Congressman Jack Kingston Conference Call
Yesterday we participated in a conference call hosted by Congressman Jack Kingston of Georgia. This was a great experience for us and we greatly appreciated the opportunity to hear the Congressman’s thoughts on a range of issues and about some of the goings on in the halls of Congress. Better still was the chance to ask Kingston questions on some of the hot topics of the day. Issues discussed included Iraq, Iran, fuel independence, the U.S. economy and immigration reform. The majority of the questions by call participants centered on the problem of illegal immigration, as did the questions we asked.
We pointed out that everyone in Washington seems to start from the premise that the country needs a guest-worker program. We asked why this notion is considered a given? Do we really need to import low-skilled workers and if the U.S. needs to import workers, how many do we need?
Kingston believes the country does need a guest-worker program, but that the actual numbers will depend on business need by industry. The Congressman cited percentages of the workforce currently comprised of illegal immigrants - agriculture 24%, cleaning industry 17%, construction 14% and food production 12 percent. This is certainly proof of employers and immigrants breaking the law, but it doesn't prove the U.S. lacks a sufficient labor pool to fill these jobs. Kingston related anecdotes from constituents telling him they couldn’t compete without hiring hard-working, but cheap illegal labor.
In relation to the various guest-worker programs being floated in Washington, we pointed out these programs were actually guest-family programs – the guest worker plus the spouse, the children and grandma. We asked how do any of these programs reduce the current number of illegal aliens in the country and going forward how would these new laws or programs help us control the flow of immigration?
Kingston described the guest-worker program he favored as one requiring the registration of all presently employed illegal aliens and the return of their non-working family members to their country of origin. From then on it would be a match between an employer and a foreign worker capable of filling the job.
We expressed doubt that family members would leave, but Kinston said if we truly want a guest-worker program than we have to get serious about only allowing just the guest-worker into the country. The Congressman did recognize the drain illegal immigrants have on local recourses, especially funds for emergency rooms and public schools, but he didn’t explain how new programs would change the present situation. The main concern seemed to be about achieving ‘clarity’ for the illegal immigrant.
For more on the immigration discussion and other topics covered on the call please see:
Captain’s Quarters
Mary Katharine Ham (HughHewitt)
Human Events Online
Right Wing News
Townhall.com’s Capitol Report
Wizbang!
We pointed out that everyone in Washington seems to start from the premise that the country needs a guest-worker program. We asked why this notion is considered a given? Do we really need to import low-skilled workers and if the U.S. needs to import workers, how many do we need?
Kingston believes the country does need a guest-worker program, but that the actual numbers will depend on business need by industry. The Congressman cited percentages of the workforce currently comprised of illegal immigrants - agriculture 24%, cleaning industry 17%, construction 14% and food production 12 percent. This is certainly proof of employers and immigrants breaking the law, but it doesn't prove the U.S. lacks a sufficient labor pool to fill these jobs. Kingston related anecdotes from constituents telling him they couldn’t compete without hiring hard-working, but cheap illegal labor.
In relation to the various guest-worker programs being floated in Washington, we pointed out these programs were actually guest-family programs – the guest worker plus the spouse, the children and grandma. We asked how do any of these programs reduce the current number of illegal aliens in the country and going forward how would these new laws or programs help us control the flow of immigration?
Kingston described the guest-worker program he favored as one requiring the registration of all presently employed illegal aliens and the return of their non-working family members to their country of origin. From then on it would be a match between an employer and a foreign worker capable of filling the job.
We expressed doubt that family members would leave, but Kinston said if we truly want a guest-worker program than we have to get serious about only allowing just the guest-worker into the country. The Congressman did recognize the drain illegal immigrants have on local recourses, especially funds for emergency rooms and public schools, but he didn’t explain how new programs would change the present situation. The main concern seemed to be about achieving ‘clarity’ for the illegal immigrant.
For more on the immigration discussion and other topics covered on the call please see:
Captain’s Quarters
Mary Katharine Ham (HughHewitt)
Human Events Online
Right Wing News
Townhall.com’s Capitol Report
Wizbang!
Posted by Enlighten-NewJersey @ 11:40 AM
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2 Comments:
Rep. Kingston is a great American and a true CONSERVATIVE Republican and we need more legislators like him in Congress.
That's why I would like to take this time and opportunity to endorse Republican John P. Ginty for US Senator. He is the only candidate who will stand up for the rule of law. The last thing we need in the senate right now is another obstructionist liberal or John McCain Republicrat!
I'm sure the more our dear friends at Enlighten post about where each candidate stands we will all be in lockstep with one another.
Very interesting news, thank you. One item I would add, and I would like to know the Congressman's answer, would be that if a business cannot compete without illegal and cheap labor as some of his constituents claim, then maybe it is not economically viable at least in its current form (whatever it is). If the market forces won't support it legally, then it probably shouldn't exist.
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