Category: 
All unedited comments – with names redacted, from Bill Frist’s VOLPAC site (as of 9:50 PM CDT) – accompanied by his original post:
(Long and not complementary content advisory)
This morning Democrat obstruction dealt a serious blow to America’s border security and to America’s national security.
Several weeks ago, I introduced an “enforcement first” border security bill – the Secure America’s Borders Act – that would have greatly increased the number of border security agents, that would have built physical barriers in high traffic areas and utilized remote sensors and UAVs elsewhere, that would have provided for real workplace enforcement.
But I knew that 44 Democrat Senators would use every means at their disposal to obstruct an “enforcement first” approach. And I recognized that we must deal with the 11-12 million illegal immigrants currently living in America today.
So I helped broker an agreement that would have coupled the strong border security and interior enforcement provisions of my Secure America’s Borders Act with a temporary worker plan that gave those immigrants who’ve been here for longer than five years the opportunity to gain legal status – but only by beginning at the end of the line, behind those millions around the world who want to come to America honestly and legally. And only if they kept a job, learned English and American history, passed a national security and criminal background check, and paid a fine and back taxes. Those who had been here less than five years would have been required to leave the country, with only some allowed back in.
Yet Democrats led by Harry Reid and provoked by the far left of their party decided to cripple this compromise legislation by refusing to allow us to vote on several crucial amendments – amendments that would have greatly strengthened the border security and enforcement provisions of the compromise bill.
- Over 300 amendments had been filed and the Democrats refused to let the Senate vote on virtually any of them. Here are a few of those amendments on which the Democrats blocked a vote:
An amendment by Senators Kyl and Cornyn, which would have prevented illegal immigrants who had been convicted of felonies such as burglary; involuntary manslaughter; and assault and battery from getting green cards- An amendment by Senator Isakson, which would have prevented the creation of any new temporary worker program until the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security certified that our border is secure
- An amendment by Senator Dorgan, which would have made the temporary worker program truly temporary by refusing to provide green cards to future temporary workers
- An amendment by Senator Ensign, which would have allowed the National Guard to help secure the border
Because of the Democrats stubborn obstruction of these amendments, the Senate will not be able to pass border security and immigration reform at this time. We will not have 15,000 new border patrol agents. We will not expand the program of expedited removal for illegal aliens caught at our border. We will not have a nationwide, mandatory verification program for hiring workers.
More to follow in the days ahead.
Written by Bill Frist, M.D.
Comments:
Here we go again! I’m sure the Democrats have VERY GOOD reasons for refusing to allow very sound amendments to the Immigration Bill. After all, they are so concerned with treating immigrants fairly. The problem is the people this bill will address are illegal aliens.But let’s not be mean spirited; just go ahead and hand over our country to all and everyone. We can always return to where our ancestors came from. NOT! 1. Secure our border. 2. Deal with those who are here illegally. 3. Allow only those who abide by immigration laws to enter our country. Wow, sounds Patriotic Republican doesn’t it!
Written by : **********Thanks for asking. Secure the borders, fences, whatever is needed to be tight. NO AMNESTY of any kind. Enforce the laws, require States, Counties and Local enforcement to enforce the laws. Require Employers, Banks to to enforce more strict compliance and cash handling reporting.
ALL or NONE. All GOP to help you or get out of Government.
No more pandering to the left even if it takes until General Election to get it RIGHT.
**********
Written by : **********You blame 44 Democrafs for stopping you. I thought there are 100 senators. Why can’t you make the majority work? Quite fooling around if you want our support there has to be results. We are sick of words, words, without action. Close the borders NOW and then work on the 12 million problem. Why do you need a vacation?
Written by : **********You have sold us out! 84% of the people do not want an illegal amnesty. Please quit trying to do what the President wants.
Written by : **********Why doesen’t the Senate pass the the same Bill that the House pass?
Written by : **********I totally agree with the excellant comments made by Patrick, P.I have been thoruoghly disappointed with the Republican Party attitude to this Immigration problem. We have laws that need to be enforced. ENFORCE THESE LAWS. THESE LAWS ARE ON THE BOOKS AND THERE SHOULD NOT BE ANY QUESTION THAT THEY SHOULD BE ENFORCED!!
Don’t pass new legislation just enforce what we already have.
********** former republican
Written by : **********FRIST FOR PRESIDENT, KYLE FOR VICE PRESIDENT
ABC
04-08-06
Written by : **********According to our Constitution a simple majority of senators shall be able to pass issues before the senate. The special rules used by the current senate that results in “60 senators needed” to pass any issue violates this most basic concept. I am appalled at the lack of courage shown by all senators that allows this travesty to continue.
Especially since the filibusters are imaginary events that circumvent our Constitution. At least have the courage to undertake a real filibuster so we can see a number a senators collapse to the floor so that this worthless rule will be abolished.
Written by : **********Although I live in Hawaii where illegals can’t walk across a border, I emphasize with those inundated by the non-assimlating extended families settling in American neighborhoods and, decry the criminals that are entering this country to prey on law abiding Americans across the country. As for Congressional failure to deal with immigration issues– it’s no surprise that the Democrats under “Dingy Harry” Reid – block rational discussion of solutions – they are dedicated to destroy the Republican party’s majority and to socialize America. There is no use whining about it. The Republican majority should be united around ITS program to address the problem and let the Democrats (if they have the guts to) filibuster themselves into permanent minority status. But you can’t have a bunch of grandstanders like McCain allying themselves with the Massachusetts spokesman for the Hate Bush crowd undercutting a GOP unity approach, nor can the majority leader have his own plan that isn’t apparently supported by the Republican Senate majority. Democrats have adopted the divide and conquer approach with obvious success. Sen. Frist, you are a great American– but you’d be greater yet if you would renounce your presidential ambitions and just effectively lead your fellow Republicans to unified action.
Written by : **********No matter which you you look at it Dr. Frist both the Deomocrats AND Republican are selling out our country at the pressure of illegals ailens and President Fox. How does it feel to be a traitor to your country and the the people you are supposed to be respresenting.
It is time to VOTE OUT ALL MEMBERS OF CONGRESS AND GET A BRND NEW CONGRESS IN THAT WILL WORK FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE NOT PRESIDENT FOX AND THE LATINO GROUPS.
Written by : **********Senator Frist,
I appreciate the fact that both sides are addressing this issue openly. However, something is missing from this debate. There is a clear violation of the law by the illegal aliens.
I ask you, what of the thousands (if not millions) of Americans who did not report their taxes correctly? Most are not guilty by intention, but rather guilty because of the law. If they do not compensate for their mistakes, then they are punished to the full extent of the law … and the IRS tax code is supposed to be a Volunteer system (though not participating seems to also be a violation of the law). So, why the double standard?
Yes, many illegal aliens are working and have families. They did so knowing full well that the law is being broken. Same with many employers that know that they break the law when hiring illegals. And this is forgivable? While anyone who intentionally breaks the tax law, who is fully American, will not be forgiven.
What is clear is that both political sides are unwilling to admit that there is a clear and obvious intent for a conflict of interest for both sides. On the Democrats side, they know they can use the weak enforcement and sloppy accounting of votes to use these illegals for strength in voting power. On the Republican side, the Republicans know that many businesses are breaking the law, and the party does not want to lose the votes of those business people. BOTH issues are CONFLICTS of INTEREST.
Look, we Conservatives want our party to grow a backbone. Tell the truth and do the right thing. If you are going to forgive the lawbreakers who are not American, then why not the Americans who support America? While we know that America needs taxpayers, then we know that enforcement is required. Since this issue is about millions of illegals (lawbreakers) that are not protected by American Law for America’s Citizens, then the clear and obvious conclusion is that the parties put America First, and enforce the law. Remove the lawbreakers.
We understand that the logistics are tremendous, and that sweeping the country is nearly impossible to do all at once. So, I propose the following:
1. Employers that knowingly hire illegals should be charged with fraud
2. States that offer benefits of American citizens to illegals with intent to cover-up and hide the facts should have their Federal funds revoked for two years, including education and welfare.
3. Financial institutions lending to illegals for the purpose of purchasing any fixed property (real estate, etc) should be revoked of any Federal protections or qualifications, and should be investigated for fraud
4. Individuals who are illegals that attempt to vote should be immediately charged with a felony and deported. If they return to the country, then they will be sent to a Federal penetentiary for no less than fifteen years.
5. Individuals who are illegals that attempt to protest against the United States should receive immediate deportation with a revocation of any application for VISA for ten years.
5. Enforce the laws as well as Mexico enforces their immigration laws.
6. English is mandatory. Translation is only offered for the initial application to temporary status or naturalization. All businesses, agencies and governments must avoid any documentation that does not include English as the main text, and any foreign documentation must not be distributed for benefits, applications to schools or housing, etc..
Now, as for those that are inevitably going to be forgiven for breaking the law, they must be: screened intensely; required to pay all back taxes; not be allowed to bring other family members unless those members fully qualify for all naturalization requirements; lose their temporary status if found breaking the law or attempting to participate in elections for at least fifteen years.
The point is that our politicians need to make it very clear that this is not about “racism” for it applies to all foreigners from any country. If you are not authorized, you go. If you are authorized, and you attempt to vote or are found aiding other illegals or breaking any other laws, then all temporary status is revoked, VISA applications are rejected for ten years, and deportation is required.
IN SUMMARY: Stand up, make it clear that there is a conflict of interest for both sides, and make the law clear. Just as clear as for your constituents … the American Citizens … We, the People of the United States.
PS: the 5% equivelance of illegals to citizens happens to be equal to the 5% unemployment. If you remove the illegals, and restrict the welfare benefits, then the 5% unemployment will fill the gap of the missing illegals.
We will recover. Make the stand, and win the votes.
Written by : **********Senator: Are you even listening to any of us? I can’t believe you continue to push this bill with a “Temporary Guest Worker” provision…… Political double talk for AMNESTY any way you look at it…. Guest Worker?? How in the world do you come into MY COUNTRY (yes I said my country…I defended it for 30 years in the military and I earned the right to call it my country…) illegally, work at a job that pays american money, NOT pay american taxes, use the american tax supported programs designed for the welfare of it’s citizens and then be rewarded for it by calling it a GUEST program? Please ONE LAST TIME I urge you to listen to the VOTERS who put you in office in the first place and get rid of this provision before this bill passes or so help me I will be lobbying against you and anyone else who supports this provision, very agressivley towards the next election or reelection. This is a promise..
Written by : **********Let’s follow the Mexican laws on illegal’s entering the country. In Mexico they HAVE NO RIGHTS as an illegal. Why do the bleeding hearts in this country want to give away our saftey? Also, English should be mandatory.
**********
Florida
Written by : **********By avoiding the realy issue you are trying to stir up more hate based on few facts, apparently the only tool you have in your bag. Until we look at the uneven distribution of wealth the problem will never be solved. If people are starving how can you criminalize them for trying to feed thier family.
Written by : **********Who said that the illegals wanted to be citizens in the first place? From what I can tell they just want to take advantage of the high wages up here.
We need to secure the border first. If we fail to do this then all of the rest of the plan is just a distraction from reality. Emergency funding to the DHS for border agents should be a priority and it is your responsibility in government to “provide for the common defence” and to “promote the general welfare.” Those who obstruct this call for funding for the security of the homeland in these times cannot say that they should be trusted when it comes to national defence. This is not only a political issue, it is more important for our security than the Port deal!
Illegal immigration is a secondary issue.
Written by : **********As a former ardent Republican supporter, I can only express how disgusted I am watching the party implode. With more then 70% of the people of this country against the illegal immigration problem, you folks in the Senate can only fiddle while Rome burns. Where is our representation??? Since I will not vote for any of the existing Democrat candidates, I will probably sit out the upcoming November election.
Written by : **********We have made a commitment to support you in any future endeavors both by volunteering and contributing financially, but we are having serious second thoughts. We have sent many, many e-mails that have been very supportive of you, however, the last two e-mails that we have sent have been critical of your position on the compromise immigration bill. All of our other e-mails were printed on your Volpac web site, but for some reason the last two have not been printed. We think that this one will really tell the tale. If it doesn’t make it onto the web site, we will know that your staff only publishes those e-mails that are not critical. If in fact that is what happens, we will not bother to write again, nor will we contribute any further.
**********
Written by : **********Does the GOP majority does anything other than whine about “obstructionist Democrats”? Geesh, take a nap already and quit whining.
Written by : **********Yes we need to secure and protect our borders. Those here illegally need to either get legal status or leave. But we need to make it possible for good people who have been allowed to be to stay here. Part of the problem has been our extremely arbitrary and ineffective immigration system. INS workers have been have been vague and arbitrary in the application of their rules. Individual immigration workers wield tremendous power over who gets to be here legally and who doesn’t. I have a very sweet, Christisn friend who was brought to this country illegally by her mother when she was a child. She doesn’t know any other life than the one she has lived here. She has an AA degree, speaks great english, worked hard (under a legally obtained green card) up until 2 months ago when an immigration worker arbitrarily decided her card should not be renewed. Her appeal was summarily denied. I have a law degree, the code they cited for denying her appeal does not even exist. She is now subject to deportation to a country she doesn’t even know. I think there is a certain amount of back lash taking place in our INS offices. This girls employer had to let her go because her card was not renewed. Her husband (an american citizen) makes a good living but she would prefer to work as well. She has never been in trouble, owned her own home prior to her marriage, and has a young son who was born here. She has tried 2 different attorneys in the apporx. 8 years I have known her to try to gain permanant legal status. Both told her to be happy she had a green card and advised her not to push for anything else. Her problem stems from years ago when she was first interviewed and tried to gain legal status. The INS interviewer felt she was “less than honest” and labled her a “liar”. That label which, she absolutely does not deserve, has haunted her and prevented her from obtaining permanent status. I personnally went to the immigration office with her to try to help. They treated me as if there was something wrong with me for being there and would not even discuss the possibility that the initial interviewer might have misread the situation. We need the INS to be more reasonable in how they treat good people who are here and are trying to do it right. I think it is sinful that this wonderful patriotic person has been repeatedly denied permanent status and is now facing deportation to a country she doesn’t even know. Our Immigration service has got to do better and be more fair to those who are trying to do this right. **********
Written by : **********Everytime you complain about the existence of Democrats, I really have to wonder about you. Are you advocating one party rule? Do you really think that would be good for America? What is the problem anyway, with having a few opposing viewpoints; after all Republicans control all three houses of government as well as the press. There are no checks and balances anymore.
The immigration issue would be easy to manage if our government considered the needs of ordinary Americans for a change instead of running things for the benefit of a few CEOs. Every illegal alien that is employed here, is employed BY somebody. Everytime an illegal alien is discovered in the employ of some business, you fine the BUSINESS. You fine them more than it would cost to give that job to a legal American resident for the year. You do that consistantly, every time, and after a while it will be cheaper for employers to hire legals.
Written by : **********Learning english must also be a requirement. We need to protect our language, boardere and culture. It is a shame that demonstrators want to display the Mexican flag. Send them ALL BACK!!!!!!
Written by : **********I support the efforts to stop the flow of illegal aliens. Immigration is not the issue, Illegal immigration is.
Neither I nor any of my friends will support any legislation that includes any form of amnesty for the illegal aliens currently in this country. If you are going to give them amnesty then why not give any current felon who has had a clean record for the past 5 years amnesty? It is the same thing!
Yes the borders need to be secured but not at the cost of selling out this country, or even giving it away. The facts are these people have broken the law and should not be afforded any consideration that American citizens are afforded.
Written by : **********This is no longer a country of by and for the people. It has become a country run by the big
multi-national corporations. We the people no longer have representation because you have all
become a bunch of Wall St. stooges. The corporations are ruling America.
Written by : **********Senator Frist, I have contacted your Nashville office and expressed my sincere disgust with this entire situation. As a staunch right winger I’ve had it with both parties pandering to these illegal aliens.
Where the he** was the INS during the marches the past week or so? Why did we not round up all the illegals and ship their butts back to Mexico? We are fightening a war on terrorism and all the polticians want to do is protect themselves from getting voted out of office. Well, guess what, by pandering to the illegals, you WILL get voted out of office!
Written by : **********Bill Frist: It must be so frustraiting to try to deal with the obstructionist, devisive, and no new ideas/plans Democrats now in Congress, but mainly the Senate. They will lead this Congress into the worst, non productive, and most political Congress of all time. I for one am fed up. They are against everything, for nothing, and regretfully convincing the voting public that Bush and the Republicans are in deed the ones at fault. We need this immigration bill passed or at least a bill in some form improving our boarders and the illegal immigration problem. Please keep fighting for the bill and some of the realistic amendments. **********
Written by : **********Don’t back down to the Democrats and keep pushing for proper border controls including the National Guard and stop amnesty to illegals with criminal records. Also stop giving citizenship to those born here from illegals.
Written by : **********I just wish the GOP leadership would stop using weasel words and euphemism for amnesty. Bush says he opposes amnesty, but he has only redefined amnesty. So illegal aliens are allowed to stay, but not allowed to become citizens and vote. But their children can become citizens. So how is this not amnesty?
And does anyone seriously believe that a “guest worker” is not a permanent worker? What a joke!
It’s all such a LIE. Teddy Kennedy is running the GOP Senate. And I say vote all the traitors out!!
Written by : **********Senator Frist….Is this the best you can do? Drag out this whiny resonse that it is all the Democrats fault? This from a Congress determined to set a record for the fewest number of days doing the countrys business. Fewer days than the “Do Nothing” Congress during the Truman presidency…what does that make you guys …the do “less than nothing” Congress? Get to work the rest of us sure as heck are.
Written by : **********If you want the Judiciary Committee to accomplish anything truly Republlican, then replace that Rino Specter. He’s too busy kissing up to the Democrats back in Pennsylvania so he can keep his job!
A little history for you since all you senators seem to have forgotten it, the 1986 Amnesty Act was supposed to solve all our illegal immigration problems. It didn’t and more of the same won’t either!
Try looking at why it didn’t work and write legislation to fill those needs. Then call the Homeland Security head every two months for a progress report. Do they still require a year for someone to finish the Border Patrol Academy? It shouldn’t take more than three months if full time training given. Stop insisting every new graduate be totally fluent in Spanish before graduation! That sure isn’t needed at the Canadian-US border! They could use some French or Chinese!
Study what mistakes other countries have made with temporary worker programs and you will find the same ones we have had: They don’t want to go home when the job is ended! They will try to find a way to stay: marrying an American is one easy way! So eliminate any reason for them to stay including health reasons. Another common one is to get hurt on the job and claim workers compensation. Especially claiming back injuries that aren’t xrayable.
DONT PLAN ON AMNESTY FOR ANY ILLEGAL ILLEGALS. The American public will go balistic if any illegal get the right to be an American citizen. Just because they have been working here and have a family here, does not mean they want citizenship. All they want is the right to stay and continue the lives they’ve led without fear of deportation. The only ones pushing for citizenship for them are the so-called activists who claim to represent them. Why? They want a group voting the way they tell them to. And believe me, they wont vote Repubican.
I have educated new citizens on voting and seen their good hearted tendency to vote for all the nice programs on the ballot UNTIL I told them “do you know your payroll or your house taxes will go up if you vote for that?” Many didn’t and quickly decided they would not vote for some of them.
President Bush appears to be grossly ignorant if he believes the Mexican and El Salvadorean immigrant will vote the same way the Cuban immigrants have. They are totally different cultures. Perhaps his sister-in-law has influenced him in that regard but if so, she does him no good.
So bear this in mind, if you want to be the President, DONT ALLOW ANY AMNESTY, regardless of how it is dressed up. Granting a path to citizenship for an illegal who lived here is wrong!!
Written by : **********If you want the Judiciary Committee to accomplish anything truly Republlican, then replace that Rino Specter. He’s too busy kissing up to the Democrats back in Pennsylvania so he can keep his job!
A little history for you since all you senators seem to have forgotten it, the 1986 Amnesty Act was supposed to solve all our illegal immigration problems. It didn’t and more of the same won’t either!
Try looking at why it didn’t work and write legislation to fill those needs. Then call the Homeland Security head every two months for a progress report. Do they still require a year for someone to finish the Border Patrol Academy? It shouldn’t take more than three months if full time training given. Stop insisting every new graduate be totally fluent in Spanish before graduation! That sure isn’t needed at the Canadian-US border! They could use some French or Chinese!
Study what mistakes other countries have made with temporary worker programs and you will find the same ones we have had: They don’t want to go home when the job is ended! They will try to find a way to stay: marrying an American is one easy way! So eliminate any reason for them to stay including health reasons. Another common one is to get hurt on the job and claim workers compensation. Especially claiming back injuries that aren’t xrayable.
DONT PLAN ON AMNESTY FOR ANY ILLEGAL ILLEGALS. The American public will go balistic if any illegal get the right to be an American citizen. Just because they have been working here and have a family here, does not mean they want citizenship. All they want is the right to stay and continue the lives they’ve led without fear of deportation. The only ones pushing for citizenship for them are the so-called activists who claim to represent them. Why? They want a group voting the way they tell them to. And believe me, they wont vote Repubican.
I have educated new citizens on voting and seen their good hearted tendency to vote for all the nice programs on the ballot UNTIL I told them “do you know your payroll or your house taxes will go up if you vote for that?” Many didn’t and quickly decided they would not vote for some of them.
President Bush appears to be grossly ignorant if he believes the Mexican and El Salvadorean immigrant will vote the same way the Cuban immigrants have. They are totally different cultures. Perhaps his sister-in-law has influenced him in that regard but if so, she does him no good.
So bear this in mind, if you want to be the President, DONT ALLOW ANY AMNESTY, regardless of how it is dressed up. Granting a path to citizenship for an illegal who lived here is wrong!!
Written by : **********ABSOLUTELY NO AMNESTY!!!! No loopholes to AMNESTY! No special favors to ANY illegal immigrants. This issue is simple, 100 percent no compromise to law breakers! I am a HISPANIC and highly favor justice, capitalism, and moral values–no micro-ounce of middleground with liberal ideals. Our country cannot afford illegals. Our country cannot, should not, give in to illegal alien demands at any cost. The Republican party needs to be conservative…not moderate, not bipartisan, not liberal, not socialist, not democrat! All immigrants, repeat, all immigrants should apply outside our country and qualify to live, work, and go to school as law abiding human beings. They should NOT cut in front of others; they all should be screened. That is the proper procedure, and orderly. This is a simple system and solution. Thank you everyone for supporting true justice and not a system that sponsors and condones illegals for being here. Viva USA!
Written by : **********Dear Senator Frist:
Thank you for trying. Please do not give up because our country does need bright minds like yours to help repair the social issues that are so complex like illegal immigration. The Homeland Security Dept. was created and I think some of the responsibility of securing our borders should be that department’s. Our Republican Senators should not have to use their political capital to try and fix something as complicated as illegal immigration. You need to be getting yourself involved in some other issues so you can stay involved in our country’s government. Again, we need you. The Dems are always going to be opposite Republicans. I guess I will be going to my grave before I understand why. So, to sum it up–protect yourself for us.
Written by : **********Dr Frist,
Republicans are SUPPOSED to have a majority in both the house and senate but seem to be the minority. I truly believe in the type of immigration that occurred when my grandparents and many other parents and grandparents came to the USA. For years, nothing has been done and when someone tries to help border security (ala the minutemen), they’re criticized! ACT LIKE THE MAJORITY WE ARE AND NOT BE WIMPS!!! **********, Asheville, NC
Written by : **********If you weren’t such a self-consumed politician, certain things might get done within the Senate. However, your limited concern for just one segment of society makes governing difficult, doesn’t it? Why not try to consider ALL angles of a situation, then choose the most utilitarian? Sound familiar? Maybe because that’s what the Democrats seem to be thinking.
Sincerely,
**********
Written by : **********Why isn’t Bill Sensenbrenner’s opposition to the immigration bill getting any mention here? He is, after all, the Republican chair of the Judiciary Committee and has more influence on a future immigration bill than does Harry Reid….
Written by : **********I believe that any proposal offered in the Senate by either party is very poor legislation if the issuing of green cards is permitted that would lead to permanent residence or citizenship by illegal aliens. The Senate should pass the House Bill and consider temporary work legislation at a later time.
Written by : **********Chairman Frist; I was lucky enough to have been born in the U.S.A. I have served this country in the military. I have raised a fine family and tried to live an honorable life. The Congress used to be made up of people who appeared to try to do what was best for this country. What we the people now see is a constant power struggle between the two parties. What has happened to the concept of ENFORCING THE LAW and doing what is best for this country?
The politicians always wonder at election time why more people don’t exercise their right to vote. The right that so many fought and died for to give them that privilege. Could it be they feel complete futility by what is going on by the people who been elected to represent us in Congress?
I for one am completely disgusted by the insidious behavior of the people who should have the good of our country as their priority, but instead are behaving like a bunch of spoiled brats with NO ACCOUNTABILITY to the people who elected them.
GOD SAVE OUR COUNTRY!!!
Written by : **********Sen. Frist; Your Volpac slogan reads ” working to elect Republicans throughout the country”, yet your actions are doing the opposite. I am from a long line of Republicans, going back to Abe Lincoln’s presidency and I will not be able to support the Republican party or mainstream Republican candidates in the future. The reason is this relentless obsession with giving amnesty to illegal aliens, and bending over backwards to appease the corporate class by flooding our country with H1B visa immigrants who are stealing good jobs from the middle class. I have been personally affected by this flood of foreigners who are replacing Americans in technology and engineering fields. No legislation should ever be considered that offers amnesty to criminals. But further, your proposed legislation would increase the number of legal immigrants that can come here. How can you rationalize that, when we don’t even who is here, or how many? We should have a moratorium on any increase until our borders are secure, and illegals are returned to their country of origin. If we remove all of the incentives that entice them here, millions will start self-deporting.
Written by : **********it’s time to stop blaming anyone but all members of congress.
The majority of US citizens don’t want any amesity for any illegial aliens.
What is it that congress can seem to understand. Congress seems to be worried more about a bunch of illegial aliens than the overtaxed citizens who had to shell out 65 billion last year for services to illegial aliens.
Written by : **********I would like to thank Patrick P for your comments. I will second those as well. I would also like to add a few comments of my own. Our constitution is intended for US citizens, as well as those immigrents who are here legally, yet we have to give everyone that is here the same treatment. I work for a federal assistance program, we have to provide interpreters to all of our clients(US citizens and well as legal and illegals,which in our area is mostly hispanic) at a cost of up to $20 an hour plus providing assistance, all at the expense of my tax dollars. The illegal immegrants are receiving services sometimes before and instead of American citizens. This must stop. Could I go to Mexico and receive any kind of assistance and them provide me with an interpreter? Also all of the Hispanics that protested and marched, their cause would have been a little better recieved had they carried American Flags not Mexican Flags. We must barricade our borders and export the many who are here illegally. I am not in favor of granting amnesty to the many that are here, unless they want to register and go through the steps of gaining citenzenship like my ancestors. Final thought according to the far left as well as many other countries (France etc) America is a terrible place to live, why then do we have an illegal immigration problem?
MAY GOD BLESS AMERICA!
Written by : **********I’m thankful the Democrats obstructed this bill. What is the matter with you Senators? Americans have had it with having their borders crashed, their laws disrespected and and their elected representatives sell them out. No bill that rewards illegal aliens with US citizenship should even have made it out of committee, let alone receive serious consideration by the full Senate.
Defend our borders, Dr. Frist.
Written by : **********Dear Senator Frist,
You in Congress have many times over paid American taxpayer dollars for Israel’s highly effective security fence — 500 miles of it. Imagine my astonishment listening to NPR on my way to work last Monday, when I heard Sen. Kennedy admit that we have only 67 miles of security fence on the 1920 mile long Mexican border. Security fencing, whether built here or in Israel, costs about $1.7 million per mile. It is close to 100% effective. It is the only cost effective remedy to the border security problem. Why did you give us instead, in your late immigration bill, a dubious “virtual fence?” It will be far more costly to round up, detain, and process illegal crossers of a “virtual fence” than it will be simply to have a real fence. You Republicans in the Senate must stop being so timid and PC, and begin defending your country.
Written by : **********As a conservative voter, I must say the ‘deal’ you and others signed on to, was a sham and a shame.
The ‘rules’ etc, to enforce this elongated form for amnesty was worse than a joke, you and other senators are trying to full the voters.
Make it simple, proven and SIMPLE enforcement of our borders and LAWS.
You ALLOWED the MSM and Dems to frame the issue as immigrant(s) and immigration instead of ILLIGAL IMMIGRATION and consequently REWARD FOR NOT following the law and the US for not enforcing its laws. THIS IS IMPORTANT. Furthermore, this issue of trying to ingratiate yourself to a new flock of voters is a joke and demeans the issue of right and wrong. When Reid and Kennedy are on the same dais praising an agreement YOU KNOW something smells(in the details).
Written by : **********its time for more leadership and less dealmaking,im not impressed with what ive seen so far.
Written by : **********Dr. Frist: While we await the senate passing an unwanted “guest worker” program, would it be too much to ask to have the immigration laws we already have be enforced NOW, before we have 12 million more illegals to deal with??? And do we blame democrats or republicans or both for the continuing failure to control our nation’s borders?? **********
Written by : **********WHAT IS IT THAT SENATE DOES NOT UNDERSTAND? READ MY LIPS,”ILLEGAL IS ILLEGAL” DUH. ROUND THESE “ILLEGALS” UP AND SENT THEM BACK TO MEXICO. TAKES THESE LAZY DO NOTHING PEOPLE THAT ARE ON WELFARE “THE LEGALS” PUT THEM TO WORK DOING WHAT THE ILLEGALS ARE DOING. BUILD A WALL THAT WILL WORK, GUARD IT WITH A FEW FLYING DRONES, MORE GUARDS WITH PERMISSION TO SHOOT. I ACTUALLY BELIEVE THAT YOU POLITICALLY CORRECT POLITICIANS HAD BETTER START LISTENING TO THE HARD WORKING TAX PAYERS WHO PUT YOU IN OFFICE. THE DEMOCRATS ARE MAKING COMPLETE FOOLS OF THEIR SELVES PLEASE DON’T LET THEM MAKE FOOLS OF YOU.
Written by : **********Hey Frist
Who has control of the house and senate? I thought when we voted for and got a Republican majority , that promiced some real reform and leadership we would get it.
But what we got was and is a bunch of gutless Demarubs. If you can not see that the rupublican abse is discusted with you and others like you, and relly stand up to Mc Cain and Kennedy well enjoy your last term in office.
As I have told you before I have been a republican since Wendel Wilkie. ( Thats 1940 to you). You have recieved your last dollar and vote from me, until you can show me tthat you stand for the USA I fought for. **********
Written by : **********Immigration is a serious issue and just because the Republicans and Democrats won’t agree on a policy you all take off for vacation. Not good!You folks are well paid plus excellent benefits and perks by the taxpayers and I think you should stay at the job until you get a law in place. Amnesty is not the answer.
First: Close the borders. 11 million uninvited and undocumented people in North America is a disgrace. I could go on and on. …….
Written by : **********Business interests want cheap labor to pocket the profits, but the muderder ,rape, drunk driving, assault rate of people from these very poor unstable countries is appaling. Americans are being preyed upon so some businessmen can pocket the profit. Cheap Labor does not reduce costs to the consumer, and those American consumers are picking up the criminal tab, as well as the social costs tab. Cheap labor Republicans are using leftist “moral reletavism” arguments. So what if the crime rate goes up? You get your grass cut for $10.00 bucks.Thats the argument, and its IMMORAL at best. But he has an accident and cuts his finger off, and who pays for that? Americans! This country is gonna tear itself apart on this issue. It wont be pretty.
Written by : **********Is the Senate not listening to the American people? NO guess worker program and NO amnesty! Why does the US Senate want to help criminals? If the US Senate passes anything with guess worker or amnesty, the American people will respond in November. Legal Americans can VOTE!
Written by : **********Senator Frist, I hate to say this, but we have this problem because our laws were not enforced over the past 20 years. In the past, we have granted amesty to at least 3 million and this only created a greater problem. We also catered to having schools use spanish rather than enlish in class rooms. This also made the problem worst. It appears to me that this has given to more Mexician flag displays.
Both Democrats and Republicans are playing politics with this serious issue, trying to save there own necks to keep the present spanish voters in their corner, rather than doing what has to be done to protect our country from another attack by securing our borders.
Lets stop playing the blame game and get both parties to do something about securing our borders.
Sincerely,
**********
Written by : **********You’re preaching to the Choir. WHEN WILL YOU STOP TRYING TO BE POLITICALLY CORRECT AND LET THE DEMOCRATS AND THE UNDECIDEDS KNOW WHAT REID AND COMPANY HAVE OBSTRUCTED. THE MAIN STREAM MEDIA WON’T TELL THEM.
Written by : **********Dear Senator Frist
I am a dedicated Republican and I am quite up set your inability to controll the MINORITY party in the Senate. To allow them the latitude to get away with obstruction STUNT the pulled last week is truly pathetic. I support the Kyle Cornan approach and feel they have the basis for a workable way out of the illegal immagrant dilemma. I sincerly hope you and others can find a way to put this train wreck back on track and pass a bill that will work and will really solve the problem. Please take charge.
Written by : **********Thank goodness we have a sensible Republican like you and our others in Congress.
We all know who the stupid Democats, like Hillary Clinton and Ted Kennedy are. They don’t have any common sense at all and only do things to bring attention to themselves, whether it’s good attention or bad, just as long as they are being noticed. How I wish we could get them both out.
Written by : **********You know what weakens our borders? Um, let’s see: war in the wrong place for the wrong reasons (lies); no port security; no international allies. For starters. Duh. Get a clue. Further, how did I even get on your mailing list? Leave me alone. You are crazy.
Written by : **********This can’t be allowed by the Dems. The Americans are breaking the law by letting ANY illegal immigrants in. Not just the Dems. Is that hard to understand and you are a Dr.? Pray tell what does the word “Illegal” mean!? Please the only way to stop this travesty that has been allowed ever is to put the employers that hired these people in jail for no less than 1yr. and the problem will be solved. Doesn’t that a PhD to undestand this. You all are playing the parisan game and ALL Americans know it. This includes Bush! This situation makes me so mad I could spit. Politians are corrupt and it is a shame.. **********
Written by : **********Senator Frist, we are putting the cart before the horse, the senate should be securing our southern border before we ever consider amnesty for any of the illegal immigrants, also where does the senator from Nevada get off calling the marchers in L.A. citizens, you need to make clear who is being represented in this nation, the American citizen or the Mexican illegal, because if the American citizen is going to be ignored then the republicans are in big trouble in the next elections.
**********
Written by : **********I do not disagree that the obstruction has weakened our defense. But what I want to know is what are Republicans going to do about that now? Do something!!! I am a life time Republican who feels that the Republican Party has let us down big time by not addressing this issue a long time ago. I am distressed and frustrated by the lack of anything but talk being done. Our country is at stake and we, the Republicans, are supposed to be the Party that worries about national security. What happened? My guess is that too many party members, or contributors, have their own “personal Mexicans” and do not want anything to mess that up. At least now I will get to see just how much some of our Representatives really want to do the right. thing. Tancredo has had it right for a long time, but the rest of you have dropped the ball. And for what? A few bucks on the side? If the Republicans lose ground in the next election, you can blame your selves.
Written by : **********Let me say again – ILLEGAL IS ILLEGAL. This country is built on the rule of law. We cannot deviate from that rule. Even at best, with the bill that you proposed, I foresee the problems inherent in such a tangled process. It will be another FEMA situation, where the right hand does not know what the left had is doing, and nothing will be solved. THE MOST IMPORTANT THING HERE IS THAT POLITICS CANNOT BE INVOLVED IN THIS PROCESS. THE GOOD OF OUR COUNTRY MUST COME FIRST. I DON’T WANT TO LIVE IN MEXICO!
Written by : **********Dr. Frist: You’re right, your bill isn’t amnesty: it’s worse than amnesty! Amnesty merely says “All is Forgiven”, whereas your bill says you don’t get favored treatment unless you break the law and enter the country illegally. It used to be a crime to incite others to commit a crime, but no more-now it’s the official policy of the U.S. Senate. Your contempt for average Americans is palpable and is lost on no one.
Written by : **********Let Pres. Bush know that he needs to continue to echo your comments and initiatives as he finally started to do today. He needs to stay on this message.
Please reconsider running for reelection this year. Or let your wife run.
Written by : **********It seems all the petitions and surveys we participate in are to no avail. Our country allows our laws to be mocked, and our legislators do not pass new laws to protect the law abiding American citizens from the crime suffered from many illegals, and even our citizens who came to Houston fleeing the hurricanes. I am convinced that our only action that will impress our elected and appointed leaders, is our power of the vote. Perhaps, just perhaps, if we vote out many of the elected leaders who are not working and legislating to FIX the problem, they may believe us when we say they are not doing their job. That includes judges, as well, who interperate the laws other than what they were originally intended.
Mr. Frist: No doubt, you are trying to get something accomplished, and it must be most disappointing to see the failures of congress to act for the good of the American people, as if they are working for God. That’s what we sent them to Washington for, but they ignore that responsibility.
My husband and I first voted Republican for ‘Ike’ Eisenhower as our president, and have remained republican all these years….because there has been no better choice. Many are disappointing us! I’m afraid the other problem, is too many people are silent in the voting process. Or, is it that too many are not informed correctly, or desensitized or disalusioned about American politics?
There is much wrong with our government…like our elected leaders not having to participate in the Social Security system as the rest of the citizens are required; like making a lifetime career out of politics, instead of limited terms; like getting a fat retirement the rest of their lives. If terms were limited, and if working in Washington was limited to 2 weeks out of each quarter year, perhaps the process would be hastened to accomplish something. Too much time is used filabustering, and procastinating. It is all a waste of taxes!
Americans are fed up with the system! We are concerned with the possibility of conservative leaders being voted out, and liberals and socialists taking over America. We fear for the future of our children and grandchildren in the land of the free and the home of the brave.
Sincerely,
**********
Written by : **********I understand the concern and emptions about illegal immigrants. But are we going to set up some sort of police state to kick millions of people out of the country? Think about how disruptive that’s going to be. Are we going to turn employers into policemen? We wouldn’t have this problem if we had a good guest worker program in the first place. We need these people. Let them pay a fine, learn english, and pass some sort of citizenship test to become citizens.
Written by : **********Secure Borders YES,we already have laws, enforce them! Amnty, NO, no matter what you try to call IT
Written by : **********Senate folds again. Sold out the american people. You never keep a promise. Always politics. Everyone want to be President but never wants to
stay the course. Show some leadership. Rule with a heavy hand. Show some backbone. If you don’t you will be back in nashville in the heart business.
Written by : **********Fear not, there is a ground swell movement to unseat Democrat and Republican members of congress who act to obstruct strict laws and enforcement to protect our borders. All ILLEGAL ALIENS have committed an illegal act and are entitled to no higher privelege than lawful applicants for immigration to this country. All Illegals should be returned to their country of origin and take their turn in the LEGAL process established long ago.
Written by : **********Why has it taken so long to secure the border?How did millions get through security without being stopped?If we are so short on money that we can’t secure the elderly,and our schools without raising taxes and taking care of the ones we already have here,how can we add millions to our budget.Sometimes I think the American citizens can see problems that go on better than the ones we trust to run our government ,I am on a fixed income ,money that I worked all my life to retire on is being taken for insurance ,medician,an taxes ,some months I hardly have enough for food Each month my phone bill has an added tax .we pay incometax,food,tax on everything I buy,and it seems it still isn’t enough to run our government ,but we can still let millions more come over here to add to the Problem we already have
Written by : **********I voted for Barry Goldwater in 1964 and have supported Presidents Nixon, Reagan, Ford. But I will never vote Republican again because of your constant support for the illegal alien agenda. Please remember this: 280 million legal Americans vs. 20 million illegal aliens are in the US. And you pander to them? Wake up!
Written by : **********It is amazing that these Democrats would obstruct something as common sense as the defence of our borders. Something has to be done, and now! I teach in the public schools and in conversations with fellow teachers have concluded that no matter what side of the political divide people are on they want something done about border security and the illegal immigrants. Keep it up Senator Frist!
Written by : **********What to do with 20 million illegals? First make document fraud a major crime. There’s not an ID in the US, social security numbers, drivers licenses, visas, etc, that is worth 2 cents.
You owe it to the American people to clean up the mess you in Washington have created.
If you don’t…………..WE WILL!
Written by : **********We first need to secure our borders to stop the illegals from entering, Next as a practical matter we need to put the illegals who are here presently into a “guest worker” program ti start them on the path to legal entry by registration so we know who they are, by requiring them to learn English, pay back taxes and be gainfully employed.We have had leaky borders for years and requiring that all illegals be sent out of the country would be mistake and this mistake would not correct the one that has existed for years.
Written by : **********Keep Fighting! Enforcement First and No Amnesty.
Written by : **********Dear Senator Frist:
Yes, the Democrats “stubborn obstruction” tactics are indeed frustrating. However, Not to worry. Once the Conservative Base of your party helps put a Republican in the White House and we become a Majority in both the House and Senate things WILL CHANGE!
Oh wait a minute, We’ve already done that.
Quite wasting your time writing Whine E-mails and start acting like the MAJORITY PARTY Leader you are supposed to be.
Written by : **********We must insist the comply with the current law before they can become American Citizens. If not why do I and the leagal citizens have to obey the law? I insist that you open all of the prison gates and let all of the prisoners out.
Written by : **********With all due respect, I believe that pandering to the potential Latin voting block is an improper reading of the “tea leaves.” Any decision that excludes the administering of current laws, providing stiff, confiscatory prosecution of employers hiring illegal aliens, and the 100% firming up of our borders, will result in non-support by the conservative base and at best, holding their noses in the voting booth. Stand by our laws, do what is right against felons and dry up the jobs here in the states and you will be majorly supported to the degree that latin votes will not be necessary, nor the pandering to agri-business or construction interest groups. The president’s approval rating is not failing due to wire-tapping, but his unwillingness to stand up to the economic ramifications in the short term of sending illegals back home and demagnetizing the attraction here which has served to artificially lower wages for americans and cripple our border defenses. Tell us why you are wanting illegals to be rewarded for sneaking in and being excused for the crime and perhaps you will change our hearts, but to ignore the obvious outcry of so many that oppose your mindset only spells doom to the advances of conservative influence in our government. Going moderate always has and always will spell failure to conservatives. FIGHT!!!
Written by : **********Whatever you do do not do anything until the boarders a secured FIRST. Close the open borders FIRST!!!!!
Written by : **********You couldn’t put my comments about the Democrats on your blog. Nor my comments about Republicans who keep giving Democrats the benefit of a doubt and believing the lies they tell.
Written by : **********Dear Dr. Frist, Since the present laws against illegal immigration aren’t enforced why would we think amnesty, fines , etc. will work now? We need a secure border, no amnesty. According to the Center for Immigration Studies, the majorityof immigrants, are uneducated, unskilled, and if they are on the books, mostly gets the $32 billion in Earned Income Tax Credit, And they tend to use a lot of services like Medicaid, free school lunches, Woman and Childrens programs. So why would we ever consider adding to the rolls? Enough is too much!
Written by : **********Democrats are playing the game, – Either I run things or I won’t cooperate on anything. I haves never seen such selfish ambition. They are not democrats they are demigoges
Written by : **********WHAT IS WRONG WITH INFORCING THE LAW THAT IS ON THE BOOKS.
TAKE THE ABLED BODYED PEOPLE THAT IS ON WELFARE AND MAKE IT WORKFARE AND WE WOULD SAVE MONEY BOTH WAYS AND ALSO SOLVE MOST OF THE PROBLEMS.
HOW ABOUT WORIKING FOR THE WORKING PEOPLE LIKE YOU SAID YOU WOULD AND NOT BIG BUSSNESS OH I FORGOT YOU ARE BIG BUSSNESS.
Written by : **********The fact remains that this Congress is not getting the job done on immigration or spending. I hate to see the GOP lose the majority but we are headed that way because the party is struggling to define itself. In the meantime the Democrats are sitting back with no plan of their own but allowing the GOP to self destruct.
I understand the political pressures being applied by a majority of Americans who want to stick their heads in the sand and not realize that it is not possible to enforce deportation on 11 million people, most of whom are working in jobs that nobody else will take. We need a guest worker program to support our economy and we need to find a way to let people who are currently here and are working and contributing to our economy to work and pay their way towards legal residency. Senator Frist knows that is the only way but unfortunately a group of Republicans have gotten all riled up by their constituents who do not understand the problem or basic economic principles. Everyone wants to “kick those people out” of the country but don’t understand the economic pain that would inflict on our nation. Not only would the cost of enforcement be outrageous but goods and services ranging from agriculture to construction labor would skyrocket and cripple our economy. For all of those windbags complaining about illegal aliens I ask you this. Are you willing to pay $3.00 for an apple? We screwed up immigration decades ago. Now is the time to fix it so that in the future we can enforce our laws. The way the system is now enforcement is a pipe dream.
Written by : **********Senator Frist, I agree with every aspect of what you are saying.
Like many Americans, I believe this problem of illegal
immigration is long overdue. Not just from our Mexican counterparts,
but from places all over the world. Your proposal is a good starting point. And folks “we have to start somewhere”.
It is unfortunate that Democrats want to keep dividing America on issues such as class warfare and illegal immigration. Bill Clinton
said at the last Democratic Party that we Republicans needed a
divided America, in my opinion, nothing could be further from
the truth. IF there agenda has any chance of succeeding, it has to be
be from a divided America, which is truly unfortunate and does
not show much class from our public leaders.
Culture is an important issue among the American people. We have
seen our culture change, in many ways not for the better. Keep trying
Senator Frist, America can ill afford for this issue to slip through the
cracks, our future is at stake.
Written by : **********How can the democrats obstruct the process? Don’t we have a majority any more? These RINOS need to be thrown out of congress.
**********
Written by : **********I don’t agee at all with what the Democrates are doing to President Bush. They shouldn’t and must not get away with trying to impeach our President. I will be praying that an end is put to the Democrat’s efforts to try to rid our President of his Presidential Power. I will remain supportive of the President as a fellow Christian and an American.
Written by : **********Prior to 9/ll, unbeknownst to us, our government was failing us. That failure was horrifically revealed on that tragic day.
Now, we are being failed again. Why can’t the Federal Government learn from past mistakes and see the probably results of the inaction and half-hearted measures of our elected representives?
If we do not get control of our borders and our illegal aliens and our legal immigrants who do not want to assimilate, we are doomed as a country. In 10 years this country will be ungovernable and in 20 years we will be split into enclaves based on race and country of origin, all hostile to one another. Are you familar with the history of the Balkans, sir?
I am a donating member of the Republican Party but I am fervently hoping for the birth of a third political party in the good old USA.
Written by : **********Why is the senate wasting time trying to make illegal immigration illegal when it is already illegal? Must be something in the DC water that makes you crazy!
Written by : **********I am happy the Senate compromise bill has failed!
We need a law that mirrors most of the House Bill-
not the McCain/Kennedy version. We need to control
our borders! NO AMNESTY!
Randy Hendon
P.S. I have served on the Republican Party Board of Directors
for my county for 10 years-I think my comments are reflective
of most Republicans!
Written by : **********We need to focus on interior enforcement. If our present laws were vigorously enforced, as it should be, we wouldn’t be talking amnesty/guestworker. These people would go back home. Indeed, they wouldn’t have come in the first place, except legally. This whole issue has come down to congress and the president putting their desire to get all those latino votes by compromising our “rule of law”, and it is disgusting.
If the senate were serious about the illegal immigration problem they would openly support and adopt H.R. 4437 and H.R. 3095. These two bills combined would be a great place to start.
The bill that was agreed upon by the senate was a joke. It allows illegals amnesty. Pure and simple. It is ridiculous to slice this group up and let some stay and some be deported. They are all here illegally. If they DID NOT come to this country legally then they should go home.
The people of America are a compassionate people but there is a limit to how much they will take. We expect our lawmakers to protect our country, not give it away. We have millions of legal immigrants who have sacrificed and followed the rules and this is an affront to all of them.
To see tens of thousands of illegals led by communists organizations protesting in the streets to demand that OUR government GIVE them whatever they want makes most Americans blood boil. And when John McCain sees them he says “the country has spoken”.
We keep hearing that they are “in the shadows”. Give me a break.
We need to control who and how many people come to this country lest we become a third world country ourselves.
If you want to do something good for America, get rid of the “anchor baby” clause.
Enforce our laws, vigorously!
Written by : **********Nothing surprising about that! Democrats want and need the Alien vote to stay in office. After all if the dead and homeless get to vote in the Democrat precincts, why shouldn’t Illegal Aliens? It’s part of the Liberal “Criminals have Rights” philosophy that is destroying the fabric of our Free Society.
We don’t need more laws, we need enforcement of existing ones.
Written by : **********Thank Sen Frist for taking seriously this issue.
I hope you will continue to press this legislation and hold firm.
I am concerned that i have heard nothing about illegal immiragtion and voter fraud.
You have mentioned 3 ammendments that were being offered that speak to our concerns, but what about the 11 million illegal immigrants who may have voted in state and federal elections?
One would think that any person who applies for citizenship should be asked if he or she has voted in any state or federal elections while living in the U.S.?
And that if the answer is yes, they will not be prosectuted nor will this admission of violation of federal law be reason for denial of citizenship.
But failure to answer or a false answer will be reason enough to deny citizenship.
This legislation is neceassry to find out just how bad our voter registraion has been.
And if any applicant chooses to lie about this, than they are not deserving of U.S, citizenship.
And whatch the Democrats scream and bemoan this requirement at their own peril.
This is fundamental legisation and should be a requirement as much as all these other steps you want 11 million illegal immigrants to submit to now.
i will be emailimg every congressman and Senator with this request.
Written by : **********Boths sides have much to answer for in this ongoing ( Since at least 1986 fer cryin’ outloud! ) debate.
What’s that old line?
Let those in Congress without sin cast the first aspersion. ;-D
If our nation had made a concerted effort to actually enforce laws on the books this mess would, at the very least, not be what it is today.
Written by : **********You cannot blame this on the democrats. We gave you the majority in the Senate six years ago, yet you failed to take control. Instead you have sat on your hands and let the dems run the show, well this is the results of your inability to act and act decisivly. You are a Dr, so I suggest you get a few of your orthopedic Dr friends and start giving a fews spinal transplants, pro bono, to the Republican caucus, also, how about sewing the mouths shut of McCain and Specter while your at it. This county is under invasion by the mexican populace, you have to SHUT THE BORDER, remove all illegals post haste, or it is our grandchildren who will have to pay the heavy price of loss of country and identity. This is serious business, and you people are selling this country out.
Written by : **********Have the courage to act without the Democrates. The people who respect the law, work within the law will back you. Only when you vacillate in the face of challenge do you lose.
The law exists, use it now. Send national guard troops. The votes you gain or lose by this
lack of strength shown will not matter.
We have Republican Govenors, use them.
The Democrates, and there are 58 Socialists among them, always seem to outwit you.
That is a gentle work for ( No courage to believe in what is right. )
Doing what is right, not what seems popular is the real right. There are humane ways to fix this, stick to Reid and get on with it, before the country is a homoginized mess between a socialist on the north and a corrupted society on the south.
We know the Ford Foundation, and others are funding the street demonstrations.
Do what is right and the right will be with you. Absolute Democracy brings absolute chaos.
Regards
**********
Written by : **********The only way we are going to beat the Democrats is to stop compromising with them. Each time we do the Republicans are seen as weak and ineffective. We won, now let’s do want we know is best. Be strong or go home in shame.
Written by : **********How can this obstruction of the right thing to do be blamed solely on the democrats? The republicans have a majority in the house and the senate. The American people and their wishes are the ones obstructed in this argument! We are tired of paying for, pandering to and ignoring these illegals! NO COMPRIMISE! GET IT DONE!
Written by : **********Democrats it seems are really condoning the entry of the illegal aliens by not supporting any reasonalble legislation to protect our borders.
What rights do the illegals have in protesting? They are not citizens therefore are nor represented by our legislators who represent legal residents. What part in the constitution gives them this privilege. The present situation concerning the entry at our borders has gone on too long. I’m discusted with both parties both past and present. It appears that our party who supposidly is in power is not in control. Based on news media reports it appeared the current legislation was going to be favorable to most congregationalioal members.
Where do we go from here? You all should have stayed in session until a satisfactory bill was adopted. This is what I elected you for.
Written by : **********Although in some States (e.g., IL, MI, WI) Democrats are being taken to task by GOP for overestimating job projections in 2005 and so far in 2006, the GOP and others represent that in the same period jobs are being added at the national average of not less than 211,000 each and every month. If all relevant statements are true and not in tension with each other, then only those States and towns where job creation is an issue form anecdotal pockets of underemployment, implying all one need do is move to another town/State to find work.
Allied to such impression is that employers are forced to hire immigrants, regardless of status, because some workers refuse to move to where the jobs are. It’s said that many immigrants also are given training from the ground up (regardless of age) as again no American is willing to come to the work; as a VOLPAC topic 04-07-06 represents, a number of those receiving training, work, or both include killers, assaulters, batterers, and burglars.
Today’s “Chicago Tribune” in its business section, right next to a column telling how Ford is cutting more IL jobs, has a headline “Job Market Shows Surprising Strength”; the crux of the story is how United Airlines intends to hire 4, 000 employees (term “re-hire” not used). This comes days after media reports that UA expects increases from Asian markets, especially China.
The UA news is relevant because two weeks ago, CNN news alerts said a Chinese State influenced Hong Kong company has been given a no-bid contract to provide nuclear security for our ports, and will be expecting many visas for its citizens to work in the U.S.; at the same time, a proposed Senate bill would have reduced Hispanic visas/kicked out criminal Hispanics and others, at a rate roughly equal to expected Asian influx of willing workers.
Now, I’m not a racist or nativist. No matter where on earth immigrants come from, the story is that they take the place of American workers unwilling to move, who are unsuitable or unsavory for training, or both. Again, even smoking seems no more offensive than say being a burglar or batterer.
What I ask for my wife and myself is: in the absence of traits which would subject some immigrants to permanent deportation, and as we’ve always been open (together or separately) to moving wherever work would be, is there something unseen by us these past six years which manifestly keeps employers et al from wanting to consider us for training, employment, or both? Again, I don’t know how bad we can be if to date anyone we contacted would rather train a killer or burglar than us. To date, no government has declared a reason(s) we should be publicly shunned, so anything, if anything, must come from the private sector.
Perhaps a goal of fair immigration reform would be to allow the diverse public of every stripe to petition government where an employer claims they are unsuitable for training, work, or both prior to hiring an illegal alien or sponsoring a legal one, and alternatively allow willing foreigners to petition a bad American is being taken over them.
Written by : **********Just the thought of felony convictions to illegals has helped Santa Fe, New Mexico clear up quite a few illegals out of here. Hooray. We need strict enforcement of deportation and NO AMNESTY. The majority of the illegals here traffic drugs and don’t have a job, but collect welfare, housing and medical benefits that true Americans are entitled to. Why would anyone want to give amnesty to criminals who take advantage of the system. If that is the case, we might as well let all the men who owe child support, including me, get our drivers licenses back plus all the other related licenses that have been suspended due to this stupid law. You want America to work, then let true Americans work by getting this stupid law off our backs. Then you will see Americas work productivity increase a hell of a lot better then letting illegals take away our jobs with questionable credentials.
Written by : **********I think this is a shame, we were finally headed in the right direction. The far left (and to a lesser degree, far right) got a hold of this one and beat it down. It was a good compromise and addressed all of the major issues.
It’s time to have another initiative, with the same language, and the backing of as much of the Senate as possible. By stirring up public interest and support for this referendum, I believe then and only then can we succeed.
**********
Written by : **********Maybe I’m missing something here, but doesn’t our President have the responsibility to protect this country’s borders? He doesn’t have to ask a bunch of worthless politicians for their permission to do his job. George Bush only has to send in the troops. This is a major security threat so why doesn’t he do it NOW? The bums in Washington can debate all they want. In the meantime Mr. Frist, tell the President to do his job.
Written by : **********WE DON’T NEED TO ADD MORE SECURITY JOBS, JUST ENFORCE THE LAWS WE HAVE ON THE BOOKS. TEN PLUS YEARS AGO THE REPUBLICAN PARTY HAD A “PAC WITH AMERICA” TO DOWNSIZE GOVERNMENT AND LOOK WHATS HAPPENED. I HAVE ALWAYS CLAIMED TO BE AN INDEPENT AND WOTED FOR THE PERSON, NOW I WANT TO VOTE NOT TO HAVE A MAJORITY CONTROLLING THE WHITE HOUSE AND THE LEGISLATOR.
Written by : **********SENATOR FRIST – PLEASE READ THIS BLOG!! I am a life long Republican. As a resident of the great state of Tennessee, I am demanding that you, as majority leader and senator from my state, take SERIOUS action on the immigration problem. Illegal aliens are just that, illegal. They should NOT be granted amnesty. If Congress does not intend to enforce US law on immigration, then we should repeal all immigration laws and throw open the doors. Having laws that nobody intends to enforce is essentially doing just that. Our country is being overwhelmed by illegal aliens and I’ve had enough. For the first time in the last 30 years of elections I am considering changing my votes from Republican to Independent or some other candidate who will enforce our laws.
I urge you in the strongest sense possible to get serious about illegal immigration. No amnesty for illegals. Control of our border through building of fences and beefing up border control. Serious fines, penalties, and possibly jail time for employers who violate the law by hiring illegals. The compromise bill that you worked out with Democrats does not do anything more than provide appeasement. This is not what I as a conservative Republican want. If you are concerned about the politics of the situation, consider that your traditional “base” has had enough and you very well could lose that unless a stand is taken.
Written by : **********“Americans KNOW there’s something wrong when 1 million non-citizens cross into our borders EVERY DAY … many of them illegally.
Americans KNOW there’s something wrong when – somewhere in the world today – a terrorist is plotting … in the name of God … to exact another devastating attack on American soil.
What the American people want to know is:
WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?
And the Democrats … they don’t have an answer.
WE DO.”
The preceeding words are your’s Dr. Frist. They come from this website; your website. You say the Republicans have an answer. The answer from you seems to be Amnesty for Illegals. It cannot be called anything but that.
It is interesting to me that all of congress ignores what is apparent to the rest of the LEGAL CITIZENS of this country. Simplistically, would any rational man only bail the water out of a sinking boat without trying to stop the leak first? In terms you might understand; would you prescribe a recovery and rehab regimen prior to actually suturing a wound and completely stopping any bleeding? I know the answer is no. I don’t have the confidence in the politicians of this country, from the president, to you, rep Hastert etc., to figure it out.
Stem the tide, plug the hole, stop the flow; these are all sayings older than any of us now alive that came about as simple ways to solve serious problems. This is not rocket science and congress’s blind eye, lack of seriousness and pure pandering to ILLEGALS for a possible future vote is disgusting and reprehensible.
Every one of you took an oath to “support and defend the constitution of the United States of America, against all enemies foreign and domestic”. All of congress talks haughtily about “the rule of law”yet ignores it when it suits them. What part of ILLEGAL are you in congress having a problem with? In your own words again:
“What the American people want to know is:
WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?”
Written by : **********Give the ILLEGALS thirty days to dispose of any properties acquired
while in theUSA THEN SEND THEM BACK HOME!!!!!
We will just have to do without their (?) help REMEMBER the costs we
are having to bear in Health,Soc.Security,etc.
America is not the land of the FREE to anyone!!!!!!!
Written by : **********Since the Republicans are the majority in the Senate and the House, how can the Democrats be allowed to block anything? It looks to me like a major lack of leadership on the part of the Republicans that nothing can get through.
Written by : **********I agree with you and Republicans the majority of the time but I must tell you NOT this time. Both Democrats and Republicans have it wrong on America’s Illegal Immigration problem. (I’m tired of hearing undocumented workers. Let’s face the truth they are here illegally. Illegal Aliens are what they are.)
Why? Because both parties are trying to pander to the Hispanic vote while jeopardizing our sovereignty and insulting every immigrant who has played by the rules and legally became either a legal resident or an American Citizen.
And to my fellow Americans, don’t give in. THIS IS OUR COUNTRY!!! We don’t need amnesty. We need immigrants who want to come here to be AMERICAN.
Written by : **********I am sorry but not suprised to hear what the far left did to your proposal.
I am 67 yrs. old and have neve seen our country as split as it has been . I blme it on the immorality of the Clinton era and on the fact that the democrats hate President Bush.
All of that said , How can I help?
**********
Written by : **********YOUR COMPROMISE IS UNACCEPTABLE!! THEY HAVE BROKEN THE LAW
AND YOU ARE SAYING THIS IS OKAY. THIS IS WHAT IS WRONG WITH OUR
COUNTRY TODAY. THE CRIMINALS GET AWAY WITH MURDER SO TO SPEAK.
THE PEOPLE WHO ARE LAW ABIDING CITIZENS ARE BEING PENALIZED BY
TAKING CARE OF THESE PEOPLE AND GETTING HURT BY REPEATING
OFFENDERS. IT IS TIME THE POLITICANS USE COMMON SENSE AND HELP
US KEEP OUR RIGHTS THAT MAKES AMERICA GREAT.
**********
Written by : **********Dr. Frist made some excellent comments in today’s statement on the Democrat’s deterimination to undermine strong Immigration Legislation. However, he did not go far enough.
It is obvious to me that the Democrats see the “Illigal Immigrant” issue as another way to build their base, just as the Democrats during FDR’s time–and beyond–manipulated the African American community.
It was my honor to know the esteemed Clarence M. Pendleton, appointed by former President Ronald Reagan as Chairman of the Civil Rights Commission in 1981. Clarence and I had a long talk about this very subject during the mid-term elections of 1986 when I was running against Bart Gordon in TN-6.
Clarence told me that his philosophy had changed in 1980–and that the African American community’s reliance of Government subsistance and entitlement programs, public housing, food stamps, and other such devices of control–were trapping them in an endless cycle of “dependence” on the Liberal Welfare State. Clarence had a much more descriptive interpretation, however. He called it “keeping them on the Plantation.”
That approach has severed the Democrat party well for nearly seventy-five years. But the tides were changing. African Americans began to lift themselves from this ‘dead end’ fate. Under Pres. Reagan, we began to see a shift to what former Speaker Newt Gingrich called the “Conservative Opportunity Society.” The black community is now coming over to our side in substantial numbers leaving the Democrats a need to find a new constituency that will be ‘beholding to them.’ They have found that opportunity among the millions of illegal immigrants.
We must expose this dreadful scheme. Obviously, Washington’s professional politicians can no longer see the realities of the ‘real world.’ The double handed partisan politics of the Liberal Left is ruining America. It is time for the American voters to voice their outrage…at the ballot box in November and IMMEDIATELY by working as a group to stand up to these self-serving hypocrites.
**********
Franklin, TN
Written by : **********This article appeared in the daily Bakersfield Caifornian on 8-15-05. The author is Ken Huckeba of Posey, CA.
It makes a lot of sense to me.
“Low Wages to Blame”
Columnist Rubin Nararrette’s and George Bush’s ethnocentric statements need to end, and end now. I’m talking about the degrading statement by President Bush that Navarrette echoed: “Illegals do the jobs Americans won’t do.”
Illegals are not doing what Americans won’t do. They’re for the low wages that illegals will do them for. These wages are artifically low precisely because of the illegal alien problem. To make American workers out to e some lazy, inept or incapable class of people is shameful. Mssrs Bush and Navarrette owe the had-working people of this country an apology.
Before the curent cheap labor glut, young people worked the fields, americans. Anyone that grew up in this community knows this to be true. Now that the pay is so low, who could blame any citizen who won’t work for the rates that illegals are willing to work for? the creep has grown from the fields to the skilled labor market building our houses. Who know where it will end.
As far as the rest of Navarrette’s argument aout the poor conditions of illegals, well, they must be better than where they came from. My suggestion is that the border appears to be plenty open enough for them to return home.
Navarrette completely ignores the problems caused by the illegal population. The billions and billions of dollars saved by doing away with these costs would more than pay for the elevated labor costs.
Les’s face it. If America didn’t have the illegal immigrants, it wouldn’t need them.
XXXX
PS This is CJ speaking. The auther and I live in one of the largest farm belts in the country. When I was younger I picked tomatoes in the field & he propbably did too. True, it is not work one would care to do for a career. However, my suggestion is that it be a requirement for ALL American high school students to pick in the fields for minimum of one semester. If they did that we’d see a lot more Americans graduating with degrees in the engineering and science fields.
Written by : **********you must find some means to force a vote to make those opposed to immigration control to get theire name on the line.Then the American public will know who they are and hopefully defeat them at the next election. We cannot afford to have the democrats upstage us on this issue.
Written by : **********Doesn’t it give pause to our Republican leaders when those in the party speak with virtually one voice AGAINST not only the original Senate mmigration bill, but also the (even worse in my opinion) compromise bill? I mean who in the party wants either bill – in fact, very few Democrats I know like the any of what is proposed.
Americans are fair people, but what is being asked fo them is too much – my son couldn’t find a job this summer because illegal immigrants had taken the “jobs Americans don’t want.” And just becuase a bunch of illegal aleins get together and protest doesn’t mean AMERican CITIZENS want the Senate bill – either of them.
No other issue illustrates the frustration of every day Republicans have with government as illegal immigration – a problem created by goverment in order to benefit certain special interests. Polls show that an overwhelming majority of Ameicans are agains the very actions the Senate almost took. Senator Frist, Republicans in Congress ignore the voices against these proposals at their political peril, as you will see members of your party stay home in November, including me, my wife and most members of our Republican club.
I repeat – who among the party other than lected leader support anything the Senate proposes? No one wants these bills – please vote againstthem!!!
**********
Written by : **********Dear Senator,
As usual the Liberal establishment has attempted to torpedo our American way of life. I support the Republican Party in general & this new Immigration Control bill in particular. The only amendments I have a problem with are the proposals for “Guest Workers”. We need to learn from Europe’s misfortunes with guest workers. They were brought in to do work the Europeans felt was beneath their dignity & now they are out-breeding the Europeans & attemptong to accomplish what the Moslems have tried to do by warfare in the past:–make Europe an Islamic continent. May it never be!! But we need to be on our guard here that unrestrained immigration without assimilation does not bring down America ass we know it.
Thank you for your kind attention,
**********
Written by : **********If we want to do something about the Mexicans, I say we need to love them as the Bible teaches. Allow them to come over. I believe it is a complimant to us that they would even want to.
**********
Written by : **********Dear Senator Frist:
The Immigration Bill was unattractive, unenforrcable and an Administrative nightmare. Enforce the Law, and provide the Resources to STOP the Illegal Immegration. DEPORT any Illegal who is arrested, uses false ID, Scams Emergency Rooms and Hospitals, Violates Vehicle Code, and otherwise does Not follow the Rules.
Deport all convicted Fellons — Los Angeles County Jails and California Prisons are loaded with Illegals.
Thanks
**********
Written by : **********We definitely need to secure our borders, even to the extent of using the National Guards to patrol our borders if necessary. Where I part company with all the Senate sponsored bills is giving a path to citizenship to ANY illegal already in the U.S., 1 day or 25 yrs. makes no difference, they broke our laws, are here illegally, and should be given no special treatment.
ALL illegals in the U.S. should be told to voluntairly leave the U.S. and apply for legal entry within a specified time, either through “guest worker” status, where they would have to first be offered jobs by someone in the U.S. and matched with these jobs, regularly report their status as well as requiring those who hire guest workers to report changes in status, and if jobs end, should either be paired with new employers or return to their country, or they could apply for permenant residency with the intention of future citizenship. ANY illegal who refuses to leave this country and apply legally would be deported immediately if found in the U.S. without ANY CHANCE OF GETTING LEGAL STATUS IN THE FUTURE, EVER. Employers who would than have workers not cleared through the “guest worker” program or with Legal Status would lose their operators licenses, be fined, and given prison sentenses with NO EXCEPTION.
That path would lessen costs to our country of deporting these illegals, as they would probably want to do it right on their own, and would be forced out by lack of employment. NO ONE WITH CRIMINAL BACKGROUNDS SHOULD BE ALLOWED INTO THIS COUNTRY, REGARDLESS OF HOW THEY COME IN, AND WHEN FOUND SHOULD BE IMMEDIATELY DEPORTED.
**********.
Written by : **********Dear Senator Frist,
It is just as I thought it would be. Those who should be doing everything within their power to provide security within our borders are the very ones who are preventing security from happening. It certainly does not help the already inflamed situation any when 10% of those in Washington whom we have entrusted to guide and protect us, let us down.
I am not anti-immigration. I think it is fine for others to come to this country when their motives are right and they want to learn our language, fit into our society and hold down a job. Most of the Latin population that are coming into this nation are hardworking honest people. Yet, many of them have not tried to learn our language or conform to “American” ways. This makes it difficult on business owners and the public in general.
I live very close to an area of Nashville that is principally Hispanic with the rest of the segment of that area being Kurds, Chinese, and White Americans. You can drive down the main street in that area any day of the week and observe the new businesses that have popped up recently that are oriented toward the Hispanic segments of the population. Soon, they will completely take over that area and we will know it as “little Mexico”.
Why should I care? Because, I own property in that area and the value of my property is decreasing. The reason…no one wants to buy a house and live in a neighborhood where the native language is not spoken.
So, I say, keep at it. Bring those Senators and Representatives who are stalling the passage of this bill into focus and make them see what they are doing to this country. Otherwise, we are well on our way to becoming part of Mexico.
Written by : **********I will email and call the Representives in California and tell them, if the want to keep their jobs, they must first SECURE THE BORDERS and then take the insentives away, enforce the law already on the books in reference to it being illegal to hire the illegals.
SECURE THE BORDER FIRST THEN WE TALK ABOUT THE REST, WE DON’T HAVE TO DEPORT ANYONE IF THE JOBS GO BACK TO AMERICANS LIVING IN THE UNITED STATES.
Written by : **********Bill, Your immigration post action report was a load of crap, something we are getting very tired of from the leadership on both sides. Both the Dems and the Repub elites have had their oars in the water creating this immigration problem.
The people don’t trust you. The bill got hung up because we don’t want your guest worker/amnesty program. Everything that you have thrown up on the wall in the past has failed. We figured the border enforcement part was a sham. It was.
Those that put this debacle upon us should be made to pay the price to fix it. What you guys want to do is get away scott free with undermining the foundations of the country because there was a few bucks or a few votes in it for you. The veterans are just sick of the whole (90%) bunch of you. You will be hearing more from us.
**********…Heritage TV
Written by : **********This is why the Democrats are representd by an ass.
Written by : **********Every variety of “temporary worker program” looks to me like a species of indentured servitude – enjoy the benefits of the USA only while you please the one employer, who can have you thrown out of the country on a whim. Result: a class of politically powerless, economically exploited resentful serfs, who can see success but never quite reach it. Disaster in the making, and meanwhile horribly corrosive of America’s individualist values. A smaller program offering full citizenship would be far better.
Written by : **********Hats off to Bill Frist. That is why my family left Arizona and moved to Arkansas. If American companies are moving to Mexico, then WHY are the Mexicans coming to America. My husband lost 3 jobs in 1 1/2 years with a substantial pay cut in each (25.00-16.00-12.00). These companies went to Mexico. Arizona caters to the illegals with free health care, welfare and etc. We as Americans, who pay taxes, by the way, the illegals do not pay taxes make more money under the table then we do when we work. Even here in AR. the illegals are gaining control. My work place just released 25 or more for paperwork. Let us take back AMERICA. The HELL with the POLITICAL correctness. GOD BLESS AMERICA Thank you
Written by : **********IF IT’S TOO MUCH BOTHER TO ENFORCE THE IMMIGRATION LAWS THAT ARE ALREADY ON THE BOOKS — WHAT’S TO STOP PEOPLE FROM IGNORING [e.g., violating] OTHER LAWS OF THEIR CHOICE?
IT IS LONG PAST TIME THAT THE REPUBLICANS GET A SPINE.
WHY DOESN’T 55 CONSTITUTE A WORKABLE MAJORITY? WHY IS IT THAT 45 VOTES CAN RUN THE SENATE WITH IMPUNITY?
MEMBERS OF CONGRESS SHOULD GET OUT INTO THE REAL WORLD. THEY MIGHT AS WELL BE LIVING IN FRANCE.
Written by : **********Any plan that does not secure that borders and put enforcement firswt is doomed to failure as the 1986 plan was. Without the amendments you refer to, the compromise plan was worse than nothing.
So there won’t be a bill? Why does that stop enforcement and securing the border?
If the administration doesn’t do something, I fear for the results of the next election. We need the GOP (Congress and the Administration) to as like they are in power.
**********
Written by : **********HEED THE WARNINGS. Conservatives are NOT HAPPY with YOU and your party!!!!! I WILL NOT VOTE REPUBLICAN EVER AGAIN IN MY LIFE TIME, IF I DO NOT SEE THE REPUBLICANS DEMAND BORDER ENFORCEMENT. STOP THE INVASION, NOW ———- TO HELL WITH GUEST (AMNESTY) WORKER PROGRAMS. ALL OF YOU “CAREER POLITICIANS” HAVE GONE TOTALLY AGAINST OUR FOUNDING FATHERS IDEAS FOR THIS ONCE GREAT NATION. OPPS, I SUPPOSE MY COMMENTS ARE NOT P.C. ENOUGH. I’M SICK TOO MY STOMACH.
Written by : **********I agree that the Dems are obstructionist for several years); but what happened to the Republican majority.Will they never stick together on ANYTHING?
Written by : **********Senator Frist,
It doesn’t really matter what you and the rest of the Senate want. The MAJORITY of the population want the illegal aliens out of the country and out of our pocket books period. This must be something that you people do not understand. Don’t blame others for their short comings because none of you will do what is right. These people are criminals
according to our Conctitution and they need to be punished.
Written by : **********I am very concerned about the results of this action by the Democratic senators. The first concern I have is the billions of dollars that will be given to the illegals. For instance, free health care, housing and food allowances. My second concern is the jobs that are lost to law abiding legal citizens of our country. Thirdly and most import is the allowance of the criminal element of a country to come into our country with just about full immunity. It is frustrating to see a senate controlled by Republicans get pushed around by the Democratic liberal group.
Written by : **********BILL, FOR HEAVENS SAKE AND AMERICAS, GET REAL ON THIS IMMIGRATION THING….THAT BILL WAS NEVER GONNA WORK! THESE ILLEGAL PEOPLE (AND PLEASE DONT PUNISH ME AND THINK I SWALLOW THE UNDOCUMENTED WORKER THING) ARE NEVER GONNA CME FOWARD AND SAY HEY I HAVE BEEN HERE 9 MONTHS SO I GUESS I GOTTA GO!! THEY ARE NOT HONEST PEOPLE, THEY ARE FREELOADERS AND YOU WILL HAVE TO FIND THEM REGARDLESS OF WHEN, WHAT A MESS.AND IM VERY SICK OF HEARING THAT THIS GREAT NATION CANNOT FUNCTION WITHOUT THESE ILLEGAL,UNEDUCATED,IMMIGRANTS, THAT DOESNT SAY ALOT FOR US, I KNOW WE WILL BE FINE, I WONT HIRE ANYONE WHO HAS MEXICAN WORKERS, IM SORRY BUT I KNOW TOO MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE LOST THEIR JOBS TO THEM! YOU GUYS NEED TO DO YOUR HOMEWORK! YOU NEED TO FIND OOUT WHAT IS REALLY HAPPENING OUT THERE BEFORE YOU PASS ANYTHING, IT IS HORRIFIC….GERGE BUSH, WHOM I SUPPORTED AT ONE TIME HAS LOST ALL MY RESPECT, WONDERS WHY HE IS LOSING GROUND, REMEMBER ALL THOSE RED STATES HE WON AND EVERYONE WAS SHOCKED THAT KERRY REALLY JUST WON THE COAST STATES? WELL THOSE ARE ALL THE PEOPLE THAT ARE TURNING ON HIM NOW FOR DECISIONS LIKE THIS! HE WANTS IRAQ TO SEAL THE BORDERS!! WHAT ABOUT HIS OWN?! WHERE IS MY LEADER? THESE PEOPLE NEED TO GO HOME AND M,AKE THEM OBEY OUR LAWS! WE ALREADY HAVE LAWS BILL! THEY ARE THERE AND THEY ARE GOOD, BUILD A WALL,BUILD IT STRONG, GET SOME BACKBONE! STAND UP TO TEDDY!! WE ALL KNOW WHAT HE IS!
Written by : **********Instead of reform. How about enforcement. You guys have no problems spending money.
Spend it on enforcement of the curent laws.
All of the other nationalities have to follow the rules; why do we allow our southern borders to be a sieve.
I didn’t see any positive comments about the current round of “bill talks” everybody wnat you guys to put up or shut up.
Written by : **********Dr Frist,
Thank you for trying to do something about the immigration problem.
My advise is to put these amendments on TV & Radio for the public to see and hear. Let the un-informed know what the Senate Democrats don’t want them to know. Share the amendments with the public. Encourage them to contact their Senators about what they want for the Immigration Bill.
I knew when the late president Reagan gave amnesty years ago to illegial immigrants that we would have trouble. I have personnally been affected by illegial immigrants thru the years and the problem has become a nightmare. For some reason, maybe because our Washington politicians are not personnally affected, they have not taken care of us, the legal citizens of America! Giving any type of amnesty is an invitation for more illegials to come in to our homes, our country. My vote is to secure the borders, any way we can. Stop the flow of immigrants yesterday! Then get rid of the illegials. They have sent billions of American dollars back home to Mexico, they now have a nice retirement fund there. We on the other hand are broke from supporting them. Most of them could care less about becoming citizens here. Remember the marches we saw on TV. Remember the Mexican flags. Remember how they said they were interested in taking over our country. It really belongs to them. Do they sound like they love and would die for our nation? NO! They are only interested in the good American life, which they are destroying for us. Have you read the Mexican constitution? If you did you would know they would never and don’t, put up with what we have done for these illegials. We have been fools! Stupid and used! They have taken our jobs (don’t tell me we don’t want or won’t do those jobs either!) driven our wages down, closed our hospitals, we have paid for their children to be educated, etc. Don’t tell me it would be cruel to send them back home. Let them change and improve their country instead of destroying ours. NO AMNEST. For the few that really want to become citizens let them apply like everybody else in the world! Also don’t tell me our economy would collape (I could actually get a decent job that would pay well! and, I have a university degree.) If an illegial comes to the US to have their child born in the US to become a citizen, send them home and when that child is educated and grown he or she could then come here to live. Problem solved. They cost us more in money and heart ach then they are worth to our economy. Protect our borders!
If you Democrates are reading this, I am disgusted with your putting your party politics before the safety and well being of the citizens of this great nation. You are distroying our country! Let the amendments be voted on. Maybe we the people should ask to vote on these issues. Then we would get what we want. Why in the world would you allow felons from Mexico to become a citizen here? You show us by your actions that you do not care about us or the good of our country. And, that goes for you RINOS (Republican In Name Only) too! You Republican should be standing together on this issue.
Written by : **********What are you to expect. The GOP believes everything the Dems tell them is the true and they will support the GOP. You have always asked the military to fight for our country don’t you think it is about time the GOP started doing the same. If you want me to support you and the party with my money and time. You can start earning it. Thanks for letting me share.
Written by : **********I understand the Democrats stupif obstruction but I do not understand why the minority can hold up any amendments. I guess the senate made some stupid rule that allows it . What is the advantage of being in the majority?
Written by : **********Bill
First- I support Rick Santorum – I believe you need to “start” actively supporting him. Pennsylvania is better with him in the Senate.
Second- I support border security. Why, if we have a majority in congress, are we playing footsie with the “drive by” media and letting the other parties determine our directiion.
If we need a fence, so be it. It is a sad commentary however and a remberinence of a few other “walls”. I refer to the Berlin wall, the wall in Israel, yes, and even the Wall of China. I’ll let you draw the alalogies but walls separate people – not join them.
Most, if not all, countries in the world require “worker permits” to work in their country. Except possibly the “elete media” and politicians. Why is US different?
I am firmy of the belief that the inner ‘Beltway’ population has no idea of what is going on in the ‘real’ world.
Of course we have a ‘North American Trade agreement’ is that our problem?
A Canadian cannot work in the US without a “work permit” and God knows that a Carribbean resident has no hope of US entry without any kind of permit let alone a work permit, Why are the, I believe, industrius folks from Mexico and the Carribbean not included in the rules.
I believe there are some INS ineptitudes or other issues.
I and my associates support the following:
Require proper registration and issuance, after security check, of work permits. Much like the rest of the world requires.
Enforce ‘in place’laws to penalize employers who do not play by the rules set by the congress. Make it painful enough to discourage the practice.
Publicise the congruence with the rest of the world in requiring work visas that the media has popuarized as ” guest workers”. I believe the media, I call them “drive by’ because they take no ownership, has done the US a major disservice in publicizing the attractiveness of US ‘illegal immigration’ vs the proper procedure.
Of course, I believe by personal involvement, the INS plays a prominent part in encourageing bypassing the rules and sneaking in.
You, in Congress need to look at the laws in place and either delete or modify them to make the system work. We need the labor input that Mexico and the Carribbean can provide, The folks in Mexico and the Carribbean can use the employment that the US expanding economy can provide. It is a win’win position if the movers and shakers in our Congress can see it wsithout personal gain considerations.
Written by : **********The bill was amnesty. Secure the border. Then think of what to do with the 11 million illegals. I have voted Republican in every election since Reagan. You dissapoint me on this issue and you have lost my vote. I will not vote Democrat but I will not vote. Do the right thing, Do what the majority wants and you will succeed. Pander to the Illegals and you will lose. Don’t be so convinced you can do what you want and the Republicans will still vote for your party. We are not like Democrats we DO NOT LIKE BETRAYAL
**********
Cape Coral Fl.
Written by : **********Yes, we must secure our borders and grant amnesty for those who qualify. In fact, we should do both. Amnesty Internationa and Border Security. I am in favor of this. God Bless American, Land of the Free and Home of the Brave! Our Founding Fathers were Christians. This country was founded on men/women who believe what God teaches uf in His Word (Bible).
One way they can prove how long they have been here is: If they have worked and they can prove it. There are probably other ways. Maybe from people from here who know them or have had a relationship with since arriving here. I don’t know. Lets brainstorm on this and figure some more reasonable ideas.
Written by : **********Senator Frist: What you say in you message and what you actualy did are quite different. Your bill did, indeed, have enforcement capability, BUT it also called for allowing at a minimum 20 million additional immigrant workers into the country BEFORE enforcement was assured.
Face it, you did NOT act as a strict conservative. You bent. NOw it’s time to stiffen your spine and go bact to enforcement FIRST, then follow later with improvements in the green card program.
Our primary goal should be the security of our country. ALL else pales in comparison. We don’t need to encourage additional illegal immigration by sending signals that amnesty is about to be approved. Keep in mind that Congress just approved a new debt limit–9 TRILLION dollars. That’s $30,000 per man,woman, and child. We taxpayer cannot afford this additional burden plus benefits for illegals.
This is showdown time. Act like winners and get the job done. You all owe it to your constituent base.
One Really Disappointed, Over Taxed Citizen,
**********
Written by : **********WE ALREADY HAVE LAWS ON THE BOOKS THAT WOULD CURTAIL ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION. HOWEVER, NEITHER THE REPUBLICANS NOR DEMOCRATS WILL ENFORCE THESE LAWS.
THE FIRST THING TO DO IS TO SHUT DOWN THE BORDERS FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS TOTALLY. THAT WOULD ENABLE THE UNITED STATES TO COME UP WITH A CONSITUTIONAL SOLUTION.
IF THE BORDERS ARE NOT CONTROLLED SOON THEN REPUBLICANS ARE GOING TO PAY AT THE 2006 ELECTIONS.
I HAVE BEEN A VOTING REPUBLICAN SINCE RONALD REAGAN BUT I AND OTHERS ARE GETTING TIRED OF “ALL TALK AND NO ACTION.”
Written by : **********With due respect, you and the members of Congress must be highly intelligent people, because no common man would make those comments or take the action that was taken on the immigration issue.
This is a disgrace that our chosen leadership would take this action or in many cases no action.
My father is a member of the great generation. Today, we witness this countries worst generation of leadership.
Written by : **********We don’t need any more laws! The laws on the books haven’t been enforced. FIRST – border security. SECOND – enforce the laws that have been already passed, 1965, Kennedy bill, 1986 Reagan amnesty.
THIRD – NO path to citizenship for illegal ALIENS. It’s an invitation to fraud. FOURTH – no consideration for temporary worker program. the bracero program failed because the laws were not enforced.
**********
Written by : **********I’m glad that all these bills went down in defeat because they were all disasters that only encouraged open borders. Now Congress has an opportunity to enforce laws already in existence. Had Congress obeyed the laws they passed, we wouldn’t be faced with the nightmare of open borders and tens of millions of third worlders invading our shores demanding welfare, medical care and education.
Enforcement First. The American people will never support a guest worker program until Congress proves to us that it can defend and seal the border.
Under GOP rule, the border have become more porous than ever. Although I voted for President Bush (a decision I deeply regret), I now realize that the GOP has refused to enforce the laws affecting employers who hire illegals. Therefore, the GOP itself has been duplicitious in this nightmare.
Written by : **********Senator,
I was watching the Dems with their usualobstruction tactics.
How else can they keep their voters without keeping all the illegals?
Keep the ball rolling and let’s try to get back on the “Old Road”.
Imigrant makes application, earns way into country, earns living and pays taxes while learning the US way of life. Learning English, History, and the American system, applying for citizenship. ONLY THEN HAVE THEY THE RIGHT TO VOTE AND DEMONSTRATE. Thanks for all your good work, **********
Written by : **********Dear Mr. Frist;
Although I am sort of disgusted by the meandering of both the Democrats and Republicans on this issue of illegal immigration, I would like to thank you for fighting for no amnesty. I believe someone in a blog earlier stated that you were for it. He must have a crystal ball hidden somewhere that I don’t know about. I do believe in the American dream… for Americans. If these people can come here legally, learn the language, and pay taxes like the rest of us, then I will support legal immigration. I do not believe, however, that these illegal immigrants contribute to the economy at all. For all the money they supposedly put into the economy, folks like myself and other hard working Americans have to spend more and more tax dollars for their medical care and other benefits that most Americans don’t get themselves. This is something that I can’t agree with. Carry your weight, become and American and not Latino- American, African-American, Asian-American, or any other American you want to be called. We are all Americans. Next, speak English, it is the national language. I don’t see Mexico requiring Mexican schools to teach any classes in English. Finally, pay taxes and carry your load. And as for the blocking of the proposal to keep criminals such as murderers and rapists from coming in, send them all to Harry Reids house if he is so adamant about having them here.
Written by : **********this is nothing but amnesty.its time to treat illegals for what thet are!go through the legal route into this country,also children born from illegals do not get citizenship.
Written by : **********Senator,please don”t tell us the Democrats did it to you again. Sir, you have rolled over and we all know it. We all watch CSPAN and if you didn”t tell us you are the majority leader, NO ONE WOULD KNOW. It appears John McCain and Ted Kennedy are runing the Senate and you are tagging along behind. Senator , you are a great dissapointment to many of us in Tennessee . STAND UP and represent the people who sent you to Washington. ENFORCE THE BORDERS and penalize employers who break the Law. It is that simple,
Written by : **********Dear Senator Frist,
I certainly appreciate any effort to resolve the illegal aliens problem but I would like to see the borders secured first with the military before we start any worker programs or any of the amnesty deals I have heard from lots of politicians.
I feel very strongly that the law should be obeyed by everyone. I am an immigrant who arrived here in 1961 from Scotland. I had to go through the legal process and so should every one else. I have voted in every election since I became an American citizen and I might add, I have always voted Republican
I love the USA with a passion and I want to see the values that I have cherished here in the U S be maintained forever.
We Americans are losing our identity and our traditions and it gives me great concern. Please continue your work to saves these traditions. I feel that by the time my grandchildren are my age, America will be a very different place if we don’t “save” it.
Thank you for your work and God bless you.
**********
Blountville, TN
Written by : **********I read over and over how the demos’ stop the rebublicans at the pass.
Evidently there is a civil war going on right now in this country.
What about a third party……….two against two sounds like a Mexican standoff
Written by : **********What part of illegal do you senators not understand? This is not about immigration it’s about lawbreakers and our national security. Just enforce our existing laws forget about compromise or additional laws STOP PANDERING TO THE DEMOCRATS (LIBERALS) AND JOHN MC CAIN. What a group of spineless WHIMPS and VOTE WHORES. We’ve got a better plan why don’t you in the senate adopt Mexicos immigration laws to apply in the U.S. the problem will be solved. You and MC CAINS group are going to cause the Republicans to loose seats in the midterm elections. REMEMBER THE COLOR OF THE 2004 ELECTION MAP, America has not changed and this comproimise is against the will of the people. The hispanic vote equals 6% to 14% of the total what are you COWARDS PANDERING TO? Americas voters will not forget what you do, NO AMNESTY COMPROMISES FOLLOW OUR EXISTING LAW
Written by : **********To Hell with the democrats and the rest of all you vote kissing Repiblicans. Send them home, I dont care what country they are from. I have had enough. Today I fired my lawn keeoer because he could provide a green card and my cleaning lady also after she told me that she will not register, and further told me did not have to pay taxes this way. If she went back to poland she would never be able to come back. WE HAVE LAWS ALREADY, WHy pass something that can not be enforced. When is American politicians going to stop letting the world run America. I’ll do my own lawn myself or find a kid to do it and my wife is getting to fat so she can clean the house instead of going to lunch every day with the girls. I will vote for a democrat that is willing to secure the borders before I will vote for a republican that will cater to a immigrant (legal or not). I love George but on this one he is wrong and so are the rest of you politician that want to give the illegals a break. Enough is enough. Do what is right for once
Written by : **********The US Senate is making a gigantic effort give citizenship to people who are law breakers. This permissiveness cheapens the concept of citizenship in this country. Without adherence to the concept of law, there is no law. If you want I could go on and on about how this countries law makers are selling out to money and power (But i doubt that I need to with you). This is selling out the people and constitution the law makers swore to protect.
Written by : **********Dear Senator Frist:
In regard to Democrats not allowing it to come to a vote, ended up being a blessing in disguise, in my opinion. There were many things hidden in that bill that came out on the Lou Dobbs show (for one) that is an atrocity against this country and the Constituion. Here is what I wrote to Lou Dobbs:
Dear Mr Dobbs
Really enjoy your show. I watch because truly,you are an American. A rarity in the media field. I agree with just about everything you say about Congress and the President shafting middle working class America.
My take on why this is happening can be traced to three core items that has poisoned our Constitution.
1) America no longer has a free government because only candidates who have the backing of the power elite can run for major political offices. This leaves the gate open for the lobbying industry and other forces to undermine the democratic process and fester corruption.
2)America no longer has a free enterprise economy. It has a capitalist system that uses government regulations to create and maintain virtual monopolies for mulitnational corporations.
3) America is no longer ‘one nation under God”. Thanks in part to the ACLU in its attempt to take God out of America, our government is attempting to be a law unto themselves. The rule of law is the cornerstone of this country. And if you look at history, you will see that Rome and other great civilizations, that descended into a state of lawlessness went down. And it all started when God was taken out of the equation.
This legalizing of illegals and Amnesty is not only immoraal, it is, in short, attempting to build a slave labor force. This is another reason Congress and the Prez is ignoring middle America.
It is obvious that what millions of Americans want has been brushed aside, as if we don’t exist.
Americans have the blood of our forefather running through our veins, and we are outraged. Already millions of Americans are protesting loud and clear. We are well aware that if open borders continue to exist with impunity, America as a country will cease to exist.
Thanks for letting me vent.
Written by : **********How else would you expect the hard core liberals to get elected into power without the elegal states clinton freed to vote, and any that get armisty with them getting most of the credit.
Written by : **********It is time to seal our borders, fine businesses who hire illegal imimmigrants from all countries and deport those who shouldn’t be here. We have a process that insures people come into this country to become productive citizens.We need to use that process 100% of the time. We can’t afford to support tens of millions of people who sneak across our borders who come here and work for a few weeks then go on welfare.
There are lots of jobs we don’t want to do like working in the feilds,however many many good paying jobs we do want are lost when illegals take high paying construction jobs at a much lower wage. Unions are to blame for a lot of that with their outrageous demands for hugh wage and benefit increases and work rules that reduce output so more union members can be hired to pay more dues. Then unions members wonder why business move to other countries and they are out of a job. We all deserve decent pay for our work, not just those who have union agents working for them and getting rich off their members work.
Written by : **********Congress should be ashamed. Stop fiddling while Rome burns!
No one with a brain is against immigrants. And no one with a brain should welcome anyon from any country who is here illegal.
Illegals do not have rights in any country.
Written by : **********Senator Frist: It was probably 15 years ago that I was a member of the air guard here in Iowa and I asked Senator Grassley at that time “why” the guard was not utilized on our southern border, to bad we didn”t then , we wouldn’t be in this situation today.
Written by : **********Voters of Colorado will never be fooled that a vote for Hagel/Martinez was NOT a vote for amnesty. I am also extremely disappointed with your condescending performance on TV actually claiming that this bill was not an amnesty! Shame on you, Senator Frist!
**********
Littleton, CO
Written by : **********I have no problem with law abiding illegals who work and pay taxes, learn English and truly want to be American citizens and do not want to be given special favors such as Medicaid, instate Tuition fo colleges, food stamps, etc. I do have a problem allowing ereryone who has been in the United States for 5 years or more the right to pay a fine and get in line, no matter what. They should not be allowed to receive anything a United States citizen or immigrant who came here legally and followed the rules does not receive.
I am sick of the Democrats being obstructionists in everything that they do not introduce themselves. I will fight with all my might to keep them from attaining a majority in the November election and winning the White house in 2008. I hate to think what they will “give away” to anyone who they feel may vote for them.
We must start somewhere, why not with these proposals you have introduced. This is a nightmare that has been years in the making and will not be able to be solve it overnight. We must begin somewhere to stop this influx of illegals to our country and we must make our borders safe or at best, safer.
Why do we want criminals, terrorists and anyone who wants a better life to break our laws and come into this country just becasue their countries do not want to take care of their own citizens. I am not against immigrants coming to our country, I welcome those who want to be “Americans,” I do not welcome those who want to come here and make a mockery of our laws and who do not want to learn our language and play by the rules. If they love their country so much and believe Americans are so bad, then they can just stay in their beloved countries.
My grandparents came to this country from Hungary in the early 1900’s. They brought 2 children with them and had 8 more while here. They were never on any kind of government assistance, in fact there was no such thing back then. They worked hard, my grandfather became a citizen but my grandmother never did, although she wanted to, she just did not have the confidence that she could pass the test. They never learned to speak English, but in those days it was not necessary, they could survive with the help of the Hungarian community where they lived and their children who were Americans and who interpreted for them. My grandfather and the seven boys in the family worked from the time they were 8 years old doing some kind of job or another to help out. My grandfather worked until he was 70 years old and never complained. They loved this country and all it did for them. They never ran down a country that gave them freedom and the right to do what they wanted to do. My grandmother died in 1953 and my grandfather died in the ’70’s and they taught us to count all the blessings that living in the United States afforded us.
I do not like those from other countries complaining all the time, wanting us to change to their culture instead of the other way around. My grandparents would never have thought of flying the Hungarian flag in this country, they were Americans of Hungarian ancestery, not Hungarian Americans. They kept their culture when with those of their ancestry but they did not expect Americans to embrace their culture and speak their language. That never entered their minds, they were Americans first and Hungarians second. They never lost their love for their country but they also never ran this country down.
**********
Murfreesboro, Tn.
Written by : **********Dear Senator Frist,
I’m a registered Republican and I live in Los Angeles. Once, a long time ago, I was a bigot and did not appreciate the company of our friends from down south coming to live with us in the big gleaming city. But then I got to know them really well and finally came to realize that these southern folks, for the most part, were more personable, more friendly and more honest than us northern folks. I prefer their company to many of my own white, natural USA acquaintances! To welcome these people with open arms would be my vote. Thanks for letting me comment.
Respectfully,
**********
Written by : **********The democrats in favor of this legislation are far more than obstructionist, they are devious to Nth degree. To get an indepth, inside view of just how treacherous they are read the article written by Kris W. Kobach in todays New York Post. Warning: if you have high blood pressure take your medication first; no joke!
Written by : **********
The Republican Party has been in power for over 5 years now. Now, and only just now, do they want to address this problem. This problem is this Administration’s failure to police our borders and ports and enforce immigration laws. It is a greed problem by those that actually hire illegal aliens. We need to remove this Administration so that problems such as these can be resolved. We need to rid ourselves of this CULTURE OF CORRUPTION.
Written by : **********I does not take a lot to UNDERSTAND that in order to protect my home I must first erect a fence around it. SECURITY. Then, I will negociate anything from a SAFE and SECURE location. Take it or leave it. We secure our borders, and then take care of those already here. This has always been the AMERICAN WAY.
Written by : **********The sad thing is that Republicans went along with them. Why can’t we get things passed? We have the House, Senate & White House, yet the Dems can somehow block things. I am so disappointed in the Republicans, you all seem like a bunch of WHIMPS when it comes to fighting the Democrats.
We may never have another chance like this, please make it GOOD.
Written by : **********Just enforce existing laws. Otherwise a time will come when we either so alter the country that it will be unrecognizeable or we will have to institute draconian measures to set things right.
Written by : **********As a son of immigrant parents who came through the front door.I
can’t belive what I am watching.This just didn’t happen over night.Both
Parties are just as bad on this issue.Why is this? could it be no guts.
Why are both parties acting like they are? If you come into this country
Illegal,you do not belong here pure and simple.Why is this so hard to
understand? You do Not Belong here.You must be returned back where you came from.We have a Big Problem here if we can’t Control
who comes into this Country and Worse,we have people in our Congress who do not understand this.How can this be?I am Fed up
with both Parties on this matter are playing politics.They will not win.
They must think the people of this country are stupid.If they can’t
figure out how the people of this country feel about this,they are in
for a big surprise in Nov. and that includes both parties.
Written by : **********THIS IS A SAD DAY FOR AMERICIA. i AM VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT THE SENATE GET RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. ILLEGAL MEANS ILLEGAL AND NOTHING ELSE. I AM VERY UPSET WITH JOHN MCCANN ABOUT THIS ALSO. HIS PLAN WAS NOTHING BUT AMNESTY
Written by : **********Senator Frist, Demand that the major Television News Put you on and tell the people what the socialist are doing. WITH A LITTLE PASSION!
Written by : **********
The people have spoken we gave the Republican party a majority in congress to do what was right. We are still waiting. This imigration issues is a case in point. The Republicans have to start being as dogmatic and tuff as the Democrats.
When if not now?
**********
Written by : **********I live in Southern California. We are being over run here. The government needs to close the boarders and kick out illegals. What good are a bunch of new laws when the existing ones are not enforced. Cities in this area say they are going to make their cities a sanctuary, Cardnial Mahoney in LA wants the church to ignore any immigration laws. Parts of Los Angeles look like Tijuana.
The House bill looks better than anything I have seen from the Senate and I am glad this last bill in the Senate did not pass
Written by : **********We absolutely must close the border. That comes first and and then we must deal with the ILLEGALS (not undocumented) that are here. We also need to amend the Constitution to remove the blessing of citizenship just because you managed to crawl through the border and give birth in the first place you can find. This would stop so many of those making the greatest effort to get here to deliver. Ask any OB center the percentage of Mexicans they care for. Those with the embassies who have children are not granted citizenship–they remain citizens of the area they represent.
How are the illegals going to show they have been here five years? They will claim they were fearful of getting a regular salary since they did not want anything traced or taxed. Then they will whine we are unfair again because they REALLY were here 5 years. How do you find those here only two years and how do you ship them back.?
When these illegals march with the Mexican flag, I am infuriated. If Mexico is so fine, return there. If they wish to strike on April 10th or May 1st, let us take it the full way–do not go to our emergency rooms, nor our schools, nor take welfare or free drugs or tuition. If they wish to boycott us, do the whole banana.
Written by : **********What i hope is if you let these criminals become citizens they turn around and unionize and it ends up costing these sell out ag companies more money. Piss on all you jack asses. You don’t represent us anymore. You only care about getting re-elected. You think if you let these people become citizens they’ll vote for you. Your wrong they’ll vote for the Dims because they’ll promise to give something for nothing. They’ll give them welfare, food stamps,free housing, free medical. Of course it’s not free to working families. I’m sick of the give aways.
Written by : **********I do not understand Senator Frist why this issue of immigration reforms are being discussed during election time. If members of Congress, including the President, are really serious to reform our immigration the first thing to do is secured our borders with Mexico and Canada, whatever it takes to stop the flow of illegal immigrants. Then enforce the existing laws on penalizing US employers who employ illegal immigrants. Once these prventive measures are in place and working, then it is time to discuss the guest worker program.
It appears that members of Congress and President Bush are short-sighted. Securing our borders and enforcing the laws that penalize US employers are the first steps to control the flow of illegal immigrants to the US. Yet, Congress puts everything in one basket, and the worst of it the reforms are one-sided because it is concentrated on penalizing illegal immigrants instead of the employers. Besides, President Bush and members of Congress do not care how much it will cost the American taxpayers if 11 to 12 million illegal immigrants are legalized. Maybe several billions of dollars on healthcare cost, educational cost, and other financial assistances that are needed to take care of the illegal immigrants. We are spending 2 million dollars a day in Iraq, and this is the very reason why we are in deep debt.
A large number of these illegal immigrants are illiterate, non-English speaking and can hardly make both ends meet to live by. Most of them have large families. In fact, most of these illegal immigrants don’t like to be assimilated to our life, and therefore they won’t care to be US citizens, as long as their stay here is legal. The only illegal immigrants who have the desire to be assimilated are those who are educated, have skills, and ambitious.
And how can Congress determines the number of years an illegal immigrant is in the US soil. I believe this proposal to determine who will stay because they have been in the US for 5 years or more will trigger fraud. The US employers, government institutions of immigration like the crooked INS, city, county and federal social services, and Hispanic and other organizations will be bought by those illegal immigrants with financial resources, particularly human smugglers, drug dealers and maybe terrorist organizations that are behind on some of these illegal immigrants.
The best thing to do are secure the borders with Mexico and Canada whatever it takes, and make it a felony for US employers to hire illegal immigrants. After these prevented steps are in place and working, then Congress can discuss the mechanics of the temporary guest workers.
Written by : **********This Tennessean signed on to your VOLPAC mail list to learn more about your political thinking, as I oppose most everything you do.
All of your updates, not just this one, sound like they were written by another senator: Joe McCarthy. You are nurturing a paranoid, hateful political base.
“Senator, have you no honor?”
Written by : **********I never thought I’d see the day when the democrats would do anything good for the country, even if they didn’t mean to, as in this case. At least you didn’t get your amnesty bill through.
Now get serious with the issue!! Evict the illegals, fine and/or imprison those who hire them, and close the border. If necessary, use the military for the latter. They know how to repel an invasion.
**********
Hovland, MN
Written by : **********Unblievable–I don’t believe all the BS that is being spewed by VOLPAC.
I am about to rethink my party affiliation. Presently, I would rather be an independent than to subscribe to either party.
I have always thought that Dr Frist was an honorable man-I have known his parents through work and they certainly brought their children up in that vein. I am dissappointed & I wonder if they would react the same. The end does not justify the means.
Written by : **********I do hope that during the elections you will publicly ask the Democratic Party to sum up what they have contributed in the past 6 years, and don’t let them weasel out with any excuses. The truth is, they have contributed nothing, but to harass President Bush and his cabinet. They have spent their time trying to entrap him, and impeach him. Nothing is going to be solved on our border problems, as the Congress is likely to be off for two weeks for the Easter Recess. And if they have the nerve to call it Spring break, then they can stay in DC and work on the border problems, as Spring Break can be postponed.
Written by : **********The more I come to learn about our immigration problem, and your efforts, along with the efforts of your fellow statesmen, I think that we must first stop the flow of illegal aliens into our country at all costs. Secondly, I believe that anything short of sending all illegal aliens back to their country will simply create another bureaucratic lash-up presenting an ongoing, certifiable nightmare, to those charged with enforcing regulations instead of helping them, not to dwell on the fraud, or the number of illegal immigrants we will have in our country 20 years from now.
In the short term, our party might lose some seats in the upcoming election, however, if we act now…we should win again in 2008.
Thank you for all you do for our country and its citizens.
Written by : **********I thought we have a majority !!
Written by : **********Knowing how 44 Senators can prevent votes on amendments would be beneficial to me. Please explain.
Written by : **********Spare me… The SENATE Republicians are NOT working toward the same goal the US Republicans are. This Amnesty bill you bannered to be a “comprehensive” bill is ONLY Comprehansive it giving ILLEGAL ALIENS amnesty.
ENFORCE the current LAW. There is a law in industry known as the KISS principle – KEEP IT SIMPLE STUPID…
I am a life long conservative, and most often vote Republician – BUT I don’t recognize many conservative, or Republican principles being shown by Senators with a (R) after their names. If you cannot lead – and REDUCE the size of the Federal Gov’mt – then get out of the way and we will support and elect those of us who will.
Many in Congress are a daily embarssement to voting citizens. You pander to criminals, you pander to dictatorships, but you refuse to honor your oath of office.
You also refuse to be “citizens” of the US – and have carved exceptions in almost every law for Congressman… Example is this Congresswoman from Georgia. Congress EXEMPTS ITSELF from SECURITY CHECKS.
Physician – HEAL THY SELF. The Kennedy wing of the Republican party now in the Senate is worthless.
Written by : **********Senator Frist;
Politics as usual, blame it on Democrats. Republicans are the majority and as so I expect them to show leadership…no excuses please!
I’ll give a hint: No amnesty, Protect our Borders with National Guard and other means. Five or more years in the states – one year to learn English + $ 2,000.00 fine, otherwise out. Three months to leave or if get caught here be tagged with a felony. $10,000. fine for business for each illegal caught working for that business.
Otherwise my dear Senator you must face the voter who is not particularly pleased with your results so far.
Let the State HP call on business with the INS to levy fines and or jail the owner of the business.
This is no problem to handle for any statesman but it may be tough for the Senate and House as they now stand.
Try to do better, please..
**********
Oneonta, AL
Written by : **********I am very disappointed in the Democrats once again. And they wonder why people like myself won’t vote them! May you use this issue against them effectively during this falls elections.
Sincerely
**********
Written by : **********When something is worked for it is much more precious than when it’s given away. When an individual is rewarded for breaking the law, it encourages lawlessness and disrespect. The United States is a country of immigrants or the descendents of immigrants. My father was a 2nd generation in America Polish immigrant, my mother 3rd generation Irish. Proud as my ancestors were of there cultural heritage, they were prouder at having worked to become Americans, assimilating, and learning the language, English. I think every legal immigrant respects this country and it’s laws and traditions more than anyone who goes about illegal means to reap the benefits of this country without obeying the responsibility. I respect my neighbor who goes out and buys his own car as opposed to the one that just steals mine. Citizenship in the United States is precious; it should not be cheapened by giving it away wholesale.
Written by : **********As a member of the Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints it shames Me that Mr Reid is a Member of the same Church please Don’t judge Us By His actions
Written by : **********Patrick, P said everything I was thinking, but oh so much better! I don’t understand how all these illegal immigrants have the “right” to demonstrate for the “rights” they think they have. They are NOT citizens, have NOT tried to become citizens, or even learn English (many of them), and are breaking the law by being here illegally. How does that give them any rights?? I know people of other nationalities that came through the proper channels, learned English, and became citizens and are proud of it. These people are my friends and I am so impressed with what they have done with their lives.
I’ve seen people reading the driving test to some of these immigrants in Spanish and recording their answers on the tests for them. If they can’t read English, how are they reading the signs on the road? And we wonder why they get in so many accidents.
I appreciate all your efforts in this matter. I’m not sure what the answer is, but I’m grateful that you’re in there trying.
Written by : **********I have been a Republican all my life – I’m 71 years old and I’m retiring from the Political scene. I’ve had it! I’m disgusted with both parties – I’m disgusted with my government, which I’ve stood by with vigor all my adult life. Where is Eisenhower & Reagan when we need them? Where is truth, resposiblity & concern for the welfare of the American people. No more – it’s only about the ‘other guy’ & ‘the other party’ – the ‘next election’ – the ‘games you play’ – ‘the bribes’ – ‘the coverup’ – no one gives a damn any more. I find is horribly sad – hate is all-consuming – there’s too much of it in Washington, in the controlling media & in the world. Sign me out!!!!
Written by : **********I’m pleased with your efforts on the Immigration reform. (Damn Dems – particularly my 2 California Senators)
FIRST WE NEED TO CLOSE THE BORDER ABSOLUTELY. The following two amendments are absolutely essential in order to close the borders:
ABSOLUTE ESSENTIAL #1: The amendment by Senators Kyl and Cornyn, which would prevent illegal immigrants who had been convicted of felonies such as burglary; involuntary manslaughter; and assault and battery from getting green cards
ABSOLUTE ESSENTIAL #2: The amendment by Senator Ensign, which would allow the National Guard to help secure the border. I would prefer that there are 100 agents per mile along the Mexican Border, 24 hours a day, PLUS a wall along the ENTIRE MEXIAN BORDER.
Without these two essentials, we might as well give up. The illegal invasion will never end. HOW AWFUL!
The next one is kind of an obvious no-brainer (Well du-u-u-u-uh!) An amendment by Senators Kyl and Cornyn, which would prevent illegal immigrants who have been convicted of felonies such as burglary; involuntary manslaughter; and assault and battery from getting green cards. How can ANY Senator POSSIBLY oppose this? ONLY the stupid ones who are TOTAL FAILURES at taking care of the U.S. Citizens.
TEMPORARY MEANS TEMPORARY: I like the amendment by Senator Dorgan, which would made the temporary worker program truly temporary by refusing to provide green cards to future temporary workers
FIRST SECURE THE BORDERS – ABSOLUTELY, NO DOUBT. Over-do it. Go TOO far. BE SURE. NO DOUBT.
SECOND SAY NO TO ALL FELONS
THIRD give a break to all those (1000s) who have already filled all the requirements to get here legally
Fourth – deprot all of those who have been here less than 5 years and, as a compromise, give your amnesty to those who have been here 5 years or more. Set strict requreements. ENFORCE the requrements. Some will have to be deported. There will be tears from some and severe anger from others. But it will put an end to tears flowing from the eyes of American Citizens. It will calm the growing anger from the American Citizens.
Thanks,
**********
Escondido, CA
Written by : **********Could it be that we need to educate the Democrates as to how the imigration law was to be exercised and applied. Do they not understand that by their own taking of an oath of office that they are under obligation to uphold our Declaration of Independence, Constitution and the Bill of rights and that imigration as it should be is covered in these documents. Do they also not understaand that they are indeed on the payrole of the Americans of the 50 states? And, most of us in the 50 states are not happy at all with this foot dragging while more and more ilegals are crossing the boders on a daaily bases.
Come on get the heads out the sand and lets get this job done!
Siserely,
**********
Written by : **********Senator Frist, you have lost any chance of winning the Presidency in ‘08 and beyond because your bill encourages amnesty to all of the illegals that are already here. In fact, every pro-amnesty for illegals politician can kiss their political careers good-bye for taking such a position. All of the present laws throughout the entire country and U.S. territories that deal with illegal immigration must be fully enforced to the best of abilities, and all illegals both living and working anywhere throughout the entire country and U.S. territories must be sucessfully captured and then deported without any excuses! This country has more than enough prisoners who need work assignments as well as legal, able bodied welfare recipients who are presently not working that can do all of the jobs that illegals are still presently doing. It will always be profoundly stupid to reward illegals and their behaviors for the purposes of getting in return from them both cheap labor and possible votes from illegals. A majority of both law abiding American citizens and legal immigrants are against granting any kind of amnesty to illegals for any reason, and they will always be against granting any kind of amnesty for illegals for any reason. What is it about the word “illegal” that all “pro-amnesty for illegals” politicians don’t understand?
Written by : **********It is unfortunate that border security has been tied to resolving the problem of the present illegals in the country. A stand-alone bill that really shuts down the borders (to a trickle) would make the other debate so much more civil. We might be more charitable if we saw that the present population of illegal immigrants was not going to keep growing endlessly. We might think we have a fighting chance to assimilate that number into the American way of life. Without border security no approach being discussed means a thing to most of us.
Written by : **********I feel both the Dems & Reps are playing politics. Go back to harry reids !993 speech about illegals, Kennedy”s two bills !964-5 & 1986, politicians have to relaize the american people are beginning to see that both parties are taking them to a trail of ruin, If you are willing to spend our money on more of Fed employees like the 40 thousand worthless airport security and the airline owners just got bigger pay checks and our taxes went up. enough we could people to protect us our do it ourselves a lot cheaper and efficently! If we have all fed employees, who going to work and pay the bills just look at Italy. Please enforce the laws on the books and let our law abiding citizens and police do their jobs. These people are already beginning to dictate us and fly the Mex flag and marcdh up and down the streets with our taxpayer police protectng them.Go to work and ouite thrying to pass a bill to look good and then not having enough time to look a things that are hidden in these bills Viva Legal Americans. hope see more doing and less crowing .
Thank You
Written by : **********You did your best. Democrats think they are going to beat us in Senate and House. My answer to immigration: All men coming into U. S. must enter a temporary Army draft for two years in order to becime a citizen. I am serious about this. Tjey will be able to work as soldiers on farms, restaurants, etc. Why not give the Democrats womething to think about instead of them being so anxious to hurt Republicans that are so good like yourself. Thank you.
Written by : **********A simple solution to the illegal alien problem would be to prevent any money from being wired to any country South of the US border.
Written by : **********Dear Senator Frist,
I’ve never considered you to be a conservative. As Senate Majority Leader you have done little to help curb government spending as we add three trillion dollars to the national deficit. I did not hear you object to the pork barrel spending. Nothing has been done about the staggering trade deficits, etc. Once your presidential aspirations became apparent, you came out strong to stop illegal immigration in an attempt to court the conservative vote. However, your willingness to cooperate with moderate Republicans and liberal Democrats in a compromise bill removed any doubt as to where you stand. We would like Congressmen who stand their ground for what they believe is right.
The majority of Americans want enforcement of existing laws and a real program to stop this influx of illegal immigrants. Following the President’s lead will only lead you over the cliff. Someone would have difficulty making the argument that President Bush is a conservative. If you want the conservative vote, then you are going to have to follow fundamental conservative principles. George Will would make a good tutor.
Written by : **********I don’t understand what is the hurry to give citizenship to illegal alliens lets take step by step, I went thru the whole enchilada, proud to be a US citizen, my US flag has been in my backyward since 9/11 and ready to defend my country, in which mind fits that all those demostrators wants to be US citizen? OK to have a plan how to legalize them but first a work permit, then green card, then citizenship, and a real test for citizenship
Written by : **********Please spare us the old “democrates spoiled everything” spiel. Not a single person in my large circle of friends and family (a family of stauch republicans) supported the bill you brokered. We, like 80% or more of this Nations citizens, oppose ANY bill that includes a path to citizenship cough*amnesty*cough.
You know this yet you, and most of the senate, are absolutely determined to legitimize at least some illegal aliens. Why is that?
I’ll answer for you. Because if one group of illegal aliens is afforded legal status to stay, regardless of the requirements, we must ASSUME, by proxy, all have legal status. Dicks green card is real, so Janes must be also. Dicks social security card is real, so Janes must be also. Dick can’t speak a lick of english yet he’s here legally, so Jane, who cant speak a lick either, is also.
It is a stunningly duplictous attempt to keep the status quo by PC rules. Rightfully concerned citizens that dared to question the legal status of both workers or their employers would now be labeled as, what else…racists.
Written by : **********Senator Frist,
Wouldn’t all of this farce be unnecessary if the Immigration Act of ‘87 or ‘88 would be enforced?
Written by : **********I speak with others voices. We are appalled and disgusted with what we are seeing in the “reform” of illegal aliens. We have a plague on our hands, if we don’t reform, we are spiraling down faster that we can imagine. This virus-as you can see now-is starting in our cities, and moving outward. Socialists and Communistic tactics are/have been instrumental in the destruction of our structure for many years now. WE NEED SRICT CONRTOL REGARDLESS OF WHAT ELEMENTS THINKS OUTERWISE, NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Republican Team Leader,
**********
Written by : **********the fact is- is doesnt matter if you support republicans or democrats, it is all about the power and influence of the job, and of course pork barrel projects that you get when you go to washington. with the position you have had now mr frist you should have been be able to do more than you have done the last 7 years.
take away title vi or change the language to read all “american citizens” are entitled…… make it unlawful to birth, hire,educate,medicate,house, feed and shelter illegals. maybe then there would be no reason to come here without first having something to offer, except liabilities. they are breaking the law but hey pres. bush touts the constitution when he wants to invade a country, but forgets the part about protecting our borders-how about impeaching pres bush.
Written by : **********Seems to me that BOTH Democrats and Republicans are simply pandering for the Hispanic vote. Question: “What if one of the illegal immigrants that have been here working for five years is an al-Qaida operative?” “Does he/she get on the fast-track to US citizenship too?”
Written by : **********Please Senator, not only Democrats , but also Republicans are ignoring us the legal naturalized citicens that fallow the law to come to this contry. Including President Bush, I feel insulted the message we get from most of Congress is yes go ahead be a law braker you will be rewarded with and very welcome. On voter that is completlly dissapointe. Respectfully **********
Written by : **********I am so sick of hearing the Republicans talk about how the Democrats are obstructing their plans. The true is the Republicans just lie down or cave in and let the Democrats walk all over them. That includes you, Dr. Frist. I am so disgusted with the Republican party. I am convinced that none of you care about the AMerican people are their just to further your own career and line your own pockets.
Written by : **********Senator Frist, I have supported the Republicans since I could 1st vote in 1966. I was thrilled when Republicans FINALLY took control of the House & Senate and then watched as the Senate allowed the press to destroy Gingrich. And now after 12 years, I ask “WHAT have the republicans accomplished besides spending MORE THAN EVER (not counting the war effort) and now proposing to allow lawbreakers to gain full benefits of this country. I’m not sure I’m correct, but, I’ve heard one of the provisisions is to allow illegals to attend colleges at the INSTATE tuition rate. My kids were not allowed that luxuries and I’m STILL paying their tuition debts after the LAST of three has graduated (about 6-7 years of payments). And now you want me to continue to support the Republicans. I’m not sure I can support you any longer. I DO NOT inted to vote for Sen Burns (Montana). I am not sure if I will even vote for the 1st time since 1966. HEED THE WARNINGS. Conservatives are NOT HAPPY with YOU and your party!!!!!
Written by : **********I have been dealing with this invasion by non Americans into our country for 36yrs.as a cop! It has been a problem for that long.
Why are BOTH partys JUST NOW dealing with it!
Quit whining like it’s a NEW problem and FIX it!
I stoped 15 in a van and the office of ICE in Nashville told me to turn them loose if I had no charges.
Well this is one life long Republican who is feed up!!!!!!! Fix it or “We the People” WILL use the CONSTITUTION to fix the GOV. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Written by : **********Yes, **********, it does matter.
I have been receiving Senator Frist’s e-mails for some time but I have never commented until today. It matters. Trust me, it matters a lot.
We have laws against murder. Are we murder free? We have laws against speeding. Have you tried driving the posted speed limit (or less) lately? The bottom line is: what we have laws against, and what we actually are protected from, are two entirely different realities.
The sad reality of the immigration situation is sort of like a nice, middle class, suburban neighborhood. The residents are all very friendly people. They talk across the fence. Their children play together. They borrow tools and exchange recipies. They watch out for each other when a neighbor goes on vacation. There is always someone out mowing, planting flowers, grilling, washing a car or something. In other words, a nice place.
Then one day, a stranger moves in. He brings a large, extended family. He does not attempt to integrate into the neighborhood. He has no respect for his neighbor’s property. He lives as if he is above the established norm.
Soon, there’s less talk across the fences. The grills are cold. The children no longer play in the streets. Sheds and storgae buildings boast shiny new padlocks. “For Sale” signs appear in front lawns. Friendships are broken. Property values decline.
Those who wish to immigrate to America legally, and those who truly integrate into American society are welcome. However, we are not “Irish Americans” or “Latino Americans” or any other kind of Americans. We are simply Americans. To immigrate is to become a part of the American way of life. Our national language is English. We stand tall and show reverence for Old Glory. We know the words to “The Star Spangled Banner.” We know and understand how to pay for transactions using dollars, quarters, dimes, nickles and pennies. This is not idealistic. Trying to maintain “ethnic diversity” and “celebrating our differences” does not weave the fabric of the USA tighter. On the contrary, it leads us to believe that the individual, not the greater common good, is what is most sacred. Without a higher, nobler, greater ideal than ourselves, we have no direction and no purpose. Self-service and individual gain are not worthy of what we are and who we are as Americans. The “melting pot” of the past was only successful because of the melting, not because of the pot or what was melted. Take the melting out of the equation and there is only chaos.
I have no issue with those who wish to become my fellow Americans through the legal means available to them. I do, however, have a serious issue with those who live in my country illegally. These illegal aliens, while they may make some contribution to the economy, consume an exhorbitant amount in services and benefits to which they have no legal right. I would lay down my life for the principles upon which this country was founded, yet, I do not think any American should have to pay taxes into a system which subsidizes the prosperity of anyone who lives and/or works in this country illegally.
Being of Irish and Scottish decent, and having studied my own ancestry, I realize that I would not be an American today were it not for immigration. However, my ancestors did not sneak under a fence to get here. My ancestors came to this country peniless and haggard and carved out a new life, a life in the land the prizes freedom above all else, and through their own determination they transformed themselves from what they were into American citizens. Those who wish to share in my freedoms, without first learning to love and to cherish the same ideals that I hold dear, are simply not welcome.
Thank you Senator Frist for fighting the good fight and for trying.
Written by : **********I applaud your efforts on border security….
If amnesty is granted to the 11 or so million,
and security isn’t beefed up, there will be
11 million more to replace them..and probably
not of desireable types.
Written by : **********Does it really matter? I could have sworn we already had laws pertaining to this issue.
Written by : **********
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