Bilbray touts stance on immigration
By: WILLIAM FINN BENNETT - Staff Writer | ∞
Brian Bilbray
ESCONDIDO ---- Brian Bilbray, 50th Congressional District hopeful, said Thursday that the No. 1 issue in the minds of most voters is illegal immigration. The Republican candidate said he is the one with the track record, determination and understanding of the issue to best achieve reform.
In an editorial board meeting with the North County Times, Bilbray talked at some length about what he believes that needs to be done to solve the problem, from interior enforcement, to drying up the labor market for illegal immigrants through the use of a high-tech Social Security card.
On April 11, a special election was held to temporarily fill the 50th District seat formerly held by Randy "Duke" Cunningham. The decorated war hero resigned from office last year after pleading guilty to taking $2.4 million in bribes in exchange for steering millions in government business to two defense contractors. He is now serving more than eight years in federal prison.
Since no single candidate captured more than half the votes on April 11, it forced the election into a June 6 runoff. Of the four candidates who are vying for the temporary assignment, Democrat Francine Busby is his chief opponent. The winner will serve out the remainder of Cunningham's term through the end of the year.
At Thursday's meeting, Bilbray said he is adamantly opposed to a proposed bill that would give illegal immigrants a pathway to legalization ---- if they entered the country before 2004, went through background checks and medical exams, paid fines, learned English and stayed employed.
Calling the proposal nothing more than amnesty, Bilbray said there are 100 million people living in other countries who have applied for legal residence in the United States.
If you allow illegal immigrants to jump to the front of the line, "you have overlooked the fact that they broke the law and rewarded them for that," said Bilbray, who served as the 49th District congressional representative from 1995 to 2000, before losing his seat to Democrat Susan Davis.
"The only way for an (illegal immigrant) to get citizenship is to leave the country and get into the process," he said.
He said that rather than tracking down illegal immigrants, the government needs to dry up the labor market for them, by creating a high-tech Social Security card they would need to present to prospective employers before getting a job. Then the government could come down hard on employers who have workers without such documentation. Eliminating work opportunities would force illegal immigrants to return to Mexico.
"Everything that works well works slowly ---- it's about evolution, not revolution," he said. "Putting down the screws will slowly reduce the problem."
Such a move would not have a negative impact on the economy because it could be brought on-line over a seven-year period. That way, as people got the message, little by little, they would head back to their own counties, he said.
Asked about President George Bush's plans to put National Guard troops on the border with Mexico, Bilbray said he supports the idea, but he criticized Bush for playing politics with the issue.
"This was a president trying to look like he was doing something tough," Bilbray said.
Besides, he said, National Guard troops have periodically been on the border with Mexico for the last 15 years, and much of the existing heavy fencing that exists today was erected by those troops.
He said it frustrates him that some people are complaining about the proposal for National Guard troops, claiming it will unleash a militarization of the border. Mexico has had its troops on the border for years, he said.
He also accused Bush of focusing public attention on the border itself, when in fact the issue reaches much farther north.
"There is a shell game going on here, with the president saying, 'Let's take all these people and put them on the border,' but he is not talking about allowing Border Patrol agents to come up and check documents at the Home Depot," he said.
Bilbray also discussed the topics of energy, campaign finance and ethics in Washington.
He said that while Busby has criticized him for taking campaign donations from oil companies, there was nothing inappropriate about that since he spent six years in Congress working on energy-related issues.
His work on energy was not driven by helping special interests, he said, but by wanting to help create legislation that would benefit the San Diego area. He touted the fact that he worked on legislation that proposed eliminating gasoline additives such as ethanol and methanol.
Additives such as MTBE and methanol and ethanol actually create more pollution, in terms of total emissions, than the fuel the state was already using, he said.
"There are not too many Republicans who have the kind of environmental background that I do," Bilbray said.
As far as campaign finance reform, Bilbray said he was one of the only Republicans to challenge then-Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich to bring campaign finance regulation up for debate on the House floor.
"That's a pretty scary thing to do," Bilbray said of standing up to his party's leader.
Bilbray, who has worked as a Washington lobbyist, said that one of the best things Congress could do if it wants to reduce the influence of special interest groups would be to create a two-year budget cycle. The budget would be authorized right after each congressional election, when members are less under the gun to campaign for re-election, he said. That way, he said, members would be more inclined to resist outside pressure from lobbyists and their campaign donations.
Bilbray said that if he is elected to the temporary job in Congress, he would spend the next six months working behind the scenes to build a compromise solution to the problem of illegal immigration.
"There is nothing you can't accomplish if you don't worry about getting the credit," he said.
Contact staff writer William Finn Bennett at (760) 740-5426, or wbennett@nctimes.com.
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Breezy wrote on May 18, 2006 11:09 PM:Bilbray's my man.. do doubt.
bilbray ? wrote on May 18, 2006 11:13 PM:As a republican I support my president. i dont like bilbray saying that the president is playing politics and then he goes ahead and does the same. Our president is being sensible, bilbray should get in line instead of looking for support from radical outlaws like the minuteman.
I think: wrote on May 19, 2006 4:22 AM:What bb should do is stay home and take care of his mom.
way to go wrote on May 19, 2006 5:38 AM:I'm so dissappointed with the President's solution to the illegal immigrant problem. I have never wavered in my support for him until now. I agree with Bilbray--putting illegals to the head of the immigration line is disastrous and very unfair to all other prospective citizens now waiting.
Jack wrote on May 19, 2006 6:54 AM:Would you buy a used car from Bilbray? I would't.
fred wrote on May 19, 2006 7:08 AM:To bad the GOP doesn't think more like Bilbray.
John wrote on May 19, 2006 7:43 AM:Brian Bilbray said that the No. 1 issue in the minds of most voters is illegal immigration...but he criticized Bush for playing politics with the issue. Gee whiz Brian! What the heck are you doin' if not playin' politics with this issue. Someone buy this guy a set of Tinker Toys and let him fence himself off in a corner with along with the rest of the angry mob of immigration obsessors.
arrest em ALL: wrote on May 19, 2006 7:48 AM:Then send em back.
a real conservative wrote on May 19, 2006 8:09 AM:Our president is no conservative and is barely a republican he is more like a democrat. So for someone to say that a real republican cant disagree with our so-called republican president is ridiculous. There are more republicans who want to impeach the president then there are democrats. This president will go down in history as one of the worst presidents ever, very close to Clintons legacy.
its over wrote on May 19, 2006 8:11 AM:The president has killed the republican party. Its over. I dont think any republican will get re-elected. The republican base is so upset that they are not going to vote and intentionally will let the democrats win.
carlrove wrote on May 19, 2006 8:14 AM:The man that is really running the white house, Carl rove, has no clue what the American people are really saying. He thinks we are just upset about the Iraq war that’s why president’s pull numbers are so low. Again he has no clue. The president has abandoned his own party.
Daren wrote on May 19, 2006 8:26 AM:Whomever is toughest on criminal illegals will get my vote.
ross wrote on May 19, 2006 9:04 AM:no questions about where he lives?
Mary wrote on May 19, 2006 9:16 AM:I think Karl Rove knows exactly what he is doing. It is the good-cop bad-cop game. Bush is playing the bad-cop so that republican candidates can distance themselves from him and appear to be independent. The problem is the only way for republicans to check Bush is to get a democratic congress. Interesting deliema. Bush has nothing to loose in fact I think he wants to distinguish himself by having the worst polls possible. Might as well be good at something.
DanD wrote on May 19, 2006 9:37 AM:Like Ross asks ..... Where does Bryan Billbray REALLY live? Is it south bay or north county?. Is this the same thing as Bush claiming he really was on duty in the National Guard in Texas or Alabama when he was actually somewhere else?
Really Disgusted wrote on May 19, 2006 9:38 AM:I'm just sick of all of them. The attack and slander ads, all of it. Never an ad "what I will do for you, if elected" but just how much the other has done. Term limits should have been for any office, period. Keep these politicos from bouncing between offices to avoid it. It's all ballot box BS, after they get in office the pandering for dollars starts. Elect NO incumbents or past office holders. Period. Keep them ALL on their toes.
To Ross wrote on May 19, 2006 9:40 AM:that was soooo yesterday
DanD wrote on May 19, 2006 9:58 AM:The day before yesterday Billbray "worked for us" in congress, yesterday he worked as a lobyist, tomorrow he wants to "work for us/his paid clients". What is so YESTERDAY about this concept?
Guiseppi wrote on May 19, 2006 10:28 AM:What is this continuous train of powerful outside politicians invading North County to endorse Bilbray? First the scoundrel Dennis Hastert, with his money trail to Jack Abramoff; next the king of all irascible, muckracking curmudgeons, James Sensenbrenner; and next Dick ‘Darth’ Cheney, leader of the dark forces, chief architect of war, aggression, war profiteering and our national energy crisis. Who will follow ‘Darth’ Dick? It won’t be Bush, who has suddenly become radioactive for Republican candidates. Perhaps King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia? Saw his photo in the NC Times on Wednesday, with the story of the King instructing ‘Saudi editors to stop publishing pictures of women because hey could lead young men astray’. Wow! It's the old Adam and Eve myth, that women are evil seductresses, and young men are led astray by them. Solution: Do not print photos of women in newspapers. Hey, isn’t this the man who walked holding hands with Bush down the Texas Bluebell path at the Crawford White House? Come on over, your royal highness, and hold hands with Bilbray and give him a boost. Well, I really don’t know much about Bilbray. Maybe he is a fine man. But my Mama always said you can know a man by the company he keeps.
Hey Ross wrote on May 19, 2006 10:30 AM:Just because all you Busby supporters want to talk about is what a bad guy Brian is for taking care of his sick mom, it doesn't mean voters don't care about the biggest actual issue, which is the invasion of our country by those crossing the border illegally.
About Bilbray wrote on May 19, 2006 10:35 AM:A lot of talk, lets see some action. Build a wall, with office space in it. For the Border Patrol to be where they are needed. The border! Build a fence south of that and everything in between is no go zone. If you cross into this country in that zone, you are shot! Put signs up and loud speakers telling they will be shot so its fair. Then have border agents patrolling our interior north of that wall and get the illegal's out. That is not wrong, it is the law. If they die crossing, it is their decision to die. Plus the military is not doing a law enforcement job on the border in violation of The Posse Comitatus Act. This act is a United States federal law (18 U.S.C. § 1385) passed in 1878 and if they (The Military) are defending our border from invaders, than they are not against our own people. Therefore we could use them if this President really felt the United States was in a state of emergency. Which it is! Oh by the way. Let the Border Agents do their jobs. They aren't allowed to go through the neighborhoods unless they are called there. Then their bosses, who cowardly answer to the joke of Homeland Security Chief who is also a coward and afraid to say the "King has no clothes!" More people on the border won't do if they can't enforce any laws. The current staff could do the job if they were allowed to arrest the offenders, jail them, and get prosecution sometime during their lifetime. Instead they are told to stay out of areas, release criminals, and tied up in legal red tape. That is why the moral is done in the Border Patrol. Not because they hard at work! They are sitting on their hands and hating it!
Michael of Carlsbad wrote on May 19, 2006 10:47 AM:Poor ("Conservative) North County residents, so easily moved by extremist narrow-minded politicians like Bilbray. Case in point, Daren: "Whonever is toughest on criminal illegals will get my vote" Sad,sad. What about "the best cadidate, that is, the one that will represent the best interest of ALL his contituants in his district"? Daren, there is a world outside your gated community, you know.
One Californian wrote on May 19, 2006 11:05 AM:Ah quit bashing Bilbray for hiding behind his mom's skirts. She's his mom, for goodness sakes. Plus, she's a republican. How can he take care of her and campaign at the same time? I find taking care of the elderly and disabled is a full time job. What, he's letting his wife do all the work? And what happens if he goes to DC? She gets to stay home alone? Perhaps he could hire someone, like most of the LaCosta moms do. Ah, no, that won't work, they've closed the borders again. Plum out of luck, Brian. Guess you'll have to go to DC after all: only it's a question of whether you'll go as a lobbyist again.
That's right: wrote on May 19, 2006 11:18 AM:From CNN - Bush: 'We gotta enforce the border'. Arrest em and send em ALL back.
Hey, bb lives: wrote on May 19, 2006 11:20 AM:Wherever he wants to live. It's none of your business.
La Raza wrote on May 19, 2006 12:21 PM:Go back to Europe. Reconquista cannot be stopped. Bush knows this. Bilbray will learn. Viva la raza! Aztlan now!
El Guero wrote on May 19, 2006 12:52 PM:For John's information -- not that it will do him any good -- Bilbray was 'playing politics' with immigration before most people realized how bad our immigration problem was. He defied his own (corrupt) party and authored the first anti-birthright citizenship legislation in the mid-nineties (which failed). He believes in a genuine 'comprehensive' approach to immigration reform which is no amnesty, no citizenship, increased border enforcement, and -- unlike most Republicans and Democrats alike -- interior 'worksite' enforcement to dry up the jobs that will encourage illegals to self-deport. Bilbray's the real deal, even if some people don't like him.
Ellen wrote on May 19, 2006 1:00 PM:Mr. Bilbray, I will vote for you because I really don't trust Francine Busby. Just don't let our district down like Duke did.
Robert wrote on May 19, 2006 1:09 PM:Well, the rhetoric is right on. I don't see a problem here if the man will stick to the agenda. I am certain that for ANY plan to address the illegal immigrant problem must start with closing the border. Diplomatically, Mexico is either unwilling or unable to cooperate to stem the tide. The border is obviously too porous. 12 million illegal immigrants here tell that story. Mexico must be a miserable sinkhole that makes these people so desperate to escape. We must also keep up the diplomatic pressure for Mexico to correct the internal problems of Mexico, and stop exporting them across our border. We ARE a country of immigrants. LEGAL immigrants who struggled to learn English and who obeyed the law in all respects in order to enjoy the benefits of freedom with responsibility. We did not ask for schools in our native tongues. We did not demand special concessions or amnesty. We waited for documentation BEFORE we left our native lands. Once we got here, we worked to survive. We did not have it handed to us on a silver platter. Illegal aliens should be apprehended, deported and made to wait in line for the proper documentation. Don’t make a travesty out of our laws and slap the faces of those who followed the rules and obeyed the law by rewarding these criminals with a path to citizenship ahead of potential law abiding citizens waiting OUTSIDE our borders. But make sure that the line doesn’t crash the concert- the border must keep them in line.
To Ellen wrote on May 19, 2006 1:59 PM:Why don't you ask Bilbray's old district why they didn't reelect him? He's not one of ours.
To to Ellen wrote on May 19, 2006 3:14 PM:Why don't you ask the 50th District why they didn't want Busby the last two times around? She doesn't represent our values.
Hey la raza wrote on May 19, 2006 4:40 PM:If you really want to be an Aztec go to SDSU. As far as tribes go ,the most abused tribe is the Cleveland Indians.
DanD wrote on May 19, 2006 4:55 PM:At least Busby resides in the 50th. Bilbray lays his hat wherever it is most convenient for his political career!!
Peter wrote on May 19, 2006 6:36 PM:Bilbray has three votes in my household, La Raza has none. I'll spend my lifetime ensuring La Raza is extinqused and the employment market is closed to illegals. La Raza you have awoke the sleeping gaint.
A_Mexicans_Opinion wrote on May 19, 2006 7:17 PM:Any man who gets tough in Illegal Immigrants is the one I'd voting for!! Action...this problem needs action...no more time for platitudes and theories and words! DEPORT ALL THE ILLEGALS, BUILD A IMPREGNABLE WALL FROM THE GULF TO THE PACIFIC! CRIMINALIZE DON'T LEGALIZE!
A_Mexicans_Opinion To El Guero wrote on May 19, 2006 7:24 PM:Hey...I like the whole thing your wrote about Bilbray...I never was big on automatic citizenship for illegals and their offspring...just because you give birth, that anchors you to this country for life! Creating a whole new wave of cheating...many Mexican women get pregnant just for that purpose. I've seen and heard the stories many times over. For those with stomach that are to PC to handle the truth...it ain't just the mexican women who are cheating with contraception..all races that are illegal in the US do the same thing...cheat through their pregnancy to establish residency...like smugling a kid through the desert another low form of cheating!! Only the worst of the worst elements of humanity can have the degenerative mental state to follow through with a half baked plan like that!!! Then again look at what they are riasing and producing...the country lock up is full of them!! Bilbray is a good man this Mexican thinks!
To To To Ellen wrote on May 19, 2006 7:35 PM:My head is spinning. The 50th district used to want Cunningham until he betrayed them. Busby is still ours, and offers a viable alternative. She at least has lived here and served on the school board, and knows the area. Roach is more or less ours, as is Hauf. Any one of them offer a better alternative that Bilbray. If Bilbray really offered solutions that worked, they would have been passed in Congress. HE DID NOT GET THE VOTES and DID NOT GET THE LEGISLATION PASSED. So now he works for Baja Agua -- ask the Sierra Club about that one. He lobbied for SDG&E (looked at your bill lately?). He would have had the trash burning plant in San Marcos, and he called us all NIMBYS for opposing him. He is not ours. I will not vote for him.
To the one above me.... wrote on May 19, 2006 8:06 PM:Ummm he did get legislation past... what do you call the reform act of 96 and dont say that wasnt a step in the right direction.
Airport ? wrote on May 19, 2006 8:38 PM:What are the views of the contestants on the airport problem???
Jumping Jack Flash wrote on May 19, 2006 9:36 PM:Let's kick it up a notch: this isn't really about immigration. IT IS ABOUT IRAQ but no one wants to talk about that. That is truly bankrupting the country. More people/troops have been killed there and in Afghanistan that were killed in 9/11. This doesn't even take into account the walking wounded, the wounded beyond words, and the dead civilians. Hey, they're only collateral damage. The costs of this tidy little war alone will be paid for by future generations. We were protecting democracy, fighting Weapons of Mass Destruction, etc. etc. But no one wants to talk about that, so it's easier to make immigration the smoke and mirror issue that takes the heat off all the Republican unity. So, Mr. Bilbray, where do you stand on the war? Do you support our troops, adequately fund the VA, make sure everyone has enough body armor, and support our President, right or wrong? How will you vote? When will the troops come home? This is really the issue, Mr. Bilbray.
Rachet wrote on May 19, 2006 10:12 PM:A couple of more notches, Bush needs more fodder for Iran , what better than 12 million new citizens to gleen from?
Reformation wrote on May 19, 2006 11:46 PM:If the "reform act" worked so well then why are we having so many problems? The bigger question is IRAQ.
Dug wrote on May 20, 2006 12:22 AM:Remember the Alamo. Hey, kids, review your history, before it smacks you on your behind!
Border Agents: wrote on May 20, 2006 4:41 AM:Got tough yesterday as they shot a man on I-5 headed for Mexico. He was suspected of taking illegals BACK. So, they can't stay here and they can't go back. Perfect. Put them in jail and let them pick crops.
Elizabeth wrote on May 20, 2006 6:57 AM:Oh boy, Bilbray is a real piece of work. I don't trust him, believe him or will vote for him. A viable solution to the immigration problem is serious and vigilant enforcement of employers in North County who hire illegals or another solution would be to make sure to not "CUT BACK" the number of border patrol we have on the borders or their budget (like Bush just did). Also, Bilbray self admittingly doesn't have a problem taking campaign donations from oil companies. I wonder when it comes time to make serious decisions for the 50th district who will represent in his mind his constituents ... his group of campaign donors (oil companies) or the people in his district.
He's got my vote... wrote on May 20, 2006 7:34 AM:If he's against ILLEGAL immigration he's got my vote. That is the biggest issue I see. So La Raza, be ready, looks like you're going to have a fight!
Mike wrote on May 20, 2006 8:52 AM:I am going to vote for the candidate that actually lives in the district. Which Bilbray does not. He uses his mothers home as his permanant residence. Sounds like an immature adolescent. He wouldn't get my vote no matter what the issue is since he cant tell the truth about where he lives.
Bilbray for supervisor wrote on May 20, 2006 8:54 AM:Write in ....VOTE Horn OUT....
Dave wrote on May 20, 2006 8:59 AM:Where he lives is my business since he is running for election in the district that I live in. If he wants my vote prove that he lives in the Carlsbad address. Hard to do since he doesnt actually live there. If he did you would think he would be seen there once in a while.
Al wrote on May 20, 2006 11:03 AM:It's hard to believe any politician. But if he walks the talk about being tough on illegal's then he gets my vote in the next election.
Wakeup wrote on May 20, 2006 1:54 PM:This issue isn't even in the top ten, and Brian Bilbray is just another opportunist, pandering to fear and ignorance. Iraq, Afghanistan, education, health care, government spying, genocide in Darfur, levees, disaster response, airport security, outsourcing jobs, outsourcing capitol, national debt, global warming, gas prices, etc. Like the rest of us, Mexican immigrants are victims of global economic trends. What part of "shell game" and "scapegoat" don't you understand?
Elizabeth wrote on May 20, 2006 2:56 PM:It so obvious you are brainwashed by the Busby campaign... why dont you do a lil research with TRUTH and then make comments.
JMC wrote on May 20, 2006 6:54 PM:We have soldiers dying in Iraq people and this is your major issue? We are ready to nuke Iran. No one ever even mentions North Korea any longer? Most people can't afford gas. Global warming anyone? Can anyone in this country wake up and see past the Fox News channel to get to real issues and somehow keep a world available to all the children this county is producing? Many of these comments would be high comedy if there weren't truly devasting issues out there to pay serious attention to. How disappointing that the public has become so desperate, ignorant and for all practical purposes - completely asleep at the wheel.
TJ wrote on May 20, 2006 7:25 PM:BB reads the polls and announces: I'm going to get tough on illegal immigration and stuff like that there.
Vista wrote on May 20, 2006 8:27 PM:Bilbray bring your BULLDOZER up here
PanchoVilla wrote on May 21, 2006 10:48 AM:So the Rats are abandoning the ship,Republican profiteers(see: Cheap illegal labor) and the Christian Rightist ( Bible thumping war fascist ) Are now abandoning the Cause. So the typical Bibrary politician is trying to distance himself by blaming the problem that he helped create,the President and his gang are discredited(but still dangerous)and the Republican base is saying that they never had a clue to the Madness of King George,They want to distance themselves now...sorry its to late as Americans will be paying for thier madness in Blood and money for decades to come.Your deficit would castrate any real economy(but your economy is pure fantasy,enablers... the smart Chinese exporters that don't want to ruin a good thing)your endless Orwellian war on terrorism will impoverish your middle class and make them poor,but blindly fearful and obedient...all brought to the Republican base that nurtured this madness.
Shauni wrote on May 21, 2006 11:15 AM:Those who say this is no more than a diversion are telling the truth. Were we fighting about this issue last year? The border issue did not just suddenly become a problem. This is one of the election year rhetorics designed to take our attention away from the war in Iraq, the corruption of the political system and the fact that our president believes himself to be above the law. Wake up, indeed!
Danny wrote on May 21, 2006 1:36 PM:I'm not sure there's a politician you can trust. Let's see Busby wants what the Senate is proposing and Bilbray wants what congress is proposing. I Vote for Bilbray.
Censorship.... wrote on May 21, 2006 2:22 PM:Once again my comment didn't get posted last night!! It was...TO Wakeup...come on NCT where is it? As others have said, it wasn't derogritory, or offensive....but I'm still being censored!!
Warner wrote on May 22, 2006 2:35 AM: The easier the job is the quicker it will get done, and we can make it easier for the Border Patrol and the National Guard. We must make the hiring of illegals a felony and make it a felony to aid and abet an illegal. The simple definition of a felony is, "A serious crime," usually punishable by more than a year in jail. It can be expected that the border patrol will do a much better job with the National Guard helping them, and it can also be expected that there would be less crime if employers who hire illegals were felons and treated as such. Bilbray talks of five years to clean the mess up - that is to long. Get started tomorrow, work at it vigorously and let us see what happens.
Guiseppi's Mom wrote on May 22, 2006 10:46 PM:Guiseppi's Mom was right. You can know a man by the company he keeps. Is Bilbray still endorsing Bill Horn?
To Panch0Villa wrote on May 23, 2006 6:57 AM:Look closely and you'll find rats on both sides. You really think all of the democrats are angels. Anymore you have to vote through research and not by party lines.
Socialists are Commies wrote on May 23, 2006 1:16 PM:What is the difference between Socialism and Communism? One is by revolution and one by evolution. All you Democrats who think you are smart for being socialists need to read more of your Karl Marx brainwashing material and realize that you are part of his path to Communism. All you La Raza cadres need to understand Communism, Che, and aztlan are the evil, murderous, censoring states that have been responsible for the deaths of over 20 million people in the last 30 years. Now your going to complain about "our" system? Why don't you go talk to the people in Cuba who are being arrested and killed for dissenting from the state mandated art exhibits and for homosexuality. Yet our socialists(democrats) are the ones who claim to be the party of artists and gays. Hmmm... sounds like hippocrites who don't understand politics or people. DEMOCRATS SHOULD MOVE TO CUBA!
Pay? wrote on May 23, 2006 2:12 PM:Seems like many people (Bilbray supporters and others) like the idea of getting very tough on immigration. I am curious: a wall, increased patrolling, increased prison space/staff/etc. all will cost a large fortune. Blog-writers do a quick survey here: would you be willing to have large tax increases to pay for all this? If Bilbray (or someone else) said s/he would try to do all this to get all the "illegals" out for good, but you're all gonna have to pay a lot of taxes to pay for it...would you?
To Pay wrote on May 23, 2006 3:43 PM:Write... enforcing our laws, and protecting our citezens will increase taxes? But if we dont do anything, we still lose money by paying for illegals in our country. Where are your priorities? To your country? Or for law breakers?
Censored Too! wrote on May 23, 2006 4:07 PM:NCT is bigoted towards "plain speakers" who simply have an opinion which is not politically correct in the editor's narrow mind! As long as there are no direct threats of violence towards anyone, or foul language, they should publish equally, rather than attempt to slant viewpoints by only printing comments favoring their opinions!
Bush IS a real Conservative wrote on May 23, 2006 10:59 PM:The last six years prove that conservative and Republican policies are failures To try to say that Bush is a liberal is laughable, as much as one can laugh at a LIE. Hugh tax cuts to the super rich, unprovoked war, lies to the American public. Oh and that story about Osama attacking us because of our freedoms, guess we don't have to worry about that anymore because our freedoms have eroded in the last six years and nobody is jealous anymore. If we are going to protect our borders, we should spend much more money on our northern border, the border where terrorist have actually crossed. I just wish all these people who claim to be Christian would actually read the Bible and pay attention to the parts where Jesus speaks about taking care of the poor or the "least" of us, the parts where Jesus speaks about not placing importance on money or wealth are good too. One more point. I really wish more of the American public would grow up and stop being namby-pamby bed-wetting fraidy cats. The Republicans thrive on spooking their base and the they fall for every time. Oh no the gays are a threat to marriage. Has any one ever thought adultery might be more of a threat to marriage. So this election immigration is the threat. Common sense says that if there was more enforcement of the people hiring the illegal aliens and would fine the corporations and arrest the CEO's that would make a big dent. Make sure that wage and safety rules and all other worker rules are being followed and that means American workers are a lot more attractive to hire and that means less jobs for illegal aliens. Stop falling for fright nite and vote for someone who will take care of the working class and not those trying to pass laws to protect Paris Hilton's inheritance.
PanchoVilla wrote on May 24, 2006 7:41 AM:This Bilbary is talking tough about something that their is no real answer,how do you stop a migration of millions of poor,Its the same way the Republicans play the Abortion or Homosexual cards,no answer but lots of tough talk . The besieged Conservative base (so they believe in their $900,000 homes and two SUVs in every garage and and War armaments tech job they drive to everyday) The Conservatives slurp up this tough talk because all of their other policies have been a complete failure,The grab for Iraq and the Bush Cronies that have reaped monstrous profits ,the Wannabe Gulags and Soviet style spy apparatus that is spreading like a disease,morally bankrupting America,Racist neglect during Katrina,corrupt Congressman by the dozens,all bought by the highest bidder,Then to write ..."All you La Raza cadres need to understand Communism, Che, and aztlan are the evil, murderous, censoring states ".....No, we understand it very well,maybe you should read your history again as once a Democracy trips and starts sliding down that slope then usually it burns itself out in wars and paranoia patriotic rhetoric,America is so eager to bash anything on the head now,with the Bilbrays of the world cheering it on.
Jack wrote on May 24, 2006 2:36 PM:While the border is a problem, the majority (65%) of foriegn nationals who are in the US illegally did NOT come in illegally but are those who came on tourist, student, and temporary work visas and simply stayed after their time was up. The hysteria whipped up by the hatemongers is disgusting! We should hang a sign on the Statue of Liberty that says "No Mexicans" It's too bad that after Reagan's success in getting Gorbachev to "tear down this wall" that they didn't save the pieces to reassemble it in Calexico - kind of like the London Bridge in Havasu. Then it could be a tourist attraction. I'll vote for Busby - I feel like I can trust her to deal with the issues that are really important to me - and depriving American born children the right to citizenship is not one of them. Where are your priorities?
JOBS wrote on May 25, 2006 9:03 AM:Real jobs , our economy is slowly becoming third world ... the lowest common denominator..... the disapearing
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