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.
Bush is heading for a new low (5/24/07)
Yes, you probably are the only one. My daddy’s family were by no means immigrants. I don’t know about Bush’s family status along those lines. This is our home and we do not have to let everybody and anybody in. George Bush is like one of those parents who is in the Big Brothers, the Boy Scouts and every other do-gooder organization available to him, while he neglects his own children and then wonders at their attitudes towards him.
Bush is working hard to insure a disaster for Repubs in 2008.
““Put some ice on that.” Then we will feel better.”
I don’t get it. Simplify please.
When they don’t have an argument that makes sense, they indulge in ad hominem attacks. So we’re ‘the problem’, not shamnesty.
It's not really immigration we are talking about. It's an invasion. And, we stand ready to reward the invaders via this bill.
I partly agree with you. It's almost too late. Especially since you consider the majority of Americans are so apathetic that only a kick in the head, or an attack on the personally from some illegal, will wake them up. It's sad. I have two young children and I truly fear for their future.
Jorge Boosh should be deported along with the rest of the illegals.
bttt
Yeah, and he was reading “My Pet Goat”. Thanks, Mike.
Just more “Lame-Duck” Quacking. The American Public is against this, no matter what the BS spin artists puke out.
It would appear to that the President views America and the United States and two distinct entities. The first, America, is an idea or vision of a grand global scale. No borders, freedom for all, etc. The second, the United States, is an actual place where we live and its our home.
We are hearing all the America vision stuff right now. I dont live in a vision. I live in the United States.
If the President wants to export his idea of America that’s fine, but don’t import somebody else’s failed idea of America.
I'm in the same boat, 2 young boys, and between the creeping socialism, loss of national will, and the influx of unassimilated people in humongous numbers, I tremble.
At this point, I can just hope that there is some way to stop the bleeding, and make the best, or rather, the least worst, of the situation.
Quite. Locally, the nearest big city has become about 90% Mexican. It is only a slight exaggeration to say that, driving about, local Mexican child-bearing age women are nearly all shepherding a group of mixed age kids, or clearly in the process of growing another.
Right back at ya jorge! YOU don’t “want to do what’s right for America”.
Thank you, Jeb Bush, for poisoning the well. Mrs. Jeb Bush is another Mexican who came here with no intention of fitting in and has passed this blight on to her children.
“I’m beginning to wonder.”
So am I. After so many years of faith and support, I see corruption everywhere and I wonder what kind of country I’m sending brave kids into harms way for. Why should they die for a ruling class that seemingly has nothing but contempt for us?
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.