George W. Bush: "Benevolent Spirit" Can Guide Debate
DALLAS — During his opening remarks Tuesday at a daylong conference on immigration and the economy, former President George W. Bush urged the nation’s leaders to debate immigration reform with compassion and kindness.
In a brief appearance at the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, Bush did not advocate for a specific solution. But his statements indicated he supports policies similar to those he championed during his presidency, when immigration reform was last debated in Congress.
“America can become a lawful society and a welcoming society at the same time,” Bush said at the event, which was organized by the George ...
Comments (10)
A'Ja Lyve via Texas Tribune on Facebook
I detested Bush as a President, but he isn't a racist bigot like most Republicans these days.
Hugo Castro via Texas Tribune on Facebook
What i liked about Bush was his desire to do what was right before pleasing his party.
Deborah Hammond via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Why the terrible picture of the former Prez? Even CNN has a nice shot of him. Ridiculous.
Jim MacKay via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Well something needs to be done on immigration reform - to that end I think everyone agrees. The part that gets caught in my throat is that some people who came to this country through the back door will be in effect rewarded by gaining citizenship because as a nation we were remiss in not enforcing our own laws. The Kyl-Hutchinson bills are a good first step although not perfect. But what is the perfect solution at this point? There isn't one. Come to our country via legal avenues (the front door) and contribute positively. You are WELCOMED HERE! But sneak across the border and hide out where ever you can to avoid being detected and I have NOTHING for you.
Darrell J. Gonzales via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Well this I can say about President Bush! He is not as radical far right as his current colleagues in congress! The Tea Party movement is the sole driving force behind the immigration debate designed to divide the country! Bush being a former Governor of Texas to the Southwest region portion of our Nation understands somewhat of the given history. He knows there are many Hispanics here in Texas and he also knows they will not vote for the Republican Party if they continue to disenfranchise its Mexican-American citizen population! But his terms in office are over and the Republican Party will continue to ignore the Hispanic vote here in Texas and the State will eventually turn back Blue again! There are many up and coming Hispanics in the Democratic Party who are well capable to handle Local, State and National political agendas for progress! It's too late for him now and his party!
David Spratt
Of the 8.4 million new workers, 4.4 million were immigrants.
Kinda says it all..
Of all the new jobs immigrants took half,,,, no wonder there are so many unemployed Americans.
Of all Obama era jobs 60% pay minimum wage to $14 per hr. 60% of all jobs created in Texas have gone to " immigrants" legal and illegal. Gets me why every discussion simply rests on immigrants in general and no distinction is made between legal and illegal. Yes legal immigrants are good,,, illegal ones are bad.
Now you have workers at WalMart,,, Taco Bell , McDonalds ect all wanting $15 an hr plus benefits for dropping fries into a fryer and putting a hamburger into a bag.
They obviously have not been paying attention and do not realize how good they have it. They could be standing on a hot roof in the middle of the summer nailing down shingles in 110 degree heat for $10 an hr with the only benefit being you get to come back the next day and work again if you do not fall off the roof and break a leg. How about pushing a lawnmower around all day for $8???? How about crawling around in a attic that is 160 degrees for 10 or $12????
The reason why their wages are so low is because there are " Valuable immigrants" who will work for 40% less than they will,,, the majority of them illegal.
But they are probably the ones who are most compassionate towards issues relating to immigration ,,,, if they vote at all.... The bottom line is Immigration should be restricted and tied towards the overall labor needs of the country. We have plenty of illiterate uneducated low skill workers already and border enforcement to stop more from coming should be a priority. As for the Legal immigrants they should also be restricted so as to give those people already here first shot at the limited supply of jobs.
We have already taken in enough tired, hungry and poor to last another 100 years.
Only by doing these two things along with cutting back on the handouts will we ever get Americans back to work at decent wages and re instill a solid work ethic within our society.
Too easy to let the immigrants take the jobs,, determine the price of labor ,, sit around and draw benefits or complain the job pays too little.The majority of Americans still have what it takes to make it but there is a growing number who do not. By taking a soft position on immigration in general and allowing the entitlement mentality to flourish we are enabling the acceleration of our own demise.
Jose B. Gonzalez via Texas Tribune on Facebook
The downfall of the GOP in Texas (and nationally as well) has already begun. Simple math & changing demographics tell the whole story - its a tough pill to swallow for Republicans. The TEA party & far right extremist killed the GOP. Some say the GOP isn't dead, and that's true, but make no mistake about it - its been mortally wounded and its bleeding out. The end is in sight...
Samdavis
One of the more intelligent things he ever said.
Anya Khan
Jose, How did the dems do in the last election?
STOPTHE MAGNET
What many do not see when getting blinded by the Bush Push for amnesty & the "Hispanic Vote" is just how immigration (wide open ) benefits "Class". It is a boon to the bluebloods who never feel the effects of such benevolence. Working-class citizens struggle for work and continually discover "bilingual" requirements for example besides being unable to fence in and pay for security like the Bush family can afford. The DREAM ACT amnesties have loopholes larger than the Titanic, often just being enrolled in a college is all it takes...wink, wink...don't fall for it!