Posted on 05/29/2007 10:15:03 AM PDT by Rb ver. 2.0
GLYNCO, Ga. (AP) - President Bush attacked opponents of an immigration deal Tuesday, suggesting they “don’t want to do what’s right for America.”
“The fundamental question is, will elected officials have the courage necessary to put a comprehensive immigration plan in place,” Bush said against a backdrop of a huge American flag.
He described his proposal—which has been agreed to by a bipartisan group of senators—as one that “makes it more likely we can enforce our border—and at the same time uphold the great immigrant tradition of the United States of America.”
Bush spoke at the nation’s largest training center for law enforcement.
He chose the get-tough setting as conservative critics blast a Senate proposal as being soft on people who break the law. Hoping to blunt that message, Bush emphasized that any new options for immigrants and foreign workers would not start until tougher security is in place.
The presidential stop came during a congressional recess, with senators back home and facing pressure from the left and right on the immigration plan. Bush’s aim is to build momentum for the legislation, perhaps his best chance for a signature victory in his second term. The Senate expects to resume debate on it next week.
“A lot of Americans are skeptical about immigration reform, primarily because they don’t think the government can fix the problems,” Bush said.
“And my answer to the skeptics is: give us a chance to fix the problems in a comprehensive way that enforces our border and treats people with decency and respect. Give us a chance to fix this problem. Don’t try to kill this bill before it gets moving,” Bush told students and instructors at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center.
Bush repeatedly cast the matter as one of political courage.
“Those determined to find fault with this bill will always be able to look at a narrow slice of it and find something they don’t like,” the president said. “If you want to kill the bill, if you don’t want to do what’s right for America, you can pick one little aspect out of it.
“You can use it to frighten people,” Bush said. “Or you can show leadership and solve this problem once and for all.”
The bill would give temporary legal status to millions of unlawful immigrants, provided they came forward, paid a fine and underwent criminal background checks. To apply for a green card, they would have to pay another fine, learn English, return to their home country and wait in line.
The plan also would create a guest worker program. It would allow foreign laborers to come to the U.S. for temporary stints, yet with no guarantee they can eventually gain citizenship.
Both the new visa plan and the temporary worker program are contingent on other steps coming first. Those include fencing and barriers along the Mexico border, the hiring of more Border Patrol agents and the completion of an identification system to verify employees’ legal status.
The legislation would also reshape future immigration decisions. A new point system would prioritize skills and education over family in deciding who can immigrate.
Georgia’s senators both played leading roles in producing Bush’s deal with the Senate. Yet they have also said they may not support the final bill, depending upon how it is amended.
Bush chastised those who say the proposal offers amnesty to illegal immigrants. He called it empty political rhetoric.
U.S. Constitution, Article 4 Section 4:
"The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government,
1. The act of invading; the act of encroaching upon the rights or possessions of another; encroachment; trespass.
Geroge Bush the man that killed the GOP is now trying to do tyhe same to the nation. 2008 can't get here fast enough.
Damn Glad to hear of you again!
...I have to wonder whether this quote was taken out of context....
::::
Hard to say because after I heard Bush say that the illegal immigrants presence in America was the will of the American people (in a speech) — I said at that point, this President will say things that are NOT true...to further this insane, horrible effort.
I’m not for doing anything to Hispanic American citizens or legal Hispanic resident aliens.
I AM for removing illegal invaders whatever their nation of origin.
ROUNDING up people and deporting them en mass is an unrealistic approach - although most certainly, whenever discovered, they SHOULD be removed.
BUT, if you do the following:
1) Put employers who knowingly hire illegals out of business, seize their assets, and use the same to cover the cost of apprehension, detention, and repatriation of illegals
2) Cut off all Federal aid to any local or state juridiction which refuses to cooperate in enforcing immigration laws
3)Seize the assets of any organization or group providing “sanctuary” to illegal invaders, and use them as in paragraph “1)”
4) cut off all social service benefits to illegal invaders
the problem will resolve itself. The illegals here, not being able to secure employment, sanctuary or benefits, will return frm whence they came.
“There are 36 MILLION Hispanic illegals among the probably 37 MILLION total. That’s a helleva majority.”
Yeeessss. But they wouldn’t be voting - unless they are registered as Democrats - but election fraud is a federal crime, isn’t it?
If we need more workers, we increase the immigration quotas, we speed up the immigration process, we condcut background checks, and we let in people who want to come here to be AMERICANS, not just to make a buck and mail it back home wherever that is. THAT is what made America great - not slave labor.
You said in words what everybody knows. This is an election year issue. Let them all stand or fall on this. And justify themselves. Let’s have the discussion this way. 150 years ago we had a civil war with economic roots based partly on slavery. 600,000 men died then. And we are importing slaves again to undercut the wages of Black Americans? We have to stop this before it goes farther. I pray to God that the people we elect don’t lead us down that road again.
GREAT POST.
You are a GREAT American!!!!!
Mr President,
You’ve had two terms in which to enforce immigration code. In all instances your chances were blown, just as you have blown your political capital. No one believes you anymore concerning securing the US border. No one believes those in DC concerning securing the US border.
No one believes you - no one takes you seriously. Because you failed to take America’s desire for a secure border seriously.
Mr. President,
Thank you for your service, IFIYGD.
Just a day or two, since I checked. I’m as surprised as you.
It goes to the very heart of representative government.
These clowns were elected BY us, they are supposed to SERVE us, and the overwhelming majority of Americans in all political parties have made it very clear they oppose amnesty and “guest worker” programs. They have made it very clear that border security is their number one issue.
An amen to your sentiments.
I sense an attitude of contempt for the legitimate concerns of the people whose votes put him into office.
LET THEM EAT CAKE
We know how well that period in history turned out for another set of elites who were out of touch with reality.
The President seems unaware of many aspects of the issue, absolutely vital to the character of the American future.
This comment shows that el presidente is one of 2 things.......... 1. a bigger moron than previously believed 2. truly dangerous
This comment shows that el presidente is one of 2 things..........
1. a bigger moron than previously believed
2. truly dangerous
Comprehensive Abomination, is not in our best interest Mr. President. Enforce current law. Seal the border.
Because, like your B-5 namesake, he actually works for the 'Shadows', not for the citizens of this country...
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.