Update Sat. 6/12: I take another look at how much Tom Emmer's heart
would have to change in More Emmer Mid-Morning memory jogging: looking into a 2008 English-only bill [end update]
Back in February, the Minnesota Independent reported that Tom Emmer received an "A" grade on a questionnaire he and other candidates received from Ruthie Hendrycks, leader of the anti-immigration group Minnesotans Seeking Immigration Reform (an email containing the grade and the 20-item questionnaire may be viewed below the fold).
Six of the questions concern a "pathway to citizenship." The first two, read in tandem, suggest that for MinnSIR, this phrase is a synonym for "amnesty":
1. Do you support a Pathway to Citizenship for the estimated 10-20 million illegal aliens currently in the United States?
Yes_____ No _____ Undecided _____
2. Do you believe that current legislation, be it a ‘Pathway to Citizenship‘, ‘Guest worker program’, or ‘Comprehensive Immigration Reform’ is nothing more than another Amnesty for those who have broken our immigration laws?
Yes_____ No _____ Undecided _____
Now, I don't know if Ruthie Hendrycks' professors at Lacrosse University, the diploma mill where she received her bachelors, graded on a generous curve, but reasonable people might conclude that any politician giving the slightest whiff of supporting that "pathway to citizenship" is not likely to receive an A grade from Ruthie Hendrycks of Hanska, Minnesota.
Bad answers on six of twenty question would pull a grade down to seventy percent, barely at C level.
Thus, I listened to the audio recording endorsed Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer on Minnesota Public Radio's Mid-Morning show with fascination. I embed it here:
Not only did Representative Emmer downgrade his estimation of Arizona's controversial SB1070 bill down from "a wonderful first step" to a "good" one today (he references the earlier broadcast between 46:18 and 46:37 in today's interview*), he soon was talking about a "path to citizenship."
Back in April, MPR reported:
Emmer called the Arizona law a "wonderful first step," and he
criticized federal officials for taking issue with Arizona.
"I'm very disappointed at the federal government that seems to be now
taking issue with the state of Arizona for doing what most of us expect
should be done," Emmer said. "Enforce the laws, and if you don't like
the laws, then change them.
Today, he told host Kerri Miller that "all I said" was that the law is a "good start."
Beginning at 47:12, Representative Emmer says that the country was built by "legal immigrants" and that it will continue to depend on immigrants--and that we should thank God that people still want to come here. However, a "bitterness" is created by the "perception" that undocumented workers receive social programs while struggling native-born Americans are asked to pay for them.
Miller asks if he supports a SB1070-type law; Emmer replies:
I didn't say that. We need to looks at immigration--how we get people legally, as legal citizens in the state of Minnesota, and assimilate them into Minnesota, so that they can be productive citizens of this state and they can enjoy the freedoms that we are all supposed to have.
The host then asks about targeting businesses that hire undocumented workers. Emmer then mentions a recently passed Oklahoma law, stating that he wants to see how that goes, and adds:
I think its much better than turning our employers into criminals, turning them into lawbreakers, why don't we once again acknowledge that our federal government is not--
Miller brings him back to the question of employers. Emmer says:
I absolutely have proposed that we use E-verify for every one of our employers so that the have the instant information when it comes to citizenship status, but I think it's really important, Kerri, that we make it clear that when the federal government is not going to adjust the laws, is not going to make for clear paths to citizenship for people who want to enter this country, when we want to continue to attract new citizens to this country and our state in particular, that we take it upon ourselves in Minnesota to figure out what we can do as a state to ensure that people do have a pathway to citizenship so that they can be here legally.
And again, I cannot emphasize enough, thank God they still want to come to the United States because it still means we have the freedom that people in the world aspire to.
Note that Emmer is talking about a "pathway to citizenship" and that he favors continuing immigration to this country. While the Minnesota Business Immigration Reform Coalition will likely encourage this direction, such sentiments may also cause him to butt heads with the "sustainability" wing of Minnesota's anti-immigrant movement.
Two informal associations form the public face of this faction. The first is Paul Westrum's Minnesota Coalition for Immigration Reduction; as the name suggests, Westrum and his followers want legal immigration reduced by 70 percent.
The link above is to a page on the rarely-updated Minnesotans For Sustainability site, which for practical purposes the creature of creator Dell Erickson. Nonetheless, Erickson has enough juice in the state's xenophobic movement to get a question in.
Given Emmer's answer above about continuing to encourage immigration to the United States (and his bringing the language of the "pathway to citizenship" into today's interview, it may be that Emmer now rates a "D," or 65 percent.
Perhaps MinnSIR might wish help clarify matters by releasing Emmer's exact answers to the questionnaire he filled out last winter, not merely the grade it posted online and emailed to its members.
Has Emmer had a change of heart? Perhaps Miller will, as she suggested at the close of the interview, have the Republican gubernatorial candidate back to consider these questions.
The full MinnSIR questionnaire below the fold.
Date: Sun, 14 Feb 2010 20:42:39 -0800
From: minnsir@yahoo.com
Subject: Emmer, Herwig, Quist added to the list
To: minnsir@yahoo.com
Dear Members
We have three more who have responded to our questionnaire
Please see below.
The Questionnaire is provided at the end of this email - please review if
the candidate of your choice has completed the questionnaire - if not,
copy, paste and send to those candidates - MN and nationwide.
Ruthie
Questionnaire's Received
It is virtually impossible to send each Questionnaire form out
Therefore - a grade system has been adapted with regards to the responses received.
This "GRADE" is listed next to the respondents name.
***Questionnaire follows the Candidates and NumbersUSA update below
Copy, paste and forward to your candidates.****
THANK YOU TO EACH CANDIDATE FOR YOUR RESPONSE
In The Order Received
MINNESOTA
1.
Sheldon Anderson Grade: "A" (first responder)
Candidate Position: GOP House Candidate 17B
Current Office or Candidate Position:Mayor of Wyoming, MN
______________
2.
Paul Gazelka Grade "A"
Candidate Position: MN State Senate Seat 12
Gazelka For Senate
15229 Edgewood Dr, Suite 100
Baxter, MN 56425
Telephone: 218 821 9287
www.gazelkaforsenate.com
______________
3.
Tom Emmer Grade "A"
Candidate Position: Governor of Minnesota
Tom Emmer for Governor
P.O. Box 14269
Saint Paul, MN 55114
(651) 783-5657
_______________
4.
Phil Herwig - Grade "A"
Candidate Position: Governor of Minnesota
Phil Herwig
12937 105th St.
Milaca, MN 56353
320-369-4143
________________
5.
Allen Quist - Grade "A"
Candidate Position: Congress First Congressional District
Quist for Congress
PO Box 355,
Mankato, MN 56002
________________
ARIZONA
1.
Hugh Kealer Grade "A"
Candidate: for Governor of Arizona
Hugh Kealer For Governor
35225 N 3rd St
Phoenix, AZ 85086
Telephone 623-742-8470
________________
CALIFORNIA
1.
Chelene Nightingale Grade "A"
Candidate: for Governor of California
Nightingale For Governor
P.O. Box 901115
Palmdale, CA 93590
www.nightingaleforgovernor.com
______________________________________
2010 SENATE ELECTION
Below is the Name, State, Party and Immigration Vote "Grade" by Numbers USA. Please KEEP this form and use it as your guide in the forthcoming election.
NAME IMMIGRATION GRADE
Bayh, Evan (D-IN) C+ Bennett, Michael (D-CO) F- Bennett, Robert (R-UT) C-
Bond, Christopher (R-MO) Not seeking re-election Boxer, Barbara (D-CA) D
Brownback, Sam (R-KS) Not seeking re-election Bunning, Jim (R-KY) A
Burr, Richard (R-NC) B Burris, Roland (D-IL) F- Coburn, Tom (R-OK) A+
Crapo, Mike (R-ID) A DeMint, Jim (R-SC) A
Dodd, Christopher (D-CT) Not seeking re-election Dorgan, Byron (D-ND) A-
Feingold, Russ (D-WI) F- Gillibrand, Kirsten (D-NY) D+ Grassley, Charles (R-IA) A+
Gregg, Judd (R-NH) B Inouye, Daniel (D-HI) F- Isakson, Johnny (R-GA) A
Kaufman, Ted(D-DE) Not seeking re-election Leahy, Patrick (D-VT) F-
Lincoln, Blanche (D-AR) D Martinez, Mel (R-FL) Not seeking re-election
McCain, John (R-AZ) C- Mikulski, Barbara (D-MD) F- Murkowski, Lisa (R-AK) C-
Murray, Patty (D-WA) F- Reid, Harry (D-NV) F- Schumer, Charles (D-NY) F
Shelby, Richard (R-AL) A+ Specter, Arlen (R-PA) D Thune, John (R-SD) A+
Vitter, David (R-LA) A+ Voinovich, George (R-OH) Not seeking re-election
Wyden, Ron (D-OR) D-
*********************************************
Illegal Immigration Questionnaire
Brought to you by:
Minnesotans Seeking Immigration Reform
Box 87
Hanska, MN 56041
Below is a questionnaire for those currently in office and for
those candidates now vying for a position in the 2010 elections.
There are many questions that could be asked - but to keep it simple
I have included 20. The questions are in a YES or NO format as to not
receive the endless responses that tell us nothing.
Your response will be shared with our members
.
The issue of illegal immigration is like the 800 gorilla in the room that no one
will discuss - it is time we know where those seeking to represent us stand.
Ruthie
************************************************************
January 2010
Enclosed is a questionnaire concerning the heated and controversial issue of Illegal Immigration.
To make your participation as easy as possible - it
is in a YES or NO format. The option to add additional comments is
provided, but not necessary.
We do realize, that legislatively you may or may
not have the opportunity to address the questions that follow, however
- you do have a voice and the right to an opinion.
This questionnaire is being sent to you by Minnesotans Seeking Immigration Reform (MINNSIR). Your response or lack of participation will be shared with our membership.
We ask that you complete the survey and return via email to minnsir@yahoo.com or print this questionnaire and return via mail to MINNSIR, Box 87, Hanska, MN 56041.
Please complete the following information as to verify your returned responses
NAME: ______________________________
Contact address: ___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
Contact Telephone Number and Website ________________________________
Current Office or Candidate Position ___________________________________
QUESTIONS:
1. Do you support a Pathway to Citizenship for the estimated 10-20 million illegal aliens currently in the United States?
Yes_____ No _____ Undecided _____
2. Do you believe that current legislation, be it a ‘Pathway to Citizenship‘, ‘Guest worker program’, or ‘Comprehensive Immigration Reform’ is nothing more than another Amnesty for those who have broken our immigration laws?
Yes_____ No _____ Undecided _____
3. Do you believe that our Immigration System is broken due to NON enforcement of our immigration laws?
Yes_____ No _____ Undecided _____
4. Are you aware of the many polls that show Americans do not want a Pathway to Citizenship legislation?
Yes_____ No _____ Undecided _____
5. Do you believe that we must take control of our borders and ports and know who is entering the U. S.?
Yes_____ No _____ Undecided _____
6. Do you believe that our borders and ports should be secured immediately ?
Yes_____ No _____ Undecided _____
7. Do you agree that “No one is above the Law’ and
that our laws should be enforced….. therefore the practice of a
“Sanctuary Policy” must stop?
Yes_____ No _____ Undecided _____
8. Do you agree that Identity Theft and Fraudulent
Identification is a serious crime and should be prosecuted to the
fullest extend of the law?
Yes_____ No _____ Undecided _____
9. Do you support local law enforcement agencies that choose to participate in 287(g) programs?
Yes_____ No _____ Undecided _____
10. Do you believe that with the current overflow
of our prisons, state and local jails - that to address the overall
financial burdens that are incurred, that those who have served out
their sentence, should be immediately deported and to ensure that these
criminal illegal aliens do not return - again we must secure our
borders and ports?
Yes_____ No _____ Undecided _____
11. Do you believe that our national language should be English?
Yes_____ No _____ Undecided _____
12. Do you believe that the US Taxpayer should be
required to financially assist those through various programs that are
in the United States illegally?
Yes_____ No _____ Undecided _____
13. Do you agree with the statement that those illegally in the Country should NOT be given a Driver’s License?
Yes_____ No _____ Undecided _____
14. Do you agree with the statement that In-State
Tuition should not be granted to those who are not legal residents of
the United States ?
Yes_____ No _____ Undecided _____
15.Do you believe that there is not enough current discussion on future concerns, such as:
US sustainability regarding: urban sprawl, water
supplies, etc. and that you would be willing to take the lead on the
future impact to the US with regards to these sustainability concerns?
Yes_____ No _____ Undecided _____
16. Our electoral process is a voice of the American people.
Would you agree with the statement, that voting is a privilege not a
right and that it should be reserved for American Citizens and Legal
Residents only? And, that you would vote and advocate for legislation
to ensure that those illegally in the Country do not vote?
Yes_____ No _____ Undecided _____
17. Do you agree with the statement that those illegally in the Country should not be counted in the Census?
Yes_____ No _____ Undecided _____
18. Do you agree with the statement that illegal
aliens should NOT be included in any healthcare legislation, if passed
in the future?
Yes_____ No _____ Undecided _____
19. With the current economic concerns and
unemployment rate, do you believe that any discussion of adding 12-20
million illegal aliens to a “Pathway” and the chain immigration that
would follow, should be addressed now?
Yes_____ No _____ Undecided _____
20. Do you believe that the American citizen and
Legal Residents would be better served if, instead of a discussion of a
pathway to citizenship, - we would discuss “Attrition Thru Enforcement“?
Yes_____ No _____ Undecided _____
Any Additional Comments you would like to submit
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Thank you for your participation
If you would like to contact MINNSIR the information is provided below
Minnesotans Seeking Immigration Reform - MINNSIR
Box 87
Hanska, Minnesota 56041
1/10
****************************************************
Ruthie
Minnesotans Seeking Immigration Reform
State Chapter for FIRE Coalition
"Restore Order - Secure Our Border"
"The Ruthie Report"
8 pm CST every Thursday
via Conservative Alliance Media Network at
Thank you for bringing this important topic out of the shadows and into the light of reasonability.
My grandfather came from Sweden in 1917. He was legal. He had to disown his former allegence to the King of Sweden, provide documentation that coming here was OK with his parents, sign an affidavit that he was not a polygamist, or an anarchist. He had to have a sponsor, a destination, and $25. We have the paperwork from Ellis Island.
The administration of current policy selects the following important criteria: 1) you have to be willing to break the law, 2) strong enough to make the trip, 3) be willing to work with criminals to get you here, 4) once here, be willing to continually break the law to secure work. What a country!
Emmer's approach seems reasoned, guided by the principle that we want immigrants to come and be lively participants in our peaceful communities. Any rational state intervention to push the feds to enforce our laws would be welcomed. He's not running to be King. The legislature would need to develop suitable language for any action he would take as Governor.
I would welcome a side-by-side comparison of Emmer to Dayton-Kelliher-Entenza-Horner.
Posted by: Ford Peterson | Jun 11, 2010 at 11:35 AM
That suggestion sounds like a good project for you to take on at your own blog--please come back when you have completed the post and let readers know when you've performed that service.
Posted by: Sally Jo Sorensen | Jun 11, 2010 at 11:52 AM
I hope that every American, regardless of where he lives, will stop and examine his conscience about this and other related incidents. This Nation was founded by men of many nations and backgrounds. It was founded on the principle that all men are created equal, and that the rights of every man are diminished when the rights of one man are threatened. All of us ought to have the right to be treated as he would wish to be treated, as one would wish his children to be treated, but this is not the case.
I know the proponents of this law say that the majority approves of this law, but the majority is not always right. Would women or non-whites have the vote if we listen to the majority of the day, would the non-whites have equal rights (and equal access to churches, housing, restaurants, hotels, retail stores, schools, colleges and yes water fountains) if we listen to the majority of the day? We all know the answer, a resounding, NO!
Today we are committed to a worldwide struggle to promote and protect the rights of all who wish to be free. In a time of domestic crisis men of good will and generosity should be able to unite regardless of party or politics and do what is right, not what is just popular with the majority. Some men comprehend discrimination by never have experiencing it in their lives, but the majority will only understand after it happens to them.
Posted by: Benito | Jun 11, 2010 at 01:25 PM