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DEL.ICIO.USBoos, hisses greet defense of immigration reform bill
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Delegates to the state Republican convention unleashed a rare chorus of boos and hisses at U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss on Saturday, as he spoke up for a bipartisan immigration reform package unveiled in Washington this week.
Hear it for yourself by clicking here.
Chambliss had just finished emphasizing his devotion to border security provisions contained in the measure, and brought up agriculture’s need for temporary, foreign workers.
“We’ve got to face the fact that we’ve got to create a new, truly temporary worker program” — the boos started here, but Chambliss plowed on — “for that segment of our economy that need temporary workers.
“If we don’t have a meaningful, workable program, we’ll simply be dependent on foreign imports for food products, the way we’re dependent on foreign imports for oil products,” Chambliss said, finishing his thought.
After the speech, Chambliss said he took the crowd’s reaction as a lack of popular understanding of the shape of the current immigration system.
Both Chambliss and U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson spoke at a breakfast meeting, then before 1,200 or so delegates who gathered in the Gwinnett County Civic Center.
Isakson was first. He laid out the enforcement and border security aspects of the immigration bill, due to come up before the Senate this week.
His speech was short, and received polite applause. “We have the opportunity and a narrow window to change what has plagued our society for 21 years,” Isakson said.
The current bill does just that, he said, endorsing “citizenship the right way, the naturalized way, the speaking-English way.”
Chambliss, the state’s senior senator who is up for re-election next year, did most of the talking.
He explained that he and Isakson engaged with Democrats — after their attempts to change immigration last year were blocked, in a Republican-controlled Congress.
“Today is a different day in Washington. Republicans are not in control. The Democrats have decided that an immigration bill is coming to the floor.
“We could either sit on the sidelines and we could throw rocks, or we could become engaged and make what we knew was a bad bill, better,” Chambliss said.
But he promised that both he and Isakson were not inalterably committed. “You need to know, you did not elect two potted plants to the Senate,” Chambliss said.
But he also had a word for critics.
“We either come up with a comprehensive immigration package or we have the status quo,” he said.
“Please don’t believe what you hear or see on radio and TV,” Chambliss said. “We’re not asking you to trust us. But give us an opportunity to explain it to you.”
Ritch McCutchen, a delegate from Crisp County, sat in one of the areas that produced the boos for Chambliss, but said he didn’t join in.
McCutchen, who recycles used machinery for a living, said he’s willing to give Isakson and Chambliss the benefit of the doubt, for now. “I have a question about whether it will work,” he said.
The issue of illegal immigration has the potential to create a serious split in the party, on a state and national level.
“If this gets categorized as amnesty, it could cause the party to split next year, particularly if the top of the ticket is viewed as too liberal,” said Mark Rountree, a political strategist who works with Republican candidates.
By liberal, he meant former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani. Rountree wants former Tennessee senator and actor Fred Thompson in the ’08 presidential race.
Immigration is yet another of those issues that where the fault line separates the business community from the ideological base of the party.
Supporters of the immigration bill backed by Chambliss and Isakson include Gary Black, a former candidate for state agriculture commissioner.
“We just can’t turn our heads anymore. We’ve got to find some resolution,” Black said.
He’s a member of a group formed only in the last few weeks, called Georgia Employers for Immigration Reform.
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By thanos
May 19, 2007 1:54 PM | Link to this
The GOP is toast in 2008 due to decisions like this. I hope Chambliss knows that this will be his last term in office.
Of course, the GOP is so corrupt that he probably doesn’t mind.
By bugger
May 19, 2007 1:57 PM | Link to this
Blind ideology and bigotry has infected the Republican Party and it may be fatal. Why aren’t these same people as gung ho about sealing borders where it’s really needed to keep Americans from being killed (Iraq)? Something we should have done before taking one step toward Baghdad still has not been done and Americans are dying because of it.
But because non-terrorist people from our own hemisphere, who love America are here illegally, the reactionary, facist Republican faithful want a boondoggle wall and to send them all back … because many of them are brown, I might add.
I’m against illegal immigration, too. But we have to fix a problem of our own making and shooting ourselves in the crotch to accomplish it is stupid. We need this labor. The U.S. should have had control of its border and a workable guest worker program decades ago.
The Republican Party of today is not the one I joined 27 years ago. It is empty of ideas, statesmanship and leadership. And the other side is no better. Maybe it’s time to cash out and cross the border the other way.
By Claude
May 19, 2007 2:01 PM | Link to this
Employers do not have a “right” to a plentiful supply of minimum wage labor. If you have a task that needs to be done, you may offer a job, and you may offer it at minimum wage with no benefits. But if no one accepts your offer, you have either improve the offer until someone accepts, do the job yourself, or let the job go undone.
People are tired of employers who attract illegal immigrants by offering them employment, but stick it to the community for the health care and other services that illegal immigrants use but can’t pay for.
By Gary
May 19, 2007 2:05 PM | Link to this
The immediate repudiance for any type of dialogue shows that nearsightedness on behalf of Georgians will only push the state further down the development spectrum against more forward thinking regions of the country. What is ironic is that the state acts like most of it doesn’t need these workers and is a white-collar only economy.
By Carl
May 19, 2007 2:06 PM | Link to this
Would to goodness we had two potted plants instead on the jokes Chambliss and Isakson. How much longer do we conservatives have to put up with the pseudo liberal Democrats in conservative clothing? VOTE AGAIN’ THE ONE THAT’S IN! Maybe we can get some conservatives to run if we get rid on these double talking forked tongue liberals. Conservatives need to pledge NEVER again to vote for a “go along with the liberals” just because the Republicans nominated him/her. I cannot wait until the next election. If I gotta have a liberal in office, I would rather have a democrat than these lily livered opportunist demo/repubs trying to convince me that what I know to be wrong is right!
By Rick in Lawrenceville
May 19, 2007 2:07 PM | Link to this
I beg to differ, we DID ELECT TWO POTTED PLANTS TO THE SENATE!
Why do we adopt that stance that we can send manufacturing jobs overseas because they can be done cheaper over there…and then not apply that same argument for American agriculture????
Have farmers raise/double the wages they pay Americans to pick the crops. We will just have to pay a few cents more for our food anyway…most of the markup in food is being done by the “middle tier”. That aspect will not change only the “harvesting” component will increase in price. Another effort could be made to spur INNOVATION in mechanical ways to harvest the crops. With enough demand and the resources that we devote to illegal immigrants, we can solve the problem of harvesting agricultural products.
The Republicans held the Senate, House, and the White House for the last 6 years…and did not pass the kind of immigration reform they wanted. HOW STUPID CAN THE REPUBLICANS AND CHAMBLISS AND ISAKSON BE!!! No more LAME excuses for not acting earlier. Any high school teacher would have graded your effort with a BIG FAT FFFF!!!!
This bill does not to STOP FURTHER ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION. New illegal immigration should be a FELONY and they should ENFORCE IT! WE ARLREADY HAVE IMMIGRATION LAWS THAT ARE NOT BEING ENFORCED!!!
This month start having ICE raids in each state, TWO ICE RAIDS PER MONTH!!! Start with contruction sites, hotels, poultry plants, etc. We will start to see significant SELF-DEPORTATION within 6 months. Our potted plants in the Senate do not want to try this because they KNOW IT WILL SUCCEED…and they don’t want that. They want PLENTIFUL, CHEAP LABOR for their business interests. Business doesn’t care if the general public has to foot the bill for services for illegal immigrants. People are mad at Wal-Mart for not paying their staff enough money…well, they aren’t the only employers that have that problem.
This new bill has NO PROVISIONS to stop the problem of ANCHOR BABIES from the temporary worker program.
This new bill has way, way too many visas allocated for family members. These workers are mostly UNSKILLED workers that will be a drain on the taxpayers. It also severly limits that number of new immigrants from countries that don’t share a border or close proximity to the USA!!! Why should immigrants from these countries get a free pass now and in the future. Make immigration a more equal opportunity offering!!!
The new bill also increases the limits on H1-B workers that is currently severely depressing wages in the IT and other technical fields. Why hire Americans when you can have foreigners for HALF THE PRICE??? Americans can’t raise a family on $40,000/year. So much for FAMILY VALUES…that was just so much baloney from the Republicans. Federal agencies employ more H1-B workers on IT projects than American programmers…and the Republicans could CARE LESS!!!
I am disgusted with both Isakson and Chambliss and will work actively against their re-election. Their efforts are too little and too late!
Again, why not try a BIG BUMP IN ICE RAIDS IN EVERY STATE!!!
By Canes Fan
May 19, 2007 2:07 PM | Link to this
This attitude is exactly why the republican party lost the houise and senate. They will most likely lose the WHITEHOUSE if this arrogence does not stop. As a resident and registered voter who votes I can tell you if this pig in the poke immigration reform passes there will be a concerted effort to put Saxby out. I want our border secured, cities who enact sanctuary laws,Illegals who are breaking the law, and employers who hire illegals punished. I am tired of hearing what we can not do. Get a spine, and find the courage to stand up for the citizens of America and reward those who are here legally and immigrating the right way.
By Philip
May 19, 2007 2:09 PM | Link to this
Immigration reform is long overdue, and this bill is a positive step for our country. It’s also nice to see Republicans and Democrats working together.
By Zathras
May 19, 2007 2:09 PM | Link to this
The merits of the immigration bill — which is still in draft form — are one thing and the politics are another.
Republican “strategists” (this word refers to professional campaign consultants) aware that their meal ticket for the last four election cycles, President Bush, is increasingly unpopular even in Georgia, see getting people stirred up over Mexican immigrants as critical to getting Republican voters to vote. But in the meantime some of their counterparts in the Democratic Party are thinking that come 2009 they will likely have a Democratic President and larger Democratic majorities to work with. This could lead to a more straightforward amnesty bill, without improvements in border enforcement or a guest worker program for Mexican immigrants that assures some of them won’t stay in the country forever.
Republicans can either cut a deal on immigration now, or get cut out of one later.
By Skeptical
May 19, 2007 2:10 PM | Link to this
First, anything Ted Kennedy thinks is a great idea must be approached with much caution. We don’t need to “promise” the 12 - 20 million or more illegals (in this country currently) citizenship in any way, shape or form. The $5000 the government says they’re going to charge each applicant is not a drop in the bucket of the cost these people have already incurred with social services, health care, schools, driving and having wrecks with no insurance, etc, etc. Much less the future costs…do you want to get anything from the Social Security program you’ve paid into for years?
Apparently the bill says we’re going to give more weight to the more educated, english speaking immigrants…how does that tie with Chambliss and others saying we need this bill to have farm labor, and other labor force members….the educated, english speaking folks in Mexico and other countries don’t want to do that kind of work!
Also, Isakson says the visas to let these people back in won’t be allowed until the border is “declared” secure!! What the h—- does that mean? All of us know that someone in Washington can “declare” the border secure while it’s still as wide open as a barn door. Similar to Bush making a big deal of “declaring” the war won in Iraq (forgot how he phrased it exactly).
Call or send e-mails to both Isakson and Chambliss right now to let them know how you feel. It’s too late to write!!!
Go to this site http://www.senate.gov/general/contactinformation/senatorscfm.cfm?State=GA and click on their “webform” address, fill out the info, write your note and hit submit!!
Hurry!
By tom
May 19, 2007 2:13 PM | Link to this
The current bill will result in 100 million Hispanics coming into this country in ten years.
What we need is draconian enforced laws against the employers of illegals. Employ illegals and you will be shut down.
Cut off the all federal and state subsidies to illegals.
The illegals are destroying our schools, neighborhoods, and the health care industry. Mexico is a country with a deeply rooted culture of corruption. They are exporting a class of people who selectively follow only the laws that suit them. I see this everyday. I receive a daily email from the Gwinnett county sheriff’s department on who was arrested in my zip code area. The arrest reports are full of Hispanics: no licenses, no registration, no insurance, and what ever other crime they committed. A dozen or so daily. If this is just one zip code in Gwinnett, are we to assume that their must be 100 or so daily arrested in the county. That is two busloads daily that should be headed south.
Our representatives need to do the will of the American people and stop pandering to business looking for cheap labor. Stop them at the border and set the conditions so they go home.
No amesty, no reward for breaking the law.
By JR
May 19, 2007 2:15 PM | Link to this
Too many people have used the farm labor problem as an excuse to look the other way. Now the same is happening in the building industry. The illegals and the people hiring them are reaping the benefits. Not only should all immigrants have papers, a child should not automatically become a U.S. citizen just because they are born on U.S. soil. Why should anyone visiting in another country, legally or illegally, expect their child to automatically gain citizenship just because they are born there.
By Michael H. Smith
May 19, 2007 2:17 PM | Link to this
Good-bye Senators! We need a new political party to represent we Americans. The Democrats and the Republicans have proven to be one and the same - anti-U.S. citizen - bird of two wings.
Bring back the Teddy Roosevelt Americanism of the Progressive Bull Moose.
By Chris
May 19, 2007 2:17 PM | Link to this
It is tough to accept something like that however, reality is that these immigrants are not taking the jobs away from Americans or legal residents, for the most part, we have grown away from agricultural period. Like the senator said, we can send them home and import, or fix the problem. It is true that as a nation this problem got out of control, we can kick and complain about it or grab it by the horns now before it gets worse.
By John
May 19, 2007 2:22 PM | Link to this
Obviously, Congressional Democrats (and Republican panderers) ARE NOT going to offer meaningful immigration legislation as long as they are controlled by special interests.
As a Republican, I resent “Amnesty Saxby” telling me he’s going to educate me!
The Georgia General Assembly needs to pass a simple immigration bill:
NO ILLEGAL ALIENS ALLOWED IN GEORGIA!
Any employer (corporation or individual) caught employing an illegal alien is to be found guilty of a felony and fined $10,000 for each illegal alien employed. $5,000 rewards should be offered for each illegal alien found. Whistleblower protection should be offered to corporate insiders.
No landlord should rent any residential property to any illegal alien or be guilty of a felony and $10,000 fine if they do. Same $5,000 reward program with the same whistleblower protection.
There is no need to create law enforcement positions here since the $5,000 reward incentive should more than do the job - certianly better than government workers.
SIMPLE SOLUTION: No jobs - no housing.
THAT SAID: If this simple solution were enacted, watch all the two-face hypocrites coming running and complaining because who then is going to mow their grass, wash their cars and clean their houses? Who is going to build all those new houses? Who is going to wash dishes and bus tables in restaurants? Who is going to pick the tomatoes and peaches on our Georgia farms? Who is going to work the assembly lines in all of Georgia’s chicken processing plants?
God knows, if we rid Georgia of all illegal aliens; Western Union would go out of business, pay-day lenders would dry up, buy-here pay-here car lots would disappear as would coin laundrys.
No legislation will ever be enacted ridding the USA of illegal aliens unless and until the hypocites come to grips with reality:
Illegal aliens have filled a legitimate economic need and labor void in our economy because another entire class of native born would rather be on welfare, unemployment, worker’s comp, social security disability, WIC and so called “entitlement programs!”
By Chris
May 19, 2007 2:25 PM | Link to this
Lets just accept it, our government is just not going to go and pick up illegal immigrants and send them home. If we think differently, then every single one of us complaining about these measures should run to be a government official and make a difference.
By Rachel Trout
May 19, 2007 2:26 PM | Link to this
Chambliss cannot stay on a horse when he is hunting with VP Cheney in Albany, GA so why should we expect him to be straight with us on immigration reform.
By charles corley
May 19, 2007 2:28 PM | Link to this
Remember the republicans use to be the democrats.They changed colors. What does ga. produce that will turn brown and stink in 2 wks. The ga. republicans in the U.S.house are so sure of re-election that they are the only republicans that are willing to go to the well and call democrats traitors on c-span. Does anybody know that George McGovern flew 25 bomber missions over Germany in world war 2 and that newt gingrich married his h.s. math teacher to avoid the war.
By you are all dumb
May 19, 2007 2:28 PM | Link to this
wake up. accept reality and deal with it.
By Bonnie
May 19, 2007 2:31 PM | Link to this
Do these idiots not remember the amnesty bill of 1986? The “enforcement” part of that bill went by the wayside quickly, and the “enforcement” (cough) provisions of this bill will, too.
And, for all those “compassionate” people who only care about the illegals who want jobs, how about showing some of your “compassion” by not wanting to create a permanent underclass to provide you with cheap labor?
By Loco Lee
May 19, 2007 2:32 PM | Link to this
I hope Georgians remember that Saxby was one of the archetects of today’s immigration mess. Before entering the Senate, he was the Chairman of the Congressional Judicial subcommittee for Immigration, Citizenship and Border Protection. The mess we have today was his making.
By American by Birth!
May 19, 2007 2:33 PM | Link to this
As penance, Sen. Amnesty and Sen. Juan of Georgia need to propose the following constitutional amendment:
“No baby born in the United States shall automatically become a citizen of the United States unless it is documented the baby’s mother and father were citizens of the United States at the time of birth.”
By Nathan
May 19, 2007 2:35 PM | Link to this
This is not just the Republicans that are against this bill, it is the vast majority of America. And unions should be way against this bill since it will continue to drive down wages. Imagine the welfare costs for 20,000,000 now legal “working poor” and now add that amount to the already broke social security fund!
56% of America think we should use an enforcement only approach. Just imagine if someone was on your front lawn and you called the police. The police show up and make him pay a fine, but after that, you have to let him stay, use your water and food, and you get billed for his retirement and family medical bills.
By Rick in Lawrenceville
May 19, 2007 2:37 PM | Link to this
Several of our bloggers have made good points here.
As far as getting illegals to leave, the REPUBLICANS have to have the President increase the number of ICE raids!
We do not need to have future visas based on family relations. We need skilled workers, we are getting ready to grant citizenship to 20 million unskilled workers…do we really need more? Yes, I know, they won’t do the jobs that Americans won’t do much longer…especially at slave wages.
How are we going to check criminal records? We don’t know who is in the country currently. They have many aliases!!! We pick up the same illegal for driving drunk or without a license 50 times without any action being taken. Just check out how many times the illegals who plotted to terrorize Fort Dix were caught breaking our laws.
Make them renounce their citizenship to their home country. Otherwise, they can commit crimes here in the USA and escape back to their home country. Those countries are not allowing extradition to the US to face criminal charges!!!
By Chief Wiggum
May 19, 2007 2:37 PM | Link to this
Well, well…
We find out about his arrogance. He says that “he took the crowd’s reaction as a lack of popular understanding of the shape of the current immigration system.”
Of course…the problem is us. We’re just not smart enough to understand the big business need for cheap labor.
Here is some advice to the posters here…can you NOT say something clear, coherent, and to the point without a long diatribe? I refuse to waste my time to read some foaming-at-the-mouth manifesto. Trim it down, make it clean and concise.
Gotta run, the HOT sign is on, and they give me a buy 2, get 1 free special. One of the perks of the uniform, you know.
By Cheryl
May 19, 2007 2:39 PM | Link to this
I keep wondering how these employers are going to react once these illegals, whom they love so much, get started on the road to citizenship. They will not be so anxious to work for meager wages then, so who will the employers hire? The working Americans will end up supporting tons of new citizens that can’t find work. Way to go, Congress!!!!
By Rick in Lawrenceville
May 19, 2007 2:53 PM | Link to this
The following GREAT idea from CATLADY:
We deliver illegal immigrants to the American embassy in their home country. And we deduct the cost of the deportation from any aid we give that country.
By Davo
May 19, 2007 2:55 PM | Link to this
Where was Saxby during Vietnam?
By Richard
May 19, 2007 3:06 PM | Link to this
It looks like the leader of the Republicans in Congress is Ted Kennedy.
By Johnalso
May 19, 2007 3:11 PM | Link to this
To “you are all dumb”, I contend that if your judgement is correct, then you are even dumber. Those who wrote above you: 1. Are already awake and very much aware. 2. They have accepted reality. The reality is that we are represented for the most part by “sell-out, corrupted, crooked, would be snake-oil salemen” who had better be looking for new people to accept thier pretentious lies and selfish, bline, egotistical ambitions. As a veteran I have had to seek help from the “mighty warrior” Saxby and was sickened by his office’s lack of intelligence, professionalism, and awareness. The old saw about “I will see that Mr. Chambliss knows of your concern” just don’t cut the mustard. 3. They are indeed “dealing” with it, unlike you who simply spouts a blurb that is more of a belch. Just hide and watch this November, if you don’t believe it.
My advice would be a take off on President Reagen’s charge to Gorboshauf(sp): “Mr. Bush, BUILD THAT WALL!!!”
By vinney
May 19, 2007 3:19 PM | Link to this
I will not vote republican in the next election if our reps vote for this bill. Saxby does not have my vote, ley’s not cave in to the wpman killer Kennedy. We now have no balls reps from Georgia. let’ knock off the b****** and vote for the majority.
By R.C.
May 19, 2007 3:26 PM | Link to this
Nobody here seems to understand the conservative objection. Allow me to sum it up:
HOW CONSERVATIVES THINK
The one hard-core attitude which pervades the conservative movement (in all its sub-groupings) is best summed up as “One Must Follow The Law/Rules, Without Reinterpreting Them In Weasely Ways; And Anyone Who Does Not Follow The Law Must NEVER Be Allowed To Get Away With It.”
This Rule-Following, Punishing-The-Rule-Breakers, Shouting-Down-The-Rule-Reinterpreters is the core of the conservative mind. It is what conservatives think about when they hear the phrase, “Rule of Law.”
The attitude of conservatives toward people who do not Follow The Rules depends on what these other people call themselves. If they call themselves “leftist” or “progressive” or “liberal,” then conservatives think them dimwitted, childish, and silly. But if they call themselves “conservative,” yet STILL don’t Follow The Rules, conservatives are outraged: They view this as Treasonous.
Like it or not, agree or not, that is how conservatives are wired.
Think I’m exaggerating? The examples are endless: One sees this dynamic played out again and again in American politics.
Gay marriage, for example: Conservatives who get along quite well with gay co-workers abhor this idea because it’s against the rules, as traditionally defined.
Or, look at how often philandering conservative politicians lose their office (Newt Gingrich, for example), compared to left-leaning politicians. The left-leaning party base doesn’t care about the “Follow The Rules” paradigm, so philandering is considered mere gossip-fodder. But conservatives insist that He Who Breaks The Rules Must Face Consequences. So, they punish the philanderers.
Why is it that conservatives who say something vaguely racist lose their positions of power (e.g. Trent Lott) but leftists (e.g. Robert Byrd) do not? Answer? Conservatives are very big about He Who Breaks The Rules Must Suffer Consequences.
Viewing the Constitution “As A Living Document” is similarly not Fair Play to a conservative; they like terms such as “Framer’s Intent.” Conservatives like a static, well-defined set of rules delineated once and for all, fair-and-square, with no contradictions, and no “morphing” over time. Ever noticed how the Christian denominations viewed as the most conservative take the most literalist view of their Scriptures?
With taxes, conservatives constantly refer to the promises made when the Income Tax was initiated: That it would never rise above single percentage points, that it was only a wartime temporary measure, that it would never exceed state taxes, et cetera. That all of these promises are now violated seems, to the conservative mind, the worst sort of cheat.
HOW THIS APPLIES TO ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION:
The reason illegal immigration so enrages conservatives is that It’s Against The Rules. They may talk about terrorists sneaking in disguised as Mexicans, they may talk about the stress on local governments and assistance programs, but those are all intellectual arguments only. It’s the Breaking Of The Rules that produces the emotional reaction.
The most common conservative assertion about illegal immigration is this: “I have no problem with ten million hard-working, willing-to-learn-English, honest persons coming here to make a better life for their families, PROVIDED they don’t break the law in doing so. And if the law doesn’t allow enough of them, fine: Change the law. But don’t break it.”
This, as one can easily see, has nothing to do with bigotry, and everything to do with a Follow The Rules mentality. Each political grouping in America has its crazy wing. But the foes of illegal immigration in the GOP are not the crazies; they are the mainstream. How could it be otherwise? The mainstream of conservatism is actually defined by the Follow The Rules mentality; it is their common vocabulary; it is what gathered them together as a political force to begin with.
For example, consider the debate about the $5000.00 fine in the current bill: Conservatives like it okay (it’s a Consequence for Breaking The Rules) but they can live without it. Most conservatives would happily forgo levying a fine on illegals, PROVIDED they returned to their home country and got in line BEHIND those who’d never entered the U.S. illegal. For that, of course, would be playing by the rules, and rewarding those who’d always done so.
Something To Consider: Anyone who explains the conservative opposition to amnesty (or anything that vaguely resembles amnesty) as “racism” is probably only searching for a reason to explain its fervor. If such a person does not understand the conservative Follow The Rules mindset, such fervor seems inexplicable. So one is tempted to say, “Oh, they must be racist.”
But when one understands the Follow The Rules mindset, all this fervor is explained quite easily. Conservatives (unlike left-leaning pro-labor groups) hate protectionism, and therefore welcome (legal) immigrants. But just TRY to sneak in without first “signing the guest register”, and conservatives want you shot. (If adult male, that is. Women and children, merely deported.) What’s the difference? Not nationality, or skin color. It’s whether you followed the rules.
In fact the percentage of anti-Mexican bigots in the conservative anti-illegal-immigrant movement is so vanishingly small, it’s silly to even mention it. It may fall well under one percent. (Compare this to the embarrassingly large percentage of self-identifying Democrats who believe George Bush had prior knowledge of the 9/11 attacks and allowed them to happen anyway; one poll places it a little under one-third!)
But each party has its crazies. The important thing for conservative politicians to understand on the subject of illegal immigrants is that they are not dealing with fringe crazies, but mainstream conservatism. They ignore this at their peril.
By vinney
May 19, 2007 3:39 PM | Link to this
Mr. killer kenndy leads the republican party, the chappaquta king, Saby will follow his moves. I will not support the republicans in the next election. At least I know where the democrars are coming from, it’s no good but they are above the table with it.
By GaLiberal
May 19, 2007 3:41 PM | Link to this
All the handwrining and whining by Republicans about ‘amensty’ is just laughable. They show their racism and cover it with inflamatory language like ‘illegal’, ‘terrorists’, ‘taxes’, and ‘rule of law’. What they are really worried about is that they will ‘take over’ and replace our ‘Anglo-European’ heritage. Whine Whine Whine.
I oppose to this bill because it would allow a large number of people into the country who are willing to work for substandard wages. History shows that when there is a source of cheap labor, all wages fall for working families. The only ones that benefit are the wealthy who just get wealthier. Unless there is langauge that allows these workers to join unions and requires they are paid decent wages, this bill is not going to get broad Democratic support.
By Jack P
May 19, 2007 3:45 PM | Link to this
In the coming years, there will be an explosive increase in the crime rate and your govt will not be able to protect you. Prepare now to protect yourself and your family. Thirty percent of the prison population are illegal aliens. Will they be deported or released into society upon parole? Secondly, our country will face bankruptcy with the increase demand for govt aid. Taxes cannot be raised high enough to cover costs. We are a financial disaster waiting to happen. Who you vote for will not matter.
By Johnathan Howland
May 19, 2007 3:47 PM | Link to this
Please take 5 minutes and go to CONGRESS.ORG. fax/ email every senator in Washington. then CALL Toll Free Numbers (800) 862-5530 (800) 833-6354 (866) 340-9281 (866) 220-0044 Amnesty=Civil War The way of peace is not capitulation The time is now.
By Dan
May 19, 2007 3:53 PM | Link to this
Democrats are toast with me ever since Jimmy Carter.
Republicans are about to obtain the same status with me for not being more planned and forceful with the war and for their ridiculous surrender on the immigration issue.
Are there any candidate out there that is fiscally conservative, morally modest and pro middle class?
Failure of our elected officials to listen to the will of their constituencies is going to result in another year like 1968.
By GI Joe
May 19, 2007 3:54 PM | Link to this
Davo-Where were you during Vietnam and the others(Democrats) that want to pull out and run? I will never vote for D@#* Democrats again. Some of you better wake up to the fact that freedom is not free. Build the Wall!
By Ticked off
May 19, 2007 3:54 PM | Link to this
Well instead of being afraid of a bunch of marching Mexicans and other assorted illegal immigrants the Republicans should be afraid of p** off voters that have had enough!
These same Republicans want us to believe they will enforce the new rules. How about enforcing the current rules from the 1986 Amesty law! Chambliss and Isakson, start enforcing the laws already on the books before you want us to take your word (worthless) on this new bill.
By John the Conservative
May 19, 2007 3:55 PM | Link to this
I don’t care for any of the illegals breaking the law either, but this problem isn’t going away. We are in this mess since we have ignored the problem for 20+ years.
Until the Senators put pad to paper and actually show me a bill, I am going to reserve judgement. That also means that we ALL need to read the bill and not listen to just what the talking heads on TV and radio tell us is in there.
By george
May 19, 2007 3:56 PM | Link to this
All the talk about “we have to have” is really about what corporate America wants and that’s cheap” slave labor. Another thing we have imported, along with the illegal aliens is a corrupt illegitimate government just like Mexico’s. It will be a small consolation to see the implosion of the GOP. But all we can do for now is express ousrelves at the ballot box. This will be remembered as the time when our own government betrayed their country.
By Michael
May 19, 2007 3:59 PM | Link to this
Aren’t we fighting Mexicans over there so they won’t follow us here? No wait, I’ve got the GOP sound bites mixed up.
The Republicans need to listen to guys like Ron Paul like the Democrats needed to listen to guys like Howard Dean in 2004. If you’re sick of how the federal government is doing things, stop voting for the same guys that have been a part of it for years!
Maybe we should stop bickering about abortion and illegal immigrants and start doing real things. This compromise is not perfect, but it’s a good start. Aside from sending illegals back, it would be a great thing to try. If it doesn’t work, try something else!
By Gus
May 19, 2007 4:00 PM | Link to this
I am baffled at how liberals support the influx of illegal immigrants to this nation. Aside from the mentally ill, self-defeating pleasure you get from observing the expected decline of this country’s Anglo culture and history, the influx of laborers who are willing to work for 50% or less of the prevailing wage rate for native tradesmen and other working class people in this country is killing blue collar America. If you really supported the labor movement and blue collar workers, you would end your support for this exploitative system which welcomes illegal immigration purely for monetary reasons.
By Ned Puddleman
May 19, 2007 4:09 PM | Link to this
Saxby is the poster child of why I can no longer support the Republican Party. “Bad bill and make it better”. How about take a bad bill and kill it? It is time for the people to rise up against corporate american and their purchased politicans that are treasonist.
By Duke
May 19, 2007 4:12 PM | Link to this
I am not enthusiastic about Senator Chambliss’ performance in office, especially his support of such lunacy as ethanol. I also think that immigration is a cultural issue, part of the larger cultural war. There are two kinds of illegal immigrants. Many of them are better Christians, and better Americans, than most citizens. An easy way to distinguish between the two? Ban all social welfare benefits for illegal immigrants. That will solve the problem. But Senator Chambliss makes an important point: without migrant immigrant workers, American agriculture will be out of business.
By Richard
May 19, 2007 4:19 PM | Link to this
This bill is, pure and simple, a triumph for the lobbyists and not the American people as Lindsay Graham would have us believe.
On one hand the Republicans get their workforce to pick lettuce, and on the other hand the Democrats get future voters. It’s a win-win situation for the politicians while the American voter will, of course, suffer its consequences.
The myriad of hoops that the illegal aliens will have to jump through to reach citizenship will be modified time and again as the same lobbying groups and Democrats insist on a more humane and faster method toward citizenship be used. After all, they will and have argued, we don’t want fathers and their children to be separated.
If Bush signs the bill I offer the following scenario:
The destruction of the Republican party.
There will never be another Republican president.
America will have a permanent one party system.
Congress will change from white to brown.
All future presidents will be Hispanic.
The Southern border will be eliminated.
America and Mexico will merge into one nation.
The white population will leave the country.
Sound implausible? Try this.
The Republican base, feeling betrayed, will no longer vote.
In 20 years the Hispanic population will grow from 13 million to 40 million becoming the largest voting block in the country.
There will be permanent unrest between blacks and Hispanics.
By chris
May 19, 2007 4:24 PM | Link to this
Everybody has his/her own suggestions about how to deal with illegal immigration. So, here is mine. I am sure most of you extremist will agree with. How about if we build couple of concentration camps down in South Georgia. Put all the illegal alliens in them, work them to death and and then gas the rest. We actually don’t even have to come up with new laws…another extremist came up a good set of laws 60 years ago. His name was Hitler. After we finish with illegals we can move on to get rid of all other people that don’t look like us or don’t think like us - jews, blacks, asians, etc. After we finish with all of them we can all rejoyce in our arian harmony!!!! Stop blaming the illegals for your misery. Do they take job away from you? Well…if a guy with four years of schooling and not speaking English can take the job away from you, then you better go back to school. Get an education! Because if an illegal won’t take the job away from you, a mindless machine will - very soon. I am proud of our senators. They prove to me they are open minded people that can look beyond small time angry dogs like you and come up with a solution to a big problem. Successful people can see the value these immigrants bring to the country. Their labor adds to the overall wealth of the society. Small minded people only see somebody to blame or an excuse for their failed lives. Success doesn’t need excuses, only failure does.
By jim
May 19, 2007 4:25 PM | Link to this
I say next election send Saxby back to south Georgia where he belongs and let him work and live with all the Mexicans on his land down their. Good By Saxby you are toast next election
By TW
May 19, 2007 4:31 PM | Link to this
There is no more egregious abuse of the welfare concept than the $160k paid to Saxby Chambliss each year.
By george stewart
May 19, 2007 4:33 PM | Link to this
According to Pew Center, only 3 percent of the nation’s illegal immigrants work on farms. Five times as many fill construction jobs and ten times as many are in the service sector.
Chabliss’es comments about the need in agriculture is a smokescreen for the many other reasons that business want cheap labor.
By potbelly
May 19, 2007 4:35 PM | Link to this
Well there it is….thanks to you Chris “We actually don’t even have to come up with new laws…another extremist came up a good set of laws 60 years ago. His name was Hitler. After we finish with illegals we can move on to get rid of all other people that don’t look like us or don’t think like us - jews, blacks, asians, etc.”
See - Godwin’s Law Godwin’s Law (also known as Godwin’s Rule of Nazi Analogies[1]) is an adage formulated by Mike Godwin in 1990. The law states:
As an online discussion grows longer, the probability of a comparison involving Nazis or Hitler approaches one.[2]
Godwin’s Law does not dispute whether any particular reference or comparison to Hitler or the Nazis might be appropriate. It is precisely because such a comparison or reference may sometimes be appropriate, Godwin has argued,[3] that overuse of the Nazi/Hitler comparison should be avoided, as it robs the valid comparisons of their impact.
Although in one of its early forms Godwin’s Law referred specifically to Usenet newsgroup discussions,[4] the law is now applied to any threaded online discussion: electronic mailing lists, message boards, chat rooms, and more recently blog comment threads and wiki talk pages.
Godwin has stated[2] that he introduced Godwin’s law as an experiment in memetics.
By MAC
May 19, 2007 4:36 PM | Link to this
Forget Saxby. Is there anything worse than Jimmy Carter’s views? Oh yeah, his PERFORMANCE as President. Calling Bush the worst in history after Carter’s presidency is the definition of delusional.
By larry
May 19, 2007 4:51 PM | Link to this
Our government has allowed this illegal problem in the first place and then wants to “resolve” it by a pathway to citizenship? Here in california the mexicans including the mayor are marching cause this plan isn’t lenient enough for them. they don”t respect this country and they say they’re taking it back and to add insult to injury the u.s.a. allows their offspring to be citizens.. and anybody that thinks differently hasn’t been around long enough to see what the country was like 30-40 years ago before the invasion. try going to mexico and pulling the crap these people do and see how compassionately they kick you out immediately.
By Linlithgow
May 19, 2007 4:52 PM | Link to this
Obviously Chambliss has never heard of the tomato industry’s answer to the end of the bracero programme, or of how Australia solved their dearth of cheap labour with regard to harvesting of grapes for export as raisins.
It’s call the Free Market, Chambliss. Industry evolves and matures as need dictates.
By RepublicanJohn
May 19, 2007 4:56 PM | Link to this
The only time I ever voted for a Democrat was for Harry Truman. There is not a Democrat living this day that I would ever support.Our Two Senators will never receive my vote again. This Congress is Pathetic!! Immigration will destroy this once great country. Lord help us!!
By sam
May 19, 2007 5:01 PM | Link to this
By looking at your posts, I’d say the majority of you couldn’t pass the English proficiency exam!
By Bill
May 19, 2007 5:03 PM | Link to this
Let’s be honest here - it is all about race! You can come up with all kind of stats and studies supporting any view out there. You just don’t like people that look differently than you. I know, you are going to accuse me for playing the race card. But it is obvious what do you guys think. Well..good luck with your miserable lives.
By Kiss Our Potted Plant Senators Goodbye
May 19, 2007 5:06 PM | Link to this
Nothing new in this immigration reform proposal. It’s just a reenactment of the 1986’s Simpson-Mazzoli Act which was never enforced by the federal government either. Illegal immigration has just been allowed to run rampant.
We can thank our potted plant Senators, Chambliss and Isakson, for doing nothing to reduce illegal immigration over the last 6 years!
Vote them out of office!
By Fed Up
May 19, 2007 5:09 PM | Link to this
I have just one question? If this ridiculous Immigration Bill is passed, does it set a precedent? What other laws are we now free to ignore next?
Apparently, there is a “free for all” attitude by our elected officials, so just feel free to speed when driving, not pay your taxes, junk up your lawns, steal someone else’s identity, etc. The list is endless now that respect for the rule of law is to be eliminated.
By Do not re-elect Chambiss or Isakson
May 19, 2007 5:10 PM | Link to this
Senator Edward Kennedy, primary sponsor of the new 2007 amnesty bill, quoted before passing the 1986 amnesty bill: “First, our cities will not be flooded with a million immigrants annually. Under the proposed bill, the present level of immigration remains substantially the same. Secondly the ethnic mix of this country will not be upset. Contrary to the charges in some quarters, (the bill) would not inundate America with immigrants from any one country or area, or the most populated deprived nations of Africa and Asia. In the final analysis, the ethnic pattern of immigration under the proposed measure is not expected to change as sharply as the critics seem to think.”
The damage he did in 1986 is about to repeat itself.
Chambliss and Isakson were asleep at the wheel, they DID NOTHING to stop illegal immigration. In fact, Chambliss jumped all over the INS several years ago when they raided a group of workers picking Vidalia onions. Chambliss is knee deep in this mess and he has blood on his hands!
By Richard A
May 19, 2007 5:12 PM | Link to this
Both GA Senators as well as Kyl represent the pro guest worker cheap labor wing of the GOP. If you want real immigration reform, the “we need guest workers” Republicans have got to be purged from the party.
By Ticked off
May 19, 2007 5:12 PM | Link to this
The only people celebrating this bill are the “open border people” and big business. Does anyone seriously believe that our government will enforce the deportation parts of this law? Does amyone really believe in two years our borders will be more secure?
The only part we will see enforced is the Amnesty part and 10 years from now our children will be facing the same problem.
I lived through the “86″ Amnesty and saw how well the government followed up on those enforcment laws. It took only 20 years for 12 to 20 million illegals to sneak across the border. History will prove that that number is more like 40 million.
Any elected official that votes for this bill, should hide their face in shame. And one last question, can anyone give me a good reason why this bill was written and debated is secret?
By Ticked off
May 19, 2007 5:19 PM | Link to this
I’m still outraged that special interest groups like NATIONAL COUNCIL OF LA RAZA were involved in the crafting of this “deal” which I guess is now a bill.
Chambliss and Isakson NEVER THOUGHT ABOUT CONSULTING THEIR CONSTITUENTS, BUT THEY ARE IN BED WITH THE LA RAZA FOLKS. Soon we will be a third world country filled with chicken pluckers and onion pickers.
By Justin
May 19, 2007 5:22 PM | Link to this
This is a response to the PATHETIC hypothetical ‘solution.’ How about trying to seriously deal with this problem without the Micheal Moore high school immaturity (as hilarious and original as you are). This is not about people who look different. Legal immigrants are invited and welcome- this is about people with abject contempt for this country and our laws that’s illegal immigrants- not American liberals- just to clarify. Maybe you are so brainwashed in identity politics that you have no critical thinking skills save grouping people into skin color categories and condemning the lighter colored ones. Way to be open minded.
PS- Since you see yourself as so enlightened- maybe you should do a little reading on Mexico’s immigration policy. Your old reliable buddy Der Furor would surely prefer their policies.
By Rick in Lawrenceville
May 19, 2007 5:25 PM | Link to this
They have had plenty of time to FUND THE FENCE, but they have not done this simply little thing! They have NO INTENTION OF ENFORCING THESE LAWS, except the AMNESTY portion.
They haven’t enforced the 1986 immigration laws, they haven’t funded the fence from the last Congress, and they won’t enforce the new law either. We will be going through this madness again in another 15 years!
By BBT
May 19, 2007 5:29 PM | Link to this
Stop voting for these idiots! Do you want government cheese? Vote for the Democrats. Do you want government guns? Vote Republican? The secret? Republicans aren’t anti-cheese like their rhetoric, and the Democrats aren’t really anti-gun and won’t really pull out of Iraq. Do you want something different? Vote for a third party people! I suggest Ron Paul for president, but don’t take my word for it. Do your research. How is this immigration reform bill really going to change things? It’s not. It’s just going to encourage more illegals to come to the US. It’s part of the plan to annex Mexico into the US and create a North American Union similar to the EU so that your lawmakers will be un-elected bureaucrats.
By Bill
May 19, 2007 5:29 PM | Link to this
Wow, you guys are so smart. All of you have such good understanding of immigration issues in this country, and come up with such indepth solutions! Maybe you have to run for senate next time. Thank God we have smart people running this country that don’t listen to angry extremist like you.
By Rick in Lawrenceville
May 19, 2007 5:29 PM | Link to this
The illegal immigrants are thoroughly draining our country and eliminating the middle class. The only ones profitting are the upper class and large companies, hiring the illegal immigrants at low wages. Now the “jobs at Americans won’t do” are paying low wages … and American citizens are getting laid off unless they will take the lower wages (reference … Circuit City!). Middle class is supporting the medical care and education costs for the illegal immigrants. Why should my property taxes be used to give illegal immigrants a high school diploma from Georgia?
Saxby Chambliss, Johnny Isakson, Ted Kennedy, George Bush …. YOU REPRESENT THE US CITIZENS … NOT ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS or BIG BUSINESS!!! DID YOU FORGET WHO ELECTED YOU TO OFFICE?
Our politicans continue to take advantage of us, now we need to make them pay a price for ignoring our needs and wishes!
By mightymouse
May 19, 2007 5:31 PM | Link to this
When you have 3 Mexican Congress members meeting with Ted Kennedy and Peolsi talking about OUR immigration laws……whose side do you think their on?
Closed door sessions with the ACLU,LaRaza,Big Business, churches, Spanish Senators, Spanish Caucus and NO anti-immigration spokesperson allowed, did you think it was going GOOD for Americans?
LaRaza is the group that found out last years House version was going to called the illegals “felons” THEY organized all the big street protest! And the Democrats killed the deal!!!!!!
Lost of votes you know!
By Wake up Georgia
May 19, 2007 5:33 PM | Link to this
You know, I would really like to see these politicians who vote for amnesty for these illegal aliens to live in same neighborhoods they do. Maybe it would be a wake up call!!!
Lets see if Chambliss and Isakson will live in a house overcrowded with a dozen illegals for a week and spend the days attending bilingual classes and see our children waste on the vine.
By BG
May 19, 2007 5:50 PM | Link to this
R.C.@ 3:26 - that’s an EXCELLANT post; my sentiments exactly. If the lady in Cobb County had “just followed the rules” then she wouldn’t have had to pay a “fine” by hiring a lawyer.
By dumb gringos
May 19, 2007 5:53 PM | Link to this
We mexcuns be legal soon and get free money from you dumb gringos.hahahaha
By Rick in Lawrenceville
May 19, 2007 5:57 PM | Link to this
To Bill: We are surely smarter than you! This legislation was tried in 1986 and it didn’t work then.
What makes you think it will work now? Yeah, I didn’t think so!
By Black progress in Georgia
May 19, 2007 6:12 PM | Link to this
I am confused about my black social and economic progress.
Decades ago, as a little boy, I witnessed some of my black adult friends in Atlanta being turned-away at hospital emergency rooms, because they were black and poor.
Today, I get to pay the medical bills of criminal illegal Mexicans and I can’t swear anymore when I’m rappin’. My fun-meter is broke and I simply can’t handle any more progress.
By Jon Carry
May 19, 2007 6:44 PM | Link to this
“After the speech, Chambliss said he took the crowd’s reaction as a lack of popular understanding of the shape of the current immigration system.”
What an arrogant, ignorant fool.
By An American
May 19, 2007 7:22 PM | Link to this
Being a former Michigan boy, you Crackers ‘crack me up’. We now have 10% of another country’s population within our borders, illegally. Why are we not declaring war, instead of offering amnesty? Where is the use of the phrase ‘invading forces’ when describing ‘illegal immigrants’ (whatever THEY are)? We know what illegal alien invaders are. Why aren’t politicians being charged with treason for supporting the invading forces?
As for Sen.(or) Kennedy - this is the third time he has had a hand in the immigration ‘reform’, and twice before he has been successful in killing the enforcement elements of the law. Insanity is doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting different results.
By Miller
May 19, 2007 7:31 PM | Link to this
My concern with the immigration bill is that these illegals will rapidly be going into hiding. Americans are rapidly becoming a minority who will be ruled by Latinos and/or Muslims. I am also very concerned with the state of our economy, being drained to give benefits to those who haven’t paid into the system. Our freedoms are also rapidly being taken away. When our legislators go behind closed doors to legislate and vote on a bill, and we are not allowed to know what is going on, that is WRONG. Our tax money is paying these people. Let’s bombard them with letters and phone calls. If we all stick together, we CAN make a difference. I applaud most of those posting comments. They are very good and true. Our situation today is very scary especially with Nancy Pelose at the helm.
By Bill
May 19, 2007 7:52 PM | Link to this
Our government has no shortage of “arrogant ignorant fools”
Our job now, is to separate them from the just plain fools.
By M. A. George
May 19, 2007 8:44 PM | Link to this
Why is it that any objection to this bill is called a public “misunderstanding?” Excuse me. We understand it all to well. Wait and see.
By Stephen
May 19, 2007 9:12 PM | Link to this
A serious question here: If you are going to “regularize” 12 to 15 million illegals and make them Americans, then why do we need a guest worker program. Isn’t this enough people to handle the program?
Stephen
By Sam
May 19, 2007 10:00 PM | Link to this
Immigrants for 3 generations will vote Democratic ( history proves this fact ). Republicans get their campaign cash from big business for cheap labor…..Democrats will get 12 million new voters once the Mexicans become US citizens
By Sam
May 19, 2007 10:01 PM | Link to this
Immigrants for 3 generations will vote Democratic ( history proves this fact ). Republicans get their campaign cash from big business for cheap labor…..Democrats will get 12 million new voters once the Mexicans become US citizens
By Sam
May 19, 2007 10:01 PM | Link to this
Immigrants for 3 generations will vote Democratic ( history proves this fact ). Republicans get their campaign cash from big business for cheap labor…..Democrats will get 12 million new voters once the Mexicans become US citizens
By Sam
May 19, 2007 10:01 PM | Link to this
Immigrants for 3 generations will vote Democratic ( history proves this fact ). Republicans get their campaign cash from big business for cheap labor…..Democrats will get 12 million new voters once the Mexicans become US citizens
By Sam
May 19, 2007 10:01 PM | Link to this
Immigrants for 3 generations will vote Democratic ( history proves this fact ). Republicans get their campaign cash from big business for cheap labor…..Democrats will get 12 million new voters once the Mexicans become US citizens
By Sam
May 19, 2007 10:01 PM | Link to this
Immigrants for 3 generations will vote Democratic ( history proves this fact ). Republicans get their campaign cash from big business for cheap labor…..Democrats will get 12 million new voters once the Mexicans become US citizens
By TW
May 19, 2007 10:21 PM | Link to this
Sam - does your mom know your messing with her computer? Mexicans will vote Democrat because they actually read the Bible.
By Bobby
May 19, 2007 10:47 PM | Link to this
These people lie every time they open their mouths. It IS amnesty. Congressman Tom Tancredo has been involved in the illegal immigration fiasco ten years before Chambliss and other Jonny come latelies, even came to the issue. Listen to Congressmans Tom Tancredo, Ron Paul,they will tell you the truth. Donate to TEAM TANCREDO.ORG AND KEEP THE FAITH. Hillary, Obaman, Romney, Giulianni, Brownback, Edwards, Richardson, and all the other establishment polticitans, will if elected, forget about those who elected them and ask themselves,”What else can I do for illegal aliens, La Raza, Mecha, Maldef, Lulac,etc. They are sickening.
By Bobby
May 19, 2007 10:52 PM | Link to this
Ticked off, here is another thing you can be surprised about when it comes to LA RAZA(the race)and all the other Raza groups,(Mecha, Lulac,etc)your having your tax money taken by “your” representatives and donated to them. How about that for a poke in the eye? Better tell all your friends and relatives, about the kind of rats they are voting into office.
By dog
May 19, 2007 10:58 PM | Link to this
ILLEGAL MEANS ILLEGAL!!!! PUNISH THE CRIMINALS
By Mark
May 20, 2007 1:11 AM | Link to this
Senator Chambliss is wrong, some of us do understand the problem. Many businesses find employing Americans troublesome. They have to pay payroll taxes or run afoul of the 1099 rules governing independent contractors. They have to adhere to OSHA rules, wage and hour laws and pay Workers Compensation premiums. The Bush IRS has abetted the problem by refusing to enforce the tax code - especially in the construction trades. So we are going to import poverty so a few fat cats can make alot of money and the middle class picks up the tab. Yeah, the Republicans have taken a giant step in there longstanding amb