Please, everyone call your Congress! Let them know how the American people really feel about this, and how it will affect your votes!  No one in America should be allowed to break the law.  IT is unfair to every person trying to apply legally to become a citizen.  I cannot believe we are not going after the businesses that are hiring them illegally.  Shut them down and we solve the problem!!!  Call your Senators and Representatives!  Democrats and Republicans!

It's another sad day in modern American history.  I was a firm republican, but now I wouldn't throw the Republican party a bone.  Congratulations Mr President, you have single handedly destroyed the Republican party.

Another new Independant

Money talks in this country. The politicians on both sides;especially, the Republicans care more about corporate donations than the good of WE THE PEOPLE. We have become a corporate wasteland. The illegality of this administration scares me a hell of alot more than illegal's coming into this country to get a piece of the pie.

Any presidential candidate who voted to allow possible passage of this bill is no longer feasible to be the leader of our country.  Unless the borders are secured first, then and and only then, can comprehensive inmmigration reform be considered seriously.  The lies must stop.  Never forget those that sold us out.

Is anyone even for this bill?  It seems like everyone I talk to, Dem, Rep, or Ind is opposed to this bill.  Yet these clowns continue to try to pass it.  Just enforce the current laws and secure the flippin' border.

Right because this country was founded by people obeying the law?  Wrong - sorry that wasn't the case at all in case you misplaced your history books.  Immigration laws  were first enacted to keep out Chinese (Chinese Exclusion Act) and the arguments couldn't be more similar to the ones today.

It's shocking to me to see that this bill might actually pass.  Everyone likes paying near zero for goods and services but when it comes to helping the people that make that all possible, then it's no way, well I guess I just think that in itself is wrong.

Why not offer the "illegals" a green card to allow them to work, pay taxes and obtain a legal driver's license and offer their offsprings who were born and/or were raised in the USA citizenship? It would allow them to stay to contribute to our economy and it would also get rid of the idea of a free pass.

Al - where do you pay near zero for goods and services?  I would like to shop there.  I am middle class, and both my husband and I have two jobs each and we are barely making it.  Not to mention his company is laying people off because they are "restructuring" which just means they are out-sourcing.  I tried to work cleaning houses, but I wasn't hired because I wouldn't work for nothing.  This is really hurting the middle class, and I don't care where the ILLEGAL immigrants are from.  Let them come over legally and I will support them all I can.  Have you read the bill?  I guess you approve of American taxpayer money building hospitals over the border in MEXICO????  I guess you also approve of American taxpayer money paying for legal fees for ILLEGAL immigrants?  Also, gang members can automatically become citizens if they just renounce their gang?  Are you kidding me?  Please everyone, read the bill and call your Congress.  By the way, another new Independent, I actually used to be a Democrat.

Al in SoCal (Sent Tuesday, June 26, 2007 4:51 PM)

Bravo Al, as I see there are so few of us compassionate people, who also remember history. I wonder where all of the above posters ancestors came from?

Are all of you Native American? If not, stop...........

Yawn... I've been laid off twice, but I don't blame the undocumented.  Each time I've found a better opportunity.

Actually I would prefer they build hospitals in Mexico as supposed to Iraq - but that choice is easy.  When I said next to zero for goods and services I guess you took that literally - but it isn't. When I can pay a buck fifty to 3 dollars a pound for grapes, strawberries, etc that have to be hand-picked then yes - that is next to zero.

I don't blame the undocumented for all my problems. I know that is the hook for most talk radio shows - get rid of the "illegals" and all our problems will be solved, but it's not that easy - certainly not as easy to getting people to dislike the 'illegals', etc etc etc.  

The first step of getting a population to dislike a group is to dehumanize the group by coming up with a term for them - example: illegals.  History repeats itself and we never learn....

Living in 2007, there were no immigration laws when my first ancestor arrived in Jamestown in 1610.  There were no speed limits in 1918 when my Grandmother learned to drive...so does that mean we are not required to obey speed limits now?  I'm not being antagonistic: I am pondering whether the non-existance of laws in previous centuries means current laws can be ignored.  

I'm lving in 2007, PLANET EARTH - Actually, you proved our point.  Our ancestors were the Illegal Immigrants to the Native Americans, and look how well that worked out for the Native Americans . . . By the way, my ancestors were German, French and Irish, and they all came over LEGALLY.  They waited in line like everyone else and had to pass through stringent physical exams.  They were not allowed to come here, work, send their children to school, get free medical help BEFORE they even became citizens.  They also had to learn English.

By the way, this bill is extremely unfair to the illegal immigrants themselves.  I agree.  Why do you think big business is fighting for this?  They want them to work for next to nothing and exploit them. However, all this could be stopped if our government went after the businesses that are illegally hiring them.  I am compassionate and would love to help everyone.  I would also like to see no poverty or hunger in America.  I just feel we should use our taxpayer money to help our citizens (including the ones in New Orleans), before we go to Mexico and try to help them while the Mexican government just gets richer while ignoring the poor and telling us it is our responsibility to help them.  

Congress can't get out of their own way. Any bill that does get passed will be immediately unenforceable because that's the desired outcome for all parties. Confusion in the country breeds dollars for politicians.

Here are the Vote Switchers that resulted in the Bill going to the full Senate:


MO Christopher Bond R 274 Russell Senate Office Building 202-224-5721 202-224-8149

NM Jeff Bingaman D 703 Hart Senate Office Building 202-224-5521 202-224-2852

NC Richard Burr R 217 Russell Senate Office Building 202-224-3154 202-228-2981

CA Barbara Boxer D 112 Hart Senate Office Building 202-224-3553 415-956-6701

ND Kent Conrad D 530 Hart Senate Office Building 202-224-2043 202-224-7776

NV John Ensign R 356 Russell Senate Office Building 202-224-6244 202-228-2193

NH Judd Gregg R 393 Russell Senate Office Building 202-224-3324 202-224-4952


AK Lisa Murkowski R 709 Hart Senate Office Building 202-224-6665 202-224-5301

ME Olympia Snowe R 154 Russell Senate Office Building 202-224-5344 202-224-1946

AK Ted Stevens R 522 Hart Senate Office Building 202-224-3004 202-224-2354

VA John Warner R 225 Russell Senate Office Building 202-224-2023 202-224-62

KY Mitch McConnell R 361A Russell Senate Office Building 202-224-2541 202-224-2499
 
VA James Webb D C1 Russell Senate Office Building 202-224-4024 202-224-5432

MN Norm Coleman R 320 Hart Senate Office Building 202-224-5641 202-224-1152

ME Susan Collins R 461 Dirksen Senate Office Building 202-224-2523 202-224-2693

It's not too late to let them know your views:

http://www.conservativeusa.org/mega-cong.htm

http://www.congressmerge.com/onlinedb/index.htm

http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm?OrderBy=party&Sort=ASC

This bill is not satisfactory as it is presently written.  We are told by some congressmen that "It's the best we can do right now."  Sorry, the time needs to be taken to get it right and fair for the AMERICAN public, and not threaten us with "If it doesn't get passed now, it won't be addressed until after the '08 election"  Congress shouldn't ram this down our throats.  They'll be held accountable at election time.
We need people to contact their congress representatives and let them know how they feel.  Get involved!  Stop shrugging your shoulders and saying "Oh well, there's nothing I can do."  Speak up!

I'm living in 2007, PLANET EARTH / your argument for allowing criminals to flow unchecked across the border is a bit tired and very lame, my ancestors didn't enter the country illegally as most peoples didn't, there is a big difference between being compassionate and stupid, if you want to be compassionate take care of the needy who are in this country legally, we have plenty of them and don't need to import any, or better yet do the truly compassionate thing and go south of the border and help them out right at the root cause of the problem ,take al with you, send a postcard and let us know how it all comes out

Ok so let me get this right; ALL illegals are coming into the country via the U.S. - Mexico border?  This is about illegal immigration as a whole right?  If so why aren't we building a fence on the Canadian border; isn't that how the 9/11 terrorists got into the U.S.?   Also, what about the Europeans, Asians, and others that come in on Visas and never leave?  People that come to our country with intentions on manipulating the system; see Nigerian scammers for example.  How does bordering up Mexico correct that?  

Broaden your horizons, we send billions of dollars to places were people are being killed just because of their religious beliefs, or political affiliation. We have allies (Pakistan) that house al-Quaida.  The money argument is weak "New Independent".  I suggest you move to a place where the economy is better, or get some training so that you don't have to work two jobs.  I live in the Northeast (very expensive), have a high school education and am doing just fine thank you.  Smarten up for Pete's Sakes.  

PLANET EARTH, please tell me when I am allowed to express an opinion, I was born in this country as well as my parents and Grand Parents, how many generations does it take till we can give our opinion or do only the people who are here illegally and native americans allowed to  have a voice

I'm lving in 2007, PLANET EARTH

It's not about being compassionate or not, and no, we are not all Native American.  My grandfather came to this country from Poland when he was a child.  His family entered through Ellis Island where their names where changed from Polish names to more "American" names.  He joined the army during WWII, where he got Maleria while serving in the South Pacific.  That illness weaked his heart so much, that he died when he was 36.  In essence, he gave his life for the country that he loved and respected.

I live in a county in NC that has the highest population of illegal mexicans in the state.  One in five PEOPLE (not just the Mexicans) in our county are there illegally.  I have worked in textile mills with many illegals.  I'm not saying they don't work hard, but the majority of the illegals that I know have absolutely no respect for our country.  They refuse to learn English (my grandfather and his family had to learn English).

No one wants to make the distinction between an immigrant and an illegal alien, and there is a BIG difference.  The problem in this country is not the legal immigrants.  I think it is wonderful that those people want to make a life for themselves and their families in the USA, and that they choose to go through to proper channels to do.  I have a problem with all the people that choose to come here illegally, and put a huge drain on our resources.  That, to me, is the real issue.

Immigration Proposal, another bad idea from a bad administration!

You clowns have got to be kidding. The Federal Government has zero credibility when it comes to immigration enforcement. You jokers now want us to believe that you will in fact secure the border and this ridiculous immigration legislation from the likes of Senator Chappaquiddick is the answer? I have a better solution. Militarize the border and enforce the immigration laws that are already on the books. Give a 1 year grace period for employers to hire U.S. Citizens and Legal Immigrants. Once employer’s actually start getting fines and jail time for subsequent illegal hires the problem will resolve itself over time. This nation can no longer support taking care of criminal illegal’s who are uneducated, have criminal pasts, bring in diseases, and are undermining the American workers pay wages.  

Immigration Proposal, another bad idea from a bad administration!

You clowns have got to be kidding. The Federal Government has zero credibility when it comes to immigration enforcement. You jokers now want us to believe that you will in fact secure the border and this ridiculous immigration legislation from the likes of Senator Chappaquiddick is the answer? I have a better solution. Militarize the border and enforce the immigration laws that are already on the books. Give a 1 year grace period for employers to hire U.S. Citizens and Legal Immigrants. Once employer’s actually start getting fines and jail time for subsequent illegal hires the problem will resolve itself over time. This nation can no longer support taking care of criminal illegal’s who are uneducated, have criminal pasts, bring in diseases, and are undermining the American workers pay wages.  

DDD, Boston, MA -  Thanks a lot for your compassion regarding my husband being laid off.  I also live in the northeast and we are also high school graduates and have some college.  If you paid attention to what I said, I said my husband was being laid off due to outsourcing NOT illegal immigrants!  The reason why we are having such a hard time, not that it's any of your business, however since you implied we are stupid and incapable of earning a living, is because I had medical problems when I was pregnant, and my insurance wouldn't cover it.  I had the baby, and now I have a mountain of debt.  Neither my  husband nor I want to declare bankruptcy so we are doing the best we can to pay it off.  It amazes me the compassion you have for people who break the law, but none for citizens who are having a hard time of it.  Thanks again!

Al - I would prefer they build the hospitals here in America.  The government of Mexico is just getting richer, while America subsidizes their poor.  What about everyone over here who has no insurance?  And by the way, I didn't blame the undocumented for everything!  I also think the bill is not fair to the illegal immigrants!  What's wrong with asking people to follow the law?  Personally, I think we need to go after the large corporations that are making a fortune exploiting these people!  By the way, I am glad you were able to find a new job, however, we just met a 55 year old man working in a garden center on Saturday.  He told us he worked for 3M and was 6 months away from retiring when they laid him off due to restructuring.  He LOST his pension and everything!  He's sick over it and barely making ends meet.  We need to start taking care of people here also.

Actually I agree with most of the comments - do I think people should obey the law - sure, but let me ask any of you.  How do you come here legally?  I'm sure 99% of you have no idea that without a degree, technical experience, familial relationships, or a company sponsoring you (10 years minimum) there is NO legal way to come here from Mexico, Canada, the UK, China, and a host of other countries.  The other countries get to participate in a 'lottery', but for countries like those I mentioned the lottery is not an option.

If you tell them WHERE to stand in line most would be happy to oblige.

What would you prefer to this bill - the US turned into a police state where we need to show papers wherever we go in order to prove our citizenship?  That's what it would take to deport the 12 million undocumented here today.   I think that's an idiotic 'solution' that sounds more like the 'final solution' (look it up in the encyclopedia if you don't know the reference).

Most people here need to look beyond the talk show rhetoric and headlines - especially if you're really interested in solving the problem instead of exacerbating it.

I think any people who want to be in our free country should be allowed to come in legally. This is practically rasism and segregation against mainly Mexicans. It's totally unfair to them. Plus, we need more diversity in this coutry and just because people are immagrants doesn't mean they shouldn't be allowed in the U.S.!!!! Like I said before, this is rasism. I thought we were getting past all the rasism, if we were, then why are we keeping the immigrants out? They want to be free just like we are! I want to stop all the rasism and segregation, we're all different and that's not something to be punished for!!!!!

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