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Bush's immigration reform deeply flawed


Saturday, May 19, 2007 7:29 AM PDT

President George W. Bush, both directly and indirectly through his aides, made an all-out effort to convince Congress about the merits of his so-called comprehensive immigration reform package.

Little wonder that Bush sent his staff up to the Hill to persuade the Senate that now is the hour for illegal alien amnesty. Bush also pushed for additional guest workers who eagerly wait in the wings to perform "jobs Americans won't do."

Immigration reform — Bush's version of it, that is — is all that the president has left to polish his tarnished image after two dismal terms.

Even though the Senate struck an accord on Thursday, Bush still faces an uphill — and possibly losing — battle.

A "yea" vote on the controversial Senate bill would give amnesty to the nearly 20 million, although they would have to jump through various hoops like paying fines and returning briefly to their native country. Bush has heartily supported the bill every step of the way.

But Americans from both political parties remain highly skeptical of Bush and his promises.

Few believe that, after seven years of neglect, Bush will dedicate himself to border security ... a crucial element in the Senate agreement.

Americans are tired of promises. They want to see the border secured for years before they even consider amnesty.

Open borders have had painful consequences for the average American. According to the Office of Homeland Security, more than 636,000 fugitive aliens live in the U.S. — more than twice the number than on Sept. 11, 2001.

These aliens remain free in the country to perpetrate their crimes on the unsuspecting.

Bush sugar coats his amnesty/guest worker plan by emphasizing that in fact it is not an "amnesty" but rather "earned legalization" wherein residents who have been in the U.S. for a certain period can aspire to a green card and ultimately citizenship.

But the public has heard this rhetoric before. And now, 20 years after the Ronald Reagan amnesty, Bush's empty words are falling on deaf ears.

A close analysis of the facts shows why Americans have had a bellyful.

One of the biggest questions, especially in California, is where will the farmers get workers to pick the crops? This was asked over and again all summer long by our doomsayer Sens. Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer.

And farm lobbyists like the Coalition for Immigration Reform also predict disaster without a guest worker program.

Craig Regelbrugge, the co-chairman of ACIR said farms in the Southwest and on the West Coast suffered worker shortages as high as 30 percent as enforcement efforts of existing immigration laws were stepped up.

Said Regelbrugge: "Agriculture is teetering and vulnerable. The facts on the ground are startling."

Really? Where do you as a consumer see evidence of that? When on your trips to the supermarket have you seen a shortage of any fruit or vegetable?

Even citrus, which said to have been devastated by the winter freeze, is widely available. On a recent trip to the Sacramento Farmers Market buyers, I saw navel oranges offered for sale for 40 cents a pound.

According to Capitol Hill insiders, the bill that the Senate hopes to vote on next week will be approximately 1,000 pages long. Pro-amnesty lobbyists and their lawyers — and not your elected representatives — have written the draft.

That the bill totals 1,000 pages is no accident. The authors are counting on the senators to not read a word of it so that more giveaways will be approved.

Nevertheless, even if it gets past the Senate, the bill will be a tough sell in the House.

Luckily, there are still enough legislators who realize that there's plenty of danger lurking in all those pages.

Joe Guzzardi is an instructor at the Lincoln Technical Academy. He has been writing an opinion column in the San Joaquin Valley for nearly 20 years. E-mail him at guzzjoe@yahoo.com.

Reader Feedback

Leonard wrote on May 29, 2007 6:39 AM:

" If we really want to get Mexico to stop dumping uneducated Mexicans on our boarders, perhaps we should threaten to dump our own uneducated idiots over their borders. I wonder whether "2" hablas Espanol. "

Leonard wrote on May 29, 2007 6:27 AM:

" To: Well, you apparently need some sort of lesson because, as I noted before, the language we speak in this country is called "English" not "American". It seems a little hypocritical for someone of your evident educational back ground to complain about the lack of educated hispanic immigrants. "

rv wrote on May 25, 2007 8:39 PM:

" Come on, Joe, let's talk about the real rat in this deal: Senator Edward Kennedy. No bills for Kennedy until he owns up to manslaughter. "

To Leonard II wrote on May 25, 2007 6:17 PM:

" Maybe the smart Mexicans don't want to leave their country and sneak across the border. Mexico is dumping the lowest from their culture on the US. Ask any Mexican (in Mexico) about the squatter problem. The squatters from there here are good at stealing and jiust moved North to steal more. These illegals call themselves "latinos" or "hispanics". Real Mexicans call themselves Mexican and they are proud of their European heritage. "

To Leonard wrote on May 25, 2007 6:14 PM:

" We don't need a history lesson. We speak English here. Ironically, our country almost voted that German would be our national language. I don't mind German or English. But NEVER the "Mexican" language. I have friends who are sheepherders and live in Winters,Ca they are from Spain. Ask them what they think about hispanics. You can't get more hispanic than being from Spain. My friends can't understand this "spanich" spoken by our recent visitors from Michoacan. Why? Why can't we get some educated or smart Mexicans. "

Leonard wrote on May 25, 2007 6:16 AM:

" VS: I believe the language is called "English" unless you are referring to some Native American tongue. You remember the Native Americans, right? Maybe you were referring to the Sioux language? "

VS wrote on May 24, 2007 6:04 PM:

" Sorry America. You let them in and then started helping them with health care, welfare, jobs etc..You even felt you didn't have to let them know that this country speaks and reads English. So you put everything in their language to make it easier for them. Why did you do this? Sounds pretty stupid to me. BE AN AMERICAN! SPEAK AMERICAN. "

to tolodi mom et al contd wrote on May 24, 2007 5:33 PM:

" He arrived at Ellis island at age 12, and was sprayed with an insecticide sprayer to "delous" him. He quickly embraced hot dogs and apple pie and our American culture. He made his fortune selling hot dogs and cheeseburgers. No hand outs, no welfare, no excuses. He never had a silverspoon or any advantage. He couldn't go to school because he had to work. He died a patriotic AMERICAN and refused to participate in his "old country" ways. The Mexicans who sneak into this country are breaking the law and are trying to Mexicanize this country. "

Lodian wrote on May 24, 2007 5:24 PM:

" I'm sick of those beaners! "

to to lodi mom and ohters (sic) wrote on May 24, 2007 5:18 PM:

" Who are you to pass judgement! It is VERY simple. Let me explain. 95% of Americans have some immigrant heritage. BUT, OUR ancestors followed the law! When my grandfather came to this country he was "cargo" on a freighter. He came to this country over 100 years ago because of the same problems we are having today. Muslims had attacked his city/country and were systematically killing all the Christian boys. "

to lodi mom and ohters.... wrote on May 24, 2007 3:05 PM:

" all of your comment just go to show everyoone how small town lodi STILL is... and how little progres we are making as a city... no wonder why people from bigger sities make fun of us.....little small town hicks... "

Gringo wrote on May 23, 2007 7:47 PM:

" I am a Gringo and proud of it! "

oh wrote on May 23, 2007 6:15 PM:

" Very disappointed with Bush!I feel let down! "

Boofugg wrote on May 23, 2007 2:22 PM:

" My way! Leave my hotdog truck alone! I'm taking it to Darfur. "

Leonard wrote on May 23, 2007 12:31 PM:

" Prescott: Welcome to NorCal. Now get the heck out! We have enough invaders without the hordes from LA. "

Prescott wrote on May 23, 2007 7:15 AM:

" I am just a refugee from Los Angeles. I have been warning locals, like Joe has, about these invaders that you call just workers. But since I am not from here, you all don't listen. So I won't feel bad when I move from this little "Tijunana town of the future". "

Seriously! wrote on May 23, 2007 6:48 AM:

" Let's hope the few that are sincere, will do the best they can with the "gifts" that are being handed to them. The others? I suppose eventually they will take up our jail space and tax dollars. Our biggest fear right now should be those coming into our country illegally, or otherwise, who want to blow us up or chop our heads off. They should be our worry and priority right now. Close the borders to protect the US should be our mandate. "

My way wrote on May 22, 2007 8:51 PM:

" When I move to TEXICO, Im going to bring my hot dog truck. We can make hotdogs with corn OR flour buns, add a little cebollas and cilantro and we can have a TEXI-Dog-ito. I wonder what Mexicans(in Mexico) would say about my Texi-dog-ito trucks? "

Down Texico Way wrote on May 22, 2007 8:48 PM:

" Lets go down to Texico and take it over. We can celebrate the "Quatro of Julio" for Independence from the Europeans. Not many Mexicans know how to speak REAL Spanish, so lets teach them English instead. Maybe we can start a TECHA group to get ready for the future of our new TEXICO. We are starting a newspaper printed in English called THE VOICE OF TEXICO. Europeans had to civilize the Amerindians in Mexico but never finished the job. We can do that. I may be a "pinche gabacho gringo" but I am proud of it. "

boofugg wrote on May 22, 2007 8:39 PM:

" Illegal aliens came to America under their own steam; I did not have the Fed Ex'd. They can all get back under their own steam too. All we have to do is convince them it would not be in their best interest to be found here. Are there any ideas? Raise your hands. Keep them up; I'm taking a count. "

Texico wrote on May 22, 2007 8:37 PM:

" I think I'm going down to Mexico and marry a pretty senorita, have kids and wave the American flag. I already love tacos, and i like to fish. I like the Mariachis but wished they spoke English. Maybe we can ask Vicente to publish the ballots in English and let me work for General Motors like I used to when I lived in Detroit? I just want my old job back. I have friends who used to build Cadillacs, maybe they can come down with me to work and build more Cadillacs. "

GO Goobacks wrote on May 22, 2007 7:10 PM:

" We Lodians must go homo to prevent the alien Goobacks of the future from stealing our jobs. Must see the GOOBACKS on Youtube. The Goobacks lost their diversity because of the multicultural crap. The only thing left was futuristic lowriders. No more Gangs, "El Rancho Grande" attitudes or graffitti. Southpark originally titled the video "Wetbacks" but the name was changed for political correctness. We don't want to offend ILLEGAL aliens. Instead of swimming the Rio Grande and getting wet backs, they swam througn the Time portal and got goo on their backs. Hence "GOOBACKS". "

Lodian wrote on May 22, 2007 4:56 PM:

" I squeeze my own grapes for wine, and grow my own food! I don't rely on those people! I've even considered butchering my own chicken at times! Woo Hoo! "

to lodi mom and others wrote on May 22, 2007 3:28 PM:

" ya a harvesting machine named juan. lol!and dont blame all of these prblems on hispanics. if theres any one to blame. blame the government! they are the ones who make all of these resources available to the WH!TE people who do not want to work. obvioulsly staying at home in their trailor and collecting welfare is lot easier than going out and looking for a job! at least the dipanics are working and providing for their families rather than relyingon another man(uncle sam) to provide for them. cuz believe me. "

ra wrote on May 22, 2007 10:51 AM:

" The last thing that touched my grapes was a harvesting MACHINE! When the value of your labor is less than mechanization it is rapidly approaching zero. The U.S. middle class is dead because our corrupt politicians allow constant import of individuals willing to work for everlower wages. Last year's illegal is replaced by this year's flavor willing to work for less. These simple economics demonstrates how illegal immigration devastates our shrinking middle class. How many American born roofers, construction workers, landscapers, tradesmen do you see today? They WERE here yesterday. "

Roger wrote on May 22, 2007 10:15 AM:

" Joe, I'm very disappointed by your short-sightedness on the fate of our American farmers. We don't feel the pinch because we import more food than we should so that we can eat and have whatever fruits & vegetables we want year-round! These foreign farmers do not have to play by the same rules as our farmers (pesticides, exploiting cheap labor) as we become more reliant on foreign food. We will definitely feel the pinch if we continue down this path and kill off our farmers! Support our local farmers! This is not rocket science! "

Daniel wrote on May 22, 2007 12:38 AM:

" Deport: In all of my postings, have I not made clear who I am fighting against? I am fighting to preserve both American, and Mexico. You think I'm fighting against Mexican people. I am not. I am trying to show people, including yourself, that we are like peasants fighting against one another, while someone above us is watching, laughing. And if you are Native American, I still believe you would benefit from this kind of knowledge. "

Daniel wrote on May 22, 2007 12:26 AM:

" Deport: I previously asked you if you were Native American. I don't recall if you answered me.~~~~ Also: Mexican people already are invading California. They aren't using a military, and they don't need one. If they used a military, people would start shooting, and that wouldn't support the invasion objective at all. "

OTH wrote on May 21, 2007 10:20 PM:

" Don't march in our streets waving a foreign flag. It is a sign of disrespect. "

to lodi mom and others wrote on May 21, 2007 7:51 PM:

" SO I HOPE ALLOF YOU LODIANS ENJOYED ZINFEST THIS WEEKEND.... O YA AND REMEBER WHO TOUCHED THE GRAPES FIRST!!! SOOO DRINK UP LODI AND ENJOY CUZ WHETHER U LIKE IT OR NOT.... WE'RE HERE TO STAY ..... HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! "WE AINT GOIN' NOWHERES" - GEORGE LOPEZ "

LodiMom wrote on May 21, 2007 1:10 PM:

" To Lodian: AMEN!!!!! "

LodiMom wrote on May 21, 2007 1:08 PM:

" RA: I love the way you think. "

Dave M wrote on May 21, 2007 11:29 AM:

" Richard, they use the word amnesty just to stir up opposition to the immigration bill, not because there actually is any amnesty. "

Deport Daniel wrote on May 21, 2007 11:03 AM:

" Picking up where we left off, if the Mexicans can conquer California by armed force will it then ethically and morally belong to Mexico? "

T & C wrote on May 21, 2007 10:43 AM:

" Certainly no lack of "goobacks" in Lodi. They not only toil in the fields for slave wages, but in our bakery, plastics plants, small manufacturing, and even our own city staff, employees and management. It's called affirmative action. Lodi even uses "free" inmate labor in the parks and rec, yet our management employees are about 25% underpaid as are employees in comparable cities in this area. Yet they keep spending! "

To Be A Legal Immigrant In America... wrote on May 21, 2007 10:17 AM:

" You must pass the 100 question citizenship exam as well as prove you can speak, read and write ENGLISH! I CHALLENGE every reader to talk to all HISPANICS you see in Lodi in English. See how few speak to you back in English! "

If You Illegally Enter Mexico... wrote on May 21, 2007 10:14 AM:

" YOU are sent to PRISON for 2 years "Unless" You Bribe your way to freedom! But Hispanics want total AMNESTY, No Fines, No returning to their OWN country and full access to Social Security. They already get every free service they can from our government. "

I AM NOT STUPID! wrote on May 21, 2007 10:12 AM:

" No DAM*ED ILLEGAL is gonna pay a $5,000.00 fine, leave America and re-apply to re-enter America! If four illegals are here in one household, they are NEVER going to pay $20,000.00 and leave America. They will continue to stay under the radar. "

To Richard wrote on May 21, 2007 8:40 AM:

" During the housing bubble, mortgage brokers would sell NINJA home loans to home buyers with no identification, no job, no assets, and no credit. Many of these were illegal aliens. The illegals could apply for one of these NINJA loans at 120% of value and instead of buying a new Chevy with the extra money, they could use some of it to "buy citizenship". It doesn't matter that they will never be able to pay back the loan. We can forgive that "misunderstanding" as well since many don't speak English. "

Daniel wrote on May 21, 2007 8:40 AM:

" Richard: The current bill offers a chance for all 20 Million to have legal status, as a reward for breaking the law. This provision is not allowed to all 6 Billion people in the world, who respected our border, only people who broke the law. "

To Richard wrote on May 21, 2007 8:31 AM:

" The last I heard Lodi-Stockton was the number one on the FBI list for stolen cars. Most of those go to Mexico. I speculate that more cars will be stolen and sold to get that $5,000. If you break the laws to sneak into this country, what would deter you from breaking another law to stay here? There is no punishment for illegals because we might make them feel bad. "

To Southpark GOOBACKS wrote on May 21, 2007 8:26 AM:

" So, if we all became a multicultural society and all spoke the same language, had the same culture and integrated completely we would all be EXACTLY the same. A skin shade of white, yellow, brown, black and gold, maybe an even gray all over. We wouldn't have hair because that would descriminate against bald people, and no one could be fat or skinny because that might make someone feel bad -- or good and we wouldn't want "weightism" to make people upset. What would happen to diversity? Who would liberals worry about next? "

OTH wrote on May 21, 2007 8:11 AM:

" Brian......I understand about Mexican presidents. They may be millionaires when elected but they are billionaires when the they leave office. That is why nothing will ever be done by the Mexican gov. for their people. Those people are disposable. Mexican gov. are so corrupt it's unbelievable. That said, it doesn't mean we need to take their unwanteds here in the U.S. "

Southpark goobacks wrote on May 21, 2007 7:35 AM:

" Southpark had a parody of the people of the future "goobacks" who came back in time from year 3200 "looking for jobs". They had no diversity, all looked alike, spoke the same language that was part Chinese, Turkish, and Tagalog. The boys found a way to stop it. They threatened the "goobacks" they would all "go gay", so there would be no more future goobacks. The goobacks got their name from sliding through the time portal from the future and getting goo on their backs. "

Richard wrote on May 21, 2007 7:31 AM:

" When I look up the word amnesty one of the definitions is "a forgetting or overlooking of any past offense." What part of a $5000 fine meets that definition? If you get a ticket for speeding, do you call your fine amnesty? "

ra wrote on May 21, 2007 6:51 AM:

" Back to our corrupt politicians. They say "well, they're already here so can't very well send them back..." Why not? It's those very politicians - republican and democrat who prostituted our citizenship for a fast buck or vote. McNerdy is one of those sell-outs. "

ra wrote on May 21, 2007 6:47 AM:

" No Amnesty!/Reward for those who broke this nation's laws - including the businesses that hire illegals. Our politicians are MORONS. Why not test the sincerity of illegals wishing to earn citizenship by mandating 4-6 years of military service before they earn final citizenship? If they are willing to defend and die for this country, they've met my litmus test. "

Daniel wrote on May 21, 2007 1:31 AM:

" Lodian: The Senate, and a great portion of the House, have no intentions of enforcing the border. "

Daniel wrote on May 21, 2007 1:30 AM:

" Brian: OK. I hope you realize that they don't have any intentions of enforcing the border. Last week's show in the Senate confirms a very small part of what I have been trying to share. The intentions are to completely erase the border. "

Brian wrote on May 20, 2007 6:49 PM:

" The amount of money the Mexican government takes in could easily fund social programs similiar to ours. As long as the U.S. allows Mexicans to deplete our social programs there's no need for the Mexican government to take care of their own. We can blame the bleeding heart liberals for overextending our social services all for the sake of getting votes and strengthening their base. "

Brian wrote on May 20, 2007 4:12 PM:

" OTH, the Mexican president is just a puppet of the handful of families who run the government. You know darn well it's the drug lords and syndicates who have the much of the final say. Having said that, the Mexican government has a long ways to go in allowing more free enterprise. As long as they continue government controlled enterprises there will be less privatization of companies. This means less profit for the people and more government monopolies. There is little, if any, trickle down economics in Mexico. Hence the large gap between the very rich and the very poor. "

Lodian wrote on May 20, 2007 12:09 PM:

" These people are illegals, and I say, "Stop using our free services!" Go back home. "

OTH wrote on May 20, 2007 9:14 AM:

" Brian....Since Bush is a good buddy of the Mexican President perhaps he can call on his friend to stop the flood. NOT They are both corrupt and you can bet lil Georgie will get his from big business down the road. Maybe he would feel different if they took over his truck farm in Texas. "

Brian wrote on May 20, 2007 9:11 AM:

" Daniel, My boss also donates a lot of his time by taking down toys and clothing to San Carlos. I feel for the people having to come up here for work. However, the law is the law. Obviously you didn't read my comments very well. I blame the employers here seeking ths type of labor and the Mexican government for not taking care of their own. I want a border fence and a crack down on all illegal immigration. It's not that easy. My first comment on this blog pertains to that. "

Brian wrote on May 20, 2007 9:04 AM:

" Daniel, Where on Earth are you coming from saying I'm not concerned about border security. And I'll have you know I live in an area of Phoenix called Sunnyslope that has a high concentration of Hispanics. There are, on any given day, Mexicans waiting in parking lots to be picked up for work. Perhaps you should come and visit me and listen to the random gunfire at night. You darn right I am for border security. "

Hector Suarez wrote on May 19, 2007 3:57 PM:

" Joe, you have been right for years on Bush. However, this time he has the assistencia of the Demonrats. They are both hastening the death of America with their crazy amnesty programs. Forget fruit, lawns and all that crap. Anchor babies and the floods of un and undereducated "non-residents" will destroy America. Sorry I thought you were picking on Bush 6 years ago. You were right. "

Daniel wrote on May 19, 2007 11:48 AM:

" Brian: Scoff at my statements as a mere crackpot conspiracy theory? "

Daniel wrote on May 19, 2007 11:47 AM:

" Brian: Maybe you ought to just completely surrender to the Mexican invasion because you feel that there isn't anything you can do about it anyway? "

Daniel wrote on May 19, 2007 11:46 AM:

" Brian: I bet you'd feel a lot different about border security if you lived a little bit closer to the border and experienced a Mexican burglar in your own house, maybe got a family member shot, or maybe yourself wounded; and, the assailant would flee back across the border. How would you like it if you shot one of these guest aliens in your own house and got prosecuted for a violation of protocol in the use of a firearm, or violation of civil rights of the "victim." "

Daniel wrote on May 19, 2007 11:43 AM:

" Brian: Why don't you just campaign for erasure of the American border, and hoist a Mexican flag on your property down there in Arizona? "

Daniel wrote on May 19, 2007 11:41 AM:

" LodiMom: I don't meet very many people who are opposed to Dianne Feinstein. She got about 70% vote, running a campaign that portrayed herself as an alleged business professional worthy of respect. Cough. However, I do meet a lot of people who support border security. I haven't figured out if you're with Leonard or Brian, though. I could tell you a lot of things about Dianne Feinstein, and her affiliations. "

TO LODI MOM wrote on May 19, 2007 10:21 AM:

" YA.... THATS REALISTIC TO SEND THEM ALL BACK.... I SUPPOSE YOU WANT TO FIND A BIG GOX AND SHIP THEM ALL BACK TOO....HA HA HA SOME WH!TE PEOPLE ARE SO FUNNY THEY FORGET WHERE THEIR FAMILIES CAME FROM!!!! "

Brian wrote on May 19, 2007 8:25 AM:

" There is no motivation by the Mexican government to do something about the corruption. It's way too easy to just send all their unwanted up here so they can send a good portion of their earnings back home. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure this out. The Mexican politicians are laughing at us every time they look at their balance sheets and see how much money they get from us by way of illegal immigration. "

Brian wrote on May 19, 2007 8:18 AM:

" Joe, I just don't see how any immigration reform can curtail the masses flocking here from Latin American and farther south as long as there are employers demanding cheap labor. We can tack on all the fines we want but the fact remains...Cheap labor is in demand. I would love to see the Mexicans have to speak and write English like just about every other nationality that comes here does. There's plenty of other immigrants willing to work those jobs the Mexicans grab up first if the mexican government could get their act together. "

Jane wrote on May 19, 2007 7:45 AM:

" It is true that we see no shortage of fruits and vegetables at the supermarket, but an increasing percentage of them come from outside the U.S. It doesn't seem prudent to increase our reliance on imported produce and allow our local agricultural infrastructure to be eroded. This is especially true given the fact that increasing fuel prices will inevitably drive up the cost of food transported long distances. "

LodiMom wrote on May 19, 2007 7:35 AM:

" I say send them all back, they broke the law just by being here. Diane Feinstein is a joke and i am sure glad i never voted for her. U.S. is already overcrowded, no jobs for people born here. Why grant them citizenship or access to OUR social security when they are breaking OUR laws? Deport them all only to return the correct way. Try this in Mexico and see what happens. "

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