When we argue about immigration we are playing right into their hands.

[robinlynne]

According to the book Censored 2006, recommended by Greg Palast and sold on his website, "The leading organization behind the guest worker legislation is EWIC, the essential worker immigration coalition". The group includes 36 of the country's most powerful employer associations, including walmart, the American health care association, restaurant and hotel, etc. Each of these members rely on workforces without benefits and working at or below minimum wage." "The largest US corporations, dependent on a steady supply of immigrants (read cheap labor) got the congress and pres to introduce this legislation.. This both denies workers their rights and creates an oversupply of labor to drive down wages for all workers, immigrant and non immigrant alike"
I don't think, at this moment, this issue should even be at the forefront of our nation's discussion. We have a war,we are losing our democracy, we have fraudulent elections, we are losing our civil rights one by one. This group was created in 1999 under the US chamber of commerce. Their goal is more profits. period. Instead of arguing amongst ourselves we should be exposing the real reasons why the issue is on the table.

[kurth]

1. Unfortunately this issue might be key to GOP keeping control of the House

Most Americans already think Bush is an incompetent moron and Iraq is a joke. But Bush won't be on the ballot in November and Iraq is a faraway place. On the other hand, illegal immigration is a potent cultural and economic issue - and something many people in Peoria believe should be acted upon.

Democrats can't go around preaching "the rule of law" on wiretapping and ignore the illegals. Democrats can't say they're for working low-income Americans by advocating the massive importation of low-wage illegals. Democrats can't say they're for national security by voting against border control.

[RufusEarl]

3. Poor People

we certainly have and abundance of cheap labor in this country, and of course that will destroy unions. The big debate going on now is immigration, it's an unlimited cheap labor pool.

I think immigration is an easy fix with our brother to the south, just make it a crime to hire illegal immigrants with strong enforcement and a stiff fine and jail time and problem solved.

If illegals can't find work in this country, they want come here. And the illegals that are here will leave. This is the simple fix, it's never mentioned of course because big agriculture and construction "home builders" would never allow it.

I don't want to come across as harsh against our brother and sisters to the south, but we're suppose to be a country of laws. If we can't enforce our laws then it's open season and anything goes. I believe the POUS is not setting a very good example by ignoring the NSA and other laws he's broken. Just my 2 cents!

[Merlot]

4. They won't leave.

No work here is still better than where they came from.

The repub taking head on MTP this sunday tried to say the same thing. No one bought it. they have families here, have childred born here. They won't leave.

[RufusEarl]

17. Perhaps not

Perhaps the illegals want leave, but lets stop the bleeding. I suggest that the employer need to be held accountable, with stiff fines and jail time.

If you're part of the working poor in this country, then you know what i'm talking about. If you're in the upper pay bracket then it want effect you and your family, but several million working poor in this country are having a hard time making ends meet.

And the people that you say want leave, then perhaps they shouldn't leave. Some illegals have been here for many years and have business's and extended families, and they should have some type of avenue to obtain citizenship.

I still feel it's upon the employers that are hiring illegals to be held accountable, that have been getting away with hiring these poor people for way to many years. And it brings down prevailing wages across this country, and it destroys unions.

This debate is way past due in this country, and it's time to have it. But it can't all be from the illegal immigrant point of view. We have plenty of americans that fall into the working poor classification, that need to be considered.

[BrklynLiberal]

6. How about raising the minimum wage to $12.00 and making it

illegal to hire ANYONE for less than that? Punishable by fines and shutting down the business? And STRICT enforcement?
Of course Congress is owned by Big business and they want cheap labor, so they will never go for that.
They are peeing in their pants, laughing on the way to the bank, while we are stabbing each other in the backs arguing over this issue...and possibly allowing THEIR guys to be re-elected in November!!!!!!
Oh,and while we are arguing over THIS, we are NOT discussing any of the other issues that they are glad we are overlooking.

While there are pics of the protests, there are not stories of the scandals and the deaths and destruction in Iraq!

[BrklynLiberal]

13. KKKarl Rove probably predicted this exact statement...and you can

bet the Repukes will be using this stump speech.

This issue MUST be taken away from them!!!!!!

[BrklynLiberal]

2. Exactly. This is KKKArl Rove's #1 wedge issue.

[Richard Steele]

5. YES, YES, YES!!!!!!!

This is a total NON-ISSUE! (for the moment)

The only reason "immigration" is an ISSUE is because THEY WANT IT TO BE!

And we have had warnings for MONTHS that they were going to do this.
DEAN warned us, what, two months ago? that this was going to be their
phoney-baloney 'controversy' for the 2006 election cycle.

IMMIGRATION is the fake crisis they are going to use
to fire up their recist base and DIVIDE THE DEMS in 2006!

And we are certainly falling for it, from the looks of DU today.

Sure, there are issues to be discussed, problems to be solved...
But these are NOT A PRESSING ISSUE!

We can worry about all this AFTER WE TAKE OUR GOVERNMENT BACK!

Immigration policy is NOT our biggest problem right now;
but "paying to much attention to it" just might be.

If y'all intend to keep mocking the BushBots for "drinking the Koolaid",
then you might wanna STOP EATING THE ASTROTURF!

[BrklynLiberal]

8. applause, applause applause

:applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause:

[Richard Steele]

12. Dammit, you made me blush! You city folk!

As a macho, manly, heterosexual type of toothless HillBilly,
I am required by tradition to hate you forever!
:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

Seriously, I took a second look at that post myself,
and decided it was pretty good...at least
compared to most of my drunken rantings poted here at DU.

So I did a little editing and used it to start a new thread in GD:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=774631&mesg_id=774631

[BrklynLiberal]

15. I was thinking of suggesting a separate thread of your thoughts, but

wasn't sure if it might be construed as adding fuel to the flames. But perhaps these flames need some fuel!!!! The fuel of rationality!!!!
I will add my info about the EWIC.

[RufusEarl]

19. I may have a difference of opinion on illegal Immigration

then others here at DU. But i fully plan on voting Democratic this fall and in 2008.

[Bridget Burke]

20. Yes! Immigration policy is worth considering & reconsidering.

Both for legals & illegals. And Fair Labor Practices would benefit everyone in the country.

But it is not a CRISIS!

[FSogol]

7. Not really, both parties are split on the issue.

It is worse for them however, consider that they must

1. Appease their racism base, while
2. providing low cost workers for their companies.

All the Dems need to do is

1. Treat the issue fairly
2. protect rights of workers

[BrklynLiberal]

9. Check out their web site. All members benefit from CHEAP labor!!!

When they say essential them mean CHEAP

http://www.ewic.org/

The Essential Worker Immigration Coalition (EWIC) is a coalition of businesses, trade associations, and other organizations from across the industry spectrum concerned with the shortage of both skilled and lesser skilled ("essential worker") labor. EWIC stands ready to work with the Administration and Congress to push forward on important immigration reform issues.

EWIC supports policies that facilitate the employment of essential workers by U.S. companies and organizations. Current immigration law largely prevents the hiring of foreign essential workers. EWIC supports reform of US immigration policy to facilitate a sustainable workforce for the American economy while ensuring our national security and prosperity.

Membership list
American Health Care Association
American Hotel & Lodging Association
American Immigration Lawyers Association
American Meat Institute
American Nursery & Landscape Association
American Road & Transportation Builders Association
American Staffing Association
Associated Builders and Contractors
Associated General Contractors
Associated Landscape Contractors of America
Building Service Contractors Association International
California Landscape Contractors Association
Carlson Hotels Worldwide and Radisson
Carlson Restaurants Worldwide and TGI Friday's
Farm Equipment Wholesalers Association
Federation of Employers & Workers of America
First Data
Harborside Healthcare Corporation
Ingersoll-Rand
International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions
International Franchise Association
Marriott International, Inc.
Nath Companies
National Association for Home Care
National Association of Chain Drug Stores
National Association of Home Builders
National Association of RV Parks & Campgrounds
National Club Association
National Council of Chain Restaurants
National Restaurant Association
National Retail Federation
National Roofing Contractors Association
National School Transportation Association
National Tooling & Machining Association
Outdoor Amusement Business Association
Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors - National Association
Professional Lawn Care Association of America
Retail Industry Leaders Association
Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council
Society of American Florists
The Brickman Group, Ltd.
Tree Care Industry Association
Truckload Carriers Association
Tyson Foods, Inc.
United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association
US Chamber of Commerce

[donkeyotay]

10. this reads like a who's who of in-sourcing

lotta people can stop congratulating themselves on still being employed because their job wasn't OUTSOURCED. These are the industries benefiting from INSOURCING.

So one Republican writes a deliberately bad bill and the whole country goes nuts. This wasn't an issue in 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001 or 2000 of this administration, but all of a sudden it's front burner. Not the lies for war, the spying, Katrina, the incompetence, the shredding of the Constitution, the debt, etc. Nope. Let's turn on each other and have the mother of all food fights over a situation that has been quietly building for years, even back into the Clinton administration.

[BrklynLiberal]

11. I think that is what is called hitting the nail on the head!!

[yurbud]

14. they need a distraction and spun the wheel of racism

at least gays, muslims, and blacks can breath easy for a few days.

[fed-up]

16. I've learned alot by all the Immigration threads-helped me decide nt

[AtomicKitten]

18. The Repubs haven't touched immigration since Junior was installed.

Of course, this is an election wedge issue they are praying works for them. Don't think for a minute this wasn't predetermined.

If Dems can keep this a national security/economic issue and make the Repubs take a hit for making it a racial issue, it might be okay. It is also another opportunity for the Dems to point out the lack of compassion that allegedly compassionate conservatives have and tie it into the WH pathetic response to Katrina, creating more poor, etc. Hillary has already hit that (I criticized her for invoking religion, now realizing how smart it was).

[WestSeattle2]

21. If a company has to exploit humans to make a buck....

perhaps they shouldn't be in business. These are the same types of "businessmen" who claimed that eliminating slavery would destroy American business, and that eliminating child labor would destroy American business.

What disgusting, vile, filthy, despicable vultures they are. Throw all of them in prison and toss away the key. And while we're at it, throw every single congressperson who supports their exploitation, in the can with them, starting with Delay.