BASTARDS!
by David Benzion · 01/16/2007 6:07 amThe People finally get a Voice in Austin, and The Man goes out and puts Dan Patrick on some stupid “fruit committee.”
“RADIO HOST PATRICK GETS PLUM COMMITTEE POSITIONS”
Courtesy the Houston Chronicle.
Houston’s new state senator, talk show host Dan Patrick, will serve as vice chair of the Senate International Relations and Trade Committee, giving him a key voice in the state’s role on immigration and border issues.
Border security and illegal immigration were central themes in Patrick’s campaign to succeed former Sen. Jon Lindsay, who retired.
Besides that position, Patrick will serve on the Intergovernmental Relations and Health and Human Services committees, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst has announced. He also will serve on the Higher Education and the newly formed Flooding & Evacuations subcommittees.
Most of the six other Harris County senators kept their previous assignments, including Democrat John Whitmire’s chairmanship of the Criminal Justice Committee. Republican Kyle Janek will be the new vice chair on the Education Committee.
There was talk before the legislative session that Patrick, R-Houston, would get sidelined when it came to choice committee assignments because of his on-air criticism of lawmakers from both parties, who he says fall short of his conservative standards.
“The joke was, let’s see what committee assignments the lieutenant governor gives him,” Patrick said. “Some people were expecting me to be on all small committees. They were surprised with the quality committee assignments I received.”
Patrick said he is pleased with his appointments.
Oh. Never mind.
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Time will tell….
Firsties!
Well,
Was it an attempt to silence him from criticism - the ole back him one of us ole ploy #38
Now that he has the positions, it is time to see if he does what he said he would (which I fully expect), and whether the powers-that-be listen to him (which I don’t expect).
Good for Dan. Now seal that border! I have every confidence that the government will spare no expense to seal the border - right after tens of thousands of Americans are killed in a single day by terorists who came accross our southern border. Doesn’t it make more sense to do it now?
And by the way, Dan, we don’t need no stinkin’ guest worker program!
#4
One - its a federal problem, 2 they came in through Laguardia and Miami
The secret strategy:
1) Put him in positions where he is “responsible,” even partly, on positions on which he campaigned.
2) Thwart his every effort to make reforms.
3) Media and opponents grill him endlessly in public as to why he couldn’t make a difference on these very important issues.
4) Gloat.
Eric, It is not just a federal problem, it is a Texas problem. While it may be the federal governments jurisdiction, we can not wait for non-border states to recognize the problem before we start doing something about it. Local and state groups often enforce federal law, why should immigration law be any different?
Eric, when the terrorist that snuck over the border forces you to pray to Allah or lose your head, just tell him it’s a “federal problem”. That should fix everything.
seal the border? Absolutely. Send ‘em back? you bet. Prosecute those that hire illegals? This has to be part of the solution.
#4 dennisontheright
So what is your plan for replacing all of the workers? Why do you think this is not a real problem?
Okay, before you say put the welfare queens to work or the Katriniacs, skip those, they aren’t real solution, just whacko talking points. What is the solution if we just close the borders not have some type of guest worker program?
Being on those committees is one thing. Actually getting something done is another. And having the rest of the senators agreeing or even allowing Dan to get anything done is another. After all they allowed the freshman senator to propose to end the “blocker bill” but obviously they voted him down in a way to show whose boss and how dare him to actually want to get something done. It’s going to hard, actually impossible, to take down the powers-to-be but having a radio station with listeners who take actions will make the job easier.
I am tired of the overplayed myth that the illegals take jobs that Americans won’t do. That is such utter bulls*(t. The illegals lower the wages to the point that Americans, who for the most part obey the law by having car insurance, pay taxes, etc. can’t AFFORD to take the jobs at the wages the illegals do (you know the ones that pack 20 in an apartment, have no health insurance, pay no taxes, have no car insurance). And Americans will do any job, no matter how disgusting. If you don’t believe me watch “Dirty Jobs” on cable sometime.
Don’t forget that they will need Dan’s vote more times than they’ll like. The boobs in Austin would deal with the Devil to get their way. It’s going to be an interestion session.
#12 dcgirl
I don’t know about myth but it’s a fact that we don’t have enough workers for all of the jobs in the country. Our unemployment rate is roughly equal to the total number of illegals, give or take a point. 100% employment has never been achieved in the history of any nation. Americans aren’t lazy, if that’s the myth you are talking about, I’d agree. There just aren’t enough of us.
#14
That should read roughly egual to the number of illegals that are working, not counting the children or the elderly.
Interestingly, I listened to Dan for a short while yesterday and he didn’t mention the vice-chair position during that time. He talked about the education committee and higher learning subcommittee. Also, the HHS one.
Congratulations Dan
#9 izquierdo,
For once, I think most people will agree with you. Except I’d be willing to compromise and not send anyone back; just cut off all the extra benefits that ordinary citizens don’t even enjoy. And definitely agree with going after companies who break the law by hiring illegals.
#12 bigjolly,
We probably don’t have enough workers to keep up with the expanding economy. I would first up the requirements for unemployment, and whatever else is necessary to make sure that everyone who can work is working. The if we are still short, I’d favor increases in worker visas.
But the mad dash across the borders has got to stop.
David B said:
“Oh. Never mind”
said that first.
Please Dan let us know what is going on and who is standing in the way of progress and the rest is up to us the voters to start taking out the rinos. If we don’t get it done in the primaries do it in the general elections the time for pussy footing around is past as the Queen of Hearts says “Off With Their Heads”. Let bush, perry, darthurst, craddy, og den, kyl and villiams know they are in our sites. If we fail to defeat our enemy let no one cry if we do our best. When the first one falls the rest will run for cover at LST and the Voice of the people.
Tomorrow is the day for Ed to let us know which gutless legislator is responsible for not standing up to boosh about the illegal drug trade with sutton the terrible on the loose selectively enforcing only certain laws while allowing law breakers to go unpunished.
#6 tedtam
If you are going to do this right you forgot;
5) Profit.
#19
Damn! I knew I was forgetting something!
#16 bigjolly
If we fired many of our unnecessary government workers we’d have enough workers to replace the illegals. Then again, they are unskilled. That’s why they work for the government. Guaranteed make work job. Harsh? Perhaps. True, likely.
HAHAHAHA #21!!!
I live in a neighborhood where a bunch of Mexicans have moved in. When the man goes to work with is trailer full of yard equipment the mom walks 4 to 6 kids to the school bus stop. I figure that for every “wage earner” there there is at least 6 tax consumers. They are not contributing to our ecomomy or our society. I say build a fence around Texas!
#21 glynne
According to the BLS labor report issued Jan. 5, 2007, approximately 14.5% of the total workforce is comprised of government workers. Do you really think that 1/3 of our government is unnecessary?
big, how many of those 14.5% are Congressmen and public school administrators?
#25 duhmoose
Not enough to replace our current population of illegal employees.
We do have a largely untapped workforce that needs to learn basic job skills like customer service, respect for superiors, etc. If we could get more highschool students working part-time/week-end jobs, we could free up a lot of labor. Also, if low end employers actually had to compete for their employees, it would improve the working conditions, pay etc in those jobs. I do not doubt the cost of living would go up, but that is a price I am willing to pay to lessen illegal immigration in America.
#12 and 14
As far as lazy Americans. You see it everyday. How many folks mow there own yards, pick up leaves, do basic repairs, paint, trim trees, etc. Virtually none in the Houston area for a lot of these tasks. You do not even see young adults trying to do them for “spending money”. I would bet that if folks starting doing their own home chores that it would start hurting the illegals plus get some of that good ole USA blubber out there exercising in their yards. As far as cheaper labor you buy some yard tools and get yourself and/or your kids out of the TV room and do it yourself. That is a root to this problem, not necessarily the main reason.
#30 jacampbell
I do my own yard, and am in better shape than a lot of men half my age; so I completely disagree with your assertion. Not all Texans are lazy fat a$$es.
And if this our government cannot follow or enforce the some of it’s own laws, if they are going to decide which laws to enforce and which not to, then how can can anyone expect for them to have any credibilty?
No rationalization’s work for me. It CAN be done, if we were’nt being sold down the river by the our so called ‘leaders’.Close the border, implement a guest worker program for those who want to work, tax what they send home, deport every criminal after which if they are caught in the country again to be thrown in jail for full terms like they do in Mexico.
NO AMNESTY!!
Importing cheap labor obviously displaces American workers and depresses the wages of those who aren’t displaced. That’s Econ 101. It is an indisputable fact. The supposed benefits of the cheap labor are seen in some combination of increased profit margin and reduced prices, depending on the price elasticity of demand for the product in question. If highly elastic, the benefits are primarily in reduced prices; if highly inelastic, the benefits are primarily in increased profits. That’s Econ 101; it is also an indisputable fact.
Here’s another fact: The costs of importing labor simply because it’s cheap (as opposed to valid reasons like importing expertise that doesn’t exist here) are not borne by the people who benefit. The American who lost his job pays the price. The American who has depressed wages pays the price. The merchant who loses business because of others who lost jobs or lost wages pays the price. The taxpayer pays the price. The student pays the price. The person in need of emergency medical care pays the price. The crime victim pays the price. On and on it goes.
Why? So Perry Homes can make more money off each house? So you can have cheap strawberries or get your lawn mowed for a few bucks less?
For ANY job, there is a supply curve and a demand curve. They cross. The point where they cross indicates the wage rate that will provide the necessary number of workers. That’s called the market wage. There is NO SUCH THING as a job Americans won’t do. What people who claim that really mean is, “I can’t get as many workers as I want at a rate below the market wage”. (Well, duh!) So they want to bring in cheap labor from third world countries to shift the supply curve in their favor, with everyone else paying the price.
I can’t believe that clear thinking people even believe they need to debate this issue. Can anything possibly be more of a no-brainer?
#32 dennisontheright
No, it isn’t a no-brainer, at least in the frame you put it in. Your Econ 101 class must have skipped the chapter on supply. There is a shortage of supply in the US. In other words, your Econ 101 prof should have pointed out that we have more jobs then we have people.
Your wage constricting theory has some merit in regards to offshore (outsourcing) jobs but just doesn’t work internally.
Dennis
#32
You are right on!
Bigjolly, there is no shortage of supply of labor in this country. We are overrun by 20-30 million illegals - who have children, who have children. Enough is enough. Saying we have to “replace” this labor shortage is insane, IMHO. Most of the agri jobs are mechanized, so they need little labor. So are manufacturing jobs and other jobs. We are less and less dependent on non-skilled labor (i.e., illegal immigrants) than ever before.
Big - You might as well be saying there is no such things as a supply curve. Supply is not a static number; it’s a function of wage. If I’m looking for people to paint my grass polkadotted and I put up a sign offering 5 cents an hour, the labor market probably won’t supply any workers. If I offered $100 an hour, I might have potential workers lined up around the block and have to turn 99% of them away. Some would come from other jobs, some would be from the pool of people already looking for jobs, and some would be people getting up off their duffs to work for a change. Just because nobody is currently employed polkadotting blades of grass, it certainly doesn’t mean there is a supply shortage.
All shortages are temporary. They increase the price (or wage in the case of the labor market) and that results in the shortage being filled and restoration of the market balance.
# 34 Neo
That just isn’t the facts. Look at the Bureau of Labor report above. There aren’t enough people in this country for all of the jobs we have unless we have 100% employment. The numbers just aren’t there. If you really think that most of the jobs (especially in agriculture) are mechanized, I’d like to see the data on that.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15062039/
#35 dennisontheright
Supply curve - good point. Excellent point actually. What is the trend for birth rates of American citizens?
http://www.childtrendsdatabank.org/figures/79-Figure-1.gif
Yes, you could have workers lined up around the block for any specific job that paid above the median for that industry. But what would happen? You would pull workers from other industry. Fact - there are more jobs than citizens in the US.
You could bring in another 100 million people! Then what? We would be working for about $1 a day, but the bulk of us (including the new 100 million) would still have a job! Then I guess you would say, “can’t send the 100 million away, we have too many $1/day jobs to be filled.”
It’s not that difficult, but it is a bit of a leap for people who have been saturated in government socialism and liberal psychobabble for ages. The free market really does do a great job of regulating supply and demand, if we can keep government interferences and our own biases (however well intended) out of the way.
#34 Neo: Hope your feeling better and your nose isn’t topped up anymore! (;
#38 dennisontheright
So, you are saying that we need to cut the demand? But, I thought your argument was that supply was elastic? You are confusing me.
The free market works? Yup. That’s why we need more workers. To fill jobs.
Ah, yes, the old liberal/socialist argument. Okay. Later.
(btw, there is a really good thread on economics over at headshaker.com that you might be interested in. Or not. Sometimes it’s easier to be dogmatic no matter the facts.)
Bigjolly
#36
Here’s one story. I’ll get back atcha with more!
http://are.berkeley.edu/APMP/pubs/lmd/html/wintspring_99/LMD.8.1.transition.html
I’m saying we need to cut out people who are here illegally.
That’s not socialist; that’s American!!
Seems pretty basic; one wonders how this is so damn hard for people to figure out??
#41 neo
Neo, this is a theoretical attempt 7 years ago using reference material from 1983 and 1992. It hasn’t happened. Nor has this, not even close:
Bigjolly,
Here’s another story, more recent:
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/reports/20050123-9999-lz1n23grapes.html
#42 PBFloyd
And I agree, see many, many posts as such. In my #10 above, I was responding to Dennisontheright’s assertion that we do not need to have a guest worker program. To which I have responded with facts. Not hyperbole.
PBFloyd
#39
Tanks! I hab a code in my node and I can’t breed! Tee hee! Actually, I feel bettah than a few days ago! Thanks for asking!
#44 neo
Now that is a good article. In fact, it highlights how we can slow the tide. And it will certainly work for commodity grape growers for commodity wine (think MD2020). And I personally hope that some smart guys like Wino, Dude, Hamous and other technical guys can design machines to replace back breaking labor.
Good one.
#46 Neo: Glad you are feeling bettah!! (;
I believe we need to close our borders and put a moritorium on immigration for the next 10 years. Then, let’s find out who is in our country, get them registered as guest workers and move on from there. The problem is that we are experiencing the largest migration in the history of the world. There are too many people for us to support. For every worker, we are supporting 5-6 dependents. Double, triple and quadruple that every day and see how many “immigrants” this country contains. It is obscene.
Sorry, but this is my take: In the 94 flood (which didn’t even have a name) I took lessons at the home depot on how to tape, float, and texturize a wall. I did it myself. I hired nobody.
I agree that Americans have become LAZY. You may be in de-nile river but, time is money, and the money was cheap to hire Mexicans. The Mexicans low-ball jobs to get the jobs (yes, we did it with our own company when starting out, but not hiring illegals, but white folks trying to earn a living) Now the illegals are PROTESTING for higher wages. Do I need to remind you of the protest a couple of months ago?
This is going to bite us in the butt, mark my words. In a few years, they are going to protest for higher wages. when is this INSANITY going to end? You bleeding hearts need to worry about the long range…..
PBFloyd
“She turned you into a Newt?”
“Well, I got bettah!”
#49 neocon
Although I’d disagree with your numbers, I agree with your line of thought. Spouse is over 14 hospitals - unbelievable cost to our health care system. As in more money than my trailer cost.
Again, I was responding to dennisontheright saying we didn’t need a guest worker program.
#50 southerntragedy
Oh, man, my heart is bleeding. No doubt. But ya gotta look at the facts.
Just the facts, ma’am.
Mr. Bigjolly: Yes, you have a heart bigger than you! I admire that! There is a run for the border here and we are experiencing 3rd world country diseases that we have erraticated, but now are seeing again. Are we ’spose to let them in to do the “jobs that no Americans will do?” C’mon! Does your heart bleed that much? I too, am a Christian, but when a christian turns the other cheek, and I run outa both face cheeks and both hiney cheeks, what are we s’pose to do? I pray that you never experience any of these diseases. (pssst! Hope your small pox vaccination is still good to go!) I’m looking at the fax…just the fax…bedbugs, tb, I recently had giardia (Darn near killed me, but was only related in pigs, but now humans), brain worms, leprocy, the list goes on and on….
Bigjolly
#52
Dang! Back to the drawing board to show you the extent of the numbers of immigrants who come into this country illegally and how that has increased in the last 12 years to astronomical numbers. Back in a jiffy!
#55 neocon
Hold up. Before you do too much research, note that I don’t agree with your numbers on dependents. I should’ve been clearer.
#54 southerntragedy
Remember, some are “diseases” and some are bacterial that we haven’t built up an immunity to. Big difference (okay, unless you are the one heading to the doctor).
There are many problems with the way our borders and laws are currently. No question. I have repeatedly and steadfastly stated that we need to close the borders. But there is also the problem of labor supply. That is the facts I was talking about. We can do both. Really, we can.
What we can’t do is have pseudo laws that aren’t enforced that lead to the health problems you cite and the very real problems of illegals literally killing themselves to get here.
BTW, I rarely turn the other cheek. And my hiney cheeks, well, you know……I’m not a Montrose kinda guy.
Just ran across this in my research for Bigjolly:
http://www.freerepublic.com/forum/a3b30c0535a05.htm
Okay, back to the salt mines. I am determined to find those tables!
Mr. Bigs: My brain is frozen. I completely understand your infectious debate. The diseases I am talking about, are NOT! (At least to my knowledge) I know you are for closing the border, but you are talking out of both sides of your mouth. you can’t have it both ways. What is your solution? Closing the border, but having people already here, be a guest worker, without a health check-up, and getting free medical care? heh heh…like the Montrose comment, but I still think you need a gerbil and k-y…’cause you are getting banged…sorry..I Still love ya!
Dang Neo, even I have laugh at this one:
I don’t think Daniel James has even come up with a number that high!
As long as we wave a magic wand every few years and declare the illegals that are already here “guest workers” or grant them any other form of amnesty, you can forget about ever closing the border. Why would anyone apply to enter legally when the illegals keep getting a free pass. As long as there’s a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, the flood will never end. Not until economic conditions between the US and all countries south of us are normalized. The flow will finally stop when being here is just like being there. That may be good enough for you, and Perry, and Bush, but I sure hope to leave a better place for my children and grandchildren.
Shut the border. Deport the illegals. Impose steep fines on employers for hiring illegals; imprison them if they persist. End birthright citizenship (retroactively).
And don’t even try to tell me this isn’t compassionate! The US allows more LEGAL immigration than ALL OTHER COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD COMBINED! The US gives more to other countries than ALL OTHER COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD COMBINED!
And, incidentally, if you can’t stop the floor of illegal workers, you also can’t stop the flow of terrorists using them as cover to enter along the southern border (which was the point of my original post #4 in the first place).
Dennis wins the prize! THANks! muuuaaah!
Just buy more ammo, and you will be o.k….I was in fear of my life…..
Nytol! Catcha in the morn….
#59 southerntragedy
Ouch. Just thinkin’ about that gerbil. Yuk.
I’m not talking out of both sides of my mouth. We CAN do both things. Close the border and implement a guest worker program.
As far as you mandatory health checks, you been to the Third or Fourth Wards in Houston in the last 5 years? My goodness, talk about poor sanitary conditions, filth and disease. I cringe every time I walk in there but realize that these are fellow human beings. No it isn’t pretty but someone has to help them. Are we going to demand mandatory health inspections of American citizens too? Actually, we already do that of our school children, thank goodness.
I mention the 3rd and 4th Wards of Houston but you can multiply that many times over for the nation as a whole.
#61 dennisontheright
Again, no facts in your argument. Just talking points from hyper ratings driven talk show hosts.
Yes, shut the border.
No, you can’t deport ALL illegals. When they are caught, yes.
Yes, fine employers.
Yes, end birthright citizenship.
No one said anything about compassion. What I said was about economics and your false Econ 101 theory.
Dennis, you are absolutely right. The more we let in, the more that will come. This is what happened after the Reagan amnesty. They flooded into the US. Now we are at a cross-roads again and they will continue coming until we are no longer the US of A, but Amermexico!
#65 neocon
Because we didn’t enforce the law. And our economy grew much, much faster than anyone ever thought it would. Sigh.
G’night. Enjoyed the day indoors but would rather it be warm enough to be outside!
O.K. last post…About the 3rd and 4th ward. Honey, you are pissing in the wind. What article have you read about those wards carrying 3rd world country diseases in the last 10 years? NONE! Please don’t lay that crap on me. I’ve been there, numerous years ago. My babysitter was there 20 years ago, and I got pulled over there, and the cops wanted to know what a white girl was doing there. Thought I was looking for drugs. Same with Crosstimbers at 59. I’ve been in the slums! LAME remark….
Final note: Crosstimbers and 59 was a year ago, not 20 years. I know good people in low places, and I know bad people in high places…
‘night all.
Recommended reading: Economics In One Easy Lesson, Milton Freedman
Wow…this has been a very interesting evening…cold wintry weather and all.
5. Something most people forget is that the terrorist came in legally. No focus is being put there so we will eventually get hit again and the blame will be put on the border. You bet we will see Mr. Goeb on tv pushing for military on the border.