* There’s no doubt that Bruce Rauner is a different sort of Republican. While the DC crowd was gnashing their collective choppers last week about the president’s executive order, Rauner was praising it…
Republican Gov.-elect Bruce Rauner on Friday called President Barack Obama’s executive action on immigration a “great start” to “get the dialogue going” on immigration policy changes.
lRelated Rauner says Obama immigration move a great start of conversation
The comments came as Rauner addressed more than 900 advocates for the Latino community in Rosemont. Rauner told the crowd he supports “comprehensive immigration reform,” which he acknowledged will take more work.
“The real way to do it is on a bipartisan basis, through Congress, through the legislature, with the president, with the states all working together … to make sure the changes are permanent, they’re structurally in place for the long term,” said Rauner, receiving applause.
Later, when asked by a reporter if he supported Obama’s executive orders, Rauner said “It’s good that the president gets the discussion moving.”
He is a lot smarter and more attuned to the sort of state he now represents than the Springfield crowd has ever given him credit for.
* And while we’re on that topic, Reboot interviewed Jim Edgar about his advice to and impressions of Bruce Rauner…
A: …His style is to listen a lot and then he kind of takes what he wants to from all of those people he’s talked to, so I guess my major advice I’ve given him is you don’t want to rush into any decisions you don’t have to make right now.
He has a luxury. I told him he got through this campaign for governor without kind of saying a lot about where he was on a whole lot of specific issues and, governmentally, that’s great because now he can take positions based off of what he finds as governor, not what he promised in a campaign and I think that’s a great plus for him. As I told him, until you’re ready to make a decision, until you have to make a decision, I would hold off just so you really feel comfortable with whatever that decision is.
Q: You think he’s a listener? Because the story I heard was that the first time you met him, he didn’t listen very much, that he did most of the talking and that the meeting was a little bit tense.
A: I think I expressed that. I told him the next time we met – we met after the primary– told him, “You’re a quick study. You listened a lot more today.” And my experience with him since, we’ve had probably three conversations and we spent the day flying around Monday before the election and he spent most of it listening to me. Now, how much of it he thought was worthwhile listening to I don’t know, but he’s a much better listener now.
One thing I found is, I thought I had a pretty good resume going into the governorship, and I have to say I had a lot to learn after I got there. I think he understands that. He’s not just listening to me. He’s listening to a lot of people and in the end he has to make the final call, but I think if he can get as much information and have time to think about it. … You don’t really have a chance in a campaign to think about some of those things as well as you should. Now, he has this two-month window, almost, where he can really think things over.
I had heard the same things about Rauner early on. He wouldn’t listen and was a know-it-all.
But I also started hearing different stories as the primary wore on. He was much more willing to listen to advice and began using the best of that advice to his advantage.
Speaker Madigan and Senate President Cullerton both went into a meeting with Rauner not long ago figuring it would be a glad-handing meet and greet followed by a photo op. They wound up talking to the guy for almost two and a half hours.
* And then Rauner met with Cullerton again last week…
Cullerton says his meeting was largely procedural. He says they talked about vetting gubernatorial appointments before they are announced and up for Senate confirmation.
That demonstrates Rauner’s eagerness to get up to speed on process, which is unimportant to most people but has done more to damage a governor’s effectiveness than almost anything else.
* Meanwhile…
On top of Rauner’s spending millions to get elected, Tom Bowen, a former political adviser to Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, notes that once the legislative session gets underway, “[Rauner] can mount an aggressive issue-advocacy campaign if he needs to,” to garner public support for his agenda.
Agreed.
* And, finally…
Governor-elect Bruce Rauner said “Happy Thanksgiving!” several hundred times Sunday afternoon, with each utterance accompanied by a free frozen turkey for throngs of people who lined up at a South Side church for fixings and a bird.
Rauner stood next to Pastor Corey Brooks and posed for dozens of selfies at Brooks’ New Beginnings Church, 6620 S. King Drive.
Brooks, one of a handful of black pastors from the South and West sides who went against their traditional Democratic grain in September to endorse Rauner, a Republican, smiled broadly as he stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the Winnetka multimillionaire. […]
“God made us in his image, not as Republicans, not as Democrats, not as politicians, but as human beings who care and make the world a better place by making a difference, and that’s what we’re doing here today.” [Rauner said.]
One of the chief complaints that black ministers have about Democratic politicians is that they appear to be everywhere during campaigns, but invisible the rest of the time. So, that’s another smart move by Rauner.
- A guy... - Monday, Nov 24, 14 @ 11:23 am:
The campaign is over. It’s time for the crazy campaign rhetoric to be over too. This guy didn’t fall off a turnip truck. He expressed his views first. He listened a little less when he was pushing his own narrative. He circled back to the people he thought had good advice and listened intently. He understands “scope”. He understands progress. He’s learning the boundaries of the Governorship. There will be more lessons to learn, but he’s removing as many hurdles as he can before the race starts. That’s smart.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Monday, Nov 24, 14 @ 11:23 am:
Rauner is focusing on building up goodwill - the most important capital at the capitol.
The inference is that he realizes he will be needing a lot of it very shortly.
I give him credit on all counts.
- VanillaMan - Monday, Nov 24, 14 @ 11:24 am:
All good signs.
- walker - Monday, Nov 24, 14 @ 11:29 am:
Good trend.
- Wordslinger - Monday, Nov 24, 14 @ 11:32 am:
It’s good to listen. The guy needs to make nice and get some cover for all the campaign promises he will need to toss aside.
- Grandson of Man - Monday, Nov 24, 14 @ 11:38 am:
I also give Rauner credit–especially for taking a courageous stand against his own party on Obama’s immigration actions.
If Rauner is truly reasonable, it bodes very well for us.
- Stuff Happens - Monday, Nov 24, 14 @ 11:38 am:
Sure, only 22% of Latinos in Illinois voted for Rauner. Would that number have been lower without Evelyn Sanguinetti? Those collar counties were important.
But now that Sanguinetti is the first Latino Lt. Governor, Rauner has an “in” and it’s good to keep that base happy.
- William j Kelly - Monday, Nov 24, 14 @ 11:39 am:
I sure hope Corey’s deal with rauner was for a weekly turkey give away because now there are 5 million more reasons why it will even more difficult for his followers to get jobs. http://bitly.com/1FaRK3Z
- Liberty - Monday, Nov 24, 14 @ 11:39 am:
I suspect in a few years we will be seeing articles about Rauner and how much more difficult it is being governor than a private equity manager.
- Lunchbox - Monday, Nov 24, 14 @ 11:44 am:
I’m liking Rauner’s transition moves and the buzz so far. This is still the honeymoon period, but at least he’s using it to his advantage.
- Sir Reel - Monday, Nov 24, 14 @ 11:52 am:
Liberty, Duh.
Being Governor is gonna be harder than just about any job.
Either Rauner already knows that or will learn it soon enough.
- admin - Monday, Nov 24, 14 @ 12:03 pm:
At least conservatives don’t have to debate whether or not Rauner is a Republican. He’s clearly not one if he thinks Obama’s unconstitutional executive order is a “great start.”
- Arizona Bob - Monday, Nov 24, 14 @ 12:06 pm:
He’s doing what a smart manager does; learn the terrain before planning an attack.
I think he realizes, and Madigan and Cullerton are coming to know, that they have a lot more in common with him than differences, and it will certainly be easier to find common ground with him instead of Quinn.
Rauner’s wealthy enough not to stoop to petty graft like a few of his recent predecessors in pinstripes, which was one of his positives as a candidate. Think Michael Bloomberg with far less Noo Yawk arrogance.
- Federalist - Monday, Nov 24, 14 @ 12:11 pm:
Of course, Rauner supports amnesty (or whatever you want to call it)
The Chamber of Commerce and the Farm Bureau do also. They have to get it in order to get cheap labor.
They really do not car how many poor people flood into this country. It helps keep the minimum wage down. Yes, he is against any minimum wage increase.
Amnesty will also be part of the ‘compromise’ to get unlimited low skill visas and cheaper tech workers.
Of course, we had the legalization of 3 million illegal aliens in a 1986 bill. And true to form the issue is before us again. For those who approve of this- well you approve of it. I do not.
- too obvious - Monday, Nov 24, 14 @ 12:15 pm:
Of course he’s all about executive orders. He plans to do a lot of that himself. Duh.
It’s adorable though how some people still think Rauner’s not just out for himself and his partners at GTCR.
- CircularFiringSquad - Monday, Nov 24, 14 @ 12:20 pm:
So when the whack jobs want to pass a bill to build a fence around the IL border will Mitt
a. veto b. sign or c. tell everyone he will have real snappy plan real soon ( aka BruceBaloney)
Gotta love BlinkyJim…pre-primary Blinky was bad mouthing Mitt …now as he panders for slots at the tracks so ole GlueBall can get a few more bucks …. Mitt is one of the great listeners of the modern age…Very funny.
- Apocalypse Now - Monday, Nov 24, 14 @ 12:22 pm:
Looks like Rauner and the “Rauner Crew”
are a lot more adept at politics than some have said in the past.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Nov 24, 14 @ 12:27 pm:
===Looks like Rauner and the “Rauner Crew”
are a lot more adept at politics than some have said in the past.===
Mike Z influence…if there were outside dopes them the learning curve would be greater.
See how that works?
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Monday, Nov 24, 14 @ 12:47 pm:
Federalist:
There are about 100,000 Asian and Latino-owned businesses in Illinois.
3/4 of U.S. patents include at least one patent holder who was foreign-born.
The “cheap labor” is a bunch of conservative…”steaming pile of letter.”
If immigrants were actually driving down wages, you would think the AFL-CIO would be on the front lines opposing immigration reform.
Oswego Willy -
I suspect Mike Z will be the last one to give himself credit.
- Demoralized - Monday, Nov 24, 14 @ 12:49 pm:
==I had heard the same things about Rauner early on. He wouldn’t listen and was a know-it-all.==
I’m glad that he seems to be coming down from that tower and is being more pragmatic about things.
- Frenchie Mendoza - Monday, Nov 24, 14 @ 12:55 pm:
He’ll turn on a dime on Jan 12.
Those of us who didn’t vote for Rauner — and would never vote for a guy like Rauner — know that all this glad handing and bipartisan phoniness will end as soon as he’s sworn in.
He’ll be exactly what everybody feared and reiterate the same old, nonsensical trickle-down GOP talking points.
- Del Clinkton - Monday, Nov 24, 14 @ 1:04 pm:
“Amnesty” in the context of immigration reform is a marketing slogan from Fox News, Inc.
Other Fox News Inc Marketing slogans: “job creators”, “Sanctity of Marriage”.
The list could go on ad infinitum.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Nov 24, 14 @ 1:05 pm:
===I suspect Mike Z will be the last one to give himself credit.===
That’s why it was been successful so far
- Roscoe Tom - Monday, Nov 24, 14 @ 1:09 pm:
We wonder if Edgar told Rauner why he didn’t properly fund the pension plan when he was governor.
- Federalist - Monday, Nov 24, 14 @ 1:23 pm:
Yellow Dog Democrat,
You seem to be confuse legal immigration and those who have skills with illegal immigration of impoverished people who have little or no vital skills for our economy This is common of those who try to defend illegal immigration. I do not truly know whether it is ignorance or just a tactic to confuse the issue.
If illegal aliens, and a number of legal immigrants as well, were not driving down wages, do you think that the CC would be pushing this through with their Republican allies? That’s why at places like Beardstown, Illinois the unions were busted and foreign labor was brought in to work for much less.
It is quite obvious that you are not aware of the political agenda of the AFL-CIO. They long ago stopped representing their constituency, and that is one of a number of reason that there power has declined. The leadership is seen as a joke among their own members.
And by the way I was a member of SEIU and AFT for over 35 years. I am well aware of the labor movement.
From 2000 to 2012 we had over 13.4 million legal permanent residents come to the U.S. From Mexico alone there were over 2.1 million during the same time period. Haiti and Dominican Republic accounted for 750,000 people. I would be surprised that the 140,000 who came from Germany had that many unique skills. I doubt that you are even aware of the above information.
Do you really believe that this many people are bringing in large amounts of financial capital to start real businesses that hire our citizenry or have skills that are critically needed?
Of course, you are entitled to your opinion.
- anon - Monday, Nov 24, 14 @ 1:26 pm:
Del, the MSNBC, CNN, CBS and others slogans have been—–What story? Did something happen? If it is news, its news to us!
- Rich Miller - Monday, Nov 24, 14 @ 1:29 pm:
=== people who have little or no vital skills for our economy===
I would say that someone who’s willing to risk his or her life for a better life somewhere else has an attitude that we would want here.
- Formerly Known As... - Monday, Nov 24, 14 @ 1:31 pm:
Mike Z is sharp, that much is for certain. A polite and likable person as well.
As for the bitter, backhanded and grudging comments by some here, those provide a nice contrast.
- too obvious - Monday, Nov 24, 14 @ 1:51 pm:
Even the gangsters in the movie American Gangster gave out free turkeys. Oldest huckster trick in the book. #notimpressed
- DuPage - Monday, Nov 24, 14 @ 1:59 pm:
In liuw
- DuPage - Monday, Nov 24, 14 @ 2:02 pm:
In lieu of a minimum wage increase, he will give them a free turkey.
- Sam Weinberg - Monday, Nov 24, 14 @ 2:07 pm:
Remember where this guy came from: a life spent finding undervalued assets, buying them low, and then leveraging them for gain. This is essentially what he just did with the entire Illinois Republican Party apparatus. He is now buying up all the “socially liberal, fiscally conservative Republican Presidential candidate” shares he can find. Sure, those shares are worth pennies now, but they’ll be fetching dollars in 2020.
- Federalist - Monday, Nov 24, 14 @ 2:22 pm:
- Rich Miller - Monday, Nov 24, 14 @ 1:29 pm:
“=== people who have little or no vital skills for our economy===
I would say that someone who’s willing to risk his or her life for a better life somewhere else has an attitude that we would want here.”
Rich, I understand that you support amnesty, that is quite obvious. But your comment is a ‘feel good” statement that means little. How many immigrants, legal or illegal, have risked their lives? Do Visa overstays count? How about those who just walk across the border- no coyotes? As to those who do risk their lives neither you nor I know anything about their true motives. I can assume you feel one way and Rush Limbaugh feels another way and each will point out selected examples to prove their point.
And what about the examples of legal immigration I have given. You seem to just ignore that matter.
Your comment is a deflection of the real issue which I will continue to focus upon. And that is an intelligent discussion of legal immigration as well as insistence that our immigration laws be obeyed.
- Reader - Monday, Nov 24, 14 @ 2:24 pm:
@YDD
Sorry, you’re 1986 spin won’t work in 2014. Heard it all before.
- PMcP - Monday, Nov 24, 14 @ 2:34 pm:
@Federalist
There’s a WSJ article (link below) that indicated the average American commits 3 felonies a day that they are unaware of… Please provide proof that you’ve followed every law in the US and we can discuss your opinion further.
http://online.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704471504574438900830760842
- Mouthy - Monday, Nov 24, 14 @ 2:44 pm:
My, how the tune has changed in here..
- Federalist - Monday, Nov 24, 14 @ 2:44 pm:
PMcP,
What in the world are you even talking about?
And how does this relate to any of my comments?
Please stay focused.
- Black Ivy - Monday, Nov 24, 14 @ 2:44 pm:
I, for one, never doubted Governor-Elect Rauner’s political competency and shrewdness (still elated three weeks later). I am certain battles will ensue, but for now, I respect the manner in which Governor-Elect Rauner, Senate President Cullerton, and Speaker Madigan are comporting themselves. Governor Quinn? Um, not so much…
- Mokenavince - Monday, Nov 24, 14 @ 2:51 pm:
Rauner will do his best to straighten out Illinois
then in 8 Years, head to the White House.
He can think on his feet and learns very quickly how to change course.
Watch what happens.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Monday, Nov 24, 14 @ 2:53 pm:
Federalist:
I’m not confused at all.
You argue that the business community supports humane immigration policy because they want a flood of cheap labor.
I argue that the business community supports humane immigration because they are much more diverse and forward-thinking than the Tea Party. Or the GOP.
Which is also why the GOP and the Tea Party have been so late to the party when it comes to marriage equality.
I understand that there are many in the GOP who insist that there should be some sort of literacy test for U.S. citizenship.
Pretty ironic given the signage at most Tea Party rallies.
Oswego Willy:
You said it, Captain.
- PMcP - Monday, Nov 24, 14 @ 2:54 pm:
@Federalist
You comment that you want them to obey immigration laws. Laws are broken all the time, lets talk about impact of the laws that are broken rather than the fact that they are broken themselves.
If you’d like to directly reference immigration itself, it’s actually in the US’ interest to expand and allow this “amnesty” since we need further people to subsidize the social programs we all enjoy. Worker-to-retiree ratios are at all time lows and the young are not repopulating as quickly as they should, thus expanding the deficit and burden these programs have on the country.
By allowing immigrants to remain and contribute to social security and medicare we can further maintain those programs. Not to mention the entire economy of the US is built on immigration, it’s kind of ridiculous we even have to have a discussion of whether we should be allowing people into our country.
Hope that’s more focused and on-topic for you. In return, I’d appreciate it if you would critically think about how comments relate to your statements about obeying laws.
- Grandson of Man - Monday, Nov 24, 14 @ 3:19 pm:
There seems to be a large political element to immigration reform that can do future damage to Republicans. We know that polls can be off, but here is a poll anyway, of Latinos, who overwhelmingly support Obama’s executive action.
http://www.latinodecisions.com/files/7514/1684/5612/Exec_Action_Deck_November_2014.pdf
Rauner seems to be one of the relatively few Republicans who realizes not only the overall benefits of immigration reform, but the political benefits as well.
It should be a fun 2016 GOP presidential primary.
- Federalist - Monday, Nov 24, 14 @ 3:20 pm:
PmcP,
Yes it is on topic and I thank you for your response.
Violating our countries sovereignty laws is hardly the equivalent of going 40 mph in a 35 mph or a host of other such infractions. To suggest this is a talking point that I have heard many times on the Huffington Post. It is a non-sequitur rationale that leads nowhere.
Your statements on SS and Medicare are not justified by any real data. Indeed, since immigrants have lower paying jobs they will receive more in SS than they contribute compared to the rest of the population. I suppose you know that SS is redistributionist in that lower income workers receive far more in payments compared to the amount contributed by higher income groups. The situation is even more pronounced for Medicare. If you do not know the economics of this please do some serious research. This blog is no place to go into the details.
Immigrants are also disproportionately uninsured for health by private or employer needs. Some $4.1 billion in EITC was given to illegals and that doe snot include legal immigrants). Of course everyone can cherry pick data but I will stand by what I say.
But finally, just how much immigration do you want and do you see any difference between someone who has no vital skills vs. those that do coming to this nation? That is a basic question that is almost always ignored by posters such as yourself. I have had this type of conversation with others with your views and they never even seem to know the amount of legal immigration we have. Often they don’t even remember the 1986 Amnesty bill. Whether you fall into this group of people I have no idea.
And do you believe that illegal immigration should not be enforced (and don’t give me the Obama line of non-criminals- another red herring)?
I have been reasonably specific in my comments.
So if you would like to answer the above questions, please do so.
- Demoralized - Monday, Nov 24, 14 @ 3:29 pm:
@Federalist:
They must have some sort of “vital” skill or they wouldn’t be hired. You got a problem with immigration? Go talk to the businesses that hire them.
Also, and I’m not downplaying the illegal part, but the crime they have committed is a civil, not criminal, violation. It seems that if the country viewed it as a big issue they might change the law.
- Norseman - Monday, Nov 24, 14 @ 3:34 pm:
It’s still early, lets hope the smart moves continue.
- Rod - Monday, Nov 24, 14 @ 3:35 pm:
Governor elect Rauner did not praise President Obama’s executive order on immigration, he avoided trashing it and given where he was speaking at how was that a surprise? All he said was “It’s good that the president gets the discussion moving.”
That’s not supporting it, nor is he arguing that the actual action is constitutional. Governor elect Rauner also said “The real way to do it is on a bipartisan basis, through Congress, through the legislature, with the president, with the states all working together … to make sure the changes are permanent, they’re structurally in place for the long term.” This exactly what many Republicans who oppose the executive action are also saying.
For example Reince Priebus, the chairman of the Republican National Committee, has consistently argued that attaching border security is a precondition to comprehensive immigration reform. I suspect Mr. Rauner agrees with that.
I honestly believe Rich in his post is trying to portray Mr. Rauner as being more reasonable than the Republican Party as a whole on immigration reform, I think his comments were consistent with the RNC’s line on this issue.
- Apocalypse Now - Monday, Nov 24, 14 @ 3:55 pm:
=One of the chief complaints that black ministers have about Democratic politicians is that they appear to be everywhere during campaigns, but invisible the rest of the time. So, that’s another smart move by Rauner.=
Maybe, just maybe, the African-American community is starting to get it, with regards to being taken for granted by the Democrats. Nay! Isn’t going to happen.
- vole - Monday, Nov 24, 14 @ 4:40 pm:
All the king’s horses and all the king’s men …
Deck chairs on the lifeboats of the Titanic.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Nov 24, 14 @ 4:43 pm:
- Norseman -
===It’s still early, lets hope the smart moves continue.===
That is the lesson learned here. One sentence captured it.
- Federalist - Monday, Nov 24, 14 @ 4:52 pm:
Demoralized.
I think I have made it very obvious that businesses do not want to change the law. It serves their cheap labor interests. I don’t know how much clearer I can be.
Obviously, it is a rather blow off statement to tell me to talk to the businesses. I could say the same thing to you for any issue you don’t like. Just talk to ‘whomever.” It does not advance intelligent discussion.
As for civil vs. felony applications of the law, again it should be changed to a lower level felony upon illegal entry. Otherwise it is just blown off, which is precisely what happens and that is the way the political elites want it.
By the way it is a felony to enter the country illegally the second time. But even that law is ignored. Hope you know this, if you don’t, you should.
- Arizona Bob - Monday, Nov 24, 14 @ 5:03 pm:
BTW, the REAL border is not along the Rio Grande. It’s at the Hiring offices for American business.
You do proper background checks that are currently not being done by the Feds, put the business owners knowingly hiring these workers for cash (it’s an easy way to escape minimum wage laws), and those ARRESTED for crimes here while here illegally, and the traffic across the border will drop off precipitously.
- Arizona Bob - Monday, Nov 24, 14 @ 5:22 pm:
@rich
=I would say that someone who’s willing to risk his or her life for a better life somewhere else has an attitude that we would want here.=
You mean like the late term pregnant mothers who take the risk to them and their child by illegally entering the country to get free health care and welfare? I think we can do without those, Rich. How about the coyotes who also bring across drugs and guns? They sure are willing to take a risk to be here, but I’d just as well keep them out, thank you very much.
The solution here is simple. Businesses who want foreign workers here to work in their businesses should find and hire them BEFORE they come here, pay the expense of their work Visa, and be held responsible for paying for all government benefits for those they hire and their families who come here. Let them bring in as many temp workers as they want. The price? These folks have to leave if they are unemployed or are convicted of a crime, and the business has to pay for their bus ticket home. Thaks the way “sponsors” used to be for immigrants. It’s fair, it’s in the best interest of the nation, and legitimizing them and paying them legal wages will allow citizens to compete fairly with immigrants for jobs.Any objections?
- Demoralized - Monday, Nov 24, 14 @ 8:06 pm:
@Federalist:
Arrogant much?
Again, you completely dismiss anybody that doesn’t agree with you. I believe I was advancing “intelligent discussion” with my more than reasonable comments about businesses. Sorry it wasn’t up to your level of discourse since you seem to know all and have the only opinion that counts on this subject. I don’t need to be lectured to by a guy who thinks he’s smarter than everyone else. It’s really unbecoming.
It’s difficult to have an intelligent discussion with somebody who already has all the answers and doesn’t care to hear any other opinion but their own.
But to be fair and so you know how I feel, I have zero problem with the actions the president took. I think it’s more than fair and reasonable and I hope it advances the discussion of what to do about the immigration problem.
Maybe I’m wrong but you strike me as the type who believes that “deport them all” is the answer. Maybe I’m wrong. I don’t know. I would hope you are more thoughtful than that.
We can talk about this topic until we are all blue in the face but the discussion here is indicative of why there will likely never be any sort of resolution. People are so convinced that they are right and everyone else is wrong nobody is willing to compromise on any sort of solution.
- Federalist - Monday, Nov 24, 14 @ 9:15 pm:
Demoralized,
“Arrogant Much”
Down to name calling. Thank you. Shows what you are!
- Louis G Atsaves - Monday, Nov 24, 14 @ 11:03 pm:
===You seem to be confuse legal immigration and those who have skills with illegal immigration of impoverished people who have little or no vital skills for our economy===
@Federalist: Sounds like you are talking about my four grandparents here. One could not read or write. Three could barely do so. All four came from an impoverished rural area of Greece.
My extended family has done very well thanks to their hard work and sacrifices.
But then again, they owe it to the four immigrants who lived the American Dream.
- steve schnorf - Tuesday, Nov 25, 14 @ 12:00 am:
Rod, imho there is hardly anyone less reasonable than the Republican party as a whole when it comes to immigration reform
- Wordslinger - Tuesday, Nov 25, 14 @ 1:03 am:
Louis, good on you.
Schnorf, I’ ll take back some of what I’ve said about Rauners profoundly cynical campaign if he gives some real old school Midwest GOP pushback to the those old Dixiecrat GOP types who think they can live in a fantasy world and demonize immigrants simply because they’ve gerrymandered them all out their districts..
Mr. Gov.-elect, meet your social agenda. You’ve seem them working at your cribs, nursing homes, and every hotel or restaurant you’ve ever been to.
I hope tney haven’t scared you too much, about your “sovereignity,” which I think is the buzz word for people you dont like.
WSJ had a piece today about crops rotting in the field all over the country because generations of business practices have been upset by the misanthropic lunacy of trying to make criminals of those trying to make a buck doing a tough job.
Free movement of capital, but not labor? Hows that work, you Friedmanites out there?
- Buzz Fugazi - Tuesday, Nov 25, 14 @ 1:35 am:
His ability to govern is a great unknown and it may turn out that I’ve drastically underestimated his management skills. It may turn out that any ethical or ideological assessment is meaningless in the light of pure technocratic skill… “results driven” management. Whatever mad skills the Governor-elect has to reveal, dude still has a lot of baggage. That nursing home bankruptcy bust-out scheme remains in Federal court in Florida. I suppose he’ll respond to any judgment against him at the next election cycle with 20 million dollars worth of TV ads insisting all charges were dropped and he received an apology from the judge for wasting his time.
- Demoralized - Tuesday, Nov 25, 14 @ 7:33 am:
@Louis
Great comment. @Federalist has dismissed pretty much everybody that disagrees with him and completely stereotyped anybody that has the label “illegal immigrant” as people who offer absolutely no value. He couldn’t be more wrong.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Nov 25, 14 @ 8:06 am:
Well done - Louis G. Atsaves -, well said.
We all need to remember our own pasts abs efts makes this country do great.