Immigration a Big Issue to NH, Iowa GOP

[Terri]

By HOLLY RAMER
Associated Press
December 17, 2007

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) -- At opposite sides of New Hampshire, John McCain faced two corporate audiences in two college towns earlier this month. Only one topic came up in both places when he starting taking questions: illegal immigration.

The Republican presidential hopeful gets so many questions -- sometimes hostile -- about immigration at his town hall meetings that he quips, ''This meeting is adjourned,'' before explaining his position at length. It was the first question asked when he visited the spacious headquarters of C&S Wholesale Grocers, a multibillion-dollar grocery supplier in Keene. A day earlier, an employee at a gleaming printing press manufacturer in Durham appeared skeptical after hearing him explain his stance, which prompted McCain to give her a chance to respond.

''I just think it's not fair to all the people who came here legally and went through the process and now all the illegals, you're just gonna give 'em citizenship?'' she said. ''That's not fair.''

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[Cynical Pete]

Most Americans wonder why they have to obey the laws and foreigners do not. The other concern is why foreigners are given preference over American citizens regarding rights, government legal help, health care, and organizations suppporting foreigners whereas the average American is standing out in the cold.

[jack virtus]

This can be a winning issue for the GOP. The borders first and foremost must be secured, that means building the fence. Start punishing businesses that hire Illegals then you can start sorting the rest of the problem out. McCain as far as i'm concerned You have no credibility on this issue, your about face is too late to be considered sincere.

[poppi]

While the GOP has more than one qualified candidate from which to choose, their different stances on important issues make that choice very difficult. In my case, I don't see anyone who shares MY thoughts on ALL issues important to me and many Americans. If they agree with my views on Irag, they are way off base with illegal immigration and/or abortion, and/or entitlement issues and so on and so on. While I thought John McCain would be my candidate of choice early on in the campaign because of his character and strong stance on the war in Iraq, I cannot, in good conscience, trust him on the immigration issue. While I like Mike Huckabee, mainly for his strong character, I also don't agree with his nasty remarks about Iraq and his intentions on immigration issues. Mitt Romney seems to be a strong and honest candidate (although honesty is so lacking in politics today) I also don't like his views on some issues important to me. Fred Thompson also had my support for the several months before he announced. I like him for his "no nonsense" personality but don't feel he really has enough experience or knowledge of important issues. Guiliani? Not too sure he can be trusted not to change his stance with which way the wind blows. So, where does that leave me? CONFUSED AND UNDECIDED!!!!!

[RealDeal]

We didn't learn a thing from 2006??

Voters stayed home, or worse, voted GOP candidates out, because of two issues: illegal immigration and spending.

And THIS comment is poison to us (both McCain and Huckabee say the same thing):

''They are God's children. They are human beings. Many of them come just because they need a job. And I think many of them, as you know, are badly exploited and mistreated by these coyotes and others,'' he said. ''So I think we ought to be sure we look at the humanitarian side of this issue to try to make sure that all human beings are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights, whether they are citizens of this country or not.''

Yes, they are God's children.... I suggest that bleeding hearts work to PRESSURE MEXICO to give them the opportunities that are their unalienable rights, and quit insisting that the American people do it for them HERE. If they (McCain and Huck) can't do that, then go make a 501(c) to help them (Mexican nationals) and stop asking the US taxpayer to foot the bill for them.

Furthermore, we don't NEED any of our candidates to make any "sweeping new proposals".... just for them to promise to adhere to and enforce the laws ALREADY on the books. (And build the damned fence!!)

[ONTIME]

McCain is going nowhere, NAFTA and the illegal issue are damaging to this country. NAFTA definately needs to be revised and if the Kyoto Treaty is considered relevant and our congresional sluts decide to pass it, we are in really serious trouble. McCain thinks this treaty is okay, he is not going to help on the illegal issue and he voted for NAFTA in it's present state.

I know how I see McCain and I do not want the man as a POTUS.....

[celticwoman]

First of all we need to get off this "path to citizenship" issue and concentrate on what the immigrants (legal and illegal) really want. Jobs! We need to find a legal way for them to come here and work - if we need them. They have no intention of becoming American citizens, which is the reason for no desire to assimilate.

Look where their money goes. We provide free healthcare, education provided by property owners of which they are not and they have access to social services my husband and I would be turned away from. They send their money home to Mexico or wherever they come from allowing their families at home to get proper healthcare and own property. The U.S. is being used and its citizens abused all in the hopes that political parties can win votes (if and when the immigants should become U.S. citizens - ha!).

In addition, why should Mexico go to the trouble of improving their economy when the suckers to the north of them provide them with no need to do so. Look at the amount of money that is leaving the U.S. for Mexico each year. They spend what they need to here and the rest goes to the homeland.

One BIG problem we have in this country is the horrible abusive income tax system. Being small business owners, my husband and I found that even hiring one employee ate tremendously into our profits and we won't even talk about the additional paperwork. We decided not to hire anyone and my husband does the work himself, which is not easy because it's construction work and he is getting up in years.

If we had a broad-based consumption tax such as the FairTax which so many Republican candiates are touting (exlude Giuliani on this - he hates it, and Romney hasn't a clue how it works) employers would be able to pay good wages to their employees and there would be less incentive to break the law hiring illegals just so they can even keep their businesses afloat. If we keep on keeping on with the IRS and it's mean-spirited and abusive tactics and ways that actually hurt small businesses, more businesses will go overseas, less people will start businesses here and illegals will be hired however they can be - and money will continue to be sent out of the country - often tax free.

[TWM1942]

None of the Republican candidates have given a clear statement of their support for what needs to be done to address illegal immigration.

The issues are building the fence, terminating the free benefits, making English the national language, and eliminating the anchor baby practice, but the primary issue is that the illegal aliens are costing the taxpayers of this country $338 Billion every year.

In addition to the direct issues that need to be addressed, the Fair Tax, shifts the cost from a small portion of the people that earn money in this country to all people that spend money in this country.

By dealing with these issues, the illegal aliens will return home on their own, and the additional cost of finding them and deporting them will not have to be borne by the taxpayers.

The Republican Party needs to request that its candidates for President provide a clear and concise statement on each of these.

[SomeDude]

Cheap Foreign Labor:

-Indentured servitude
-Slavery
-Free Trade
-Mass immigration (legal and illegal)
-Work visas
-Temporary workers

"They are doing jobs American's won't do."

Only Duncan Hunter can bring the Reagan Democrats back.

None of the Republican candidates have given a clear statement of their support for what needs to be done to address illegal immigration.

In order to properly address illegal immigration, the root of the problem needs to be identified. I think I nailed it with "Cheap Foreign Labor." Duncan Hunter opposes both Amnesty and Free-Trade with Communist/Corrupt nations. Unfortunately Duncan Hunter doesn't really address the root of the problem either, so it may just be all in my head.

[Rubicon]

Like many, I also have a problem with the "path to citizenship" comments of many. Citizenship is "the Gold standard." With it, one obtains the right to vote. If we inundate this nation with those who feel we should just open our borders, become good Lil socialists similar to Mexico & numerous other Central & South American nations, & if we permit that group to obtain citizenship, they will force through policies - long term - that will completely dilute America or the American experience.
I know that sounds harsh. I know many feel we must reach out to our brothers. However, we are being used by greedy corporations who seek higher & higher profits alone. The concepts of citizenship mean nothing to corporations unless they can exploit it to sell the government or the people something. Otherwise, their allegiance is to the almighty dollar. (Or Amero if we end up the North American Union) Sure, that too sounds far fetched. Yet the plans really are underway & we have evidence of it with roads planned, international loading docks within the country, and many more combination plans.
If not corporatists, we are faced with global socialists who think American capitalism must be ended, even by force, and the world to become one global socialist state. (Heaven help us if the UN ends up running the show!) These are the blame America first folks who take every opportunity to disparage America as the ogre who is causing all the world's problems, while excusing every other despot attacking us & others, & in some cases even terrorists!
John McCain loses me completely when he uses God & scripture to preach to me about how I & my country should act toward others. We have been "brothers & sisters" to the downtrodden of the world. In a number of cases what we got in return was a knife in the back. I expected no return favor, but I did expect my back to be somewhat safe from those we've helped at least! A number of UN votes demonstrates our largess has fallen into the hands of the greedy seeking power.
The responses to this post demonstrate immigration is a significant issue for '08. They also show people just want others to follow the laws we are expected to obey. And the paths to citizenship are immunity agreements that give too much away & get little in return.
When illegal aliens have children here, many do so to establish an anchor. Many deported aliens let their citizen children here. Why would any parent abandon their child? The answer is, they expect to "use" that child as a ploy to return. To me, that's a strange kinda love!
Telling Americans for decades that a fence won't work, with no fence in place, lacks any credibility. Telling Americans illegal aliens "do the work Americans won't do," is totally insulting. Americans will do ANY job. All they expect is a decent rate of pay, some benefits, and reasonable working conditions. All items illegal aliens do not or cannot demand. Now you know why businesses want the illegals!
We are told America "needs" the illegal alien labor. First, studies have proven costs would not rise that much without them. Second, there are studies to show Americans hold the largest percentage of any job category of any job you can name. Are those Americans doing the jobs their fellow citizens will not do?
People hate being lied to. They hate deceptions. They hate profiteers who use law to make themselves rich on the backs of others.
That is the problem with illegal aliens. We the people pay the bill for wealthy people to make more money & all we get are lectures about being good Christians!
Perhaps I am off base, and obviously I feel strongly about this. I apologize if I offend anyone!