II would like to see an advisory referendum regarding immigration issues included on the Spring 2007 Wisconsin ballot. I do not believe that our preferences are being reflected by our legislators. When immigration legislation is voted upon in the House there’s a 50-50 split; in the Senate, the entire vote is pro-“amnesty.” Because of this difference it seems to me that our senators are not voting constituents' preferences. A state advisory referendum would clearly show what Wisconsin voters want and assist not only federal, but state and local legislators with their voting decisions.
In June, I called both senators' offices and asked if a poll of constituents had been done to determine what their constituents wanted regarding immigration. Senator Feingold’s office said “I don’t know” and Senator Kohl’s office said, “The senator hasn’t prepared a statement on that.” In addition to this, neither senator has devoted any amount of time to commenting (or educating us) about this topic on his official congressional website.
Considering how important and volatile this issue is to our nation, it's a travesty that neither website addresses this pressing issue. Considering the fact that both were on the Judiciary Committee, which reviewed the S2611 legislation, there isn't any reason for the absence of adequate info on their sites.
The Democratic National Committee and its Hispanic Caucus hosted the DNC’s 2006 Hispanic Leadership Summit at the Hyatt Regency in Washington, DC from September 30 to October 1, 2006. The national summit, under the banner of Community, Opportunity and Prosperity: A New Direction for America, was billed as uniting hundreds of Hispanic community leaders, "grassroots activists," and local and federal elected officials to mobilize Hispanic voters ahead of the Nov. 7 elections.
Is it possible that these Wisconsin senators are voting the national party line/preference and not the will of their constituents?
The immigration issue is SERIOUS, and should not be downplayed because Wisconsin doesn’t have the problems that GA, TX, CA, AZ, or CO have.
WHAT HAPPENS IN OTHER STATES DOES AFFECT WISCONSIN DIRECTLY. What happens in ANY state ultimately affects all other states.
There’s only so much federal money to go around for Medicare, Medicaid, food stamps, heating assistance and housing assistance. These services are heavily used by illegal aliens, and it’s been documented that this use is over-burdening our welfare system, leaving citizens without benefits or with benefits that have been significantly reduced. I seriously doubt that making anyone "legal" will decrease the use of such benefits by "former" illegals.
Those of you in other states might want to look for similar discrepancies in the voting patterns of your legislators for this and other issues, and then use it to your advantage.
Join me in organizing a petition drive and in finding other Wisconsin individuals and groups who might want to participate.
Thank You!
