CA - Perata calls bill's opponents 'crackers'

"I don't want to give undue advantage in an election year to people I believe do not have the best interest of this democracy at heart, some of those people that I intemperately call crackers." - Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata, commenting on those opposed to issuing drivers licenses to illegal immigrants.

Hey, this is a nice remark...but uh, where does logic fall into the idea of knowingly issuing drivers licenses to illegals? Isn't "illegal" not legal? How does one fraternize "legally" with someone considered "illegal" due to their citizenship status? I mean this just doesn't make sense.

According to the San Francisco Chronicle Senator Gil Cedillo, D-Los Angeles in defense of Perata's comments said the statement couldn't inflame the debate further and :

"The debate is inflamed by extremist right wingers to the point of irrationality," he said. "It is inflamed by shock jocks on AM radio who beat and pound the issue every day to an ever-shrinking audience. They do not reflect the opinion of the people of California."

Appears to me that the legislation lacks any rationale, and yes you can inflame the debate further.

According to the paper, this is the seventh time this year that this legislation has been attempted.

There has also been outright refusal by Democrats to allow the licenses to look different than those reserved for CITIZENS.

From Around the Capitol "Legislative Counsel's Digest":

2) Existing law requires the department to require every applicant for an original driver's license or identification card to submit satisfactory proof that the applicant's presence in the United States is authorized under federal law and prohibits the department from issuing a license or card to a person who does not do so. Existing law requires the department to adopt regulations, including procedures for verifying citizenship or legal residency of applicants for driver's licenses and identification cards, and to make a specified report, annually.

This bill would repeal those requirements on the date that the Secretary of State receives a notice from the Director of Motor Vehicles indicating that the department is in compliance with the implementation of the federal Real ID Act of 2005.

No wonder favored language for "illegals" is "undocumented." Any legislation of this type just has no logic.

**This was a production of The Coalition Against Illegal Immigration (CAII). If you would like to participate, please go to the above link to learn more. Afterwards, email the coalition and let me know at what level you would like to participate.