Phillies Campaign to Nigel Watt: We Request A Retraction

Thursday, July 26, 2007

Phillies Campaign to Nigel Watt: We Request A Retraction

In a Last Free Voice article dated July 25, 2007, Nigel Watt mischaracterized George Phillies’ position on immigration. In a comparison of the Libertarian party candidates, Watt said that Phillies “does not want open borders until all countries are equally prosperous. He also does not want any foreign workers coming to ‘steal our jobs’.”

“This is not the candidate’s position,” said Press Director Carolyn Marbry. ““Watt's claim that Phillies opposes the national party platform is in error. Watt's claim that Phillies says foreign workers will steal our jobs is in error. We request a retraction and a revision of the offending column.“

Earlier this week, the Phillies campaign released an extended statement on the campaign website (http://philles2008.org) and a press release regarding Phillies' actual position on immigration and foreign worker.

In the statement, Phillies said, " I support the Libertarian Party Platform. You cannot have open borders and a large-scale welfare system at the same time. You will go broke. … Someday, the Libertarian message of peace, liberty, and prosperity reach the entire world. All people will then enjoy the freedom and high standard of living we take for granted. In that day, immigration and open borders will be non-issues….”

Phillies’ position on open borders is in exact agreement with the Party Platform, which condemns open borders, saying "A completely open border allows foreign criminals, carriers of communicable diseases, terrorists and other potential threats to enter the country unchecked. Pandering politicians guarantee access to public services for undocumented aliens, to the detriment of those who would enter to work productively, and increasing the burden on taxpayers."

With regard to foreign workers, “ All too often, we hear claims that we must import foreign workers because Americans won't do those jobs. 'Those jobs' in question are hard, physically demanding, outdoor work that require constant, careful attention to detail. Those jobs should be receiving a wage premium, not be barely- minimum-wage sources of employment. There are jobs that Americans won't do, notably in the sciences and engineering; we allow foreigners to come here to study, but then require them to leave. Mr. Bush's foreign guest worker scheme is a corporate welfare deal at the expense of the American worker."

To support the George Phillies campaign, please visit http://phillies2008.org/donation.