The TexasFred Blog
News Opinion Commentary
This is The Header

Texas Republicans’ immigration reform stance may alienate Hispanics voters

June 11th, 2010 . by TexasFred
Texas Republicans’ immigration reform stance may alienate Hispanics voters

AUSTIN – The Texas Republican Party, on the topic of immigration reform, already eschews any shade of gray in its red, white and blue platform: It begins: “No amnesty! No how. No way.”

But this week, conservative stalwarts, pushed by passage of Arizona’s tough new law and angered by Washington inertia, are meeting in Dallas to demand that Texas act on a topic that could help define the party for this election and potentially hobble it in future ones.

About 12,000 Republican delegates are coming to Dallas for the state GOP convention Friday and Saturday. And between the long hours of rallying, listening to state leaders and preparing for the November election, delegates will determine their policy goals and how to hold their elected officials accountable for accomplishing them.

And while there is much to unify the Republican Party – holding every statewide office and record-breaking turnout in the March primary – a long-term worry lingers for the GOP: that its strident language on immigration will alienate Hispanic voters, the fastest-growing part of the electorate.

Full Story Here:
Texas Republicans’ immigration reform stance may alienate Hispanics voters

Immigration reform is a dirty word here in Texas. In most circles, those words, immigration reform, almost immediately conjure up mental images that make Conservatives think amnesty.

What’s to reform? Enforcement, that’s the ticket. Maybe pass something even more stringent than we already have. Maybe something similar to Arizona immigration law SB1070.

Oh, but wait, Gov. Goodhair, uh, Rick Perry for you folks not from Texas, has already made this statement: Gov. Rick Perry said in a statement he released late Thursday that portions of Arizona’s tough immigration law concern him and that “it would not be the right direction for Texas.�? Perry against Arizona law for Texas

Gov. Goodhair doesn’t want to offend any potential Hispanic voters I think.

“Democrats fall on their knees every night and pray the Dallas convention brings these issues to the forefront,” said Jerry Polinard, a political science professor at the University of Texas-Pan American. “It’s a scenario that could have been written by Democratic strategists.”

Perhaps Polinard is correct. I do know this, the BIG TENT politics people in the GOP are willing to do, try and accept anything that will keep them in the mainstream. It sure makes it hard for a former Dixiecrat turned Reagan Conservative turned Conservative libertarian to support the GOP though.

Personally, I don’t care who gets alienated, the law is very clear regarding illegal immigrants and the definition of the word ILLEGAL is NOT open to interpretation. ILLEGAL, against the law. How can it be made any more simple?

In the last 15 years, Republicans have pushed two major immigration initiatives – a crackdown on services for illegal immigrants in California under Gov. Pete Wilson and an effort to offer them a path to citizenship during George W. Bush’s presidency. The anger surrounding those debates eroded GOP inroads among Hispanic voters, and many Republican strategists are concerned about new fallout from the Arizona law.

The Texas Republican delegates appear ready to stir the volatile brew.

If you want to see Texas Conservatives in open rebellion, try and push an amnesty policy off on us, hell hath NO fury. Trust me!

Delegates will debate whether to add a demand for an Arizona-type law, under which police could question the legal status of those stopped for other infractions. They will also push to rescind the Texas law that allows the children of illegal immigrants to pay in-state college tuition. Others, though, will try to persuade the party to take a gentler stance.

“It will be one of the big topics,” said delegate Leo Berman, a House member from Tyler who said he will introduce Arizona-style legislation when the Legislature convenes in January.

The need is all the more pressing, he said, because Arizona, Minnesota and other states already “are passing good illegal alien bills. As a result, they’re migrating to Texas.”

« Read the rest of this post HERE! »


Bookmark and Share
Return: Top of Home Page

Berman plans immigration bill similar to Arizona law

April 28th, 2010 . by TexasFred

Berman plans immigration bill similar to Arizona law

AUSTIN – State Rep. Leo Berman, R-Tyler, will introduce immigration legislation comparable to a law recently enacted in Arizona, according to an aide.

Rep. Berman, who is traveling in Europe, authorized the aide to respond to KVUE News’ request for information regarding his plans for the 82nd Legislative Session which begins in January 2011.

According to the aide, Berman said his bill will be similar to the Arizona law, specifically the provision which requires local law enforcement agencies in the state to check the immigration status of individuals who they suspect of being in the United States illegally.

While the bill is expected to look a lot like the Arizona law, at least one group of Texas lawmakers notes that the Texas Legislature is very different that the Arizona Legislature.

Full Story Here:
Aide: Texas rep. plans immigration bill similar to Arizona law

I know it’s a long shot, but it sure would be nice if Rep. Joe Driver got behind this too, it might make some of us think a lot better of him!

I know we had words in the past Joe, but this could go a long ways towards making things a lot better… I mean, since I know you’re reading here. Just sayin’…

State Rep. Solomon Ortiz, D-Corpus Christi, serves as the treasurer of the Mexican American Legislative caucus and said Berman’s bill will face a very different political reality here in Texas.

“The public that knows Leo will know this isn’t the first time he’s filed related or similar legislation,ďż˝? he said. “The Mexican American Legislative Caucus is almost a third of the Texas House, so the prospects of something like this passing the Texas House is very slim.ďż˝?

First, Ortiz is, obviously, a Hispanic. That’s pretty much a given. Second, Ortiz is one of those “dumber than a bag of dog crap” Hispanics that places the idea of being a Mexican-American above the idea of being an AMERICAN, a LEGAL American.

Oh, I’m fairly certain that Ortiz himself is legal, that’s not what I’m saying, but like most of the Hispanics that are against the new law in Arizona, and against it being implemented elsewhere, Ortiz automatically assumes that the word ILLEGAL means Hispanic. It does not, but many not too terribly intelligent folks have a guilty conscience or something, they don’t see that ILLEGAL means ANYONE that’s here illegally, they, for some reason take it personally, as if it’s an affront to them that a state, or a nation, would actually want to enforce the laws of the land.

Ortiz isn’t too smart either, not in MY opinion. He says, “The Mexican American Legislative Caucus is almost a third of the Texas House”. Ortiz needs to stop and think before he speaks. Almost a third? Almost? Does he not realize that “almost a third” is a losing proposition when it comes time to vote?

Ortiz’ prediction doesn’t please Texas voters like Kelly Clark who grew up in Arizona and now lives in Leander.

“I’m an American. I pay taxes. I want people to know if there is somebody here that’s going to get paid to, basically, take money out of my mouth,�? he said.

Clark dismissed worries over possibly requiring local Texas law enforcement agencies to enforce federal immigration statutes.

“I think law enforcement should be upholding all of it,�? he said. “I don’t think the law should change from one location to another.�?

I am as likely to be asked my citizenship as is anyone else in this state. You see, here’s what the people making all the noise don’t want you to hear, police are NOT going to be *on the hunt* for ILLEGALS.

Our police will only ask you about your citizenship IF, I repeat, IF you have been stopped for some legitimate reason. The color of your skin will have absolutely nothing to do with you being asked about your legality. You will have been stopped, detained, questioned, whatever the case may be, for reasons other than American citizenship!

« Read the rest of this post HERE! »


Bookmark and Share
Return: Top of Home Page