Land takes floor to filibuster immigration bill

S.C. Senate is in recess after Sen. John Land began a filibuster to an immigration bill the Senate is attempting to pass.

Both the House and Senate have voted on immigration bills that require employers to take additional steps in verifying whether the workers they hire are in the United States legally.

But a conference committee appointed to ironing out the differences in the bill has not been able to agree on a final version.

The Senate has drafted a new bill and added it to a House bill that essentially gives the General Assembly a way out of its stalemate.

But Land, D-Clarendon, said the Senate's immigration bill would hurt farmers in his district.

Comments

[madaboutscpolitics]

OH COME ON, SC SENATE! QUIT PLAYING AROUND! It's not going to hurt farmers, if they use inmates instead of hiring illegals. I am tired of paying for illegal immigrants. They need to be deported. DO SOMETHING NOW!

[Lucy]

Thank you Senator Land for standing up for agriculture and business. Without immigrant labor our state and nation would slide into the worst economic condition since the Great Depression. The histeria to "do something" has turned into the politicians bowing down to a vocal minority. Most people realize we need immigrants and the labor they provide. It is no surprise that the three presidential candidates who were the "softest on immigration" are still standing. Simply, "doing something about immigration" without balancing all constituents needs is a lot worse than doing nothing. Senator Land, Thank You!

[Tony]

I've been to the dog and pony shows that the County, House, and the Senate members invites you to. Trust this, these folks are not going to do one thing for the tax payers in the state, they have proven this time and time again. Proven fact, remember when the illegal immigrants formed a protest due to they felt no one was giving them any respect, what happen? NOTHING, SHOULD HAVE BEEN A 100 OR SO BUSES THERE TO LOAD THEM UP AND TAKING BACK TO THERE COUNTRY, (I got gas money). No the goverment we work for is too busy sticking there noise in private sports like baseball and telling them if you don't stop using drugs we will put a stop to it. Who cares if they use drugs they are all a bunch of overpaid junkies, they talk about being role models, B.S., the parents are the role models.If the fans stop going to the games this well no longer be a problem, and then maybe just maybe Congress can help with something usefull. I could go on and on but like I said at the start,this is just another Dog and Pony show, total B.S.. Until ALL I mean ALL the people come together there will never be a CHANGE.
FED. UP
TONY

[madaboutpolitics]

Illegal Immigrants are the reason we are having economic problems THANK YOU!!! So it's okay if they can come in illegally and bash border patrol officers up side their heads. It's okay if they can break our rules and you are saying,"Without immigrant labor our state and nation would slide into the worst economic condition since the Great Depression." I don't think so! They are not helping us out at all. What about them bringing in tuberculosis here. Are you considering that?

[Ella]

I had a comment made to me by an illegal immigrant student at the school I was at. He was angry because he was making racial comments to an African American Male and he got in trouble. He made a comment to me saying,"We are going to get all of your kids hooked on drugs and take your D@#$ country over!" That is actually what they are trying to do. They are trying to turn our country into theirs. How they can keep our country strong when they can't even keep their's strong enough. Our criminal justice system could benefit by the use of these low paying jobs who are being taken by these immigrants. Why couldn't the correction facilities and some of these businesses form contracts with each other? They could allow inmates to do some of the vegetable picking and farm work. They've done it before. They could be doing this instead of sitting in a cell doing nothing while their brains turn to mush. This would be a rehabilitation tool for them instead of having illegals taking these jobs and not paying taxes. The correctional facilities are suffering financially and they need help.

[Joseph]

Thank you Senator Land for courageously standing up for farmers and small businesses in your district and across the state.

For all of those who believe that deportation should start immediately, before you get too hot over this I would encourage you to think about how interested you are in taking their places in the fields and on the farms of South Carolina. You eat, often because an illegal immigrant picks and processes your food. They leave, we are going to have to scale back our eating or undergo a drastic shift in our labor force that would put an incredible number of South Carolinians long departed the farm back on the farm.

[givemeabreak]

I hope all you greedy people that are making millions off of using Illegals are happy that you are getting rich while the United States goes to hell in a handbasket! You should be tried for TREASON!

[deacon]

I have never seen any group more spineless than the South Carolina Senate. The way they have acted is despicable. They have allowed themselves to be swayed by the Farm Bureau and the Chamber of Commerce with thoughts of campaign money. Thank you for selling out your sworn duty, your fellow South Carolinians, and your neighbors. People who are breaking the law do not deserve our consideration. People who sell out to the highest bidders do not deserve to be reelected to office. I hope that you have enjoyed yourselves, Senators.

[BEANBURNER]

Why can't LEGAL immigrants pick our crops?

[Morons - Them or Us]

Anyone that thinks this country and state are headed to hell if we pass an illegal immigration bill are sadly mistaken.

The reality of the matter is that the results are that the future is now. Those individuals, such as Lucy and Ella, that praise our elected representatives, such as Senator Land, proves that none of the three have completed an ounce worth of research.

Both Senators Land and McConnell illustrated their knowledge or more accurately the lack of knowledge on the impact that illegals have on our state's bank account by their comments in Wednesdys article in the Metro section.

The depression of wages and the taking of jobs from our citizens is a serious problem today.

Our Governor Sanford is right on target to consider the veto of any bill that does not include E-verify has the only method to confirm that immigrates who they say they are. I check applicants now to verify that they are authorized to work here. Nine out ten either have documents that are forged or none at all. I am told that it is a miracle that so and so is applying for a job. I use to ask why. I am told that they have been dead x number of years. Also I am asked did I know that it is illegal to work a child that is 3. This is identity theft.

Illegals get their name for a reason. Why do many of our citizens not get the point of what part of illegal do they not understand?

Our senators and representatives at the big top at the corner of Gervais and Assembly have demonstrated a disappointing lack of courage and backbone.

The SC Chamber of Commerce and the voters best friend, the lobbyist, insured that the fix was in from the start of the process to pass this bill.

A bill not to include E-verify and use a duplication of the federal I-9 for a state I-9 type form that is ripe for illegals to to defraud. Why? E-verify gets them. The I-9 depends on the honesty of the applicant to have real documents. Back to the explanation of what part of illegal don't we get?

This "sissy bill" keeps wages depressed and jobs filled by persons that are here illegally.

My comments could be considered as bitter if you listen to a certain candidate for president. Nope, I am not bitter. I am just "MAD AS HELL". I am tired of any and all politicans who don't listen to the electorate and use common sense.

If you don't believe what I have written, research this subject. The facts don't lie.

[madashell]

I own a small business in South Carolina and I have never and will never hire an Illegal Immigrant! Don't speak for Small Business, Ella! I know many more people that own businesses, large and small that wouldn't hire an illegal. You should be ashamed of yourself and I hope you are found out and fined heavily!

[zeke]

Oh, these liberal dems need to be run out of town on a rail! These idiots have kept SC in the dumps for decades! Just like the idiot in the legislature who proudly proclaimed that by not eliminating property and income taxes in favor of sales taxes, WAS A VICTORY FOR THE CITIZENS AND TAXPAYERS OF SOUTH CAROLINA! What an idiot! Just like the immigration bill, and let us get the true name here, this is not about immigration! Immigration, a legal move into the country is fine except the liberals have us playing favorites to populations that will vote democrat and ultimately will change the racial balance of the population!! This is about criminals who invade our country, cross the borders illegally and are slapped on the hand and released into the general population instead of being returned to their home countries! The farmers and agricultural interest will be better served with temporary green card workers who return to their countries after or between the various harvests, and , are under a constant method of determining that they do. All the businesses, including the various state, city, county and federal government agencies that do not enforce the rules should be heavily fined, prosecuted and officials imprisoned, even if it closes those businesses or agencies, NO EXCEPTIONS!!

[Nicollo]

I'll give Lucy and Joseph the benefit of the doubt and assume they are simply uneducated. If not, they are idiots and enablers.

John Land is an idiot - but we've known that for some time. I'll allow the reader to assume what that says about the area he represents. He is a sell-out of the first degree.

To allow farmers to utilize illegal labor, while we pay for their healthcare, eduacation, police protection, etc., is unforgivable. Sadly, we have only ourselves to blame.

If the world were just, John Land would be required to pay for the things mentioned above. He would personally be held responsible for the financial rape and pillage he is enabling by the fillabuster.

Stop complaining and demand Senator Land be held personally responsible. Draft his account each week to pay for the costs of illegal labor.

We'll see how long his sell-out continues if he's forced to put his money where his mouth is.

He's a coward. He'd rather spread that obligation to all of you. And he'll continue as long as people agree to take it.

Upon closer inspection, who is the coward in this scenario?

Do the non-farmer people of his district realize farmers are making money on their backs? And all of ours for that matter?

[Bob]

So, the bill would "hurt farmers" - poor babies! How many taxpayers get hurt when the illegal immigrants go to our hospitals for FREE and have anchor babies for FREE and then that baby AUTOMATICALLY becomes an American citizen ENTITLED to MEDICAID BENEFITS and WELFARE BENEFITS for FREE and who at the age of 21 can send for extended members of their family. How many taxpayers are hurt when they are FORCED to pay higher taxes to cover the cost of educating ILLEGAL immigrants and their anchor babies for FREE while paying amost TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS per head to educate ILLEGALS and hire ESOL teachers at an average salary of 47K per year? Sorry about your tomatoes Mr. Farmer but
politicians from BOTH political parties should be held responsible in November for allowing this ILLEGAL immigration and energy nightmare that screws the average working stiff while they set on their fat goverment jobs. It's time to clean house in November.

[Lucy]

All of you hate mongers need to slow down a little bit and look inward. Rascists rants and putting the blame on immigrants for all of the woes in the US is a sign of your ignorance and laziness. The US economy will dry up and falter without immigrant labor. Too many Americans have lost the ambition to pursue the American dream. On the other hand, immigrants are willing to risk their life, travel thousands of miles, be away from their family, and work the jobs that Americans have out grown or just too lazy to perform, all in an effort to improve their lot in life. In my opinion, we need more people hungry for prosperity and fewer hungry for spite, racism and protectionism.
Something does need to be done to stem the tide of undocumneted immigrants, however, the red necks, biggots and hate mongers who stomp on flags dont have an answer. All they can do is make noise.

[Wolfgang]

Lucy - An American will work for the right wages. You can't support a family on the wages that an illegal gets. The illegals are nothing more than modern slave labour. Pay fair wages and you'll get Americans to do the jobs that Americans "won't do". This has nothing to do with race. This has to do with economics.

[Wolfgang]

Lucy - An American will work for the right wages. You can't support a family on the wages that an illegal gets. The illegals are nothing more than modern slave labour. Pay fair wages and you'll get Americans to do the jobs that Americans "won't do". This has nothing to do with race. This has to do with economics.

[Betty]

I have never heard so many hateful comments in here my goodness. We are forgetting something here what about the ones that have been here more then 5 years. Like 20 and so on and have children. They are human beings for god sake. Now I am not talking about the ones that are criminals no but for the ones that are here and have been here for years.

[Roni]

It is shameful Americans have become so heartless. Many of those people are willing to work beyond 40 hours a week to get a job done. They take pride in their work and don't belly ache. Senator Land I applaud your having guts enough to stand up for the people in your district. Food prices are continuing to go up and when a food crisis occurs let us see if the mean and heartless individuals take to fields for minimum wages to feed this state or country. Working in heat, rain or any inclimate weather conditions to get the job completed. What about the people on welfare who never worked a day in their lives and were born in this country. Maybe they should take to the fields to earn their monthly checks! I do believe they pay no taxes and get free services. People get real. Many of you are really people who hate no matter what. Senator keep on keeping on and stand up at least you have a real backbone.

[Morons - Them, Us or U]

Dear Betty, Roni, and Lucy:

Originally I was posting under the name, Morons - Them or Us. After reading your posts, I had to change that name.

Lucy, do you realize that speaking out is a right. I don't know about you but I served 25 years in the military to allow those just like you; the uninformed, blind to the facts, and the worse possible attemt to "color" the issues by yelling "RACISTS". O, I left out rednecks,biggots and hate mongers. Mmmm, your words Lucy, not mine. Lucy you have some splaining to do.

Now Betty, what do your comments shed light on? Because they have been here 5 or 20 years and crossed the border illegally, that makes it ok? Wrong. Here goes, that woreout phrase, what part of illegal do you not under
stand?

You said, I am not talking about the ones that are criminals no but the ones that have been here for years or some such nonsense.

Betty I don't want to be the one to break it to you but all of the ones that are here without the proper documentation are CRIMINALS. Didn't mean to yell. However, when individuals want to debate an issue and they come to a gunfight with a butter knife, it gets very old, very fast.

OK, now Roni. To applaud Senator Land as he gives a "wink and a nod" on employers using illegals in his district. Do you realize Roni, that Land and the farmers are both violating federal law. Naw, that is ok. We can't be heartless when it comes to the subject of illegals.

Now to the three of you, I hate to cloud things up with facts. I'll use just one set of fact, In 2007, illegals cost us approximately $187,000,000.00 for all goverment services that illegals received. These costs are projected to rise to $334,000,000.00 in 2010 and to $615,000,000.00 in 2020. Does that mean one billion in 2030?

Now, I am asking Senator Land to propose a law that would allow all legalized citizens to rob banks if at the end of the week they came up short on house, car, electric, and insurance payments without fear of arrest or prosecution. Yea. Right.

Cause sure as hell, he is the getaway driver for all that are robbing the citizens of this state.

Lucy, Betty, and roni now you know why had to change my pen name. It was because of each of you.

[Ella]

Morons - Them or Us, I think you need to look again at who posted the comment praising Senator Land, it was Joseph. I do not praise Senator Land or any representative opposing the bill. I think you need to go back and look who posted it.

[Ella]

I happen to oppose illegal immigration and I want them deported!

[Morons - Them, Us or U]

Ella:

I reviewed my writings and I didn't type the name Ella at anytime in my life.

It wasn't me.

Thanks

[Morons - Them, Us or U]

Ella, I made a mistake. I did type your name once. I extend my regrets for the error.