ProgressNow Colorado | Blue Messages: Good Job Romanoff and Fitz-Gerald

Post from Blue Messages:

Good Job Romanoff and Fitz-Gerald

By Mark Mehringer - Jul 10th, 2006 at 3:08 pm EDT

Also listed in: Denver County | Sustainable Politics Stapleton

Comments | Mail to a Friend

Category: Immigration

Bad? Brilliant?

You can rate this post.
Register or login now and
tell us what you think.

When Bill Owens first threatened to call the legislature back into special session to address immigration, many progressives feared conservatives would use yet another wedge issue to beat progressive candidates over the head over and over between now and November.

But Romanoff and Fitz-Gerald now have the conservatives on the defensive, worried they will lose their wedge issue before the election, while also losing support by the day among the business community.

I think it's time for a round of applause across the Colorado progressive blogosphere for the good work our legislative leaders have done.

Thank you both, and well done!

Reader Comments	Comments RSS
Comments are closed for this post.

Shame on Romanoff and Fitz-Gerald

By Luis Toro Jul 10th 2006 at 3:33 pm EDT

No, I think those of us who thought the approach to the special session was wrong have been vindicated. The Post this morning quotes Democrats as bragging that they have passed the "toughest" immigration laws in the country, among other things calling on the state to clamp down on undocumented who use state services. Might I point out that the real progressive position is that government services exist for a reason: To help those people in society who need it. I know I am not the only pro-immigrant progressive Colorado Latino who believes that the state party leadership would not have taken this tack if it were not for the fear of being branded as too friendly to racial minorities. So there is that damage that has to be repaired, while on the other hand no matter how punitive and draconian the legislative Democrats become, the Republicans will always be able to say that they advocated something even tougher.

I think this thing has been totally mishandled and as far as I am concerned, this should put to rest any thought of either Romanoff or Fitz-Gerald holding higher elective office in this state.

Re: Shame on Romanoff and Fitz-Gerald

By D Jul 11th 2006 at 4:30 am EDT

The programs available to the people that are in need in the State of Colorado are for the people in need that are Citizens of the United States of America, and not for illegal immigrants. What part of illegal do you not understand? How many times must people be reminded that this is not a racial issue? I never hear it called a racial issue when it involves the Irish that are here illegally. They aren't eligible for services intended for U.S.Citizens either. This also includes all other races that are here illegally. So what is the real issue here?

Re: Shame on Romanoff and Fitz-Gerald

By Luis Toro Jul 11th 2006 at 10:58 am EDT

If it wasn't a race issue, then why did Democrats cave in and vote for a measure that the state party condemned in the spring? Obviously, because they are afraid that Republicans will racially demagogue the issue with white voters.

Re: Shame on Romanoff and Fitz-Gerald

By D Jul 13th 2006 at 5:41 am EDT

Now, you are saying that this is a racial issue. First off there are many American Citizens that are of Mexican ancestry They have time and time again stated the fact that the Mexican illegals don't speak for them. If this were a racial issue then why may I ask are these people asking for the same results as other American Citizens? American Citizens are just as upset with the illegal immigration of the Irish, and all other illegals that are in the United States. It has nothing to do with the color of their skin. The reality of this issue is that they are illegal, and not entiled to services that are in place for Citizens of the United States. If amnesty is what you're after you must think that the only people that would be offered amnesty are the people from south of the border, and you are wrong. It would cover people from all over the world that are here in the United States illegally. If they are given amnesty then how many millions more people will show up at our door step? If we don't take a stand then we will have no country, and all of the men and women that have fought in every war in this country from the beginning will have fought, and died in vain for the sovereignty of the United States Of America.

Democrats Sell Out Workers Again

By Jim Dodd Jul 11th 2006 at 8:06 am EDT

Well, Democrats at the Colorado Legislature have sold out working people once again. They passed no effective law to punish employers who hire illegal migrants instead of lawful workers. They gave in to Larry Mizel and his political money.

Re: Democrats Sell Out Workers Again

By Mark Mehringer Jul 11th 2006 at 12:20 pm EDT

I consider this effort a tactical retreat, not a defeat or caving. Romanoff and Fitz-Gerald have put Democrats into a better position both for the fall and thus for next Spring as well. They passed Ref C, which allows for funding for many progressive programs and efforts, and we can still get a measure on the ballot to boost the state minimum wage.

Conservatives are waging a cultural war, and yes that means that sometimes we have to avoid battles we will lose, so that we can win the overall war.

And yes, these services were banned to immigrants who came to this country illegally.

As for selling out workers, please don't forget all of the workers in Central America, South America, Eastern Europe, and across Asia. Progressives should fight for all of them, not just those born in America.

Re: Democrats Sell Out Workers Again

By Jim Dodd Jul 11th 2006 at 12:51 pm EDT

I'm sorry, Mark, we need to take care of our own first.

We have 65 million legal workers in the country with a high school education or less. The unemployment rate among these less educated workers is more than 10%. This does not include the 8 million workers who have given up looking for work and are not counted as part of the unemployment statistics. We have an economy that is failing to produce enough jobs - see the last three months job production statistics.

Corporations and employers are using illegal migrants force down wages and benefits. I see the Democratic party more interested is appeasing corporate interests that respresenting the interests of their working class constituents.

Democrats have been selling out the workers and the labor movement since Taft-Harley. I am not surprised - only disappointed.

Re: Democrats Sell Out Workers Again

By Mark Mehringer Jul 13th 2006 at 7:35 pm EDT

I definitely agree with you that we need to do a much better job supporting working people in this country. Raising the minimum wage should be the first step, followed by helping workers form unions, and implementing economic policies that promote investing in workers. I'd also support making the tax code in Colorado a progressive one.

Call me an idealist, but I believe the same is needed in Mexico, China, India, Sri Lanka, the rest of Asia, Africa, South America, etc. It's great to be an American, but our sense of entitlement has really gotten out of hand, when you think about what most of the rest of the world endures. A 10% unemployment rate would be wonderful in many other places in this world.