Some Thoughts About Illegal Immigration

All my conservative friends are up in arms about the President's immigration proposal. I admit that illegal immigration is not a very important topic to me. I live in Sacramento, not San Diego, and most of my interaction with illegals is positive. My gardeners, the janitors at work, the workers at the fabulous mexican restaurant in the neighborhood, the father and son who installed my totally fabulous 600 sq foot brick patio. I bet everyone in our state has some kind of contact with illegals, and some of it is positive. But I can understand how those who live in Southern Cal, Arizona, etc. might feel differently.

I'd like to have a discussion - want to join me? I think most of the ideas I hear from the anti-illegals are impractical and here's why.

1. Deportation - There are 8 to 12 million illegals and each and every one of them has friends/clients/contacts who are citizens. My gardeners, for example, work on approximately 100 homes per week. If they were under threat of deportation, they certainly could get some citizens to speak on their behalf. If each illegal had 5 people who would speak for them, that would be 50 million Americans protesting the government's action. No sensible politician would risk fighting with 50 million people. Congressman Tancredo can gain positive attention from his base while it's all theoretical, but if his solutions were implemented, he'd be in a world of hurt.

2. Military Guarding the Border - Don't we ask enough of our military already? Are there thousands of soldiers and guardsman who are twiddling their thumbs waiting for the government to think of something for them to do? If part of their assignment was to guard the border, and shoot someone trying to illegally cross, would we have more people enlisting? Or would some, who currently serve with honor, decide not to enlist because that type of assignment is unappealing to them?

3. Americans Are Lazy - When the middle and upper middle class complain that welfare recipients should do this work instead, they demean the hard work that some illegals do. Every American grew up in a prosperous society, even those of us who are poor. It's unreasonable for me to say that it's OK for me to be lazy, but not for you. If my Dad had wanted a brick patio, he would have put it in himself. If my Mom wanted her house to be clean, she'd clean it herself. They would have been appalled at how willing I am to pay someone to do work that I could do myself. People who grew up working hard are willing to work hard when they get to America and I'm glad, 'cuz I still don't want to mow my own lawn. How much money would you have if you lived a frugal life? I say, don't judge me and I'll try not to judge you. (unless you do something truly heinous, of course.)

4. If we give them a permit, they'll never go home - A guest worker visa might solve some of the overburdening on schools and hospitals. When it's cold and yicky here, I would be happy to go to Mexico for a month or three, if I had somewhere to stay. If my sister lived in Oaxaca, I'd be there right now. Relieved of the worry about how they'd got back in to the USA, I think a good percentage of illegals would take extended vacations back home, and while they're gone, they won't be using American government services. Wouldn't that be good?

5. Increase Our Tax Base - A portion of the underground economy would evaporate. Why would any illegal work under the table, if that wouldn't qualify them for a guest worker visa? We'd add some revenue to our tax coffers, and there would be slightly less pressure to tax the rich.

What do you think? Please discuss, don't insult.

Conventioneering

Is anyone interested in getting together during the upcoming CRP Convention in Burlingame -- Feb 20-22, 2004? It is being held at the San Francisco Airport Hyatt Regency. First convention post recall. Just 2 weeks before primary election day. The grapevine says that Arnold will be the guest speaker at the Friday banquet. There could be a debate or forum with the U.S. Senate candidates. Lots of good Irish Bars in Burlingame. Good times had by all.

Hillary thinks a Joke is Lame?

Everyobody's talking about how Hillary made an ethnic slur against Indians by suggesting that Gandhi ran a gas station in St. Louis. Than she got busted by the AP.

And she apologized ... by saying:

ST. LOUIS - Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (news - web sites) apologized for joking that Mahatma Gandhi used to run a gas station in St. Louis, saying it was "a lame attempt at humor."

So, she won't make fun of Indians, but it's ok to make fun of people who are lame? I know it's a common expression, but I certainly wouldn't make that joke to my parapelegic next door neighbor. I really doubt whether my neighbor would think it's ok. Isn't ultra-sensitive Hillary from the mommy party supposed to know better?

The Best? Movie Speeches and Quotes

I thought the Scotsman's article on the best ever movie speeches was decent, but they left out some really good ones.

How could they forget General Patton?

I want you to remember that no bastard every won a war by dying for his country. He won it by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country. Then, all this stuf you heard about American not wanting to fight, wanting to stay out of the war is a lot of horse dung. Americans traditionally love to fight. All real Americans love the sting of battle.

or Bluto?

Bluto:What?! Over? Did you say over? NOTHING is over until WE
decide it is! Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?
HELL, NO!
Otter: Germans?
Boon: Forget it, he's rolling.
Bluto: It ain't over now! For when the goin' gets
tough,..............the tough get going! Who's with me!? LET'S GO!
C'MON! OOOOOOOOOOOO!

And I'm partial to Ty

"Ty, what'd you shoot today?"
"Oh, I don't keep score, Judge."
"Oh, well, how do you measure yourself with other golfers?"
"By height."

and Jimmie Foxx

There's no crying in baseball!

Would you like to add you suggestions?

Dan Lungren

I just sent a few bucks to the Lungren for Congress campaign -- You can do it online. I met Dan almost 20 years ago, and he's always been a gentleman, the kind of person you can be proud to have represent you. He's running against Rico Oller, who I think is nasty, and Mary Ose, who's probably nice, but I've never met her.

Dan once said that his favorite movie was Braveheart, which was mentioned in the Scotsman today as one of the best speeches in movie history.

Wallace: Sons of Scotland, I am William Wallace.

Young soldier: William Wallace is 7 feet tall.

Wallace: Yes, I've heard. Kills men by the hundreds, and if he were here he'd consume the English with fireballs from his eyes and bolts of lightning from his arse. I am William Wallace. And I see a whole army of my countrymen here in defiance of tyranny. You have come to fight as free men, and free men you are. What would you do without freedom? Will you fight?

Veteran soldier: Fight? Against that? No, we will run; and we will live.

Wallace: Aye, fight and you may die. Run and you'll live -- at least a while. And dying in your beds many years from now, would you be willing to trade all the days from this day to that for one chance, just one chance to come back here and tell our enemies that they may take our lives, but they'll never take our freedom.

Wallace and Soldiers: Alba gu bra! (Scotland forever!)

Why not send a few bucks to Dan? It's easy and you'll be glad you did.

Aloha

Welcome to visitors sent by the Venomous Kate and her snark hunt.

One month til the kickoff of Piano Bar Season

The AT&T Golf Tournament, more fondly called the Crosby Clambake, is one month away. Can't Hardly wait. Every night for a week you will find me at the Mission Ranch singing my heart out.

Gerrymander - Jerrymander - I'll Never Win the Spelling Bee

I was just having a smug moment that I'm number one on google for Jerrymander - linking to a post about my friends Ted Costa, Assemblyman Kevin McCarthy and Congressman Devin Nunes working on a reapportionment initiative, when I discovered that I'm number one 'cuz I spelled it wrong. Must avoid smugness.

How to Become a Delegate for George W. Bush

I received the following e-mail

-----Original Message-----
From: CAGOPDelegation [mailto:Info@cagopdelegation.com]
Sent: Tuesday, December 23, 2003 2:29 PM
To: info@cagopdelegation.com
Subject: California Republican National Delegation Convention -- Delegate Application Information


Dear Friends,



As we begin the journey toward Victory in November 2004, supporters are invited to apply for a position as a California Delegate or Alternate to next summer's Republican National Convention to be held in New York City. As it will again be my honor to organize the California Delegation - our nation's largest - I am pleased to announce that nominations for positions on the Delegation can be made directly by visiting http://www.cagopdelegation.com and completing the application form.



As California has long led the way in technology developments, the California Republican National Convention Delegation is seeking to make our application process as easy and available to everyone by utilizing the World Wide Web to accept applications, provide information on the Convention and to regularly communicate with our delegates and all of those interested in Convention activities and programs.



Due to the limitations placed upon the Delegation, applications will only be accepted as submitted through the Delegation's website prior to January 9, 2004. Applications will not be accepted via the mail, fax or any other means -- although you are free to contact us for questions and other individual requests. By utilizing an electronic application process for everyone, we will be able to more effectively manage the delegate selection process and give personal attention to your individual application given the very tight timetable by which we are legally bound.



Additional information regarding the Convention, New York City, and ways you can become more involved in next year's effort will also be posted on this website and updated. Please check it regularly as it will be your most up-to-date resource.



Visit www.cagopdelegation.com today to find information and an application to participate in the California Republican National Convention Delegation 2004 but rest assured, your individual information will be held in confidence.



Feel free to forward this email to others who would also be interested in joining us next summer. Thank you for joining our efforts for Victory in 2004 and we look forward to hearing from you.



Sincerely,



Gerry Parsky

It's Wictory Wednesday

It's Wictory Wednesday, the day when we encourage everyone to give give give your time and money to see our Prez re-elected. The Bush/Cheney campaign has provided a link so we can all see how much the "grassroots" contributes. We ought to be able to raise as much on-line as HoHo Dean don't ya think? Do it today!

If you want to be part of our Wictory Wednesday group, e-mail the Poli-Pundit.


And take a tour around the Blogosphere to see what's happening with the other Bush Backers.