Divide X 2

Another sampling from the inbox:

“From the new stories I’ve heard, I have gotten an impression that most of the services that would be denied to illegal immigrants under the various proposals that have been floated are funded, for the most part, by sales tax and property tax revenues, not income taxes. If that is the case, then the illegal immigrants who would be denied access to those services should be numbered among the taxpayers who are paying for those services. All residents of the state, regardless of immigration status, pay sales taxes on the food and other things they buy. And all residents of the state, regardless of immigration status, pay property taxes, even if it is indirectly through the rent money they pay to their landlords.”

“Hopefully this Special Session will not be political theater. I sincerely believe that the constituents of Colorado want action. We are definitely fed up with this illegal invasion and the reconquista of the United States of America. This is not about hard working immigrants that want jobs that others will not take. I talked with a person at the Evergreen rodeo parade. He was from Vail. He told me that there is "horde" of illegals in Vail. This person used to work for $25/hour in construction. Now he has to take $15/day or an illegal alien gets his job.” “That said, I do believe this is a national issue but maybe it is going to take the States to get the Federal Government to act sensibly. (The US Senate version is AMNESTY (any policy that includes time in the US illegally counting toward “earning” citizenship) the US House version is UNDOABLE and MEAN SPIRITED). I do believe that what ever your efforts lead to that it DOES NOT belong in our state constitution. I believe in representative government and I find the two of you to be reasonable people.”

“The issues of illegal immigration and how to deal with the people who are in this country without proper legal status do need to be addressed. However, the present attempt by some anti-immigration groups to portray illegal immigrants as freeloaders who are using public services at the expense of the taxpayers and to promote measures which would deny illegal immigrants access to those public services is not, I believe, grounded upon fact. It seems to me that any discussion about who is paying for what should take into account the fact that illegal immigrants do, in fact, pay sales and property taxes.”

“Mostly, I encourage you to do your best to encourage our federal government to pass real immigration reform that includes: 1) Tighter border security, 2) a realistic guest worker program with realistic quotas and employee protections, and 3) a path to citizenship for those who pass background checks, pay the fine, and show a solid work history. As a group that represents the state of Colorado, I expect you to put aside politics and do what is best for out country and state. If you do not, our economy will feel the effects of a workforce shortage and immigrants(legal and illegal) will feel the effects of laws and an atmosphere that promote hate.”