Hallway lurkers roundup: trade and immigration

Tim Cavanaugh | August 27, 2008

Wondering how the rank and file dems come down on some issues? Here's what folks hanging around the concourse at the Pepsi Center had to say while Joe Biden was speaking.

Delegate

What change, if any would you like to see in international trade policy under a new administration?

"I'd like to see our goods and services have access to other markets, such as China. Turnabout is fair play. If they have access to our markets we should have access to theirs."

Same question, immigration?

"We're a nation of laws. The laws have to be adhered to. On the other hand if there's an opportunity to change some of the laws we should look into that."

Honored Guest 

Trade

"I'd like to see us expand our markets for our agriculture-based products, growing up in the South, in the Delta. We can't sell rice to Cuba, we're having a hard time selling rice to China. It does nothing but hurt the American farmer when we can't communicate and we can't negotiate with the rest of the world. The stance that Bush has had, that it's my way or the highway, has done nothing but hurt Americans, especially folks from our community that work very hard every day in the fields, growing crops to sell.

Immigration

"You know, America was made up of immigrants from all corners of the globe. If people want to come here and work hard and find the American dream, and they're willing to play by the rules, I'm all for them. And even if they came here illegally but they're working and paying taxes, raising families here, their children are being born here. And you know, Republicans talk about family values, do they really want to break up families because one member may be illegal? Let's help these people become part of America and live the dream, not disrupt them because we don't care for the color of their skin or the accent of their voice."

Honored Guest

Trade

"Yes, bring the jobs back to America, from overseas."

Immigration

"I think they need to tighten the border more, and give the people who's here an opportunity to do citizenship and give them an opportunity to stay."

Guest

Trade

"I think that Americans pay far too much money out of our country, and we are not getting the same in return, which does not make sense. I think we have to re-examine outsourcing, I think we have to re-examine our relationships and our sales with other countries, to get a more equitable relationship. International trade is extraordinarily important and everybody benefits from it. But we need a more equitable arrangement."

Immigration

 "I think Americans have to realize that the only original Americans were the American Indians, and I think it's disgraceful not to welcome other people into our country. Certainly there needs to be some reform so we're fairer in welcoming people from all over the globe, not just from preferred countries. But I'd be distressed to live in a country that did not welcome immigrants."

Delegate

"I don't talk to libertarians."

Comments

zach|8.28.08 @ 12:43AM|#

I don't talk to libertarians either. I just want them to leave me alone so I can do some citizenship.

|8.28.08 @ 2:47AM|#

The first delegate didn't have a half bad response. The first response seemed to support free trade overseas, and the second seemed to say that illegal aliens are bad, but the laws could be changed to allow more people to immigrate. Other than that, looks pretty grim. I have to wonder what that first delegate would have chosen for policy choices to achieve the goals he or she mentioned, and whether they would actually be the correct ones.

|8.28.08 @ 3:00AM|#

Oh man, that last line begs for a cheap shot in return. How about:

"Oh, like the way that George Bush won't talk to atheists?"

-jcr

|8.28.08 @ 3:41AM|#

"I think that Americans pay far too much money out of our country, and we are not getting the same in return, which does not make sense" the guest is right it dosen't make sense. Because people make decisions for themselves and enter into agreements voluntarily and seem to be willing to shell out money for vast sums of imported products. Don't be greedy the Chinese are willing to work for dollars a day to provide you with cheap electronics and all you do is complain.

"I think we have to re-examine outsourcing, I think we have to re-examine our relationships and our sales with other countries, to get a more equitable relationship." How dose examining something make it more equitable? Academics have been examining class inequality for years and according to them it just keeps getting worse. Oh you want to do something about it, well I suppose then that you think some people are getting a bad deal...

"International trade is extraordinarily important and everybody benefits from it. But we need a more equitable arrangement." Damn why didn't you just stop at "everybody benefits from it"

|8.28.08 @ 9:40AM|#

"I think they need to tighten the border more, and give the people who's here an opportunity to do citizenship and give them an opportunity to stay."

Well, now I have a headache.

Wha'?!?

|8.28.08 @ 10:22AM|#

I think 2 out of 5 were decent answers. You have to admit, that's probably more "free market" than you will get from Republican delegates.

nostalgic|8.28.08 @ 10:28AM|#

Cavanaugh is back?

Pinch me, I'm dreaming!

Orange Line Special|8.28.08 @ 11:51AM|#

Apparently Cavanaugh heads up CONVENTION2008's idiot squad.

There are obvious problems with all the quotes above. Here's what you do: point out what's wrong. If you don't know what's wrong, find someone to help you. Then, put it on video and upload it to Youtube.