We like gardeners, we just want them to walk to work
A new survey by the Public Policy Institute of California finds a big majority of Californians (60%) believe the state benefits from immigrants' hard work and job skills. Moreover, 64% of residents say illegal immigrants should be allowed to apply for work permits.
But Californians also believe illegal immigrants need exercise. They should be pedestrians, busriders and bike riders; 64% of likely voters oppose state legislation allowing them to get driver’s licenses.
In today’s La Opinion, Nativo Lopez, president of Mexican American Political Assn., rails against the suvery’s findings. It’s in Spanish so here’s a translation:
It’s something so contradictory, so selfish, so ignorant. It says that it’s fine for the undocumented to work for our benefit, for our service, cleaning our houses, mowing our lawns, cooking, but it’s not all right for us to give them a driving permit so they can get to these places where they work.
Francisco Estrada, spokesman for the Mexican American Legal Defense Fund, tries to put a positive spin on the findings:
I think the results demonstrate that although anti-immigrant sentiment continues to exist, people recognize the benefit of immigrants in our community.
The PPIC survey, entitled Californians and Their Government: If You Lead, Will They Follow? Voters, Leaders Not On Same Reform Page, also has information on residents' attitudes about a host of other issues, including moving the presidential primary, the economy and redistricting.
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Public Policy Institute of California? ha! I don't remember this group on any of my ballots when I voted. Just a bunch of people who listen to 90.7 FM and, would like to think that they express the thoughts of others. They do not.
Illegal is illegal. Do I hear aiding and abetting? The illegals are the bank robbers; and the Public Policy Institute of California is driving the getaway car.
Posted by: bg mendell | March 30, 2007 at 04:11 PM
I see a poll like this, and I start thinking, "Maybe that Badnarik guy was onto something after all."
Yeah, I guess if the government doesn't have the manpower or cajones necessary to enforce a law stipulating who I can and can't hire to mow my lawn, then limiting the ability somewhat of the people I want to hire is probably the next best thing.
Still, statistically speaking, I'd bet the irony crowd here is relatively small. Of those who think illegals should be able to apply for a permit to go to work, those that think they shouldn't be able to get there probably only represent a fraction* of the total.
How much of that do you suppose is really about uninsured drivers regardless of nationality?
*64% who oppose giving drivers' licenses minus the 36% who oppose giving them work permits equals 28%.
Posted by: Ken Shultz | March 30, 2007 at 05:05 PM