http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2006/03 ... _16_06.txt

Friday, March 17, 2006
Last modified Thursday, March 16, 2006 11:04 PM PST

Guest worker plan just more amnesty

By: LINDA WOODS

Absent from all guest-worker initiatives being debated on the Senate floor is a mandate that would require the federal government to reimburse states such as California for the tens of billions of dollars spent annually to provide services to illegal immigrants. Take a closer look at these bills and it's obvious that "guest worker" is synonymous with "amnesty."

Amnesty will cause the already skyrocketing financial burden of providing services to illegal immigrants to increase and the buck will be passed on to you. The federal government does not intend to send one red cent.

Pro-illegal immigrant Republicans, extreme leftists and big business make strange bedfellows, yet they're sharing office space on this issue.

For pro-illegal immigration Republicans, it's all about the Hispanic vote and staying in power. For extreme leftists, it's all about coercing the public into thinking and behaving in a politically correct manner without regard to truth. For big business, it's all about cheap labor, large profits and evading taxes, worker's compensation and health care provisions.

Since the Temecula-Murrieta area is a microcosm of America you can bet all that and more is happening in your own backyard. There is scant pressure from local politicians to levy heavy fines against businesses that hire illegal immigrants. We all know it's happening here, so that means local officials are turning a blind eye toward these activities. Maybe we need to take a closer look at the contributors to their campaigns.

The lack of decisive action on the part of local politicians puts you and your family at risk daily. The Temecula-Murrieta area appears downright friendly to illegal immigrants. Families of illegal immigrants occupy local affordable housing and place increased pressure on tight education budgets. Contrary to what extreme leftists will say, an increasing percentage of illegal immigrants are committing crimes in our communities.

The number of uninsured drivers using local roadways has also increased dramatically over the last 10 years.

Due to the fact that local officials have failed to act, big business is free to make as much off cheap labor as they wish. They can carry on unlawfully in Temecula and Murrieta without fear of legal consequence.

If an illegal immigrant gets injured on the job, not only are there 10 guys in line to take his place, but the employer simply hands out directions to the nearest emergency room and the problem goes away. What a sweet deal for big business. In the end, you'll pay the hospital bill in the form of higher premiums.

Do you really want to stop illegal immigration? We have an excellent opportunity right now. The Senate is working on a guest worker/amnesty proposal at this time. Call as many senators as you can and demand no guest worker/amnesty. Toll free (88 355-3588.

Linda Woods lives in Temecula.