Fixing Arizona

The following is a CNN transcript from the Lou Dobbs show regarding four propositions in Arizona to be voted on in the upcoming election. They are supported by the vast majority of Arizona voters and should pass easily. However, Governor Janet Napolitano and the other subversives in the state will do their best to undermine the will of the people. Janet needs to join Jim Kolbe in retirement and thereby help improve the state.



We begin with Casey Wian in Los Angeles -- Casey.

CASEY WIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Kitty, two years ago, Arizona voters overwhelmingly passed Proposition 200, an effort to stop illegal aliens from voting and from collecting some state welfare benefits. Now the state is planning to go even further.

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UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Knock, knock.

WIAN (voice-over): Activists for illegal aliens are going door to door in Arizona to encourage residents to vote against four ballot measures that will further crack down on illegal aliens in the state.

HEATHER JENKINS, CAMPAIGN FOR COMMUNITY CHANGE: As a community, Arizona must restore humanity and dignity to the immigration debate. These propositions go way too far. They won't stop the people coming here.

WIAN: Proposition 300 would extend and expand an existing law preventing illegal aliens from receiving state welfare benefits; 103 would make English the official language of Arizona; 102 would stop illegal aliens from receiving punitive damages in civil lawsuits. And 100 would prevent illegal aliens accused of serious felonies from receiving bail.

ANDREW THOMAS, MARICOPA COUNTY, ARIZONA, ATTORNEY: Well, Arizona has a tremendous problem with illegal immigrants coming into the state, committing serious crimes, and then absconding, and not facing trial for their crimes, either because they jump bail after they are let out, or because, when they are let out on bail, the federal government deports them.

WIAN: Polls show the welfare measure is the closest call, and it's ahead by a 15-point margin. More than three-quarters of Arizona voters say they favor the no-bail measure. And about two-thirds support English as the state's official language and denying illegal aliens punitive damages.

Opponents argue, the measures are anti-immigrant, when, in fact, they only target illegal aliens.

RAMON GARCIA, CAMPAIGN FOR COMMUNITY CHANGE: Politicians and political consultants are fanning fear, distrust, resentment, and anger. The four anti-immigrant ballot measures in this November election are perfect examples of this.

WIAN: Two of the measures were previously passed by the Arizona State legislature, but later vetoed by Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano.

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WIAN: Now, so far, this year, more than 500 bills have been introduced in state legislatures nationwide to crack down on illegal immigration, yet another example of the federal government's failure to do that job -- Kitty.

PILGRIM: Thanks very much, Casey Wian.