Just gets worse for Dems, and better for GOPers, every time she opens her mouth.
(h/t Yankee Phil)
Showing posts with label immigration. Show all posts
Showing posts with label immigration. Show all posts
Friday, January 15, 2010
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Warner Waffling on Immigration
Adam Sharp has a great post up at Daily Whackjob where he talks about Mark Warner's incredibly vague and contradicting positions on illegal immigration.
Warner basically is trying to play both sides of the fence. Sharp's post states...
Knowing there were conservative Democrats as well as business leaders in the room, he didn’t quite waffle but he did express support for just about everything short of mass deportation and amnesty. He’s for a stronger border, he thinks the law should be enforced to send illegals back, he doesn’t want to automatically deport all illegals, he wants a path to citizenship, he is both in favor and opposed to expanding the guest worker program, he wants stricter rules on employers, he wants a national ID card with biometrics.
Democrats just cannot grasp that in periods of economic uncertainty, immigration is always an issue and they need to have an answer. They can’t even take a position! Governor Kaine won’t do anything that will upset well-connected Northern Virginia minorities, and he also hasn’t answered the concerns of localities about deporting criminals and zoning violations. I guess he thinks inaction is a policy. That won’t get Creigh Deeds or Brian Moran elected (though it might get them nominated), and it certainly won’t win the House of Delegates.
It's true, the Democrats really are attempting to straddle both sides of the fence on this issue, both at the state level and on a national level. The Democratic flip-flopping on this is bad enough to make Sharp, who has worked on several Dem campaigns in Virginia, say this...
I haven’t found an immigration proposal I like completely, but I must say I prefer John McCain’s “straight talk” to Democratic avoidance and indecision. He and Mike Huckabee have made principled arguments in response to real voter concerns. That’s more than I can say about a lot of Democrats, including a senate candidate who thinks he’s already begun his victory lap.
If Warner's confidence/overconfidence turns into arrogance, he may find himself on the losing end of the election come November.
Warner basically is trying to play both sides of the fence. Sharp's post states...
Knowing there were conservative Democrats as well as business leaders in the room, he didn’t quite waffle but he did express support for just about everything short of mass deportation and amnesty. He’s for a stronger border, he thinks the law should be enforced to send illegals back, he doesn’t want to automatically deport all illegals, he wants a path to citizenship, he is both in favor and opposed to expanding the guest worker program, he wants stricter rules on employers, he wants a national ID card with biometrics.
Democrats just cannot grasp that in periods of economic uncertainty, immigration is always an issue and they need to have an answer. They can’t even take a position! Governor Kaine won’t do anything that will upset well-connected Northern Virginia minorities, and he also hasn’t answered the concerns of localities about deporting criminals and zoning violations. I guess he thinks inaction is a policy. That won’t get Creigh Deeds or Brian Moran elected (though it might get them nominated), and it certainly won’t win the House of Delegates.
It's true, the Democrats really are attempting to straddle both sides of the fence on this issue, both at the state level and on a national level. The Democratic flip-flopping on this is bad enough to make Sharp, who has worked on several Dem campaigns in Virginia, say this...
I haven’t found an immigration proposal I like completely, but I must say I prefer John McCain’s “straight talk” to Democratic avoidance and indecision. He and Mike Huckabee have made principled arguments in response to real voter concerns. That’s more than I can say about a lot of Democrats, including a senate candidate who thinks he’s already begun his victory lap.
If Warner's confidence/overconfidence turns into arrogance, he may find himself on the losing end of the election come November.
Monday, December 31, 2007
Podium Positions: Immigration
The immigration debate is one of rising importance in America. While most people are against a solution such as amnesty, the debate rages on about how we go about fixing the problems with immigration, putting an end to illegal immigration, and what would be a pragmatic solution to this problem.
Illegal Immigrants
Most estimates say we have 12-20 million illegal immigrants currently residing in the United States. Other estimates go as low as 7 million, others as high as 34 million. This is a lot of people, nonetheless. The reasons as to why people illegally immigrate to this country are fairly obvious. We are a great nation of promise and opportunity. However, we must keep in mind that illegal immigration is exactly that...illegal. It is a violation of American laws.
The focus, naturally, is on the border between the United States and Mexico. While the pro-amnesty/pro-legalization left claims that this focus is inherently racist in nature, it should be worth pointing out that, according to a 2005 report by the Pew Hispanic Center, a combined 81% of all illegal immigrants come from either Mexico, Central America, or South America. 9% come from Asia, 6% from Europe, and 4% from everywhere else.
For the 81% coming from points south of the United States, I believe that we must look at stronger border security. This includes an effective fence and increased border patrol. For the 9% coming from Asia, many of which are Chinese laborers smuggled via ports into this country, we need better port security. We don't just border Canada and Mexico, you know, we also border the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans...as well as the Gulf of Mexico.
Not only that, but stronger border security prevents drug smuggling, as well as human smuggling and weapons trafficking. This is one area we should get a lot of assistance from the Mexican government, as Mexican President Felipe Calderon has been very tough on the drug cartels during his first year in office.
We must also punish the corporations that knowingly entice and employ illegal immigrants for the sake of exploiting cheap labor.
As For Illegals in America...
Now, the solutions above seem to be targeted at stopping the flow of illegal immigration into America...but what about the illegals here. What do we do with them?
Amnesty is not an option, and neither is attempting to round up every illegal immigrant and throw them out.
Now, illegal aliens who are convicted of another crime should be deported. They are already here illegally, committing another crime should be a ticket back to wherever they come from. However, the majority of the illegal immigrant population aren't breaking any other laws (as they really can't afford to, since they would be deported). How do we further reduce the population of illegals?
So we give them no reason to stay. There are 3 ways to do this.
- Dissolve the loopholes that allow them to receive entitlements such as welfare and Medicare (which many of them receive through false Social Security numbers and identities).
- Crack down on the corporations that hire illegals and landlords who house them.
- Create a penalty for "sanctuary cities", this penalty will be removed from the federal funding the city receives...and the longer the city keeps it's "sanctuary" status, the greater the penalties become.
This will undoubtedly create a reverse flow of these illegal aliens. In fact, this reverse flow is already starting to happen in the wake of increased enforcement (and the favorability of increased enforcement) of immigration laws.
Filling the Economic Hole, Visa Overstayers, and an Opportunity for Illegals
Of course, because the issue of illegal immigration has gone on relatively untouched in the way that it has gone, illegal immigrants hold a very sizable percentage of lower-income, manual labor jobs. To eliminate these workers would cause a problem for many corporations as they would attempt to fill these jobs, probably with limited success.
However, given that the unemployment rate in our country is very low, and those that remain unemployed are generally undesirable for one reason or another, the need for these laborers is high. So we make it clear and simple.
The number of visas, temporary and permanent, that are given out to foreigners needs to be increased fairly dramatically...plain and simple. The process for those looking to immigrate to this country legally needs to be made more accessible and easier for potential immigrants to manuver through.
Illegal immigrants who do not have a serious criminal history in America would be welcomed back, but they would have to get in line with everyone else...however, with a freer and faster flow of immigrants into America in a legal form, this would allow formerly illegal immigrants to come back to America legally much faster than they could under the current system.
Those with a serious criminal history, as is currently the law, will not be welcomed back...at least, not so easily.
The process of renewing visas needs to be made simpler and easier, as well. This way, we eliminate a large percentage of visa overstayers, who normally overstay their visa due to the lengthy renewal process or because they were not aware of their status.
This would allow for a larger flow of migrant workers for corporations that rely on this form of labor as well as bolster confidence in the immigration process by making the process more efficient.
Overview
By giving illegal aliens no reason to stay in America, as well as giving them the promise of an easier path to legal immigration if they return to their nation of origin, we give many of those who are simply looking for a better life a chance to actually achieve that goal. They will be able to achieve this goal without having to break laws and go to great lengths to conceal their existence.
Thus, these potential immigrants can choose the legal, lawful path towards working and living in America. By doing so, we ease racial tensions quite a bit and these immigrants can better assimilate into our society as law-abiding citizens who contribute to a better America without having to break the law to get here in the first place.
Illegal Immigrants
Most estimates say we have 12-20 million illegal immigrants currently residing in the United States. Other estimates go as low as 7 million, others as high as 34 million. This is a lot of people, nonetheless. The reasons as to why people illegally immigrate to this country are fairly obvious. We are a great nation of promise and opportunity. However, we must keep in mind that illegal immigration is exactly that...illegal. It is a violation of American laws.
The focus, naturally, is on the border between the United States and Mexico. While the pro-amnesty/pro-legalization left claims that this focus is inherently racist in nature, it should be worth pointing out that, according to a 2005 report by the Pew Hispanic Center, a combined 81% of all illegal immigrants come from either Mexico, Central America, or South America. 9% come from Asia, 6% from Europe, and 4% from everywhere else.
For the 81% coming from points south of the United States, I believe that we must look at stronger border security. This includes an effective fence and increased border patrol. For the 9% coming from Asia, many of which are Chinese laborers smuggled via ports into this country, we need better port security. We don't just border Canada and Mexico, you know, we also border the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans...as well as the Gulf of Mexico.
Not only that, but stronger border security prevents drug smuggling, as well as human smuggling and weapons trafficking. This is one area we should get a lot of assistance from the Mexican government, as Mexican President Felipe Calderon has been very tough on the drug cartels during his first year in office.
We must also punish the corporations that knowingly entice and employ illegal immigrants for the sake of exploiting cheap labor.
As For Illegals in America...
Now, the solutions above seem to be targeted at stopping the flow of illegal immigration into America...but what about the illegals here. What do we do with them?
Amnesty is not an option, and neither is attempting to round up every illegal immigrant and throw them out.
Now, illegal aliens who are convicted of another crime should be deported. They are already here illegally, committing another crime should be a ticket back to wherever they come from. However, the majority of the illegal immigrant population aren't breaking any other laws (as they really can't afford to, since they would be deported). How do we further reduce the population of illegals?
So we give them no reason to stay. There are 3 ways to do this.
- Dissolve the loopholes that allow them to receive entitlements such as welfare and Medicare (which many of them receive through false Social Security numbers and identities).
- Crack down on the corporations that hire illegals and landlords who house them.
- Create a penalty for "sanctuary cities", this penalty will be removed from the federal funding the city receives...and the longer the city keeps it's "sanctuary" status, the greater the penalties become.
This will undoubtedly create a reverse flow of these illegal aliens. In fact, this reverse flow is already starting to happen in the wake of increased enforcement (and the favorability of increased enforcement) of immigration laws.
Filling the Economic Hole, Visa Overstayers, and an Opportunity for Illegals
Of course, because the issue of illegal immigration has gone on relatively untouched in the way that it has gone, illegal immigrants hold a very sizable percentage of lower-income, manual labor jobs. To eliminate these workers would cause a problem for many corporations as they would attempt to fill these jobs, probably with limited success.
However, given that the unemployment rate in our country is very low, and those that remain unemployed are generally undesirable for one reason or another, the need for these laborers is high. So we make it clear and simple.
The number of visas, temporary and permanent, that are given out to foreigners needs to be increased fairly dramatically...plain and simple. The process for those looking to immigrate to this country legally needs to be made more accessible and easier for potential immigrants to manuver through.
Illegal immigrants who do not have a serious criminal history in America would be welcomed back, but they would have to get in line with everyone else...however, with a freer and faster flow of immigrants into America in a legal form, this would allow formerly illegal immigrants to come back to America legally much faster than they could under the current system.
Those with a serious criminal history, as is currently the law, will not be welcomed back...at least, not so easily.
The process of renewing visas needs to be made simpler and easier, as well. This way, we eliminate a large percentage of visa overstayers, who normally overstay their visa due to the lengthy renewal process or because they were not aware of their status.
This would allow for a larger flow of migrant workers for corporations that rely on this form of labor as well as bolster confidence in the immigration process by making the process more efficient.
Overview
By giving illegal aliens no reason to stay in America, as well as giving them the promise of an easier path to legal immigration if they return to their nation of origin, we give many of those who are simply looking for a better life a chance to actually achieve that goal. They will be able to achieve this goal without having to break laws and go to great lengths to conceal their existence.
Thus, these potential immigrants can choose the legal, lawful path towards working and living in America. By doing so, we ease racial tensions quite a bit and these immigrants can better assimilate into our society as law-abiding citizens who contribute to a better America without having to break the law to get here in the first place.
Monday, December 24, 2007
What Did I Tell You?
The "reverse migration" of illegal immigrants has already begun.
I was advocating this "solution by attrition" over at Daily Whackjob in a heated discussion I was having with others over illegal immigration. I stated that if you take away the jobs/handouts available to illegal immigrants, and that if you make them believe that we're going to actually get serious as a nation on immigration control, they'll start to leave on their own.
Now, the article admits that part of the reason is the slowdown of economic growth has some illegals worried that the number of jobs available are going to shrink. This, combined with states cracking down on employers of illegal aliens, does not make many places that were once safe havens for illegal immigrants very appealling anymore.
Want to know who else has stated this theory as part of the solution to the illegal immigrant problem? Fred Thompson, of course.
I was advocating this "solution by attrition" over at Daily Whackjob in a heated discussion I was having with others over illegal immigration. I stated that if you take away the jobs/handouts available to illegal immigrants, and that if you make them believe that we're going to actually get serious as a nation on immigration control, they'll start to leave on their own.
Now, the article admits that part of the reason is the slowdown of economic growth has some illegals worried that the number of jobs available are going to shrink. This, combined with states cracking down on employers of illegal aliens, does not make many places that were once safe havens for illegal immigrants very appealling anymore.
Want to know who else has stated this theory as part of the solution to the illegal immigrant problem? Fred Thompson, of course.
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Tancredo To Drop Out of Presidential Bid
Not really surprising.
However, I would like to see Tancredo run for Senate in Colorado, and he could put his national campaign funds towards that. The Dems are putting a lot of money into winning the 2008 Senate contest in Colorado (currently held by the retiring Wayne Allard), so a figure with as much national recognition as Tancredo would be a big help for the GOP here.
While I am against illegal immigration, I always felt Tancredo was about two notches too far on the issue in the sense that he wanted to limit legal immigration, which I believe needs to be expanded and streamlined into a more efficient process.
However, I would like to see Tancredo run for Senate in Colorado, and he could put his national campaign funds towards that. The Dems are putting a lot of money into winning the 2008 Senate contest in Colorado (currently held by the retiring Wayne Allard), so a figure with as much national recognition as Tancredo would be a big help for the GOP here.
While I am against illegal immigration, I always felt Tancredo was about two notches too far on the issue in the sense that he wanted to limit legal immigration, which I believe needs to be expanded and streamlined into a more efficient process.
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Fred on Face The Nation
Fred Thompson appeared on CBS's "Face The Nation" this morning, and turned in another impressive performance by promoting his consistent record and common sense politics.
Host Bob Schieffer try pin down Thompson with questions about immigration and opponents Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee. Thompson managed to denounce the two GOP opponents mentioned by bringing up their records, but did not get nasty with his statements.
When the topic of illegal immigration came up, Thompson explained why strong border security and tougher sanctions against the employment and entitlements given to illegals would actually lead to a war of attrition of sorts. By eliminating the opportunity to simply "hop" back and forth across the border, and by taking away the ability for illegals to gain employment or welfare, they would begin to leave on their own. In essence, this is a simple way of eliminating the problem of illegal aliens in our nation that are border-hopping, because rounding them up and shipping them out, as some have suggested, is not feasible nor is it practical. Once again, Thompson has a smart, common sense solution to a looming problem in our nation.
This would then leave us with the issue of handling those who simply have expired visas and the problems with have with the smuggling of people from China through our ports...which is a surprisingly quiet issue that I believe should be included in our talks about "border security", as our ports lie on the borders of our nation, too.
Anyway, I found this to be another excellent performance by Fred. You probably won't see much of him on the national airwaves until after Iowa, as he is planning to criss-cross the state, making at least 5 planned stops a day, and innumerable unplanned stops. You almost think that the standout performance at the Iowa debate and now non-stop holiday blitz in the Hawkeye State was part of some great plan to create momentum that wouldn't have time to fizzle out. Let's see if this holds true.
Host Bob Schieffer try pin down Thompson with questions about immigration and opponents Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee. Thompson managed to denounce the two GOP opponents mentioned by bringing up their records, but did not get nasty with his statements.
When the topic of illegal immigration came up, Thompson explained why strong border security and tougher sanctions against the employment and entitlements given to illegals would actually lead to a war of attrition of sorts. By eliminating the opportunity to simply "hop" back and forth across the border, and by taking away the ability for illegals to gain employment or welfare, they would begin to leave on their own. In essence, this is a simple way of eliminating the problem of illegal aliens in our nation that are border-hopping, because rounding them up and shipping them out, as some have suggested, is not feasible nor is it practical. Once again, Thompson has a smart, common sense solution to a looming problem in our nation.
This would then leave us with the issue of handling those who simply have expired visas and the problems with have with the smuggling of people from China through our ports...which is a surprisingly quiet issue that I believe should be included in our talks about "border security", as our ports lie on the borders of our nation, too.
Anyway, I found this to be another excellent performance by Fred. You probably won't see much of him on the national airwaves until after Iowa, as he is planning to criss-cross the state, making at least 5 planned stops a day, and innumerable unplanned stops. You almost think that the standout performance at the Iowa debate and now non-stop holiday blitz in the Hawkeye State was part of some great plan to create momentum that wouldn't have time to fizzle out. Let's see if this holds true.
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
A Dem's Proposal I Could Support
Rep. Heath Shuler of North Carolina (Redskins fans may remember this guy as our Quarterback during Norv Turner's early years) has introduced the SAVE Act (H.R. 4088), which will force employers to screen all potential employees for their immigration status using a method that apparently has been proven to work effectively.
Apparently, over 100 Republicans and Democrats in the House of Representatives support this bill, so it's good to see that there is bipartisan support for legislation that enforces our immigration laws.
Call or e-mail your Congressman and tell him to support this legislation!
Apparently, over 100 Republicans and Democrats in the House of Representatives support this bill, so it's good to see that there is bipartisan support for legislation that enforces our immigration laws.
Call or e-mail your Congressman and tell him to support this legislation!
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Legislative Hullabaloo Over ICE Costume Flap
Julie Myers, currently the acting director of Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE), has climbed very far against difficult odds to get to where she is. She did not have incredible amounts of experience in the field of immigration enforcement, but she has done a magnificent job of reigning in the ICE and making it a more efficient entity.
She is currently up for nomination to be permanently appointed to the position. However, that nomination is looking a bit cloudy.
At the agency's Halloween party, she and two other officials gave a "most original costume" award to a white employee who came in wearing a prison outfit with dreadlocked hair and darkened skin. This was leaked to the public soon afterwards, and Myers issued an immediate apology.
Now, reading that description, one would get a sense of racial insensitivity by the employee and by the judges (including Myers). However, I begin to wonder what this costume looked like. I mean, was he trying to look black? Or, was he trying to look like someone who hadn't had a haircut or their hair combed in years...and had been running away and hiding out in the woods, where dirt would have darkened their skin.
Think about it for a second. None of us have seen what this costume looked like, so we can only go by the simple descriptions.
Now, we don't know what's going to happen with the nomination process of Myers.
Senate Majority Leader Harry "Weasel" Reid (D-Nv.)hasn't scheduled any hearings or votes on her nomination. Sen. Kit Bond (R-Mo.) was a Myers supporter, but now believes it would be better to go with "non-controversial" leadership. Senators Joe Lieberman (I-Ct.) and Susan Collins (R-Me.)both believe that Myers is sincere in her apology, and would still make an excellent director of ICE. Senator Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) is pretty much using this as icing on the cake as to why Myers should not be nominated, although McCaskill was staunchly against her nomination in the first place.
Myers received praise and endorsement from the National Association of African-Americans in the Department of Homeland Security for her efforts and commitments to black employees of the DHS. Apparently, even black people who work for Myers find her to be a fine candidate and not of a racist bent.
This shouldn't really be made into such a larger issue, especially when the supposedly offended parties aren't offended...Myers' record as acting director of ICE should prove as
She is currently up for nomination to be permanently appointed to the position. However, that nomination is looking a bit cloudy.
At the agency's Halloween party, she and two other officials gave a "most original costume" award to a white employee who came in wearing a prison outfit with dreadlocked hair and darkened skin. This was leaked to the public soon afterwards, and Myers issued an immediate apology.
Now, reading that description, one would get a sense of racial insensitivity by the employee and by the judges (including Myers). However, I begin to wonder what this costume looked like. I mean, was he trying to look black? Or, was he trying to look like someone who hadn't had a haircut or their hair combed in years...and had been running away and hiding out in the woods, where dirt would have darkened their skin.
Think about it for a second. None of us have seen what this costume looked like, so we can only go by the simple descriptions.
Now, we don't know what's going to happen with the nomination process of Myers.
Senate Majority Leader Harry "Weasel" Reid (D-Nv.)hasn't scheduled any hearings or votes on her nomination. Sen. Kit Bond (R-Mo.) was a Myers supporter, but now believes it would be better to go with "non-controversial" leadership. Senators Joe Lieberman (I-Ct.) and Susan Collins (R-Me.)both believe that Myers is sincere in her apology, and would still make an excellent director of ICE. Senator Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) is pretty much using this as icing on the cake as to why Myers should not be nominated, although McCaskill was staunchly against her nomination in the first place.
Myers received praise and endorsement from the National Association of African-Americans in the Department of Homeland Security for her efforts and commitments to black employees of the DHS. Apparently, even black people who work for Myers find her to be a fine candidate and not of a racist bent.
This shouldn't really be made into such a larger issue, especially when the supposedly offended parties aren't offended...Myers' record as acting director of ICE should prove as
Friday, November 9, 2007
For The Last Time...
I want every Democrat who considers the general stance of the GOP against illegal aliens as "immigrant bashing" to understand this.
If a person immigrates to this country illegally, they are an ILLEGAL ALIEN. They are not simply an "immigrant".
To label them as such is an insult to people like my mother and my grandparents, who did not break any laws when they came to this country. They came here legally from Brazil. If anyone knows the struggle of Latino immigrants coming to this country, I do...it's very much in my blood. Most of these bleeding hearts could never relate.
By giving legitimacy to these illegal aliens, you're basically pissing on my family's legacy. Excuse me for the language, but that's what you people are doing. I will not stand for it. It's one thing to attack my ideology, it's another to insult my family's history.
If you doubt me, ask my mother...she'll tell you that she's insulted that you people want to piss on her doing the right thing, learning the English language on her own...because it was the language of the country, and becoming part of American society. Now, you people want to throw it all away by giving legitimacy to those who took the easy, illegal way out.
I normally don't get worked up like this, but you people are going beyond simple punditry on this with me...you're hitting at the core of my being and attacking my blood.
If a person immigrates to this country illegally, they are an ILLEGAL ALIEN. They are not simply an "immigrant".
To label them as such is an insult to people like my mother and my grandparents, who did not break any laws when they came to this country. They came here legally from Brazil. If anyone knows the struggle of Latino immigrants coming to this country, I do...it's very much in my blood. Most of these bleeding hearts could never relate.
By giving legitimacy to these illegal aliens, you're basically pissing on my family's legacy. Excuse me for the language, but that's what you people are doing. I will not stand for it. It's one thing to attack my ideology, it's another to insult my family's history.
If you doubt me, ask my mother...she'll tell you that she's insulted that you people want to piss on her doing the right thing, learning the English language on her own...because it was the language of the country, and becoming part of American society. Now, you people want to throw it all away by giving legitimacy to those who took the easy, illegal way out.
I normally don't get worked up like this, but you people are going beyond simple punditry on this with me...you're hitting at the core of my being and attacking my blood.
Friday, August 17, 2007
Poll: Americans Want Stronger Immigration Enforcement
In a recent Rasmussen Reports poll, it appears that the majority of Americans want stronger enforcement of immigration laws, as well as tougher restrictions on employers that hire illegal aliens and landlords that rent to illegal aliens. The results of the poll concluded that...
- 79% of Americans favor legislation that would require employers to fire employees that falsify identity documents. Only 9% were opposed, 12% were not sure.
- 74% of Americans believe that if a person wants to rent an apartment they should be required to show documentation that they are in the country legally. Only 17% opposed this. 9% were not sure.
- 68% of Americans believe that Very Important to improve border enforcement and reduce illegal immigration. To show the bipartisan support behind this...this view is held by 80% of Republicans, 62% of Democrats, and 64% of Independents.
Those are strong numbers. Not to mention that when the Senate attempted to railroad the Immigration Bill through earlier this year, another Rasmussen poll found that only 28% of Americans thought it was Very Important to legalize the status of illegal aliens...and that also included support from only 36% of Democrats.
These numbers have shown that the majority of Americans DON'T want illegal aliens to be legalized, and that they want the flow of illegal immigrants coming into this country to be reduced.
- 79% of Americans favor legislation that would require employers to fire employees that falsify identity documents. Only 9% were opposed, 12% were not sure.
- 74% of Americans believe that if a person wants to rent an apartment they should be required to show documentation that they are in the country legally. Only 17% opposed this. 9% were not sure.
- 68% of Americans believe that Very Important to improve border enforcement and reduce illegal immigration. To show the bipartisan support behind this...this view is held by 80% of Republicans, 62% of Democrats, and 64% of Independents.
Those are strong numbers. Not to mention that when the Senate attempted to railroad the Immigration Bill through earlier this year, another Rasmussen poll found that only 28% of Americans thought it was Very Important to legalize the status of illegal aliens...and that also included support from only 36% of Democrats.
These numbers have shown that the majority of Americans DON'T want illegal aliens to be legalized, and that they want the flow of illegal immigrants coming into this country to be reduced.
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Here's an Interesting Step Against Illegal Immigration
Culpeper County has made English the county's official language. They also passed a resolution to join other counties in assisting the General Assembly in combating the illegal immigration problem.
In fact, in yesterday's Board of Supervisor's meeting, both measures passed with a unanimous vote, and there was no dissent from any board member.
The reason why the county passed such a resolution is because they believe that it is not the county's duty to provide translations for people...which is true. English is the language of this nation. We should provide ample opportunity to teach legal immigrants the language, but to spend that kind of money on paying translators and creating duplicate documents for each language is a bit wasteful, when it could go towards expanding programs to teach immigrants to speak the language of the land.
In fact, in yesterday's Board of Supervisor's meeting, both measures passed with a unanimous vote, and there was no dissent from any board member.
The reason why the county passed such a resolution is because they believe that it is not the county's duty to provide translations for people...which is true. English is the language of this nation. We should provide ample opportunity to teach legal immigrants the language, but to spend that kind of money on paying translators and creating duplicate documents for each language is a bit wasteful, when it could go towards expanding programs to teach immigrants to speak the language of the land.
Saturday, August 4, 2007
House Dems: "Oops, Our Bad"
House Democrats apologized for the screwing happenings of Thursday night's vote on the motion to keep illegal aliens from receiving federal funds for the disadvantaged (I blogged about this yesterday).
However, the Democrats aren't about to concede to the original vote. Steny Hoyer and company are still standing by the changed (and, as it stands, illegitimate) vote. However, Hoyer promises to work with John Boehner to create some sort of "compromise".
Riiiiight, the Dems change a vote after it is gaveled, erase the record of the original vote, and they think that the solution is some kind of compromise??? Talk about your "culture of corruption", it's staring us all RIGHT IN THE FACE, and it looks like a donkey.
However, the Democrats aren't about to concede to the original vote. Steny Hoyer and company are still standing by the changed (and, as it stands, illegitimate) vote. However, Hoyer promises to work with John Boehner to create some sort of "compromise".
Riiiiight, the Dems change a vote after it is gaveled, erase the record of the original vote, and they think that the solution is some kind of compromise??? Talk about your "culture of corruption", it's staring us all RIGHT IN THE FACE, and it looks like a donkey.
Friday, August 3, 2007
House Dems Playing Those Shady Games
A vote is a vote, no matter how you slice it.
However, for the first time ever, a Congressional vote has been reversed after it was gaveled to a close.
Why? Well, let's set stage for last night's shenanigans...courtesy of The Politico (h/t to Virginia Virtucon, bold emphasis is mine).
"The rancor erupted shortly before 11 p.m. as Rep. Michael R. McNulty (D-N.Y.) gaveled close the vote on a standard procedural measure with the outcome still in doubt.
Details remain fuzzy, but numerous Republicans argued afterward that they had secured a 215-213 win on their motion to bar undocumented immigrants from receiving any federal funds apportioned in the agricultural spending bill for employment or rental assistance. Democrats, however, argued the measure was deadlocked at 214-214 and failed, members and aides on both sides of the aisle said afterward.
One GOP aide saw McNulty gavel the vote to a close after receiving a signal from his leaders – but before reading the official tally. And votes continued to shift even after he closed the roll call - a strange development in itself.
. . .
The House eventually recessed at 11:18 p.m. But Republicans quickly discovered that there was no longer any record of the controversial vote and immediately charged Democrats with erasing the bad result."
Now, Dems claim they beat the vote, 216-212, and that is what the new official tally says. The defeat of this now allows illegal immigrants to receive federal funds (like housing assistance and food stamps) under the Agriculture appropriations bill.
Basically, the House Dems cheated to take money away from poor American citizens to poor illegal aliens!
Rule .303, a Democrat, isn't happy about this at all, and says that even though he fought for a Dem Congress for 6 years, stunts like this will definite drive him to fight against the Dems.
That's two unprecedented acts of power-grabbing, GOP-shafting, and generally shady activity in the House by the Democrats within the past couple of months. Where's this honest, open, corruption-free majority we heard so much about last year?
However, for the first time ever, a Congressional vote has been reversed after it was gaveled to a close.
Why? Well, let's set stage for last night's shenanigans...courtesy of The Politico (h/t to Virginia Virtucon, bold emphasis is mine).
"The rancor erupted shortly before 11 p.m. as Rep. Michael R. McNulty (D-N.Y.) gaveled close the vote on a standard procedural measure with the outcome still in doubt.
Details remain fuzzy, but numerous Republicans argued afterward that they had secured a 215-213 win on their motion to bar undocumented immigrants from receiving any federal funds apportioned in the agricultural spending bill for employment or rental assistance. Democrats, however, argued the measure was deadlocked at 214-214 and failed, members and aides on both sides of the aisle said afterward.
One GOP aide saw McNulty gavel the vote to a close after receiving a signal from his leaders – but before reading the official tally. And votes continued to shift even after he closed the roll call - a strange development in itself.
. . .
The House eventually recessed at 11:18 p.m. But Republicans quickly discovered that there was no longer any record of the controversial vote and immediately charged Democrats with erasing the bad result."
Now, Dems claim they beat the vote, 216-212, and that is what the new official tally says. The defeat of this now allows illegal immigrants to receive federal funds (like housing assistance and food stamps) under the Agriculture appropriations bill.
Basically, the House Dems cheated to take money away from poor American citizens to poor illegal aliens!
Rule .303, a Democrat, isn't happy about this at all, and says that even though he fought for a Dem Congress for 6 years, stunts like this will definite drive him to fight against the Dems.
That's two unprecedented acts of power-grabbing, GOP-shafting, and generally shady activity in the House by the Democrats within the past couple of months. Where's this honest, open, corruption-free majority we heard so much about last year?
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Faisal Gill Proposal on Illegal Immigration
The Republican candidate in the 51st HOD District proposes we hold the employers of illegals responsible.
Not a bad idea, really. Impose tough restrictions on businesses that knowingly hire illegals, so Virginia becomes a less-attractive state for illegal immigrants to reside in. The restrictions goes as far as stripping businesses of their license for knowingly hiring illegals. Common sense stuff, and I like it. Take away the attractiveness our state has for illegals, and you reduce the influx of illegal aliens.
Not a bad idea, really. Impose tough restrictions on businesses that knowingly hire illegals, so Virginia becomes a less-attractive state for illegal immigrants to reside in. The restrictions goes as far as stripping businesses of their license for knowingly hiring illegals. Common sense stuff, and I like it. Take away the attractiveness our state has for illegals, and you reduce the influx of illegal aliens.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Vogel Speaks Out On Illegal Immigration
Vogel, further proving that she is nothing like soon-to-be-former Senator Russ Potts, has begun voicing her opposition to illegal immigration, and praising efforts to crack down on illegal aliens. Vogel recently praised the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors for enacting a resolution to check the immigration status of anyone arrested in the county.
“I commend the Loudoun Board of Supervisors on their action, and encourage other localities to follow in their actions,” Vogel said.
In comparison, it was a committee chaired by Russ Potts that blocked legislation that would have made illegal immigrants ineligible for in-state tuition.
This is another reason for citizens of the 27th Senate District to vote Vogel in November.
Full article at The New Dominion.
“I commend the Loudoun Board of Supervisors on their action, and encourage other localities to follow in their actions,” Vogel said.
In comparison, it was a committee chaired by Russ Potts that blocked legislation that would have made illegal immigrants ineligible for in-state tuition.
This is another reason for citizens of the 27th Senate District to vote Vogel in November.
Full article at The New Dominion.
Friday, July 6, 2007
Some Clarity On My Viewpoints on Fixing Illegal Immigration
It is apparent that there is some word-twisting and/or misunderstanding by a few people at hburgnews...as a discussion about illegal immigration has deteriorated to a couple of readers not understanding (either accidentally or intentionally) what I believe.
Let me bullet point a few things I believe, and I'll try to make this as crystal-clear and plainly-stated as possible...
- Preventing illegal immigration does not simply mean "put up a fence on the southern border." To believe this would be an end-all/cure-all solution is preposterous. We have issues with the illegal smuggling of workers from China (a situation that gets little play from the mainstream media on both sides, but it's been going on for a long time). We also have problems with those that overstay their visas (see my next bullet point for that).
- The legal immigration process needs to be streamlined and made more efficient. A reader of frequent opposition to my viewpoints (who goes by the name Gxeremio) does agree with me on this (and nothing else, really). Both the process of filing for legal immigrant status and the process of renewing visas must be made more efficient and less complicated. Doing this would greatly reduce the number of illegal immigrants in this country.
- If you're an illegal immigrant, and you commit another crime...deportation. Period. End of story. That's 2 strikes...you're not legally here, so you don't get the luxury of a 3rd strike.
- Border security includes a well-maintained fence on the southern border, this I do believe. This is nothing against my hispanic brethren, because if we had this problem with massive amounts of Canadians jumping over the border illegally, I'd say we should be securing the northern border, as well.
- Do not mistake my beliefs that stronger border security helps protect us from terrorist attacks with the idea that illegal immigrants from Latin America would commit such acts. The truth is that lackadasically-enforced borders do provide another avenue for jihadists and other anti-American terrorists a way to enter this country. I believe that when 9/11 occurred, our need for stronger security at our borders, our airports, our seaports, and other transportation hubs/points of entry became greater than ever. Is that such a hard thought to swallow?
- Once we reduce the number of illegal immigrants to a manageable amount through the enforcement of immigration laws, you will still have the question of "what do we do with the rest". I believe that once you achieve all of the goals stated above, then (and ONLY then) can you look at providing an avenue for the remaining illegal immigrants...provided that they have been productive members of society. That avenue, of course, requires placing them at the bottom of the waiting list for legal status. Remember, they still committed a criminal act to enter this country in the first place.
A monetary penalty would also be a good thing to institute for these legalization avenues, but instead of this "one-time fee", they should be put on a payment plan...if you miss a few payments without getting in contact with the local office in charge of processing your fee payment, then you lose your right to legal status and *snap*, out you go. It's like defaulting on a collateral loan...except in this case, the collateral is your legal status until the fee is repaid.
However, I must emphasize that the border must be secured, the illegals that commit (or have committed) other criminal acts must be deported immediately, and the flow of illegal immigrants into this nation be reduced to a trickle...only then can you discuss legalizing the remaining illegal immigrants.
Let me bullet point a few things I believe, and I'll try to make this as crystal-clear and plainly-stated as possible...
- Preventing illegal immigration does not simply mean "put up a fence on the southern border." To believe this would be an end-all/cure-all solution is preposterous. We have issues with the illegal smuggling of workers from China (a situation that gets little play from the mainstream media on both sides, but it's been going on for a long time). We also have problems with those that overstay their visas (see my next bullet point for that).
- The legal immigration process needs to be streamlined and made more efficient. A reader of frequent opposition to my viewpoints (who goes by the name Gxeremio) does agree with me on this (and nothing else, really). Both the process of filing for legal immigrant status and the process of renewing visas must be made more efficient and less complicated. Doing this would greatly reduce the number of illegal immigrants in this country.
- If you're an illegal immigrant, and you commit another crime...deportation. Period. End of story. That's 2 strikes...you're not legally here, so you don't get the luxury of a 3rd strike.
- Border security includes a well-maintained fence on the southern border, this I do believe. This is nothing against my hispanic brethren, because if we had this problem with massive amounts of Canadians jumping over the border illegally, I'd say we should be securing the northern border, as well.
- Do not mistake my beliefs that stronger border security helps protect us from terrorist attacks with the idea that illegal immigrants from Latin America would commit such acts. The truth is that lackadasically-enforced borders do provide another avenue for jihadists and other anti-American terrorists a way to enter this country. I believe that when 9/11 occurred, our need for stronger security at our borders, our airports, our seaports, and other transportation hubs/points of entry became greater than ever. Is that such a hard thought to swallow?
- Once we reduce the number of illegal immigrants to a manageable amount through the enforcement of immigration laws, you will still have the question of "what do we do with the rest". I believe that once you achieve all of the goals stated above, then (and ONLY then) can you look at providing an avenue for the remaining illegal immigrants...provided that they have been productive members of society. That avenue, of course, requires placing them at the bottom of the waiting list for legal status. Remember, they still committed a criminal act to enter this country in the first place.
A monetary penalty would also be a good thing to institute for these legalization avenues, but instead of this "one-time fee", they should be put on a payment plan...if you miss a few payments without getting in contact with the local office in charge of processing your fee payment, then you lose your right to legal status and *snap*, out you go. It's like defaulting on a collateral loan...except in this case, the collateral is your legal status until the fee is repaid.
However, I must emphasize that the border must be secured, the illegals that commit (or have committed) other criminal acts must be deported immediately, and the flow of illegal immigrants into this nation be reduced to a trickle...only then can you discuss legalizing the remaining illegal immigrants.
Friday, June 29, 2007
Some Things Cannot be Forced
Though some people (especially many liberals) believe differently.
Example 1: The Immigration Bill, and the attempts to railroad it through by Harry Reid, Ted Kennedy, Lindsey Graham, John McCain, and George W. Bush. The American public thought it was flawed. Over half of the Senate thought it was flawed, and a growing number of those in the House thought it was flawed.
It failed, it's done and over with, and maybe now we can get to creating a more sensible, secure series of reforms on immigration.
Example 2: You can't force integration when it's not sensible. The Supreme Court's ruling on the "racial integration" plans in Louisville and Seattle was the right ruling. It's a waste of money to bus kids all over the place just to simply meet certain "race quotas". It is a waste of taxpayer dollars, and is not a sensible plan.
How about this...why not bus kids to the school closest to their residential area. The exceptions being due to students who are expelled from one school and are forced to go to another, private/religious schools (who should have their own bus system if possible), and students attending magnet/TAG schools...which are few and far between compared to regular schools.
Attorney Teddy Gordon, who argued against the Louisville school district's policy, said it best...
"Clearly, we need better race-neutral alternatives. Instead of spending zillions of dollars around the country to place a black child next to a white child, let's reduce class size. All the schools are equal. We will no longer accept that an African-American majority within a school is unacceptable."
Exactly, in this day and age...we need to start finding race-neutral policies, and put everyone on equal ground. That is the goal of racial equality, isn't it?
Example 1: The Immigration Bill, and the attempts to railroad it through by Harry Reid, Ted Kennedy, Lindsey Graham, John McCain, and George W. Bush. The American public thought it was flawed. Over half of the Senate thought it was flawed, and a growing number of those in the House thought it was flawed.
It failed, it's done and over with, and maybe now we can get to creating a more sensible, secure series of reforms on immigration.
Example 2: You can't force integration when it's not sensible. The Supreme Court's ruling on the "racial integration" plans in Louisville and Seattle was the right ruling. It's a waste of money to bus kids all over the place just to simply meet certain "race quotas". It is a waste of taxpayer dollars, and is not a sensible plan.
How about this...why not bus kids to the school closest to their residential area. The exceptions being due to students who are expelled from one school and are forced to go to another, private/religious schools (who should have their own bus system if possible), and students attending magnet/TAG schools...which are few and far between compared to regular schools.
Attorney Teddy Gordon, who argued against the Louisville school district's policy, said it best...
"Clearly, we need better race-neutral alternatives. Instead of spending zillions of dollars around the country to place a black child next to a white child, let's reduce class size. All the schools are equal. We will no longer accept that an African-American majority within a school is unacceptable."
Exactly, in this day and age...we need to start finding race-neutral policies, and put everyone on equal ground. That is the goal of racial equality, isn't it?
Thursday, June 28, 2007
5 of the 8 Swing-Voters in the "No" Column?
Apparently, since last night, Senators Richard Burr, Jim Webb, Kit Bond, Ben Nelson, and John Ensign have all either made passing and/or official statements that they will vote no to the final cloture vote on this immigration bill. Add in the switch by Pete Domenici, and this already puts cloture down to 58 votes, 2 below the 60 necessary to continue with the bill. With a few others that are looking to drop support, this thing may finally die.
In other Immigration Bill news...
- It also appears that the "clay pigeon" amendment is full of pork-barrel spending, which is being used to buy votes for cloture.
- House GOP passes an anti-Amnesty resolution, 114-23. Even if it passes the Senate, it will probably die in the House.
- Colorado Representative, and presidential hopeful, Tom Tancredo sends Michael "Idiot" Chertoff a head of lettuce and a small fruit basket in response to Chertoff's comment that "We’re living in a world in which lettuce and fruit is not being picked because we are enforcing the law." So what I gather is that Chertoff believes immigrants are good for nothing other than providing him with 1 of the 4 basic food groups. I believe immigrants can, and do, achieve more than that.
- Michelle Malkin reports that the opponents of amnesty are being forced to rush through their speeches against the bill, as they have been alloted a total of 10 minutes...those in favor of amnesty get 50 minutes. So much for Harry "Weasel" Reid allowing fair debate. Jeff Sessions states that the Senate telephone system has shut down and crashed due to "overwhelming public feedback"...aka angry American citizens.
The public is overwhelmingly this bill. What is so hard to understand about that?
In other Immigration Bill news...
- It also appears that the "clay pigeon" amendment is full of pork-barrel spending, which is being used to buy votes for cloture.
- House GOP passes an anti-Amnesty resolution, 114-23. Even if it passes the Senate, it will probably die in the House.
- Colorado Representative, and presidential hopeful, Tom Tancredo sends Michael "Idiot" Chertoff a head of lettuce and a small fruit basket in response to Chertoff's comment that "We’re living in a world in which lettuce and fruit is not being picked because we are enforcing the law." So what I gather is that Chertoff believes immigrants are good for nothing other than providing him with 1 of the 4 basic food groups. I believe immigrants can, and do, achieve more than that.
- Michelle Malkin reports that the opponents of amnesty are being forced to rush through their speeches against the bill, as they have been alloted a total of 10 minutes...those in favor of amnesty get 50 minutes. So much for Harry "Weasel" Reid allowing fair debate. Jeff Sessions states that the Senate telephone system has shut down and crashed due to "overwhelming public feedback"...aka angry American citizens.
The public is overwhelmingly this bill. What is so hard to understand about that?
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Watching Some GOP Senators Lynch Themselves...
Namely...Trent Lott, John Warner, Sam Brownback, Lindsey Graham, and John Kyl.
Michelle Malkin reports that the NRSC (National Republican Senatorial Committee) is feeling serious heat because donors are dropping their support for GOP senators who are voting for cloture and amnesty.
I hope (I mean seriously hope) that many of these senators voted for cloture only to vote against this bill and kill it once and for all. That would make my day. This is getting to be very tiring. For members of the GOP to push this over and over, and wear out the support of their base, is very irresponsible...especially considering that the House GOP is a bit more united in their denounciation of this bill, and the American public (Dems and Pubs alike) don't have faith in this bill.
Kill The Bill!
Michelle Malkin reports that the NRSC (National Republican Senatorial Committee) is feeling serious heat because donors are dropping their support for GOP senators who are voting for cloture and amnesty.
I hope (I mean seriously hope) that many of these senators voted for cloture only to vote against this bill and kill it once and for all. That would make my day. This is getting to be very tiring. For members of the GOP to push this over and over, and wear out the support of their base, is very irresponsible...especially considering that the House GOP is a bit more united in their denounciation of this bill, and the American public (Dems and Pubs alike) don't have faith in this bill.
Kill The Bill!
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Some Celebs Disagree With Immigration Bill
Apparently, a trio of celebrities have spoken out against the amnesty bill being brought back to life in the Senate. This is no ordinary group of C-listers, either. We're talking Arnold Schwarzenegger, legend of the silver screen Al Pacino, and the delectable Jessica Alba.
Alba, in a recent interview, expressed how she doesn't feel it would be right to be labeled a "Latin" actress, even though some people do, because she doesn't speak spanish. She states that she is "American", because she speaks english and had an American upbringing...she knows her heritage and is proud of that, but considers herself an American first. I can completely relate to that, and I agree with that sentiment.
Read about it over at Michelle Malkin.
Alba, in a recent interview, expressed how she doesn't feel it would be right to be labeled a "Latin" actress, even though some people do, because she doesn't speak spanish. She states that she is "American", because she speaks english and had an American upbringing...she knows her heritage and is proud of that, but considers herself an American first. I can completely relate to that, and I agree with that sentiment.
Read about it over at Michelle Malkin.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
