the same tuition charged to legal residents of their respective states.
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