After Protests, Backlash Grows

[FreakinDJ]

After Protests, Backlash Grows

Opponents of Illegal Immigration Are Increasingly Vocal

While a series of marches focused much of the nation's attention on the plight of illegal immigrants, scores of other Americans quietly seethed. Now, with the same full-throated cry expressed by those in the country illegally, they are shouting back.

Congressional leaders in Washington have gotten bricks in the mail from a group that advocates building a border fence, states in the West and South have drawn up tough anti-immigrant laws, and ordinary citizens, such as Janis McDonald of Pennsylvania, who considers herself a liberal, are not mincing words in expressing their displeasure.

"Send them back," McDonald said. "Build a damn wall and be done with it."

The anger evoked a word that immigrant organizers who opposed Monday's boycott feared: backlash. McDonald and other Americans were particularly disturbed by Monday's boycott and civil action, attended in large part by people who entered the country illegally and are now demanding rights enjoyed by U.S.-born citizens and immigrants who entered the country legally.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/02/AR2006050201789.html?nav=rss_politics

Rove could not have picked a better wedge issue

[rodeodance]

1. i do not know who chose it-but it is here.

..Rove could not have picked a better wedge issue

[purduejake]

2. It is a VERY good wedge issue.

Considering I am very liberal with most things, but I am not sure how I feel about illegal immigrants living in this country. Yes, they do take jobs many of us would never want, however some of them used to be unionized jobs held by citizens who paid taxes. HOWEVER, I will say that this is not a huge issue when deciding on who I will vote for. I'd certainly choose the progressive.

[radfringe]

12. doesn't matter which side of the issue you are on

this is a "WEDGIE" with no clear cut political borders

it's risky for both sides and will divide both parties

the end result will be determined by whichever party came present a plan that addresses all sides of the issue to the satisfaction of a majority of voters.
the plan will have to appease those on the right side of the fence, the left side of the fence, those on the fence, under the fence and those hiding behind a fence

[FreakinDJ]

38. I'm not seeing that - Here are Polling Results

Trust More on Immigration
Republican 38%
Democrats 37%

By a 65% to 25% margin, Americans say it is more important to reduce the number of illegal immigrants entering the U.S. than it is to expand legal opportunities for foreign workers to get jobs in the U.S.

Thirty-nine percent (39%) of Americans say there should be some way for illegal aliens with a job to stay in the U.S. legally. Forty-four percent (44%) disagree while 17% are not sure.

However, the impact of the issue varies widely by region. In several southwestern states, the issue is considered more important than the situation in Iraq by roughly half of all voters.

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/2006/March%20Dailies/Immigration.htm

Illegal immigration is a "very serious" problem, 57 percent of U.S. voters

31 percent who say "somewhat serious,"

39 percent want to reduce current levels of legal immigration

24 percent who want increased levels

33 percent who say maintain current levels

http://www.quinnipiac.edu/x11367.xml?ReleaseID=882

fewer than one in four say it is a very serious problem for their community, according to the latest FOX News Poll.

Seven in 10 people say they favor allowing illegals that have jobs to apply for temporary-worker status,

but eight in 10 think it is unfair to grant rights to illegal immigrants while so many others wait to come to the United States legally.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,190857,00.html

[radfringe]

58. the dem/rep part of it

is a question of trust -- who do you trust more - not who has the "best " plan

that illegal immigration is a problem goes without saying.

the point I was trying to make is in how people are reacting to it

you have the extremes, of course - those that want to round up all immigrants (legal or not) and send them packing, and then the other extreme that want to stamp everyone legal

in the middle you have those that say something has to be done and those solutions are all over the political spectrum

the republicans are split on how to deal with the problem, the democrats are split on how to deal with the problem

as for me - I don't know how I feel about it other than to say something has to be done to address the problem, and then there's another part of me that asks is it really a problem other than the designation of being legal and illegal?

my grandparents (on both sides) were immigrants - yes they were legal, but immigrants none the less. I was in my teens before I actually met someone's grandmother who was BORN here, and it took me by surprise.

I saw and heard stories about how my grandparents came here for a new life, learned the language, struggled to find work (height of the depression), faced discrimination and bigotry - so my heart and head is very much split on the issue

you could say I have an internal "wedgie" :evilgrin:

[Singular73]

3. Anyone not see this coming?

Regardless, it doesn't hurt democrats unless someone actually blames them for the lack of action which is about to unfold.

[FreakinDJ]

41. Baited the Democrats

Undoubtedly they will be blaming DEMs

[w4rma]

4. Puts a wedge in the Repug Party, too, tho. The have Repugs vs the have-not

Repugs.

[salin]

15. The wedge is driven by and against W himself

his party is not 'big' into his guest worker program.

Btw, w4ma - great to see you, it has been ages! :hi:

[w4rma]

54. Thanks, Salin! (nt)

[sam sarrha]

5. i just caught the tail end of a story on CNN about the demonstrations

demonstrations having been planned for 4 years, in Mexico..

Mexico is exporting their poverty up here for us to take care of while they raise the standard of living for the richest of the rich.. that have a standard of living second only to France according to a story on CNN.

the Mexican government advertises and encourages people to migrate and send money home, which is apparently the largest growth industry in Mexico,

[rodeodance]

6. In Mexico, there is the 'Spanish" heritage (Pres Fox)--and then there are

the natives. Did the show indicate any of this?

[sam sarrha]

8. the natives are being driven out of the country into the USA , they lose

their land, they cant go to school in mexico and dont have the same rights.. this is all the Mexican Governments doing.. to make the rich richer.. with the blessing of Bu$hitCo because they get rich on low wages too

[EFerrari]

9. Yeah -- The Mexican government started all this when they

introduced NAFTA --

oops.

[sam sarrha]

34. they lured them up to the Boarder and created a hell for them.. the only

option was coming here

there are over 800 'young' women missing and suspected murdered in Juarez.. they have found about 300, there are about 5000 missing people in Juarez..

[FreakinDJ]

42. You're citing MORE reasons to build a wall

Yes there is a nasty underworld side of this issue. Many are shot in the desert when they don't have the money for Coyotes. Others are trafficked into prostitution.

All made possible by the LACK of a secure boarder

That will simply be turned into the "Dems are weak on security" rhetoric they have etched into the public's brain ALREADY.

I don't see how anyone here can NOT see this one coming. Like I say - Pure Rove!

[kurth]

19. America will be a third world country in no time

with uncontrolled ILLEGAL immigration.

Charity begins at home.

[sarcasmo]

56. I think that time has already arrived.

[Bridget Burke]

25. Got a link?

To those demonstrations planned 4 years ago in Mexico, that is.

[Critters2]

44. I read that 1/3 of the mexican economy is money sent home

from the US. There's a problem here.

[Vidar]

7. Let the republicans fight it out. Neither side is right.

[lumberjack_jeff]

39. We're in it too

My feeling is that the best way to address it is to;
1) increase the pressure on Vincente Fox to improve conditions for his citizens
2) point out that unrestricted immigration is largely being supported by corporate america.

Electorally, the worst possible option is to support amnesty and/or the current essentially unrestricted access. It alienates working americans.

Does restricting immigration look like racism? There's an old joke: A hunter treed by a bear begins putting on his running shoes. His partner sitting on the other branch of the increasingly unsteady tree says "a bear can run 30 mph, you don't think you can outrun him, do you?" to which the hunter replies "I don't have to outrun him, I only have to outrun you".

There's a big gap between how racist the republicans are and democrats. We can afford to oppose illegal immigration without losing votes.

[Kixel]

61. I think you are right!

There is the best answer. The Republicans will either make their base mad or side with the deep pockets of corporations. I think it'll be interesting to see how it plays out.

[BadGimp]

10. This is the Rovian plan playing itself out

It all makes sense to me now.

It's a FEAR game. Let the angry and scared white people see how strong the brown people are and they will ignore facts, civil rights and demmand a fight.

Brilliant!

Will it work come November, probably.

[nolabels]

57. When you look up hypocrite in the dictionary it says "see republican"

It really is getting to be a joke. Millions upon Millions have bitten on the bait and getting caught in the debate only gets one more snarled. Like they could write a law that the birds and the bees will no longer to be allowed to fly and some people would think it's plausible to enforce such a law.

I hope the boom-a-rang they have thrown here does cut their nose off in spite of their face. My only real advice is don't be fooled into acknowledging the illogical as a course of action to take. They are only going to be giving proposals that will never work and they know it but with that they can say they were trying to do something. Don't take the bait, just recognize the failure that it all is now. Help others point it out and let em stew in their own juice

[oasis]

11. The protesters can match backlash with backlash. Bring it on.

:woohoo:

[Critters2]

45. Perhaps. But only those who can vote matter in the long run

If I were here illegally, I wouldn't get too cocky.

[DemonFighterLives]

13. My only thoughts

are that companies were punished back in Clinton's Admin and illegals were gathered up and sent back. Probably not the best or only answer, but the threat of fines and rounding up seemed to stem the tide.

What we have here is a wedge issue like some have stated. dubco and the cronies get rich off of cheap labor while the rest of us try to last until this corrupt, inept admin is gone. Then something may be done in everyone's best interests.

[CPMaz]

14. Some things never change...

Found this presidential campaign platform online at http://scriptorium.lib.duke.edu/americavotes/know-nothing.html:

"1. Repeal of all naturalization laws
2. None but native Americans for office.
3. A pure American common school system.
4. War to the hilt, on political Romanism.
5. Opposition to the formation of military companies composed of foreigners.
6. The advocacy of a sound, healthy and safe nationality.
7. Hostility to all Papal influences, when brought to bear against the Republic.
8. American Institutions and American Sentiments.
9. More stringent and effective immigration laws.
10. The amplest protections to Protestant interests.
11. The doctrines of the revered Washington.
12. The sending back of all foreign _____.
13. Formation of societies to protect American interests.
14. Eternal enmity to all who attempt to carry out the principles of a foreign church on state.
15. Our country, our whole country, and nothing but our country.
16. Finally, American Laws, and American…..."

Pretty blunt, xenophobic stuff, right? This party's candidates might even get some traction in 2008 on this platform, right?

Fortunately, they aren't very internet-savvy, or TV-savvy, or even radio-savvy.

In fact, they've never even heard about the internet, TV, OR radio. They're dead.

They were the American Party (aka - the Know-Nothings), and this was their platform in the 1850s.

Lose the openly anti-Catholic stuff, and this could be the stance of the Minutemen, or FAIR, or even the Republicans.

My point: for a country founded and nurtured by immigration (even the 'Native Americans' came here from somewhere else. Just a REALLY long time ago. :) ) we as a society have long had a love/hate relationship with immigrants. No matter what happens in the elections, no matter what laws are passed, or not passed, that isn't going to change.

The intensity of the 'discussion' will fade after the mid-terms, unless the Repubs think that they will get their asses kicked in 2008. In that case, they will keep it percolating as a polarizing/motivating issue.

Yes, it's a wedge issue, and it's use is a signal that the user (i.e. - Rove and the Republicans) is desperate.

Author's note: this is a rewrite of a post in my (off DU) blog.

[Bridget Burke]

26. Why "lose the openly anti-Catholic stuff"?

I've heard plenty of complaints that the RC Church was behind all the demonstrations.

[CPMaz]

43. I haven't heard that stuff specifically,

but it seems to me that most anti-Catholic bigotry is hidden away these days (except maybe for jokes about pedophile priests, which, unfortunately, the Church has earned.)

[Critters2]

46. As an objective fact,

the Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago held masses blessing the demonstrators. If that's not being "behind the demonstrations" I don't know what is.

[Bridget Burke]

55. Thanks for the confirmation...

Heh...I said "confirmation."

[SoCalDem]

16. I pegged it in March...and LAST JUNE

Right on schedule...Karl's still got his "groove"
Posted by SoCalDem in General Discussion
Sat Mar 25th 2006, 08:44 PM
Look at any "news" show and what do you see?

IT'S THE DOUBLE D PLAN IN ACTION

Divide & Distrust


All the nasty divisive stuff is bubbling up...can't you hear the burbling and oozing??

Immigration (racist undertones & all) is the headliner ..7 months before the election, the one thing that has to happen is for democrats to be put on the spot about this age-old issue.

Since we have been a country,(and before that) we have had northward immigration. If we built a 50 ft wall, they would build 55 ft ladders..

Immigration is an issue that republicans can win on...because as much as they pretend to "like Mexicans", everyone knows that "their" Mexicans are loyal toadies and are not rank and file "folks"..

BUT getting democrats to bite on this issue will hurt their standing in the hispanic communities and the republicans KNOW it..

Immigration is NOT a campaign issue, since NO ONE person's beliefs on the issue will make a bit of difference.. If it were an easy issue to "fix", it would have been done years ago.

It's an issue that just gets pushed onto the next congress and the next and the next.

............................................

Another pet issue that always gets people to divide up..abortion...Look at all the states (red ones) that are gleefully setting up SCOTUS cases and creating odd law to divide the voters ..

............................................



And just in case the media , still reeling from being hornswaggled over the war, continues on their path to finally start telling some truth, ...well... we have the "Poor-W-The-Media's-So-Mean" tour out there creating a new myth.. The Media is out to get him, and cannot be believed.. This one's right on schedule too, because if they are to steal another election ("the quad-fecta"), they must have people believing that the media is wrong..

The media is, after all, saying things like. "Democrats are leading".."Democrats might re-take congress".etc..

In order for the "steal" to work, the people must be prepared in advance to DISTRUST what the media says.

There are SEVEN months left...plenty of time for Karl to spin a new web..

So far the plan is working too. The media folks are trying harder than ever to "be fair", "be balanced", and are wasting lots of time trying to find "good stuff" to report, lest they continue to be attacked by the slime machine..

What they SHOULD be doing, is shining a light on the PLAN afoot, instead of thinking they can still have it both ways..

They tried that tack on the war, and it did not work out so well for them...

They should start out every report with ..." The adminsitration wants us to believe x-y-z-, and wants us to report ....

BUT we feel that the public needs to know about :

the environmental calamity approaching
the sorry state of health care in America
the vast numbers of people NOT even included in the unemployment reports
the sad state of college financing
the increasing of foreclosures
the increasing interest rates
the obesity crisis and its connection to "corporate-food"
the gasoline crisis
etc
etc

.................................

Waving the Bloody Shirt

SoCalDem (1000+ posts) Fri Jun-03-05 10:21 AM

Original message

We caught the bloody shirt, and are now waving it wildly.


The republicans cannot get a toehold in our ranks with issues that are ingrained in the party. Things like unions, equality, education and environmental issue, among others, are so much a part of us, that we do not splinter because of those issues....BUT

they have found one that DOES work. RACISM against immigration.

Each one of us has a responsibility to acknowledge their plan, and vow to resist it.

In times of plenty..plenty of jobs..plenty of educational opportunities...plenty of money...plenty of options, immigration goes pretty much unnoticed, and actually welcomed.

After a few years of republican rule, jobs just "magically disappear", and the Darwinist Racism bubbles to the surface:

"MY financial situation is bad because of....."
"I cannot find a job because of...."
"MY kid's classroom is crowded because of...."
"Gasoline costs so much because of....."

The 'fill in the blanks' part of those issues, and many others, has been occupied by many disparate groups. At times it's been the Irish, the Italians, the Blacks, the Mexicans,the Haitians,the Chinese, the Laotians, the Vietnamese, the Cambodians..etc etc etc..

The biggest nastiest ploy they are using now is the one where they seek out 'democrats' willing to go on the record supporting draconian measures against immigration (from Mexico mostly).

The approaches they use are varied in their range of subtlety, and range from the 'in-your-face' Minutemen camped on the border with coolers, sunglasses, beach umbrellas and guns...to the silver-tongued so-called statesmen who blame every community issue on 'illegal immigrants'.

It's called scapegoating, and it's been around for a LONG time.

The Mexican children are NOT causing your schools to suddenly disintegrate....republican oversight of education is what's wrong with it.

The Mexican workers are not driving wages down... the republican bosses, and the lax enforcement of labor laws are doing it.

The Mexicans are not driving the cost of housing up..if ANYTHING, their slave-wages are keeping the costs artificially LOWER than they might be.

The Mexicans are not a Homeland Security threat..in fact they are conned into JOINING our military as a citizenship-for-blood scheme..our recruiting numbers would be even WORSE without their participation.

Perhaps that fantastic $6 an hour job you always wanted, DID go to an undocumented worker, so in the next "immigrant sweep" , that job trimming palm trees or plucking chickens might once again become available..

Immigration is the issue the republicans have chosen to infiltrate our ranks.. Be vigilant and don't fall for it.

They know they cannot divide us on religion, choice, civil rights, job creation issues & unions, environment and others, but they are chipping away with immigration, because down deep, ALL people are scared when they think their livelihoods are challenged.

No one wants to lose their job, their homes or their chance at education.

Republicans are always trotting out real people like "Ann Ecdotal" and her friends to make their point that if only we would 'get tough on illegal immigration', all our problems would be solved..

Think back about ...oh....FORTY YEARS...Remember when the 'war on drugs' would solve all our problems? We all know how well that is going.

Immigrants come here because they CAN. There are jobs here or support systems in place (usually family who preceeded them). They pay into a system, using phony ID. Bosses accept that ID with a wink and a nod, not so they can pay their "legal" workers MORE,or provide better benefits with the money they save.. they accept the ID so THEY can keep the extra money saved. They tell their new employees that they will have FICA and taxes withheld from their already paltry checks, and the new hire cannot complain, since he/she knows the documentation is fake.. So does anyone really think that the "boss" matches his share of SS and sends in the payments to the government? They KEEP the money, folks..

As long as there is greed in America, there will always be "an immigration problem".

We will never "solve" the problem, because the people who COULD solve it, don't really think it's a problem.. They will NEVER admit it though.

[w13rd0]

17. Dean warned about this last year...

...and he also outlined an approach. Strengthen the borders, penalize companies that hire illegals. Make it UNprofitable for them to hire illegals. Increase vigilance regarding workers rights, any worker. Sit down with Mexico and make them an offer they can't refuse, namely, stop exporting your poor to the United States by raising the standard of living there at the expense of your ridiculously wealthy entitled class, or we start remembering all their bullshit and corruption, and we make it UNprofitable for them to continue their policy of exporting their poor into the United States.

It's a bullshit wedge issue because once again, the GOP is attempting to criminalize the victim in this, rather than turning their attention where it belongs, on the corrupt and criminal US companies attempting to circumvent human and worker rights, and the corrupt and criminal Mexican government that's had a predatory policy regarding the United States and their own people for 50+ years.

[nicknameless]

18. I see this as primarily being fought between reich-wing factions.

1) There are the rethugs who don't want the illegal immigrants here. They're the ones who plaster protest photos all over.

When have you EVER BEFORE seen aerial photos of protest marches?!
Photos like that tend to tell the truth about the size of the crowd.
Rethugs usually want to down-play the size of marches, so they take street-level photos mostly ... and maybe a few from building windows just a few floors up.

The basic message of this rethug faction is: "LOOK AT THEM ALL!"

2) Then there are the rethugs -- mostly the "have more" variety -- who want the illegal immigrants for cheap labor.

This wedgie is going to cause major bruising for the reich wing.

[amandabeech]

63. It has caused major bruising right here in DU.

I see this as a social class issue, not a dem-rep issue. Those who can see their job or that of their kids going to an illegal immigrant will oppose illegal immigration more than someone who sees him or herself above all that. That's what I've distilled from reading immigration threads here and over at Free Republic (heads for the shower).

[nicknameless]

66. Definitely true.

Many of those who are feeling the financial sting, from 5 years of dimson economics, are opposed to "open borders".
The division between the rethug factions I posted about is a *socio-economic class* division.

Ugh. How can you stand to venture over to Freepland? That place makes my skin crawl. x(

[Vinca]

20. An earlier poster thinks this won't hurt the Democrats.

I couldn't disagree more. I have yet to see a poll that wasn't strongly weighted against amnesty for illegal immigrants and the polls aren't strictly Republican. If this was a Rovian tactic, it was brilliant. The House "felony" bill may be the birth place of the massive demonstrations, but foolish Dems looking at the crowds and thinking votes better look again. They're ILLEGAL . . . they CAN'T vote. I was feeling pretty confident about the 2006 election, but now I'm as worried as I can be.

[NWHarkness]

24. Those were not all "illegals"

For every undocumented worker takingto the street, there were ceveral friends, family members and supporters who can, and probably will, vote.

Make no mistake about it, in the same way Republican complaints about "welfare bums" are thinly disguised code telling their far right supporters it's OK to despise blacks, the focus on "illegal immigrants" is merely the encoded means to incite and exploit similar feelings toward hispanics.

[FreakinDJ]

31. Your right Vinca

I have been saying this here for months now. READ MY LIPS - THIS IS A WEDGE ISSUE

The Dems need to get REAL serious about coming out with a BETTER plan and getting the message on the streets.

[kurth]

32. Dems will lose if they're seen as coddlers of illegal aliens

It's Rush Limbaugh and his ilk who are pimping the issue, but if a Democratic candidate stands up and says he favors amnesty, he'll lose. Blame it on racism or whatever, but the backlash is out there among the non-Hispanic population - whites, blacks, working poor, union workers, legal immigrants.

[Kahuna]

21. Ha ha! This is poetic justice for the repukes. A wedge issue

run amok. :applause:

[PATRICK]

22. What backlash?

The couch potato fart out? They couldn't fill a phone booth and shut down a single illegal still operation to get "people into the streets". What next, three freepers sending the same e-mail and voting ten thousand times each on a few rigged polls? Phones "ringing off the hook" with the GOP Scream Actors Guild, the Man of a Thousand Racial Hatreds, the Righteous indignant "one of us" thingy?

Let them gather what spoiled truculent white folk still support their "elected" "representatives" and let the Native Americans whose country first this was and who are also numerically more active surround them and finish what had to be done at Little Big Horn.

And a freeper in a pear tree.

The only mass demonstrations for the RW have been religious cattle drives of no particular intent or need
or rational focus.

The backlash of the ruling minority. We quake in our boots with laughter.

The only thing they have going for them is that their weak and few supporters will be allowed to vote courtesy of Diebold whether they show up or not.

[lynne]

23. Voters began the backlash at the polls yesterday in Virginia -

Labor Site Backlash Felt at Polls In Herndon
Three Who Supported Immigrant Center Ousted

Herndon voters yesterday unseated the mayor and two Town Council members who supported a bitterly debated day-labor center for immigrant workers in a contest that emerged as a mini-referendum on the turbulent national issue of illegal immigration.

Residents replaced the incumbents with challengers who immediately called for significant changes at the center. Some want to bar public funds from being spent on the facility or restrict it to workers living in the country legally. Others want it moved to an industrial site away from the residential neighborhood where it is located.

rest of article:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/02/AR2006050201805.html

Herndon is in Fairfax Co. VA, not far from DC, and is largely Democratic.

[Bridget Burke]

27. The Washington Post decided to run an article titled....

"After Protests, Backlash Grows." So they sent out reporters to round up the usual suspects.

The best they could find were "scores of other Americans." More than 10, less than 100. How many participated in the protests? (Yes, many of them are legal residents or citizens.) And how many looked on in approval? The Washington Post won't say.

[FreakinDJ]

29. There is also the polling data

51% favor deportation

From watching the last 2 election cycles and participating here at DU during those election cycles I can see easily how the Repukes will attempt to turn this issue against the DEMs. The more divided the country is the more favorable conditions for GOP

[Critters2]

51. The backlash will happen at the polls

carried out by people who can vote. When you have the vote, you don't need to carry signs, (and foreign clags) down the street. You just step into a voting booth. That's where the backlash will be seen.

[winston61]

28. this is a lose lose situation for the repugs-

The big shots who finance their campaigns want no immigration reform, in fact they want more illegals over here. The xenophobic racist right are whipping up the old racist and socialist (them commonists are behind these protests!) arguments for a wall. So who do they obey? Their corporate paymasters or the chumps they've conned into voting for them? Like the man says, when your enemy is busy destroying himself, don't interfere.

[FreakinDJ]

30. Take away the working class

Take away the working class, the union vote, the DEMs will be hurt.

[Bridget Burke]

35. Do your working class buddies share your anger at the protests?

How about your brothers & sisters in your Union?

[FreakinDJ]

37. I would not call it anger at the protest

I think everyone earning less then 75K anually is feeling the pinch and regonising in many ways they are competing for Lower Wages.

We have extrapolating the earning power over the last 30 years of the American family here at DU before. You would be quite surprised how the northern immigration has mirrored that curve.

So to think the Repubs won’t use that graphic along side their typical DEMs are weak rhetoric is not very realistic. It is the same M.O. as "Security" and yes they have lots of fuel. The DEMs must push forward with a better common sense plan that says “Your Wages”, “Your Standard of Living” will be protected

[winston61]

47. I've lived in Texas a long time and I still do not understand

something about this state. I have never seen a place where labor was so anti-labor. You say 'union' to some Texans and they'll look at you they was a Baptist and you was askin' 'em to join the Christian Scientists. They truly think that organized labor is the work of satan. Of course they don't mind union equivalent wages, benefits, and paid vacations, but unions got nothing to with that. We get those perqs 'cause our 'Right To Work State' bosses love us so much.

[Critters2]

48. Exactly

Illegal immigrants are used to bust unions. Unions have always been Dem.

[Doctor Venmkan]

33. I agree...

that it's lose-lose for the GOP. I DISAGREE that just because one wants a wall (or just some REAL border security) that I'm 'racist & xenophobic.' Maybe I just don't LIKE the idea of how anyone...from a migrant worker to a drug smuggler to a terrorist...can just waltz across the Mexican border into our country.

[FreakinDJ]

40. I have a different view with the same results

Why do we grant special access to one demographic or nationality over another.

There are plenty of people the world over that would love nothing better then the chance to legally immigrate here. Why should we favor one group over another?

[winston61]

50. Two words, cheap labor

[winston61]

49. Well, you can't have it both ways

If you want border security, get ready for the costs of goods and services to go through the roof. If you don't mind going to your local greasy spoon and paying $15.00 for a chicken fried steak or paying me $100.00 to mow your yard instead of getting Lupe to do it for $25.00, then by all means build a wall. I do apologize for the racist generalization, that was unfair. But if you listen to Dallas Fort Worth talk radio the racist knives are out.

[Critters2]

52. Higher wages at the bottom of the scale will raise all wages

Unions are a good thing. Illegal immigration undermines unions.

[Little Star]

59. Exactly! Unions are a good thing and

illegal immigration undermines unions. Couldn't have said it better myself.

[amandabeech]

64. Nonetheless, Service Workers and the Teamsters are pro-illegal.

The Service Workers want to organize, and do it internationally, under the leadership of Stern. What the Teamsters are doing in that coalition is beyond me. Do they want to organize Mexican truck drivers? Or do they think that they can improve their organizing in other areas?

[Barrett808]

36. What is UP with WaPo?

When did they take this swerve to the right?

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

53. Yeah, they sure are upset.

Why just last monday I saw hundreds of thousands of anti-immigrant protestors marching through the streets of dozens of major US cities.

Oh, wait. No I didn't.

[Little Star]

60. K&R

[Lindacooks]

62. This wedge will help Dems because many Latinos voted Repuke

because of abortion (many are strong Catholics). This issue will make them vote Democratic.

[neuvocat]

65. These people want a backlash? Fine.

The ones who keep bitching are the same ones who looked the other way when the illegals were being exploited just so the price of lettuce doesn't go over a dollar per head.

[Skittles]

67. thank you

they were A-OK with immigrants being invisible and working for peanuts but HEAVEN FORBID they speak up