Good interview
I still don't undertand why he is opposed to building a few strategic walls on the Mexican border to help stem the flow of illegal mmigration?
He thinks it's a waste of money. It's the old "put up a 10-foot fence, they'll build a 11-foot ladder" theory, which I think makes a lot of sense.
He believes in investing in doubling the number of border patrol agents and improving security technology. He has called for a crackdown on employers who hire illegal immigrants, increased legal immigration quotas and a process for legalization for immigrants already living in the United States.
I think those plans are much more practical and would be more effective. A wall is a red herring, and a waste of money, resources, and media/public attention. We need comprehensive reform, not just a wall that won't even work. Also, I trust his ideas on this issue because he's in his 5th year as governor of a border state, and he's a leader in the Border Governors Association, an organization of governors of American and Mexican states on the border that works to address immigration issues. I think his plan would really move us toward a long-term, comprehensive solution for this extremely complicated situation.
For more on his immigration reform plan...
http://www.richardsonforpresiden...es/page?
id=0007
Thanks CNYAlison. In a conversation with 'The Doctor' over the weekend I told him my main concern was the lack of attention being placed on the employers. You mention that "He (Gov Bill) has called for a crackdown on employers who hire illegal immigrants," which is exactly what is needed!
Flash
Doctor, do you really believe that a fence is going to keep out illegals?
The Big Guys that hire them will find a way to get them over the border don't doubt that for one minute.
You want to end cheap labor crossing over ?
Then large fines that will hurt their greedy little pockets is the only way to end it.
By the way Flash, good job...
He would make a heck of a good VP...*smiling*
Great Job Flash!!
I like Richardson's ideas on immigration and the fact that he agrees a fence is a total waste of money that wouldn't work. As long as we have agreements in place like NAFTA that allows US companies to set up shop in MX and pay even the most skilled and educated Mexicans slave labor wages, we will always have people trying to come over here. Too bad we can't force US companies that move their operations to other countries to pay a living minimum wage. Better yet, make them pay $1.00 an hour higher than the US minimum wage, along with health benefits, and watch the immigration problem evaporate. Of course that would mean that Amercians would no longer be able to buy $2.00 flip flops at Wall Mart. They would have to actually fork over a fair price for their made in Mexico purchases.
Nice work, Flash.
Gigi
Yes I believe a fence in addition to more border patrol and lessor extent technology items would help reduce the flow. It has worked in other locations. It works in my back yard keeping kids away. It's an old time low tech approach that helps deter. I suppose I could cite San Diego as an example on this or Israel who has seen night and day difference with their new fence.
This issue sets him apart from most all other candidates. He is right and everyone else is wrong? didn't he and Arizona Gov declare a 'state of emergency' regarding this issue wanting to rally the military to help? How hard did the Mexican President come down on him? He was quoted once as saying a fence only got in the way with Mexico (in the way of what) and of course the symbolism of it I suppose he rejects.
As for punishing employers. What initiative has he done in his own state? Will he be sending ICE into the fields and factories in New Mexico? Try sending agents to day labor recruiting locations which where you can pick up work any day until you get a fake ID that employers have a hard time telling if it is authentic. Until he comes down hard on employers in his own state he has little credibility on this.
By the way Mexico has the 4th largest number of Billionaires in the world They have money but they are corrupt and repressive and look to us as an important part of their economies revenue flow
My guess is this is just politics as he needs the latino vote in mass to have any chance in this race. -supporting a wall would destroy that support
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