California Eases Tone as Latinos Make Gains

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/17...wanted=all

I am posting this article for the benefit of the anti-immigrant folks who think their rhetoric is going to make any difference. Here are some important quotes [my words in brackets]:

Quote from NYTimes : Scott Baugh, the chairman of the county party, said that if the language did not change, his party would be relegated to permanent minority status. “To constantly refer to undocumented immigrants as illegals is very hostile and self-righteous,” Mr. Baugh said. “Let’s point out that while crossing the border without documents is illegal, a federal misdemeanor, being in this country as an [undocumented] immigrant isn’t a criminal act.”

Quote : “We have to be looking at basic notions of justice and equity and fairness,” he said. “In many instances, these immigrants have been hired by American companies, so if you want to hang your hat on the rule of law, focus on that.”

*gasp* With the above quote, Mr. Baugh, an Orange County Republican, just channeled Barack Obama!!

Quote from NYTimes : Ricardo Lara, the chairman of the caucus, said he traced his own political involvement directly to the anti-immigration sentiment in the 1990s. “I was a freshman in college, and suddenly there was a blatant attack on people like my parents,” said Mr. Lara, who grew up in East Los Angeles with other Mexican immigrants.

And the above is what happens when you refer to the parents of U.S. citizens as "illegals". Watch out, Arizona!!

Quote from kharvel : http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/17...wanted=all I am posting this article for the benefit of the anti-immigrant folks who think their rhetoric is going to make any difference.

Republicans are starting to realize that the loudest and smallest wing of their party is also the most detrimental to their electoral chances. They've taken what should have been a shoo-in to take the Senate and possibly the presidency in 2012 and watched it evaporate over the last two years. In the meantime, identification with the "Tea Party" has plummeted to around 8%. Expect to see kindler gentler GOP for the next election, with the moderates leading the way.

Quote from kharvel : http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/17...wanted=all I am posting this article for the benefit of the anti-immigrant folks who think their rhetoric is going to make any difference. Here are some important quotes [my words in brackets]: *gasp* With the above quote, Mr. Baugh, an Orange County Republican, just channeled Barack Obama!! And the above is what happens when you refer to the parents of U.S. citizens as "illegals". Watch out, Arizona!!

Call a spade a spade. illegals are exactly what they are.

Quote from OhNoItsDEVO : Call a spade a spade. illegals are exactly what they are.

Keep repeating the "illegals" mantra. That will just drive more U.S. citizens to become more active in politics so that they can give amnesty to more "illegals".

Quote from OhNoItsDEVO : Call a spade a spade. illegals are exactly what they are.

The truth doesnt matter, the politicians are just concerned with their "electoral chances".

Consequences and country be damned, they just want to win elections and be in power!

Quote from kharvel : Keep repeating the "illegals" mantra. That will just drive more U.S. citizens to become more active in politics so that they can give amnesty to more "illegals".

Should I sugar coat it to make them more comfortable about breaking our laws?

Quote from kharvel : Keep repeating the "illegals" mantra. That will just drive more U.S. citizens to become more active in politics so that they can give amnesty to more "illegals".

Quote from MISHNAH : The truth doesnt matter, the politicians are just concerned with their "electoral chances". Consequences and country be damned, they just want to win elections and be in power!

That's all this boils down to. Anyone who believes our leaders push for shit like this, simply because they care about the well being of these people, is fooling themselves.

Same goes for social welfare programs.
Ultimately, it's only done for political support.

Quote from OhNoItsDEVO : Should I sugar coat it to make them more comfortable about breaking our laws?

The reason they're here is that our businesses have them jobs. So go after the businesses, not the people they exploit.

Quote from Rebound : The reason they're here is that our businesses have them jobs. So go after the businesses, not the people they exploit.

I would love to see very strict punishments for the employers.
That won't happen with the people we have running Washington.

Quote from Rebound : The reason they're here is that our businesses have them jobs. So go after the businesses, not the people they exploit.

Why should one preclude the other? I believe they should vigorously pursue both. The fact that offending them impacts the vote is a pretty good indicator that we just might have a large number of illegals voting in CA, though.

Quote from JackHandey : Why should one preclude the other? I believe they should vigorously pursue both. The fact that offending them impacts the vote is a pretty good indicator that we just might have a large number of illegals voting in CA, though.

Or it's a pretty good indicator that they might react negatively to such labels & stereotypes even if it doesn't apply to them personally.

For some, merely being Hispanic (or even just *looking* Hispanic) is enough to trigger the "illegal until proven innocent" mentality.

Quote from JackHandey : Why should one preclude the other? I believe they should vigorously pursue both. The fact that offending them impacts the vote is a pretty good indicator that we just might have a large number of illegals voting in CA, though.

No it isn't.

Quote from JackHandey : The fact that offending them impacts the vote is a pretty good indicator that we just might have a large number of illegals voting in CA, though.

Did you not read the articles or the quotes I posted??

Offending the "illegals" will offend their children and relatives who happen to be U.S. CITIZENS. Do you know what happens when you offend U.S. CITIZENS? They become active in the political arena and become hellbent on removing those who offended their parents and relatives.

"Illegals" don't vote. Their U.S. CITIZEN children and relatives vote. Period.

Quote from Rebound : The reason they're here is that our businesses have them jobs. So go after the businesses, not the people they exploit.

Those that knowingly hire illegal aliens, to include all at the company that knew, should receive jail time. Certainly after the first offense, where they should at least be subject to a large fine.

If there is a need to import labor for some jobs, we should have a guest worker program, where the employers have to comply with all laws and taxes. The truth is, many employers only hire them to escape those rules.