I am a lifelong democrat, I have never voted for a Republican in my life and I had hoped I would never have too. Democrats, the party I have loved and respected for the last 30 years, have turned its back on it's own people and sided with Illegal Mexicans who are commiting a crime just being in this country. No matter what you hear from either the Latinos or the business owners tell you, Illegals are destroying this country. They are not taking jobs that no one else want, they take jobs that Americans want but can't affored to take because these Illegals are pushing down the pay scale. We need to stop the influx of Illegals, close the border and stop trying to gain a few votes while throwing away our jobs, or values supporting Illegals and their families. If we, as Democrats, support Illegals in the next few Elections we will find ourselves out of the main stream and out in the cold politicaly as most Americans, White and Black Americans, want the Illegals out and the border closed. If that means putting the Illegals in jail, putting the owners of the companies in jail who hire the Illegals or both, then so be it.

Please rethink this mistaken bid for a few votes and help real Democrats in kicking the Illegals out and closeing the border.
Do not reward the Illegals by supporting any laws that would allow them to stay. Push our Political leaders to bring stronger laws into effect to hit the business that hire illegals where it hurts in the pocketbook.

We lost big in the last election and I know, with the right set of agendas we can retake the House and Senate as well as the Whitehouse. Taking the side of these criminals and not pushing for stronger laws to send them back home and keep them there will mean we will not only lose more power in our goverment but it will mean the very people we are supposed to help and protect (The American People)will turn their back on us.

If Democrats, turn our backs on the Amercan people and support the Illegals then they will lose my vote but more importantly, they will lose millions of votes from the very people we are working to help.

Sincerly

Steve Mccollum

I am a lifelong democrat, I have never voted for a Republican in my life and I had hoped I would never have too. Democrats, the party I have loved and respected for the last 30 years, have turned its back on it's own people and sided with Illegal Mexicans who are commiting a crime just being in this country. No matter what you hear from either the Latinos or the business owners tell you, Illegals are destroying this country. They are not taking jobs that no one else want, they take jobs that Americans want but can't affored to take because these Illegals are pushing down the pay scale. We need to stop the influx of Illegals, close the border and stop trying to gain a few votes while throwing away our jobs, or values supporting Illegals and their families. If we, as Democrats, support Illegals in the next few Elections we will find ourselves out of the main stream and out in the cold politicaly as most Americans, White and Black Americans, want the Illegals out and the border closed. If that means putting the Illegals in jail, putting the owners of the companies in jail who hire the Illegals or both, then so be it.

Please rethink this mistaken bid for a few votes and help real Democrats in kicking the Illegals out and closeing the border.
Do not reward the Illegals by supporting any laws that would allow them to stay. Push our Political leaders to bring stronger laws into effect to hit the business that hire illegals where it hurts in the pocketbook.

We lost big in the last election and I know, with the right set of agendas we can retake the House and Senate as well as the Whitehouse. Taking the side of these criminals and not pushing for stronger laws to send them back home and keep them there will mean we will not only lose more power in our goverment but it will mean the very people we are supposed to help and protect (The American People)will turn their back on us.

If Democrats, turn our backs on the Amercan people and support the Illegals then they will lose my vote but more importantly, they will lose millions of votes from the very people we are working to help.

Sincerly

Steve Mccollum

I agree with Steve McCollum 100 percent. Apparently, the Democratic Party has decided to abandon Americans in order to support illegal immigrants. How interesting. How sad. Hispanics seem to believe that their rights to this country and all it offers are not determined by the laws that govern the rest of us. In Maryland, recently, illegals held a demonstration outside a Motor Vehicles office, demanding their rights to licenses. Imagine, those who are here illegally believe they should be given the same privileges as Americans. And anyone who dares disagree is labelled a racist. I look forward to illegals expulsion from the country, which will only happen under the Republican Party -- about the same time as the Third World War, no doubt.

I agree with Steve McCollum 100 percent. Apparently, the Democratic Party has decided to abandon Americans in order to support illegal immigrants. How interesting. How sad. Hispanics seem to believe that their rights to this country and all it offers are not determined by the laws that govern the rest of us. In Maryland, recently, illegals held a demonstration outside a Motor Vehicles office, demanding their rights to licenses. Imagine, those who are here illegally believe they should be given the same privileges as Americans. And anyone who dares disagree is labelled a racist. I look forward to illegals' expulsion from the country, which will only happen under the Republican Party -- about the same time as the Third World War, no doubt.

Immigration is the new wedge issue being used by Republicans and, if these comments are any indication, it appears to be working. I attended the Summit this weekend and I did not get the impression that the Democratic Party, Congressman Gonzalez, any of the speakers, or any of the attendees was "siding with illegals" or "turning its back on Americans." After all, the attendees are Americans.

The main concern, as I understand it, is that Americans that look or sound foreign, or who may have foreign sounding names, may be the target of vigilante groups like the Minute Men, or of over-zealous law enforcement personnel, or of John Culberson's ill-conceived "Border Protection Corps," and could potentially be denied their voting rights. Culberson's HR 3622 (which has the co-sponsorship of 47 other members of the U.S. House of Representatives is a scary piece of legislation.

Other concerns were the protection of human rights of all individuals (whether in the U.S. legally or illegally) and a realistic evaluation of our current immigration policy. I do not understand how these concerns can be interpreted as un-American. The protection of human rights, voting rights, and development of a common-sense immigration policy are the most American of ideals.

The following is the text of a letter I sent to my U.S. Congressman Ted Poe in response to his co-sponsorship of HR 3622. I hope that each of you will take the time to read this bill and communicate your thoughts to your elected officials.

Representative Poe:

I decided to write when I learned about your co-sponsorship of HR3622. Have you and your 48 colleagues co-sponsoring this bill truly considered the ramifications if this piece of legislation actually becomes law? Have you thought about the real consequences of having untrained persons patrolling the border areas of south Texas?

I am a 6th generation American who happens to have brown skin, brown eyes, brown hair and an Hispanic surname. I am a proud American, but I am equally proud of my Mexican ancestry. When I was growing up in south Texas (Crystal City), it was not uncommon for our family vehicle to be pulled over by Border Patrol officials for "random" checks; however, I never felt as if my life was in danger or that I would be summarily deported because I knew that these were trained law enforcement personnel. Aside from a derogatory comment or two and their sometimes surly dispositions, these Border Patrol Agents were trained professionals.

Representative Poe, I believe it is a mistake to give armed, untrained citizens the authority "to use any means and any force authorized by State law to prevent individuals from unlawfully entering the United States."

Although I now call Kingwood, TX my home, I frequently travel in south Texas to visit relatives, enjoy the sunsets, and hunt. Some of the best white-tail hunting in America takes place in Zavala County and the surrounding areas. I shudder to think that there may be some armed, racist, and psychologically unstable member of the "Border Protection Corps" (whose real reason for joining the militia was to declare open season on “Mexkins”), out patrolling the area that my family is hunting in. The thought of running into a member of the Minute Men Militia, Border Protection Corps, or some equally xenophobic “defender of homeland security” makes me shake in my hunting boots.

I am asking you, Representative Poe—no, I implore you—please reconsider your position on this bill. No good can come of this militia. Recent history teaches us that when you have people doing a job that they were not trained for, especially a job that involves the handling of weapons and personal discretion, bad things will happen.

Need I remind you of the senseless killing of an 18-year-old goat herder in Redford, TX in May of 1997? Ezequiel Hernandez, Jr. (an American citizen) was murdered on his own property by U.S. Marines conducting an anti-drug patrol. If U.S. Marines can make a mistake of this magnitude, what can we expect from untrained, gun-wielding, anti-immigrant (and possibly anti-latino) militias?

I look forward to hearing from you and pray that you will rescind your co-sponsorship of HR3622.

Respectfully,

Maria Antonia Medellin

Immigration is the new wedge issue being used by Republicans and, if these comments are any indication, it appears to be working. I attended the Summit this weekend and I did not get the impression that the Democratic Party, Congressman Gonzalez, any of the speakers, or any of the attendees was "siding with illegals" or "turning its back on Americans." After all, the attendees are Americans.

The main concern, as I understand it, is that Americans that look or sound foreign, or who may have foreign sounding names, may be the target of vigilante groups like the Minute Men, or of over-zealous law enforcement personnel, or of John Culberson's ill-conceived "Border Protection Corps," and could potentially be denied their voting rights. Culberson's HR 3622 (which has the co-sponsorship of 47 other members of the U.S. House of Representatives is a scary piece of legislation.

Other concerns were the protection of human rights of all individuals (whether in the U.S. legally or illegally) and a realistic evaluation of our current immigration policy. I do not understand how these concerns can be interpreted as un-American. The protection of human rights, voting rights, and development of a common-sense immigration policy are the most American of ideals.

The following is the text of a letter I sent to my U.S. Congressman Ted Poe in response to his co-sponsorship of HR 3622. I hope that each of you will take the time to read this bill and communicate your thoughts to your elected officials.

Representative Poe:

I decided to write when I learned about your co-sponsorship of HR3622. Have you and your 48 colleagues co-sponsoring this bill truly considered the ramifications if this piece of legislation actually becomes law? Have you thought about the real consequences of having untrained persons patrolling the border areas of south Texas?

I am a 6th generation American who happens to have brown skin, brown eyes, brown hair and an Hispanic surname. I am a proud American, but I am equally proud of my Mexican ancestry. When I was growing up in south Texas (Crystal City), it was not uncommon for our family vehicle to be pulled over by Border Patrol officials for "random" checks; however, I never felt as if my life was in danger or that I would be summarily deported because I knew that these were trained law enforcement personnel. Aside from a derogatory comment or two and their sometimes surly dispositions, these Border Patrol Agents were trained professionals.

Representative Poe, I believe it is a mistake to give armed, untrained citizens the authority "to use any means and any force authorized by State law to prevent individuals from unlawfully entering the United States."

Although I now call Kingwood, TX my home, I frequently travel in south Texas to visit relatives, enjoy the sunsets, and hunt. Some of the best white-tail hunting in America takes place in Zavala County and the surrounding areas. I shudder to think that there may be some armed, racist, and psychologically unstable member of the "Border Protection Corps" (whose real reason for joining the militia was to declare open season on “Mexkins”), out patrolling the area that my family is hunting in. The thought of running into a member of the Minute Men Militia, Border Protection Corps, or some equally xenophobic “defender of homeland security” makes me shake in my hunting boots.

I am asking you, Representative Poe—no, I implore you—please reconsider your position on this bill. No good can come of this militia. Recent history teaches us that when you have people doing a job that they were not trained for, especially a job that involves the handling of weapons and personal discretion, bad things will happen.

Need I remind you of the senseless killing of an 18-year-old goat herder in Redford, TX in May of 1997? Ezequiel Hernandez, Jr. (an American citizen) was murdered on his own property by U.S. Marines conducting an anti-drug patrol. If U.S. Marines can make a mistake of this magnitude, what can we expect from untrained, gun-wielding, anti-immigrant (and possibly anti-latino) militias?

I look forward to hearing from you and pray that you will rescind your co-sponsorship of HR3622.

Respectfully,

Maria Antonia Medellin

Immigration is the new wedge issue being used by Republicans and, if these comments are any indication, it appears to be working. I attended the Summit this weekend and I did not get the impression that the Democratic Party, Congressman Gonzalez, any of the speakers, or any of the attendees was "siding with illegals" or "turning its back on Americans." After all, the attendees are Americans.

The main concern, as I understand it, is that Americans that look or sound foreign, or who may have foreign sounding names, may be the target of vigilante groups like the Minute Men, or of over-zealous law enforcement personnel, or of John Culberson's ill-conceived "Border Protection Corps," and could potentially be denied their voting rights. Culberson's HR 3622 (which has the co-sponsorship of 47 other members of the U.S. House of Representatives is a scary piece of legislation.

Other concerns were the protection of human rights of all individuals (whether in the U.S. legally or illegally) and a realistic evaluation of our current immigration policy. I do not understand how these concerns can be interpreted as un-American. The protection of human rights, voting rights, and development of a common-sense immigration policy are the most American of ideals.

Folks,

First, lets realize that one reason why illegal immigration is increasing is in large part due to NAFTA. You see, we highly subsidize our corn and sugar among other products Mexican farmers use to make a living. What NAFTA has done is greatly demolish many Mexican farms and dirven of their land. So, they have no subsistence. I propose we view this wave as an extension of NAFTA. As a result, over time, LEGALIZE the illegals while simultaneously shutting our borders as delineated below.

Second, Mexico is going through a tough period now because whereas before it did not experience great cost competition from China, now it does. Since NO ONE can match the low cost of the Chinese (some call it human exploitation, as I do), Mexico is now seeing Maquilidora jobs flee to China as well as the agricultural jobs lost initially. So, they are getting hit with a double barrell.

As far as Democrats "selling out" Americans...that's hogwash because thats the middle name of the GOP (Medicare and Bankruptcy Bills etc). Besides, this is nothing but the ageless politics of scapegoating we have seen in this nation since forever. Below the surface, their IS a racist sentiment within the GOP when they trot out the "immigrants" will destroy our language, culture and nation. Meke no mistake, they WILL LUMP LEGAL with ILLEGALs. Did they show the subtlety to separate between different things they lumped? AKA (Legal and Religious marriage, Osama with Saddam) etc. Besides, legalizing illegals can help shore up the social security system as Slick Willy pointed out a few weeks ago.

As far as "political" calculation. That as much a GOP as Democratic thinking. After all, I GUARANTEE you...if hispanics agreed to be BRAINWASHED with GOP ChristoFASCIM and support the GOP, they would turn on a dime. Why you think the GOP supports Cubans who get here illegally? Because they disproportionately vote GOP due to insane Fidel hatred, at least the older generations. So politics go both ways. Why you think DC has no real vote? 'Cause its a heavy Democratic vote.

For democrats to support this for "votes" is SICK and IDIOTIC. Its just the right thing to do. Illegals will NOT get the right to vote right away for starters. That will take YEARS if not one or two decades if they are legalized for them to start the citizenship process. By that time, many things could happen...including shifts in political tastes for some hispanics. Also, hispanics have a MUCH lower voting rate than others. So, we would be swaping less frequent voters for others that DO vote more frequently. So, the political calculations angle is just plain stupid. Its just the right thing to do.

Did we gain votes by supporting womens "feminism", minority rights among other issues during the 1960's? Probably...but it was a NET LOSER for US. Just look at the political landscape now. Its obvious. We did those things NOT because they were politically expedient...but because they were MORALLY right. The same thing will occur with the illegal immigration issue. I can see this issue along with "gay marriage or civil marriage" being a net vote LOSER for us if its causes our base to split partially. All the elements are there and the GOP is trying hard to do just that. We will support full legalization and citizenship for illegals because its the RIGHT thing to do and the TRUELY COMPASSIONATE and MORAL thing to do...but it MAY cost us.

Democrats must take the initiative. People have to stop worrying about what "Hispanics" think and do what THEY think is right. I personally think a Democratic led aggresive border protection and illegal alien legalization path is the way to go. Why do people assume all hispanics want wild west open borders? Its stupid and embarrasing to advocate that stupid policy. Besides Latinos are not monolithic on all issues, like any group. All nations have to protect their borders. The US is no different.

I prefer the Democratic way, not the Bush/CON-servative way. Bush will not be able to push his agenda and fraud that it is because his party will stop him. Besides, the GOP will launch a Latin style Willie HOrton ad campaign to scare americans into close all immigration. In the end, ANY immigration is a treat to the US GOP Christo FAscist party because we wont be brainwashed nearly as easily into their cult as they would like.

Folks, if all hispanics agreed to become brainwashed by the GOP Falwell/Robertson/DObson Christo Fascist cult, the GOP would support even open borders right now.

Basic outline:

1. Militarize the border and increase border patrol... PRE-REQUISITE...
2. Shut down illegal criminal immigration...
3. Build Path to legalization/Citizenship to all law abiding illegals... in the country.
4. Make them pay a fine of several K's as symbolism of law breaking by crossing the border illegally.
5. Get the Mexican gov't to sign on to these measures. They will still receive the remittances Mexicans send there.
6. If they do not, take unilateral action and implementation.

These steps should be made to head of more demagoguic blatantly racist efforts being planned by the GOP/ Conservatives. I have not doubt the GOP will seek to tie "immigrants" to Terrorist and Wille Horton style scare tactics. Heading them off like this can blunt those efforts.

Only after shutting down illegal immigration by ramping up border patrols can one really take the next steps. Whats the point of doing all this is illegal/criminal immigration continues?

I personally support the McCain/Kennedy and the PRINCIPLE of the minute men. In practice, the MM uses to harsh and borderline racist tone to get my full support. They have to weed out the nasty characters and the vile rethoric about invasion, culture, language etc. We must steer clear of that obviously.

But democrats must be proactive and take the initiative, not wait for Bush.

http://www.soulsearch.net/Cherry/doc_page17.html

http://www.developmentgap.org/rmalcag.html

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/business/special_packages/business_monday/7212071.htm

Carlos

The Democrat Party has to change. I will never allow myself to change party by going republican, as history as shown the democratic party has been for all the people as a whole. It's time to change the "core" who continue to hold back this country and not let it progress.

First we need a enhanced Voting Rights Act of 1965 that will bind this country together by working toward goal that everyone's vote will count, and then this nation will truely have diversity, security, and renew pride in being American.

Currently we have a gouvernment that represents a few as a result of a two-party "spoils" system.

The Democrat Party has to change. I will never allow myself to change party by going republican, as history as shown the Democratic Party has been for all the people as a whole. It's time to change the "core" who continue to hold back this country and not let it progress.

First we need an enhanced Voting Rights Act of 1965 that will bind this country together by working toward goal that everyone's vote will count, and then this nation will truly have diversity, security, and renew pride in being American.

Currently we have a government that represents a few as a result of a two-party "spoils" system.

This is an obscene speech, and it is unfortunate that the Democratic Party has decided that this kind of bullshit should be part of its platform. At a time when AMERICANS are dying for the RULE OF LAW in Iraq, Congressman Gonzalez and other Democrats are encouraging that LAWS BE BROKEN. Hiring undocumented workers? C'mon. The identity theft and forgeries that Hispanics engage in to get jobs has been well-documented. It's unfortunate that Democrats have joined Republicans in abandoning the citizens of this country. How foolish that they believed Americans would stand by and allow this invasion to occur. Mr. Gonzalez, go back to Mexico and take your people with you.

This is an obscene speech, and it is unfortunate that the Democratic Party has decided that this kind of bullshit should be part of its platform. At a time when AMERICANS are dying for the RULE OF LAW in Iraq, Congressman Gonzalez and other Democrats are encouraging that LAWS BE BROKEN. Hiring undocumented workers? C'mon. The identity theft and forgeries that Hispanics engage in to get jobs has been well-documented. It's unfortunate that Democrats have joined Republicans in abandoning the citizens of this country. How foolish that they believed Americans would stand by and allow this invasion to occur. Mr. Gonzalez, go back to Mexico and take your people with you.

This is an obscene speech, and it is unfortunate that the Democratic Party has decided that this kind of bull should be part of its platform. At a time when AMERICANS are dying for the RULE OF LAW in Iraq, Congressman Gonzalez and other Democrats are encouraging that LAWS BE BROKEN. Hiring undocumented workers? C'mon. The identity theft and forgeries that Hispanics engage in to get jobs has been well-documented. It's unfortunate that Democrats have joined Republicans in abandoning the citizens of this country. How foolish that they believed Americans would stand by and allow this invasion to occur. Mr. Gonzalez, go back to Mexico and take your people with you.

The above speech is obscene -- at a time when AMERICANS are dying and losing limbs for the RULE OF LAW in Iraq, Gonzalez and other Democrats are encouraging that laws be broken. Even more embarrassing is that Democrats have decided to make this issue part of their platform. Thanks for joining Republicans in abandoning the citizens of this country. How foolish of you to believe that AMERICANS would stand by and allow this invasion to happen -- Hispanics use stolen identities and false documents to get those jobs. Mr. Gonzalez, go back to Mexico and take your people with you.

In reponse to Incredulous - Americans are made up of MANY race, ethnicities and cultures. So you comment of "go back to Mexico and take your people with you" infuriates me, but is typical of a non-minority person. You sound like a "Republican" and losing you to them, doesn't bother me in the least! Your comment is racially motiviated. Congressman Gonzalez is expressing the dangers of reckless vigilante methods.

The racist minutman at the borders are at hand what one might call "the blind leading the blind." Historically the treaty of guadalupe hidalgo was not adhered to by the United States Government. The treaty needs to be looked at to sanction true justice for Mexican people. I myself a student of history am able to understand that history is the movement of the mind, and unitill the mind of the people living in the U.S. understand this we will not stop being racist to our southern neighbors. It is up to the future leadership of American politics to take up such a just struggle. Therefore, lets become a party that has a national grand stategy that focuses on the improvements of the new generations to come. Rejuvination is key to this along with a populist stance. These so called minutmen feel that they are patriots but instead they are cowardly like, they need to focus on the root of the problem, instead they are creating more problems. So lets become part of the solution and not the problem. Learn our forgotten truths. Thank you, John