Republican from CO makes an astute proposal for Immigration

[NAO]

I have been fulminating that with all this controversy about immigration, everyone is focusing on the immigrants rather than the business owners who hire them.

So I was shocked to hear on the news that a Republican from Colorado (can't remember his name) suggested that we should "be going after the people who hire illegals".

EXACTLY. It should be a CRIME to hire an illegal WITHOUT paying them minimum wage and withholding payroll taxes. That is where our enforcement efforts should be focused.

The people who should be punished (in their wallets) for illegal immigration are not the immigrants but the people who are:
exploiting the illegals
AND SIMULTANEOUSLY
cheating the IRS
AND
taking jobs away from / lowing wages for American Workers.

If the US Government went after those who hire illegals rather than illegals, they might curb the problem and increase Federal revenues without raising taxes. Of course, the business class does not want anything of the sort to be even discussed. That idea would turn the backlash resentment they have so skillfully exploted against them.

[kentuck]

1. I'm surprised you haven't heard of Tancredo?

He's a right-wing nut.

[C_U_L8R]

2. But that would mean going after Friends of the Chimp

- defrauding the goverment
- cheating on taxes
- taking advantage of the little guy

that sure does sound like your average everyday republican

[snowbear]

3. Sounds like he heisted Governor Richardson's comments from a year ago

http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=05/09/22/1846255

[Hawkeye-X]

4. Boot Tancredo out! Support his opponent - Bill Winter!

http://www.winterforcongress.com

[Warpy]

5. Even PAYING minimum wage when the prevailing wage is higher

should be criminal exploitation. Anybody who drops the wage he offers and then tries to whine that Americans don't want to work needs to have a reality check delivered with great vigor, preferably with a boot.

There are already laws on the books with hefty fines for employers who hire illegals. Unfortunately, few "pro business" officials of either party seem particularly concerned with ENFORCEMENT.

Tancredo is right, it's cheapass employers who are the problem. His party will undoubtedly find a way to silence his sensible observation, though.