Thread: MO: State Rep says Mexican illegals better than Americans

Jetton: Lazy Missourians could learn from Mexicans
Friday, February 22, 2008
By RUDI KELLER ~ Southeast Missourian

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- A lot of lazy Missourians, including many in Southeast Missouri, could benefit from adopting the work ethic of Mexican immigrants, House Speaker Rod Jetton said Thursday.

Jetton, speaking to publishers, editors and reporters at the Missouri Governor's Mansion, made an example of Wayne County residents in his 156th Missouri House District. In 2004, an employer who considered moving to Wayne County, which had one of the highest unemployment rates in the state at the time, was able to attract only three applicants, Jetton said. The jobs weren't great -- the pay was about $8 an hour -- but the chance to get off government assistance should have been attractive, he said.

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"We have a shortage of people who want to go out and bust their tails and do the jobs," Jetton said.

Jetton made his remarks when asked about his statement made to Republicans in Springfield, Mo., that he would like to "trade some of our people for some of the Mexicans who work so hard."

He didn't back away from that remark. "If we can find a way to trade them, I would trade them in a heartbeat," Jetton said.

The statements from Jetton spiced discussions of illegal immigration and the steps Missouri can take to combat the flow of illegal immigrants into the state. He and other legislative leaders speaking as part of the Missouri Press Association/Associated Press Day at the Capitol said the issue is one of their top priorities for this year's legislative session.

More than half a dozen bills have been filed to restrict state benefits for people in the U.S. illegally. The bills would deny driver's licenses, public assistance and scholarships to illegal immigrants and penalize employers who knowingly hire illegals.

Democrats are focusing on the employer provisions, said House Minority Leader Paul LaVota, D-Independence. He called some of the measures "purely political," such as the one denying driver's licenses. Missouri already denies driver's licenses to illegal aliens, he said.

But the proposals on driver's licenses, including one filed by state Sen. Jason Crowell, R-Cape Girardeau, make it a crime for an illegal immigrant to attempt to obtain a Missouri driver's license.

The driver's license proposal will be rolled into a far-reaching bill touching all aspects of the issue, said Crowell, who chairs the Senate Pensions, Veterans Affairs and General Laws Committee that is handling the measures.

The committee will add several items to a bill requiring employers to verify that their workers are not in the U.S. illegally, filed by Sen. Scott Rupp, R-Wentzville, Crowell said. Rupp's measure denies tax credits to companies that employ illegal aliens and fines companies that knowingly employ illegal aliens on projects supported by tax credits. The measure also bars illegal aliens from public universities and denies public assistance to immigrants until their right to be in the U.S. is verified.

Another measure that will be added will be a directive that the Missouri State Highway Patrol train troopers in federal immigration law and make inquiries about the immigration status of people they arrest.

"You have got to take care of the incentives for why illegal immigrants are moving to Missouri," Crowell said.

The Missouri Legislature must act on illegal immigration because it has become too big of a problem, Jetton said. Federal agencies "are not doing anything, so we are looking at what we need to do in our state."

rkeller@semissourian.com

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Jetton needs a lesson in Politics... he needs to remember who voted him into office... This guy should be watch closely...

I agree, the man has just bitten off a big chunk of the hand that feeds him. Is he up for re-election any time soon?

I must agree with one point he made, however. Our government, both federal and state, must begin to put limits on the length of time anyone can receive benefits. There is a group of Americans that has been raised in a welfare environment. They see no need to work for a living when they were raised by people who did not do so. They have been taught all the loopholes to use in order to obtain more and more benefits.

Even if it takes a large infusion of money (I for one would gladly pay my share), those on welfare need to be trained for jobs and helped to find such jobs [should be easy to find jobs if we get rid of all illegal aliens]. If, after being given such training, an individual still does not work - cut off his/her/their benefits - totally. Yes, there would be dependent children involved, but that's what churches and other charities are for. (For example, I live in a small rural area in Alabama and there are several churches in my area that have food banks on a monthly basis, as well as handing out clothing, etc. where needed.)

The people of MO are going to eat this guy alive.

W

he is planning on running for governor on the democratic ticket -to replace blount

Jetton made his remarks when asked about his statement made to Republicans in Springfield, Mo., that he would like to "trade some of our people for some of the Mexicans who work so hard."

He didn't back away from that remark. "If we can find a way to trade them, I would trade them in a heartbeat," Jetton said.

THAT MAN NEEDS TO BE FIRED AND OUT OF ANY PUBLIC SERVICE POSITIONS FOREVER!

WHAT AN ASS!

I wonder if the employer tried posting ads for the same jobs at $10 or more. Not receiving applicants has nothing to do with laziness. People are well aware how much they need to make to survive and if $8 doesn't cut it, they won't apply.

But Squire, the illegals would work for $8 an hour! Sure they would. They would also subsidize their stay with public service benefits and overcrowd residences. Anyone who lives on a street where 10 people live in 2 bedroom houses know what a treat that is to be around.

I wonder if Mr. Jetton would like to try doing his job for $8/hr for a year and see how able he is to live within his means. For that matter, let's see him survive on even twice that amount.

I have a feeling the voters will prevail in this one.

I take it this guy is retiring from politics! What a dope!


Nevermind work ethic, Representative Jetton mimics the education level of the illegals he so admires!

See this story about Jetton and get more outraged:

http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-105113.html

Almost sounds like he wants to bring back slavery!

Heck that would be next: "Mexican immigrants could benefit from adopting the work ethic of African slaves".