I agree with the writer who recommended a phased program starting with those who are business owners and working down. In addition, while we are helping these folks, we need to be permanently deporting the law-breakers who have snuck into the US and committed felonies. No future opportunity to come here. And we need to be continuing enforcement against employers who knowingly and willingly bring illegals here.
Sara
of CA
@
Nov 17, 2008 16:06:49 PM
Wow, still know one knows what amnesty means.
of
@
Nov 14, 2008 16:06:57 PM
Americans did not vote for amnesty
Obama won because of a bad economy and an incompetent Bush administration. The MSM ignored immigration which was fine with both candidates, as both support amnesty and were/are able to shade their support of this by offering platitudes about "border security." Bottom line: this election was NO mandate for amnesty. And the moderate Dems who beat Republicans by sounding tough on illegal immigration best be cautious and not try to shove another amnesty down Americans' throats.
Taxpayer
of MI
@
Nov 13, 2008 15:02:02 PM
Re: Another more realistic view...
"Zogby polling just released shows that Americans overwhelmingly favor enforcement over amnesty."
What they think does not matter, period. Who they voted for does. And it was made very clear that Obama is for amnesty and yet the Americans voted for him. They should get amnesty. They will have to pay the price. That is why we have an elected form of government with representatives instead of referendums at the federal level.
George
of VA
@
Nov 13, 2008 14:16:33 PM
all humands are iquals.
i dont know why so many people are against the immigration reform.. we all have opportunities and if Obamas can do i well it would be pretty nice because must immigrant people would get the chance to walk free with out of be aware..
Jose
of MA
@
Nov 13, 2008 14:15:39 PM
Illegal immigration
Rewarding those who have entered this country in violation of immigration law sets a terrible precedent. Essentially, we are rewarding those who chose to ignore immigration law. What does that say to Americans who are held accountable for their actions, not to mention those who have played by the rules when emigrating to this country.
In addition, it's a fallacy to believe that if made legal, illegals would be a boom to the economy because they would be paying taxes. The fact of the matter is, the majority of these people are low skilled/educated and will always be dependent upon government programs to make ends meet. The tax collected from these people would be minimal and certainly would not outweigh the drain they would be on other social structures. Anyone who believes otherwise has not had economics 101.
Also, Americans have demonstrated time again they would do virtually any job if given in the opportunity to do so. Unfortunately, Americans are held accountable to pay taxes and other obligations that illegals do not have to contend with. This has resulted in a suppression of wages and an influx of cheap labor that many dishonest business and corporations in this country are all too willing to exploit. Pay Americans a living wage and they will do the job!
Finally, this country has already participated in many amnesties. Ronald Reagan gave one back in 1986 to almost 7 million illegals. What happened? Did that stem the flow of illegal immigrants? Actually, just the opposite has occurred whereby we now have not 7 million, but probably in the neighborhood of 20-25 million illegals now demanding amnesty in this country.
And keep in mind, it's just not amnesty for those here illegally. Through chain migration, you can easily double or triple whatever number that turns out to be.
Therefore, it has been proven time and again that amnesties simply lead to more amnesties, with no end in sight. When do we finally say no more amnesties? Today, tomorrow, ten years from now? You tell me? When do we finally as a nation say sorry, but the rule of law has to be enforced at sometime.
Well...Now is that "sometime."
No Bueno
of CA
@
Nov 13, 2008 13:47:56 PM
As a former immigrant who was LEGALLY welcomed into the US over 40 years ago, I am completely and adamantly opposed to illegal immigration. Illegal aliens are used as slaves by corporations and so called "immigration advocates". They need to be rescued and reunited with their families in their home countries. It's the only humane thing to do.
These low skilled, uneducated people cannot support themselves and their families on the subpar wages they earn (illegally) in the US. The American taxpayers are then burdened with supporting them via social programs, education, medical, housing, etc. It's a no win situation. Another failed amnesty is not the answer, enforcement is.
We have enough poor citizens of our own to take care of, we cannot be taking care of citizens of others countries. Countries who refuse to take care of their own citizens should be sanctioned and all funds cut off.
We need to reverse illegal immigration by eliminating ALL incentives for them to stay. As more illegal aliens leave, we open the door for more self-supporting, skilled, educated legal immigrants to come in.
miguelina
of PA
@
Nov 13, 2008 12:01:10 PM
pay to play...
If we are going to let Illegal aliens pay their way into the U.S. then let's make it worth while... We take the national debt and add in any up coming bail out programs and divide it by the number of illegal aliens wanting to become legal and that would be the amount that they would pay for their path to citizenship. The rest can go back to where they came from.
mcmorty
of OH
@
Nov 13, 2008 11:08:39 AM
For all the Americans here who do not know english...
am·nesty (am′nəs tē)
noun pl. amnesties -·ties
a pardon, esp. for political offenses against a government
Archaic a deliberate overlooking, as of an offense
Etymology: Fr amnestie < L amnestia < Gr amnēstia, a forgetting: see amnesia
This is not what has been proposed for the illegal's in America. Every option to allow a path to citizenship has included some sort of process to amend for their wrong doings. An amnesty would not include this. Chose a word that can be used properly. Thank you.
of
@
Nov 13, 2008 09:49:45 AM
Does anyone really think....
What of the influx of revenue that will be created by "illegals" already here if they were given the chance to participate in our economy? I am not saying the true criminals within this group (murders, thieves, etc.), but the men and women who have led good lives and other than crossing the border have lived their lives here by the law.
How much money could states take in by driver licenses alone? Insurance companies? (Most will not give someone insurance without a SS number.) The travel industry? They stay put in fear, what if they could go see the Grand Canyon? Hollywood? Niagara Falls? What would an "illegal" pay the country to stay? I would bet thousands. Oh, but this is my country and I am not sharing! Driving is a privilege! Why should they see the Grand Canyon, they don't even belong here! They wouldn't pay for health insurance anyway! They just want to suck off the system. No, I don't agree with this.
Also, if "illegals" are truly taking "all" the jobs that could be available to Americans, they must be doing good work. Just because work is done cheap does not mean it is done well and usually after just one instance of crappy cheap work, you don't hire that person again. I surmise that the work is done well, not just cheap. People who do work well for lower prices are what America is all about. Think of the jobs that could be created!
They came here because we needed the labor. We made it easy for them to come, so we could take advantage of what they could offer. We were just fine with it until they needed something back. Don't you think that someone who has taken good care of your children for years has earned a drivers license? Someone that fixed your home, for a good price and did a good job, should have insurance? And that all people who make enough money to travel should see this beautiful country.
We are shooting ourselves in the foot by trying to send these hard working people home. I say keep doing what we have done so well and take advantage of what they have to offer by allowing them to stay and to do things above board. Allow them to spend their money freely, create more jobs, own homes, buy insurance. Give them the pathway to do these things and I believe the result will reward America.
Matt Bandyk, a reporter for U.S. News, explores capitalism from where it all begins, with the entrepreneur, whose risk taking and experimentation provide the roots from which the rest of the economy grows. As much courage as it takes to create one's own business, even the entrepreneur needs some help, and this blog will look at news, trends, and practical advice for starting and running a small business.
Sara of CA @ Nov 17, 2008 16:06:49 PM
of @ Nov 14, 2008 16:06:57 PM
Taxpayer of MI @ Nov 13, 2008 15:02:02 PM
George of VA @ Nov 13, 2008 14:16:33 PM
Jose of MA @ Nov 13, 2008 14:15:39 PM
No Bueno of CA @ Nov 13, 2008 13:47:56 PM
miguelina of PA @ Nov 13, 2008 12:01:10 PM
mcmorty of OH @ Nov 13, 2008 11:08:39 AM
of @ Nov 13, 2008 09:49:45 AM
of @ Nov 13, 2008 09:39:40 AM
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