Thread: Romney backs guest worker program; Gets endorsement in return

Mitt Romney and Sen. Feinstein (D) of California have both been endorsed by the Western Growers of California. And guess why a Democrat and Romney got this endorsement? It shouldn't surprise anyone anymore.


Romney, Feinstein endorsed by Western Growers
By Chris Hinyub on 08/03/2012

“Early in his campaign he took a very conservative approach to immigration reform,” the group said. “He has since reached out to the agriculture community and come to understand our critical need for a dependable and legal workforce. The continued existence of a secure supply of domestically-produced fruits, vegetables and tree nuts depends upon a practical agriculture worker program.”

The continued existence of a secure supply of domestically-produced fruits, vegetables and tree nuts depends upon a practical agriculture worker program. Governor Romney also knows that farmers require less federal regulation not more (what? To hire more cheap labor?), and holds entrepreneurship and private enterprise in high regard, just as we do. We support these beliefs and commitments and support Mitt Romney for President of the United States.

Romney, Feinstein endorsed by Western Growers - National Elections | Examiner.com



Out here in California, farmers are known for employing illegals, so it's no surprise they're endorsing Romney. He has promised them an unlimited supply of cheap labor. Amazing how many of these back door deals take place between candidates and corporations and they expect us "idiots" to never find out about it. The American people are increasingly viewing Obama and Romney negatively and it's precisely because of things like this.


Mitt, when did you plan on telling us this? After you won the election? How can anyone believe anything coming of this guy's mouth at this point???

"He has promised them an unlimited supply of cheap labor"
Not so cheap when taxpayers are picking up the slack foodstamps, wick, welfare, education, higher insurance premiums to pay their medical bills etc.

Sickening same ol garbage. Send out the Repb Congressional candidates to stand againset illegal and immgrat ion, Th repub. candidate does the opposite. they know tha with the farm vote in Congress tht we will never win for our side, but it makes for great elections for the GOP. I for one am tired of being scammed like this! Cruz that just won the Repub. Sen. primary will be pressures to go alog with he "Presidential honeymoon" to support the party. Yep, same ol'.......

Romney, Feinstein endorsed by Western Growers
By Michael McGuire on 08/03/2012

One of California’s largest and oldest agricultural associations on Thursday announced it supports Republican Mitt Romney for President of the United States and incumbent Democratic U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein for re-election to her post.
“There are several very clear reasons why we have endorsed Gov. Romney,” Tom Nassif, Western Growers president and CEO, said in a prepared, emailed statement. “These include his support of individual rights, less regulatory red tape and more balanced enforcement of government regulations and relief from the income, estate and capital gains tax burden that threatens successful, hard-working people and businesses.”
The group also likes Romney would be good for agriculture because of his stands on immigration.
“Early in his campaign he took a very conservative approach to immigration reform,” the group said. “He has since reached out to the agriculture community and come to understand our critical need for a dependable and legal workforce. The continued existence of a secure supply of domestically-produced fruits, vegetables and tree nuts depends upon a practical agriculture worker program.”
The ag group praised Feinstein as “our champion on several very important issues faced by farmers in California.”
“Few in Congress have done more to help us in our pursuit to secure a reliable long-term supply of water for agriculture than Senator Feinstein,” the association said. “Fewer still have matched the effort made by the senator to solve the difficult problem of reforming a broken immigration system – a system that has ignored our critical need for a stable and legal workforce.”
Established in 1926, the Western Growers Association said its “members provide half the nation’s fresh fruits and vegetables including a third of America’s fresh organic produce.”

Romney, Feinstein endorsed by Western Growers - National Elections | Examiner.com

Googler why does your article say By Chris Hinyub on 08/03/2012 - Following your link it says
Mitt Romney August 2, 2012 By: Michael McGuire

After considering this story for hours now, I guess this fits Romney's promise that he as a businessman knows how to create jobs. I cannot remember that he out and out promised to create jobs for Americans. This policy wil continue to put downward pressue on American wage scales. After all the corp. contributions to super pacs, they will ask for the same consideration in the form of H1-B visas. Unless we get major campaign finance legislation, because it's Romney's first term, threats of non suppoort in the next election cycle will get them what they ask for, too. Once again, did Romney promise jobs for America or just in America?

“There are several very clear reasons why we have endorsed Gov. Romney,” Tom Nassif, Western Growers president and CEO, said in a prepared, emailed statement. “These include his support of individual rights, less regulatory red tape and more balanced enforcement of government regulations and relief from the income, estate and capital gains tax burden that threatens successful, hard-working people and businesses.”

In California we have the Corporate Farmers and Family Farmers. Most of the Family Farmers have inherited their farms from family members. Many have had to sell off large parts of their land in order to pay estate taxes.

Then there is the constant fight over water rights. Farmers in Northern California are constantly fighting for their rights as they see their water being sent to Southern California.

There are guest worker programs for farm workers. Many farmers and Californians remember the Bracero Program that was in affect until 1962.

I know that most farmers in the Central Valley are Conservative Republicans, not liberals. I know a lot of dairymen and farmers that have had to leave California, not for the shortage of farm labor but because of Government Red Tape.

Originally Posted by kevinssdad

After considering this story for hours now, I guess this fits Romney's promise that he as a businessman knows how to create jobs. I cannot remember that he out and out promised to create jobs for Americans. This policy wil continue to put downward pressue on American wage scales. After all the corp. contributions to super pacs, they will ask for the same consideration in the form of H1-B visas. Unless we get major campaign finance legislation, because it's Romney's first term, threats of non suppoort in the next election cycle will get them what they ask for, too. Once again, did Romney promise jobs for America or just in America?

You are right on the money. Apart from Romney's weak stance on illegal immigration these past couple of months, he has repeatedly stood by his stance on the need for more foreign workers. In my field of computer sofware, I'm already having to compete with H1-B workers living here and those working from their home countries (telecommuting essentially). Even though I'm perhaps more qualified, I cannot compete on the wage/salary level unless I sacrifice my standard of living. Sure, Romney wants to create jobs, but it doesn't mean he wants to necessarily have Americans fill them all.


And farmers would have you believe that they just can't find American workers. Well, how about you offer a decent wage that matches the amount of sweat and labor needed for these sort of jobs? Profits are much more important to them than the well being of the American work force.

Originally Posted by MontereySherry

In California we have the Corporate Farmers and Family Farmers. Most of the Family Farmers have inherited their farms from family members. Many have had to sell off large parts of their land in order to pay estate taxes.

Then there is the constant fight over water rights. Farmers in Northern California are constantly fighting for their rights as they see their water being sent to Southern California.

There are guest worker programs for farm workers. Many farmers and Californians remember the Bracero Program that was in affect until 1962.

I know that most farmers in the Central Valley are Conservative Republicans, not liberals. I know a lot of dairymen and farmers that have had to leave California, not for the shortage of farm labor but because of Government Red Tape.

Sure government red tape is a factor, but so is the supposed shortage of American labor that these farmers love to bring up. They're neither conservative nor liberal, their core belief is profit-margins. They'll do whatever it takes to increase their profit margins. They do that by tapping into foreign labor. Romney has assured them he'll find a way to get more foreign labor into the country and that's why the top brass at many businesses support him. Obama is currently doing it through de facto amnesty.

Originally Posted by googler

Sure government red tape is a factor, but so is the supposed shortage of American labor that these farmers love to bring up. They're neither conservative nor liberal, their core belief is profit-margins. They'll do whatever it takes to increase their profit margins. They do that by tapping into foreign labor. Romney has assured them he'll find a way to get more foreign labor into the country and that's why the top brass at many businesses support him. Obama is currently doing it through de facto amnesty.

Just another reason to support Romney over Obama. I'd rather fight a Romney attempt at increasing foreign labor because he'll have to do it through the U.S. Congress (we can fight it there, if it happens). Unfortunately we can't seem to do a darn thing against Obama's amnesties which are accomplished through halted and reduced enforcement! Increases in immigration have to go through the U.S. Congress, there is no getting around that.

Like I've said 10 times before, in reality there are only two choices. Like you, I don't support an increase in foreign labor either, but at least that is something we can fight down the road. Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be much we can do against Obama's determination to amnesty every single illegal he can through policies that include reduced enforcement of our immigration laws.

Originally Posted by MW

Just another reason to support Romney over Obama. I'd rather fight a Romney attempt at increasing foreign labor because he'll have to do it through the U.S. Congress (we can fight it there, if it happens). Unfortunately we can't seem to do a darn thing against Obama's amnesties which are accomplished through halted and reduced enforcement! Increases in immigration have to go through the U.S. Congress, there is no getting around that.

Like I've said 10 times before, in reality there are only two choices. Like you, I don't support an increase in foreign labor either, but at least that is something we can fight down the road. Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be much we can do against Obama's determination to amnesty every single illegal he can through policies that include reduced enforcement of our immigration laws.

This would be good and all if only it were true about Romney and his plans regarding illegal immigrants. As I've said before, Romney is going to have to address the issue during the debates when America is watching and if he says something we don't want to hear, I'll sleep well at night no matter the results this November knowing I did not vote for either of these two. If he wins and turns out nothing is done about illegal immigration during his presidency, I'll know it was not my fault because I did not vote for him. If on the less likely scenario he loses, I'll know it was not my fault either because my single non-vote had no impact. The fault would lie on those, who instead of getting behind a third party candidate, chose to stick it with a person who could not beat Obama.