Tel-Chai Nation

I got this Sacramento Bee story off the Scripps-Howard newswire, that shows that the Democrats are certainly worried about voter backlash this fall.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Fearing a voter backlash this fall, Democratic lawmakers Thursday derailed legislation to allow illegal immigrants to obtain California driver's licenses.

For the eighth consecutive year, legislation pushed by state Sen. Gil Cedillo, D-Los Angeles, that has provoked deep emotions on both sides of the immigration debate has apparently failed.

Unlike last year, when the legislation was vetoed by Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger _ who had vowed to do so again _ Democrats in the Assembly pre-emptively shelved Senate Bill 1160.

This time, the measure died without a vote in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

[...]

Earlier this month, Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata, who supported the bill, suggested it might wise not to give more fodder to Republicans who oppose the measure.

Democrats in tight legislative races also feared they could feel the wrath of voters if they voted for the bill in the charged atmosphere surrounding illegal immigration this year. State Treasurer Phil Angelides, the Democratic nominee for governor, also has endorsed the measure.

But Cedillo argued there has never been a better time for the legislation, comparing it to civil rights laws that passed during the height of passions in the 1960s.

"This is the best year to move this bill, (which) has the broadest support it has ever had," he said. "In the spring, millions of people marched for the rights of immigrants, including driver's licenses."

SB 1160 would create special driver's licenses for undocumented immigrants that have a different appearance from regular licenses. The immigrant licenses would not be valid for identification or purposes other than driving.

Republicans contend issuing such licenses would weaken efforts to stop illegal immigration. In 2002, Gov. Gray Davis signed another license bill introduced by Cedillo that would have allowed illegal immigrants to obtain regular licenses.

Dear dear. Do they not realize that such measures might make it easier for criminals without citizenship, or who're undeserving of it, to drive cars and smuggle illegal possessions, not to mention the potential chance that terrorists could take advantage of it? In any case, the idea of giving licenses to illegal aliens is in and of itself a violation of the law, and that's why the bill should be laid to rest.

This Cedillo is certainly one dishonest crook, who clearly supports lawbreaking with the way he goes around lauding protests by people who don't have the legitimacy to do so within the country.