Title: Proposed Texas immigration law contains convenient loophole for ‘the help’ Post by: Allhallowsday on March 02, 2011, 08:02:59 PM Proposed Texas immigration law contains convenient loophole for ‘the help’
Texas has long been a hotbed of controversy on immigration issues. And a proposed immigration bill in the Texas state House is sure to raise more than a few eyebrows. The bill would make hiring an "unauthorized alien" a crime punishable by up to two years in prison and a $10,000 fine, unless that is, they are hired to do household chores. Yes, under the House Bill 2012 introduced by a tea party favorite state Rep. Debbie Riddle -- who's been saying for some time that she'd like to see Texas institute an Arizona-style immigration law -- hiring an undocumented maid, caretaker, lawnworker or any type of houseworker would be allowed. Why? As Texas state Rep. Aaron Pena, also a Republican, told CNN, without the exemption, "a large segment of the Texas population" would wind up in prison if the bill became law. "When it comes to household employees or yard workers it is extremely common for Texans to hire people who are likely undocumented workers," Pena told the news giant. "It is so common it is overlooked." Jon English, Rep. Riddle's chief of staff explained that the exemption was an attempt to avoid "stifling the economic engine" in Texas, which today is, somewhat ironically, celebrating its declaring independence from Mexico in 1836. "Excepting household workers from a anti-immigration laws renders the law impotent and self-contradictory, just like the current U.S. immigration policy, of which it is almost a perfect microcosm," legal ethics writer Jack Marshall wrote on his blog. "It guarantees a measure without integrity that sends a mixed enforcement message and does nothing to stop the long-standing deplorable 'we don't want you but somebody has to do those menial jobs' attitude that has paralyzed our immigration policy for decades..." http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_thelookout/20110302/ts_yblog_thelookout/proposed-texas-immigration-law-contains-convenient-loophole-for-the-help (http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_thelookout/20110302/ts_yblog_thelookout/proposed-texas-immigration-law-contains-convenient-loophole-for-the-help) Title: Re: Proposed Texas immigration law contains convenient loophole for ‘the help’ Post by: indianasmith on March 02, 2011, 08:59:25 PM Gee, I wish I could afford to hire some "help" . . .
legal or otherwise, my house is a mess. Seriously - this bill is an exercise in hypocrisy. I'll call my Senator to vote against it - at least, as long as that ridiculous exemption is in it. Title: Re: Proposed Texas immigration law contains convenient loophole for ‘the help’ Post by: RCMerchant on March 03, 2011, 06:13:53 AM The rich who can afford "help" are the politicions who propose racist laws like this. Can't have the law be against them,now can we?
Title: Re: Proposed Texas immigration law contains convenient loophole for ‘the help’ Post by: BoyScoutKevin on March 03, 2011, 06:19:58 PM Welcome to Texas! I have lived in this great state for almost 31 years, and when it comes to Texas politics, nothing ceases to amaze me anymore.
Title: Re: Proposed Texas immigration law contains convenient loophole for ‘the help’ Post by: Nukie 2 on March 03, 2011, 11:48:27 PM So much for the Tea Party's brand of integrity-- like the Bolsheviks and the Mensheviks to the dustbin of history with them :bouncegiggle:!
Title: Re: Proposed Texas immigration law contains convenient loophole for ‘the help’ Post by: indianasmith on March 04, 2011, 12:48:21 AM Not a Tea Party issue . . . just good ol' fashioned Texas Good Ol' Boy politics.
The Party is here to stay! Title: Re: Proposed Texas immigration law contains convenient loophole for ‘the help’ Post by: Allhallowsday on March 04, 2011, 08:10:50 PM Not a Tea Party issue . . . just good ol' fashioned Texas Good Ol' Boy politics. State Rep. DEBBIE RIDDLE introduced the bill; she had been president of the Texas Tea Party of Republican Women... I think referencing the Tea Party with regards to this hypocritical bill is warranted. The Party is here to stay! Title: Re: Proposed Texas immigration law contains convenient loophole for ‘the help’ Post by: indianasmith on March 04, 2011, 09:07:32 PM Point taken . . . however, TP'ers come in all stripes. There is no organized party, and no elected leaders (lots of self-appointed ones!), and a lot of people who tried to glom onto the movement for its votes in the closing days of last fall's election. Personally, I live in Texas and TRY to keep up with politics (a full time job in this lovely place!), but I have never HEARD of the Texas Tea Party of Republican Women. Wonder how many members it has?
Title: Re: Proposed Texas immigration law contains convenient loophole for ‘the help’ Post by: Allhallowsday on March 04, 2011, 09:30:11 PM Point taken . . . however, TP'ers come in all stripes. There is no organized party, and no elected leaders (lots of self-appointed ones!), and a lot of people who tried to glom onto the movement for its votes in the closing days of last fall's election. Personally, I live in Texas and TRY to keep up with politics (a full time job in this lovely place!), but I have never HEARD of the Texas Tea Party of Republican Women. Wonder how many members it has? Enough to get her elected. Title: Re: Proposed Texas immigration law contains convenient loophole for ‘the help’ Post by: Nukie 2 on March 04, 2011, 09:38:03 PM IS, what the Hell was with the bigots at the Tea Party protests with their misspelled signs?
Title: Re: Proposed Texas immigration law contains convenient loophole for ‘the help’ Post by: indianasmith on March 04, 2011, 10:24:15 PM You know, the TP rallies I saw were mostly older Americans - retirees, veterans, etc. Decent people who are worried about the future. I never saw a single racist sign, and none in person that were misspelled. I did hear through the grapevine of some people that showed up at one Tea Party rally with racist signs. No one there had ever seen any of them before, and when asked to leave they refused at first, then swore at the TP folks and stormed off . . . I personally think they were MoveOn.org plants there to MAKE the TP folks LOOK like racists.
I really resent the fact that people automatically assume Conservatives must be racists. I VOTED for a black man for President years before Obama ever thought about running. I don't like Obama because he is the most radical leftist ever to occupy the White House, and because he is dangerously inexperienced at foreign policy. He seems to have devoted a great deal of time to cultivating our enemies - which they only take as a sign of weakness - and alienating our allies. It has NOTHING TO DO WITH HIS COLOR!! IT'S HIS POLICIES I DON'T LIKE! Title: Re: Proposed Texas immigration law contains convenient loophole for ‘the help’ Post by: Nukie 2 on March 04, 2011, 10:54:59 PM I personally think they were MoveOn.org plants there to MAKE the TP folks LOOK like racists. That, or they were actual Fascists. Not necessarily the Nazi type. After all, Fascism started out as a grass-roots movement. The weird thing with any partisan protest that gets a good amount of media attention you will see extremists there to tailend the dominant groups in hopes of conversion. Always expect to see Communists and Anarchists at pro-union rallies at the back passing out literature, but they certainly do not represent the majority-- they have their own agenda. Title: Re: Proposed Texas immigration law contains convenient loophole for ‘the help’ Post by: indianasmith on March 05, 2011, 12:53:11 AM I will grant you - every political movement, right or left, does attract its share of wing nuts. I just don't like being lumped in with them.
Title: Re: Proposed Texas immigration law contains convenient loophole for ‘the help’ Post by: Mofo Rising on March 05, 2011, 03:40:13 AM I really resent the fact that people automatically assume Conservatives must be racists. I VOTED for a black man for President years before Obama ever thought about running. I don't like Obama because he is the most radical leftist ever to occupy the White House, and because he is dangerously inexperienced at foreign policy. He seems to have devoted a great deal of time to cultivating our enemies - which they only take as a sign of weakness - and alienating our allies. It has NOTHING TO DO WITH HIS COLOR!! IT'S HIS POLICIES I DON'T LIKE! "Dangerously inexperienced at foreign policy." That would be like electing an unproven Texas governor to the Presidency. Twice. I'm not attacking you here, indianasmith. But if you accept one for the job, it seems weird that you would reject the other out of hand, at least as far as experience goes. And as far as the "cultivating enemies," you're familiar enough with American history to know enough not to lay the blame squarely on the Obama administration by ignoring the Bush years. The world does not stop and begin based on which American party's leader currently holds office. Not all conservative's are racist, and I grant this board the kudos for introducing me to some very well-spoken and intelligent conservatives. I really do enjoy hearing their opinions. However, there are a lot of racists in the conservative party, and their opinions are inexorably intertwined with the popularity of that movement. Then again, racism is endemic to the human condition, and I don't find the "liberal" movement to be that much more open-minded. Just out of curiosity, which Black candidate for President did you vote for? Title: Re: Proposed Texas immigration law contains convenient loophole for ‘the help’ Post by: ulthar on March 05, 2011, 02:38:55 PM "Dangerously inexperienced at foreign policy." That would be like electing an unproven Texas governor to the Presidency. Twice. I'm not attacking you here, indianasmith. But if you accept one for the job, it seems weird that you would reject the other out of hand, at least as far as experience goes. But a State governor HAS executive experience, right? I mean, the governor is the State equivalent of the President. So this comment baffles me a little bit. A person with experience "running" a (largish) State government as well as executive experience in the private sector is a far different animal that an academic, one-term Senator who has never professionally "run" any organization in his life. Quote Then again, racism is endemic to the human condition, and I don't find the "liberal" movement to be that much more open-minded. Karma for that. Back on the experience bit for a sec. I always thought that was something of a red herring. The proof is in the pudding; Bush HAD executive experience, but made some significant mistakes during his two terms. Obama had the opportunity to poke the "no experience" claim in the eye, but he has failed to do so. I don't think history is going to paint a picture of him that says "effectiveness," and the experience thing may always be where the finger is pointed for that. What I would like to see in ANY President (either party, any race) is a stricter adherence to the Constitution in terms of enumerated powers. Title: Re: Proposed Texas immigration law contains convenient loophole for ‘the help’ Post by: Nukie 2 on March 05, 2011, 05:12:51 PM Back on the experience bit for a sec. I always thought that was something of a red herring. The proof is in the pudding; Bush HAD executive experience, but made some significant mistakes during his two terms. Obama had the opportunity to poke the "no experience" claim in the eye, but he has failed to do so. I don't think history is going to paint a picture of him that says "effectiveness," and the experience thing may always be where the finger is pointed for that. What I would like to see in ANY President (either party, any race) is a stricter adherence to the Constitution in terms of enumerated powers. What a great stance: everyone sucks! It almost makes me want to do nothing, oh but I replied-- oh silly me. Title: Re: Proposed Texas immigration law contains convenient loophole for ‘the help’ Post by: indianasmith on March 05, 2011, 08:57:25 PM I voted for Alan Keyes back in 1996. I knew he wasn't goping to win, but I didn't really want to vote for Dole, and I admired Keyes unabashed opposition to abortion, which I agree with wholeheartedly.
On the governor thing - Texas is the second largest state in the Union, both geographically and in population. It shares a 1200 mile border with a foreign country, and the governor of Texas deals with the President of Mexico on a pretty regular basis. In fact, I would argue that the governorship of Texas is one of the best training grounds imaginable for the Presidency. Now, as far as Bush goes, believe me when I say I recognize he was far from perfect. But he understood some fundamental truths: The British and Israelis are the truest friends and most faithful Allies America has ever had. The French are fundamentally untrustworthy. And Islamic fundamentalism is the most dangerous ideaology on earth. Any person who can't grasp those simple concepts has no business in the White House. Anyway, Nukie, I enjoy discussing things on this forum. I appreciate the generally civil tone and honest affection our members have for each other. You and I obviously have enormous differences, but I enjoy discussing them. Title: Re: Proposed Texas immigration law contains convenient loophole for ‘the help’ Post by: Allhallowsday on March 05, 2011, 11:18:29 PM I voted for Alan Keyes back in 1996. I knew he wasn't goping to win, but I didn't really want to vote for Dole, and I admired Keyes unabashed opposition to abortion, which I agree with wholeheartedly. Good stuff. ...The British and Israelis are the truest friends and most faithful Allies America has ever had. The French are fundamentally untrustworthy. And Islamic fundamentalism is the most dangerous ideaology on earth. Any person who can't grasp those simple concepts has no business in the White House... You're worried about the French? Oh yes, the British characterization of the French... And... what about the rest of the world?? :question:Title: Re: Proposed Texas immigration law contains convenient loophole for ‘the help’ Post by: Nukie 2 on March 05, 2011, 11:47:33 PM I don't like how they have this thing called a "French Dip", it's toasted and supposed to be crispy, yet I get this tiny bowl of stock to dip it into.
I just don't trust the French because of that Title: Re: Proposed Texas immigration law contains convenient loophole for ‘the help’ Post by: Mofo Rising on March 07, 2011, 02:58:12 AM I was going to delete the majority of my earlier post, since thinking back on it I thought it had no real substance, and was divisive at best. Unfortunately, I was sans internet access, so didn't have the opportunity. Luckily, there were several posts of substance responding to it, so I wouldn't delete it now.
At any rate, I wasn't attacking "executive" experience, it was the "foreign policy" experience. indianasmith has made a good post regarding Bush's experience. I would say indiananasmith has a good point, but it seems to me that there is no training ground for foreign policy in any of the current political tracks. Then again, George Bush, Sr. was head of the C.I.A. for many years. One would hope some of it rubbed off on his kid. I don't want to get further into "cultivating enemies" in this thread. I'll argue it elsewhere, but it really it doesn't have much bearing on the thread topic. And I don't mean that to ignore the arguments presented, which are valid and arguable (and which I genuinely enjoy hearing). Back to the original post, it is a hideous double-standard. What the law says is that is a crime to illegally stay in the United States, unless you are providing somebody somewhere with cheap, under-the-table labor. This is because if the law was followed as written, "'a large segment of the Texas population' would wind up in prison." Well, yes, that should be the case if you assist criminal activity. Apparently that should only matter to the illegals themselves, instead of the large majority of the population that makes use of their services. Disgusting. Indentured servitude is a thing of the past, right? Title: Re: Proposed Texas immigration law contains convenient loophole for ‘the help’ Post by: indianasmith on March 11, 2011, 07:21:26 AM Hypocrisy is a human condition everywhere. No one plays as good a game as they talk. But frankly, I find the left to be more hateful, more hypocritical, and far more destructive to our country than the right.
Title: Re: Proposed Texas immigration law contains convenient loophole for ‘the help’ Post by: Andrew on March 11, 2011, 10:22:32 AM Conservatives are by far the worst hypocrites in america. Yeah, yeah there's some hypocrisy on the left, but it's dwarfed by the hypocrisy billowing from the right. This is a comment that does not help anything or contribute to any sort of meaningful debate. Let's not go that route. Title: Re: Proposed Texas immigration law contains convenient loophole for ‘the help’ Post by: Nukie 2 on March 11, 2011, 11:23:43 AM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3e1SQmt9WtQ&feature=related
Title: Re: Proposed Texas immigration law contains convenient loophole for ‘the help’ Post by: Jim H on March 12, 2011, 07:36:41 PM I find the left to be more hateful, more hypocritical, and far more destructive to our country than the right. And the left says the same of the right. Just so long as you're aware your own outlook greatly changes your view of the other side. That's inevitable. Quote You know, the TP rallies I saw were mostly older Americans - retirees, veterans, etc. Decent people who are worried about the future. From what I gather, it's two groups - somewhat younger TPers, who have then motivated and gotten the older retired types out to rally and support some ideas. And the two groups do not have the exact same motivations or desires. Title: Re: Proposed Texas immigration law contains convenient loophole for ‘the help’ Post by: indianasmith on March 12, 2011, 09:40:51 PM I recognize that all political movements will attract their share of wingnuts, and that neither side is right or wrong about everything.
The Tea Party does indeed consist of a very wide spectrum of people with lots of divergent views - indeed, that is why it does not have a single national leader or organization. I have no doubt there are a few members who did join out of racism. But the idea that the entire movement is composed of racists, bigots, homophobes, and whatever other name that Moveon.org chooses to label them with this week is ludicrous. Mostly it's folks concerned about taxes that are too high, spending that is out of control, and politicians that seem indifferent to their concerns. Most of them I have met are very good people, and I hate seeing them bashed with the venom that some on this board have displayed. Title: Re: Proposed Texas immigration law contains convenient loophole for ‘the help’ Post by: Mofo Rising on March 14, 2011, 02:51:26 AM I find the left to be more hateful, more hypocritical, and far more destructive to our country than the right. And the left says the same of the right. Just so long as you're aware your own outlook greatly changes your view of the other side. That's inevitable. I truly dislike the fake dichotomy of liberal/conservative politics that political discourse in this country has resorted to. The idea that you have to buy one party or the other's political rhetoric, to the death, is absolutely silly and harmful. I can't claim membership of either party. I am pro-abortion (with the proviso that the right to privacy was a cop-out, but I'm still pro-abortion!). I am pro-death penalty, very much so. I'm also pro-guns, even the big crazy guns, but I think a license, much like a license to drive a car, is not out of the question. I'm all for the laissez-faire approach to government, but it continually befuddles me how the Republican party, which should be the working man's party, has become so rabidly anti-unionist. Unions, for all there corrupion, have always been on the side of the working man. Now it's a dirty word? I truly do not understand. Back to the Tea Party. There are a lot of people who are only there for the racism and hatred. indianasmith, I have proclaimed my admiration for you, but I also live in this world. That being said, I am literally subject to racism every day. I'm not even Mexican, I'm just dark complexioned. This isn't a goof for me, this is my day to day life. Title: Re: Proposed Texas immigration law contains convenient loophole for ‘the help’ Post by: indianasmith on March 14, 2011, 07:30:51 AM Maybe. But I haven't run into many of them . . . two that I can think of.
My problem with unions is that they have priced American labor out of the market, and public service unions have become nothing but a symbiotic cash cow for the Democratic Party. I can't be pro-abortion. I am fine with contraception and family planning, but once that tiny heart starts beating, it's time to take responsibility, not duck it! But thanks for a thoughtful and meaningful response. Title: Re: Proposed Texas immigration law contains convenient loophole for ‘the help’ Post by: Mofo Rising on March 14, 2011, 01:13:20 PM Maybe. But I haven't run into many of them . . . two that I can think of. My problem with unions is that they have priced American labor out of the market, and public service unions have become nothing but a symbiotic cash cow for the Democratic Party. I can't be pro-abortion. I am fine with contraception and family planning, but once that tiny heart starts beating, it's time to take responsibility, not duck it! But thanks for a thoughtful and meaningful response. You get no argument from me that some unions are corrupt, but dismantling unions completely and disallowing workers to speak as a group is very much not the answer. Coincidentally, unions are one of the main reasons so many people are trying to sneak into the United States. You know, we could drop wages down to the sub-poverty levels the rest of the world works on. No money, no immigrants. Problem solved! Facetiousness aside, I apologize for bringing up abortion. I was using it as an example of how my personal beliefs flip from both "liberal" to "conservative." Bad example, it's a hot button topic that rarely ends in pleasant arguments. Anyway, thanks for the response, indianasmith! Title: Re: Proposed Texas immigration law contains convenient loophole for ‘the help’ Post by: indianasmith on March 14, 2011, 03:42:36 PM No problem, friend. Many of my close friends are pro-choice and one family member is. I can recognize and even sympathise with their reasoning; I just cannot share it. But I appreciate the response and the tone.
I agree that unions have accomplished some great things in this nation's history, but I think that their time has largely come and gone. Teacher's unions in particular seem bound and determined to fight every single reform that might actually improve education. (And I am a schoolteacher! Albeit in the private school sector). Title: Re: Proposed Texas immigration law contains convenient loophole for ‘the help’ Post by: Mofo Rising on March 16, 2011, 01:38:32 AM Not to harp on this subject, but racism is alive and well in the United States today. These days people are very rarely overt, until they find themselves in a receptive audience. Then the true feelings come out. I live in Arizona, and you better believe there are a lot of racists in this state.
An example, the last house I lived in with several roommates was visited by a black door-to-door salesman. He was selling junk, so my roommate who answered the door sent him along. The next thing I hear is a shouting match between my neighbor and the salesman. He was cussing him out because he didn't want to see "his people" in this neighborhood. The next day my neighbor tested out my roommate. It was my neighbor and the other neighbor across the street asking my roommate if he had a problem with "the n*****s." I liked those neighbors. They were some of the nicest people I've ever lived next to. They just happened to be stunningly racist. Never would have guessed it. I'm not laying blame on conservatives or the Tea Party. The democratic party supported Robert Byrd for years, and try as you might, you can't toss off membership in the KKK as "youthful hijinks." The anti-immigrant movement is full of racists. They may not share it, but racism is one of their primary motivators. The people I hang out with are not rich, and they like alcohol. I have heard so many racist rants from people who assume I'm your average white guy. (I look white if you don't know what an Alaskan Native looks like.) All I'm saying is that racism is still about, just easier to ignore. That is unless you are on the receiving end of it. |