Elvira

This isn't about the rights of illegal immigrants. We all know that the US government doesn't really want to clamp down too much on illegal workers too much (i.e. just enough to satisfy Public Opinion).

Many of the businesses that ensured the election of GWB and his cronies rely on illegal workers. The real purpose of this law is to make it even easier for such businesses to exploit illegal workers (and at the same time make it appear as if they are tough on illegals).

jen_andreson

Can you elaborate? I ask as I didn't realise this was business driven.

The reading that I did on the issue said it came about mainly for private cases, so that if an illegal worker is hurt while working on private property the USC homeowner (for example) would not have to pay damages or be liable. As you know, punitive damages would normally be offered as a means of punishing the home-owner in such a case. This is separate to compensatory damages, which are not a part of the proposition. A precedent was set when a judge gave an illegal a USC owned home, as punitive compensation.

That raised a good point: is it appropriate for a citizen to lose his property to someone who isn't legally permitted to be in the US?

Those against the proposition raised a very good point: passage of this would mean that an illegal could not pursue punitive damages against a drunk driver, if the drunk driver hit the illegal immigrant and caused bodily harm. In a sense that means the drunk driver could receive a lighter penalty than if he/she hit a legal resident.

anotherlimey

Take out the term illegal immigrant; the issue is - the constitution guarantees everyone the same protections under law, when you infringe on that, it becomes a slippery slope.

krizzy

I love Sven Hassel books....

krizzy

I love the way they dress here...but then we used to restore German tanks...I spent most of my weekends with men in German uniforms...I sad or just kinky not sure which.......

Maz

I'm going for kinky.

Maz

I don't think so, even though that's how they act. Even they're not stupid enough to realise that's not what wins votes. Though thankfully the voters saw through that (only just!). Remember "compassionate conservatism", widely touted in the 2004 elections? Don't hear that anymore, eh?

fatbrit

Yes! Especially from illegal *employers* who are also circumventing the law the government has chosen not to enforce, and in the land where equal protection under the law is enshrined for all under US jurisdiction by the XIV amendment to the Constitution.

gardnma

Really? Where was this, Bovington?
Would have loved to do that (restore German Tanks, that is)
Which ones? Mk3? Mk4?