PLATFORM

      Campaign 2006  Planks:      
    
        
      Immigration         


         The illegal immigration problem is one of the most serious issues facing our state and our nation. The problem begins and ends in Washington. But that doesn’t mean there’s nothing we can do about it here in Florida. 

      Most importantly, the federal government has failed utterly to secure America’s borders. America has been flooded with tens of millions of illegal immigrants. Countless numbers of illegals live and work in Florida. America must secure its borders and stop the flow of illegals now. Florida has suffered from the illegal immigration influx as millions of non-citizens who are in this country illegally compete for jobs at exploitation level wages. 

      Some Florida industries have become addicted to this pool of cheap labor. We have to break that addiction. We have to give Floridians the job opportunities that are currently being taken by illegal immigrants who will work below the minimum wage. 

      The state of Florida and Florida’s cities and towns are currently paying the bill for illegal immigrants who consume millions upon millions of dollars worth of social services. As governor, I’m going to send Washington the bill. The federal government sat idly by as this problem grew out of control. Washington now bears fiscal responsibility for the cost. 

      I am fully prepared to take the federal government to court to demand payment of the bill that Florida taxpayers are now paying for the flood of social services consumed by illegal immigrants. I intend to force the issue by sending Washington a bill so large…so expensive…that the politicians won’t be able to ignore Florida another day. 

      Washington has to find a solution that solves the illegal immigration crisis without wrecking Florida industries that have become reliant on cheap labor. But we’re not going to get there as long as the two old-fashioned parties sit on their hands and do nothing. 

      There are only two things standing in the way of solving the illegal immigrant crisis. Republicans aren’t motivated to deal with the problem because they want cheap labor. The Democrats aren’t going to deal with the issue firmly because they want cheap votes. 

      The immigration problem can no longer be ignored and avoided. I am putting Washington on notice. Fix the problem now. And, pay the bill that the old-fashioned parties have ignored too long.