immigration reform

[CommanderOtto]

I think Pi's response is the most reasonable. But believe me, not all the 11 million illegals will get the amnesty and maybe it's best that way because then it would be unfair if illegals who don't pay taxes and disrespect american laws suddenly got the same amnesty as those illegals who worked their asses off and payed all their taxes and obeyed all other laws. I have the feeling only a small percentage of those 11 million actually pay taxes (maybe 30%? of illegals?). I could be wrong though.

and yeah, Hstar is right about what he said. What the government has to do is make sure people can't abuse the system, so that only the people who really need help, get the help they need.

EDIT:

The Social Security Administration estimates that about three-quarters of illegal workers pay taxes that contribute to the overall solvency of Social Security and Medicare.

http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/money/perfi/taxes/2008-04-10-immigrantstaxes_N.htm

well I was wrong about the amount of people that pay taxes then.

[WD-40]

As far as the whole thing about people wanting free stuff, I would like to point out that there are times where someone falls on hard times and needs a help from the government. Not everyone who needs to get money from unemployment or medical expenses covered does it simply because they are lazy.

Some people have diseases that can knock them back on their ass so hard that they physically can't go back to their old job, they can't sustain the income they need and because of this they lose the healthcare they had. It might take a few months but it does help ones to get back on their feet.

If this had never been the case for anyone here then count your blessings. Instead of being critical of the "idea" of government aid, be critical of those who give out the aid without properly investigating the ones taking the aid.

My 'free stuff' gripe certainly does not include those that have fallen on hard times, due to illness, injury, being layed off due to cutbacks, or unable to find work but 'actively' looking for a job. It's simply the 'freeloaders' who don't want to work and are just fine getting their free handouts that frustrate me. As far as 11 million new illegals becoming legal, I will say many of them work. or want to. And many are criminal types and lazy too. Absorbing 11 million more 'citizens' under our economic situation will be extremely difficult, if not impossible. The only good to come out of it is their tax money. But our government will piss that away too with more entitlements and wasteful spending.

[CommanderOtto]

what kind of free handouts? as long as the immigration reform package only allows people who pay taxes, then it shouldn't be a problem.

[WD-40]

what kind of free handouts? as long as the immigration reform package only allows people who pay taxes, then it shouldn't be a problem.

Re-read my post...Entitlements is another word that can be used. And receiving free government (tax) money but using it for other things than what that money was intended for.

[Dad]

Hmmm, illegal = criminal.

There is no room for interpretation when a "legal" citizen commits an "illegal" act.

Why is it ignored that the very existence of an "illegal" immigrant is criminal?

I have no sympathy, no tolerance for this crap. Come here legally or get the [m'kay] out.

[WD-40]

Hmmm, illegal = criminal.

There is no room for interpretation when a "legal" citizen commits an "illegal" act.

Why is it ignored that the very existence of an "illegal" immigrant is criminal?

I have no sympathy, no tolerance for this crap. Come here legally or get the [m'kay] out.

[Matt-Chicago]

I'm probably the only one here who holds this opinion, but I'm for blanket amnesty similar to what Reagan did in the 1980's.

The people are here, they're not leaving, I want them out of the shadows, paying taxes, getting drivers licenses and insurance, going to college, etc.

I think immigrants are an easy scapegoat, but personally I don't feel any more entitled because I happened to be lucky enough to be born on the right land mass, within the right borders. I didn't earn that, it was dumb luck.

[THEWULFMAN]

Invade Mexico. Annex it. Make it its own state, make them follow our laws. Fix up Mexico so it isn't such a bad place to live.

Boom. Done. Send me money.

[Sir Bang]

Or just do what Britain is considering doing.

[Darth Crater]

I'm probably the only one here who holds this opinion, but I'm for blanket amnesty similar to what Reagan did in the 1980's.

The people are here, they're not leaving, I want them out of the shadows, paying taxes, getting drivers licenses and insurance, going to college, etc.

I think immigrants are an easy scapegoat, but personally I don't feel any more entitled because I happened to be lucky enough to be born on the right land mass, within the right borders. I didn't earn that, it was dumb luck.

I agree with you; I said as much back on page 1. Though I didn't know that Reagan had done it before.