russ960

I was watching the first half of the Republican CNN YouTube debates and I thought I would share my thoughts. First it seemed immigration dominated the first 15-20 minutes. You have Giuliani and Romney duking it out about who supported illegal immigrants. I can see Romney's point that he hired a company that it turned out hired illegal immigrants. I know I don't go out and check the legal status of the employees of companies I hire. I don't think it is reasonable to expect that. Then you have Giuliani who clearly has supported illegal immigrants via his sanctuary city policies in New York. You move from this to Tom Tancredo whom I like but disagree with. He stated he would shut down all immigration. Is this reasonable? I'm opposed to illegal immigration and anyone here illegally needs to go back. However I do think given our very low unemployment in the US and the fact that we are going to lose a large number of workers over the next few years as baby boomer's retire we can use legal immigrants. However, I do agree we need to enforce our laws against companies hiring and using illegal workers. We cannot allow illegal immigrants to flaunt their violation of our laws, use our welfare systems and not pay taxes.

Then you had Ron Paul. My feelings about Ron are confusing. I like his idea of a more limited government but the guy confuses me. First he rags on globalization and our free trade agreements with Canada and Mexico. Then later when he's called out as an isolationist he says he's in favor of free and open trade. Which is it? I can understand his opposition to the war in Iraq. I'm not sure I agree with it but I understand it. However, I think it is unfair to sit there an rag on our troops and demean their progress. The man seems to hold back details on his plans and I find that frustrating. He says things that invigorate his supporters and create headlines but lacks details.

Since I just got done ragging on Ron Paul I will call out a quote I did like:

"Department of Education -- Ronald Reagan used to talk about that"

I've always felt the department of education was unnecessary since education should be the domain of the states. Bravo Congressmen Paul!

Debate Transcripts from CNN

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