Thread: Georgia takes a stand

Georgia takes a stand



By Dimitri Vassilaros
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Friday, March 31, 2006


God bless Georgia.
Its state government is ready, willing and able to do about illegal immigration what the federal government is not ready, not willing and probably not capable of doing -- defending America and rejecting an unconditional surrender to Mexico.

Both chambers of Georgia's General Assembly overwhelmingly passed a bill that attacks illegal immigration and hopefully inspires 49 other states to do likewise. It needs only the governor's signature to make it official, no doubt before the inevitable court challenges that, for all we know, might be paid for by the Mexican government.

The illegals in Georgia -- maybe there are 250,000 or maybe 800,000 or maybe more, maybe much more, whatever -- will be prohibited from using many taxpayer-funded services.


Those wanting to feed at the public trough will have to prove they are Americans or in this country legally. But illegals still will have access to emergency health care, prenatal care and K-12 and higher education. That's too generous by half. But at least it's a step in the right direction. (That would be southwest to Mexico.)

Companies hoping for government contracts will be forced to verify the legal status of everyone on the payroll. Business owners who hire illegals will not get income tax write-offs for illegal workers who are paid more than $600 annually.

The bill also increases penalties for human trafficking, requires law enforcement to verify the legal status of arrested suspects and makes life more challenging for people claiming to be lawyers who supposedly can get the proper documents for illegals so they can be hired legally.

And it demands that businesses withhold a 6 percent income tax from contract workers who do not have a taxpayer identification number or Social Security number.

A 100 percent tax on remittances sent to Mexico would have been a nice touch if that money could have been redirected to hospitals, schools and other services or programs to offset the cost of the illegals using them.

Just when you thought the degree of frustration in this republic about illegal immigration simply could not be more intense, mass demonstrations throughout America by Mexican illegals and their enablers demanding they be reclassified as Americans -- while they waved Mexican flags -- made this mess that much more infuriating.

Of course the real issue is about one man, an American no less, who sees what is happening to this nation as it is overrun by illegal aliens and refuses to do anything about it other than encourage more to come.

Georgia was making a statement about President George W. Bush as much as it was about its commitment to the rule of law. What is there left to be said about this profoundly inept administration with an approval rating in the subbasement, when a red state overwhelmingly says by its actions that counting on Mr. Bush is hopeless?

The defenseless borders lobby inside the Beltway has convinced the federal government that lawlessness is good for the economy even when a protest march of 500,000 of the illegals made Los Angeles look like Mexico City.

Look for other criminals to hold protest marches demanding that they too be given amnesty.

And look for other states to say the rule of law still matters to Americans.

Dimitri Vassilaros is a Trib editorial page columnist. His column appears Sundays, Mondays and Fridays. Call him at 412-380-5637. E-mail him at dvassilaros@tribweb.com.

http://pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-rev ... 38476.html

Way to go Georgia!!!!!!!!!!!!! Does my heart good.

We are petitioning to put a similar bill on the ballot in Colorado's November election. The name of the bill is Defend Colorado Now.

www.defendcoloradonow.com

If you are a Colorado resident, please volunteer to get 15 signatures. We need all the help we can get!

Good for Georgia...I emailed a Ky. State Rep. and asked him to do the same![/img]

For all those here from Georgia, I commend you for electing officials who have backbones. Wish we would be so lucky.