I just saw Pelosi on The Newshour

[SHRED]

She kept harping on the impossible while ignoring the obvious.
I didn't here a word about employer sanctions but many about the costly "secure the border" mantra.
Are the Dem leaders trying to look tough. In doing so they are looking stupid.
See here:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=800207&mesg_id=800207

If the Dems spent as much time talking about the need for taper-proof identification and strong employer criminal sanctions for illegal hiring then they might be on to something.
Why don't they talk about how illegal hiring is busting unions, lowering wages, draining tax revenue by "under the table" wages, and in general, adding to the shrinking of the middle class?
Why don't the Dems grow a pair and start talking about the need for something besides the ridiculously small monetary fines I heard proposed for illegal hiring?

Establish a verifiable identity system and then all employers caught hiring illegally would be fined heavily the first offense and the second offense the government takes over the business and sells it off while putting the Owners/CEOs in prison for a mandatory minimum of 10 years.

Our politicians are bought off by the corporatists so I am dreaming I realize.

[acmejack]

1. They have their millions.

They have their retirement packages, they know they have a medical, dental, and optical needs addressed. The Dems are dreaming of all those new votes. They see those votes and think they will vote en bloc which is not only foolish, it is selling the working class down the river.

We are in deep doodoo I fear. The more I look at this thing, the worse our situation looks. I readily profess my lack of expertise and certainly hope I am wrong but things truly appear bleak to me, worse than ever in my lifetime. I am, quite frankly, terrified by the prospects. Am I just an old fool?

[SHRED]

2. Yep...

...I share your thoughts in many ways.

[orleans]

3. yesterday when the dems released their security plan

she held it up while she was speaking, to show the cameras, and it was UPSIDE DOWN!!!

i thought--jezzz--can't even hold the paper up the right way. but i can't find a pic of this, and haven't heard anyone talking about it--which i'm glad. i actually said OMG and shook my head at the tv when i saw her do that. (i know i haven't commented on the actual post--but their big presentation/announcement of it turned comical when she did that)

[LA lady]

5. I hate to do it but

[orleans]

7. lol. thank you. i can print it and put it in my "kill myself!" file.

actually i don't have a "kill myself" file
but i do have files and this is definitely a keeper.

[Lostnote06]

8. A Howard Dean Moment,,,,,,

[MH1]

4. You'll like this better

Kerry on Ed Schultz today. Mentions many of the things you did. Not exactly the same way and maybe not as specific as I'd like on how to streamline the enforcement on employers - but hell, he only had 10 minutes and Ed had other stuff to ask him about too.

Give it a listen -

http://audio.wegoted.com/podcasting/33006Kerry.mp3

[SHRED]

6. thanks

[Zookeeper]

9. I just finished watching that...

The Senate bill is obviously better than the House bill, however I am becoming extremely concerned and frustrated that NO ONE (besides us DUers on both sides of the debate) is talking about HOLDING BUSINESS RESPONSIBLE FOR HIRING ILLEGAL WORKERS and paying slave wages!!!!

I caught a little of C-Span's coverage today of Senators introducing amendments. Nothing about business. Am I missing something?

At this point, I don't want to see the Senate bill voted on until we have time to pressure them and make them address the culpability of employers!

Edited for typo.