http://sonorannews.com/archives/2007/070131-05/WebOnly.html#story2
January 31 - February 6, 2007
Russell Pearce packs USA meeting at Childress Auto Mall
Become part of legislative process from home
By Linda Bentley
PHOENIX – Rusty Childress has been hosting United for Sovereign America (USA) meetings at his auto mall on Camelback Road every Thursday evening, rain or shine.
It was a packed house, but a packed house isn’t enough, according to Childress, as he offered $100 to the person who brings the most new people to the next meeting.
He says, “Every American needs to wake up, become informed and participate. We must unite to fight illegal immigration.”
For those who arrive early, there’s generally an eye-opening video about the border or the myriad other issues associated with the ongoing invasion across our southern border.
Rep. Russell Pearce, R-Mesa, was the guest speaker this past Thursday.
After retiring from a career in law enforcement, Pearce is passionate about the subject of illegal immigration, which he says is not a Republican or Democratic issue, it’s about the rule of law and putting America first.
“Someone told me, ‘What we’re doing now doesn’t work,’” to which Pearce said he responded, “What we’re doing is nothing,” adding, “There are five billion people in this world worse off than Mexico.”
While polls consistently have shown 78 percent of Americans want our borders controlled and our laws enforced, he said, “Never has there been such a disconnect between the people and Washington.”
Glenn Fuller, who lost his bid for a seat in the legislature in November in a district that increased in population by 120 percent, commented, “There’s a problem with non-citizens voting,” and brought up the fact that ACORN, a group known for soliciting voter registration forms from illegal aliens and others ineligible to vote, had canvassed the community.
ACORN’s Web site proclaims: “After 34 years of successfully building power for low and moderate-income families in the United States, ACORN is expanding. We have begun a new program to build partnerships with grassroots organizations in other countries. Through these partnerships, ACORN will help to strengthen democratic movements for social change abroad, while continuing our efforts building power for immigrant communities in the United States.”
ACORN is also providing free tax preparation services to make sure everyone who is “eligible” claims their Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), a federal welfare program that provides families with up to $4,536 in cash, whether they had any income or not.
ACORN states because 15 to 25 percent of eligible families do not claim their EITC, there’s more than $12 billion in unclaimed credits each year.
While providing EITC assistance through its tax preparation centers, ACORN also aggressively spreads the word about EITC through door-to-door outreach.
Pearce, citing this country has required evidence of citizenship to vote for over 200 years until the “Motor-Voter Act,” which let anyone register to vote, joked, “Maybe we should put Blockbuster in charge of our voter registration,” since Blockbuster requires two forms of identification in order to rent a video.
“The law requires you be in this country [legally] for five years before becoming eligible for benefits,” said Pearce. “We have a fiduciary duty. We didn’t change any laws.”
Pearce mentioned the media was constantly reporting how many soldiers have been killed in Iraq and said, “We lose 9,000 people each year to illegal aliens – 12 to stabbings and shootings and 13 to DUIs every day,” and asked, “Why isn’t that on the front page of the Arizona Republic?
“This isn’t a hateful battle. This has to do with right and wrong.”
Sandy Miller provided information about a law passed in Virginia that prohibits the state from providing funds to organizations that provide assistance to illegal aliens.
Pearce discussed some of the bills he’s introduced, including a statewide law to eliminate sanctuary policies.
“Not only are sanctuary policies illegal,” said Pearce, “it’s dishonest to have government stand on the sidelines as people operating legally are put out of business by those who operate illegally.”
Commenting on Rep. Kyrsten Sinema and her “domestic terrorism” bill, aimed not only at criminalizing the Minutemen, it also criminalizes Block Watch groups and the Guardian Angels, if armed while monitoring and reporting illegal activity to proper authorities, Pearce said, “If you dare stand up for America, there’s people in the legislature that want you to go to jail.”
One woman pointed out there has never been an incident involving the Minutemen and the only illegal activity noted involved ACLU “Legal Observers” captured on film smoking pot while “observing” the Minutemen at the border.
Pearce introduced another bill that would prohibit those not legally present from registering vehicles.
“We can no longer allow politicians and law enforcement to stand on the sidelines. President Teddy Roosevelt made that so clear,” said Pearce.
And, referring to the environmentalists who claim a border fence would hurt the environment, Pearce suggested they take a look at the devastation and tons of trash left behind in the desert by illegal aliens.
Other bills introduced by Pearce included not allowing money transfers to take place if the sender can’t prove taxes have been paid, a trespass law aimed at those illegally present and an initiative that would require licensed businesses to sign an affidavit stating they will not hire illegal aliens.
Pearce also seems bound and determined to fix the misinterpretation of the 14th Amendment that has been granting automatic citizenship to babies born to illegal aliens.
Commenting about the governor, he said, “There’s a big difference between disagreement and a failure to do her job.”
As he wrapped up, Pearce emphasized, “And, as government, we should never be conducting business in any language but English.”
Childress explained how citizens can become involved and comment on bills in committee.
It requires going downtown to the legislature just once to sign up at one of the kiosks. After signing up, bills can be tracked online at www.azleg.state.az.us and comments may be E-mailed from home.
While leaving the event, I was handed a DVD titled: “Attack on America,” a California Coalition for Immigration Reform video taken July 4, 1996 at the federal building in Los Angeles, and a 24-minute DVD titled: “Illegal Immigration & America’s Medicine,” which was accompanied by a verbal warning, “Don’t watch this before you go to bed, or you won’t be able to sleep.”
