Brown-Waite's 'xenophobic' remark draws fire

U.S. Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite, R-Brooksville, is getting heat for saying residents of Puerto Rico and Guam should not get federal rebate checks because they are "foreign citizens." (Times story here.)

As the story notes, residents of Puerto Rico were granted U.S. citizenship in 1917. Likewise for residents of Guam in 1950. They pay Social Security taxes and other federal levies, though not federal income taxes.

"Puerto Ricans are Americans, and we are proud of both our heritage and our citizenry," said State Rep. Darren Soto (D-49), who represents parts of Orange and Osceola Counties and is of Puerto Rican heritage.

"Unfortunately, this xenophobic, anti-Hispanic rhetoric is typical of many Republicans these days," Florida Democratic Party spokesman Alejandro Miyar said. "Ginny Brown-Waite's irresponsible remarks show a profound lack of understanding for someone who is entrusted to represent a state with hundreds of thousands of Puerto Rican residents."

Comments

She's an idiot, always has been...always will be.

Brown-Waite does not represent the state of Florida; she represents her Florida congressional district. And why should federal tax rebates flow to people who do not pay federal taxes? Miyar's remarks show a profound lack of understanding for someone who purports to represent a major political party. But then the Democrats hold only two statewide offices in Florida.

yet its ok for the senate dems to want to put more money into food stamps and ILLEGAL immigrants. maybe it should become as shocking and profound of a racist insult to neglect hard working americans. maybe if more people like Soto would be appauled when blue collar americans are penalized for doing nothing but all the right things, and yes losing stimulus money to welfare recipients and illegals should be a crime. its time for people too stand up for AMERICANS and to stop being so politically correct!

but...

but...

they ARE NOT WHITE!!

how can they be 'merikuns if they're NOT WHITE??

yeppers, just one more example of the racism sloshing all around this "illegal immigrant" krap.

nobody cares about caucasian and probably even asian and african immigrants, but the.....well,

"youknowwhatcolor" immigrants are

BADBADBAD!!

thansk GB-W for that telling vision of the repiglican soul!

some "family values", eh?

BANG-O-RANG, 4:01!

"They pay Social Security taxes and other federal levies, though not federal income taxes."

"And why should federal tax rebates flow to people who do not pay federal taxes?"

... and there you have it. The truth burried within the fanfare.

This is what happens when you elevate Republican minion split-tails into positions for which only their minion training and owners money, say they’re qualified to open their pie-holes.

[terminator]

we need to send Admiral Dewey down there and teach those Ricans a lesson.
hopefully, they'll keep cleaning the hotels, washing dishes and mowing the lawn for us at Disney World!

[Clyde]

Rep. Brown-Waite needs to be excused for letting the facade slip a bit. If you will recall, before the Civil Rights Act, folks like her were good Democrats. After the Act became law they migrated to the Republican party. Nothing has changed but the party label; their racial attitudes haven't changed. She certainly represents her constituents - 4:01 must be one of them - check out all the code word/phrases in that entry. "Hard-working Americans". "Welfare recipients and illegals". How Sad.

[Gene Smith]

Ginny is a disgrace. The people she is talking about are American citizens and they deserve to be treated with respect by all of us, but especially by Members of Congress.

And just in case you still don't get it Ginny, the purpose of the STIMULUS package is to get money into the hands of citizens so they will spend it and STIMULATE the economy.

Puerto Rico has its own olympic team, its own national bird, and its own Constitution. It's not a tax rebate if they don't pay taxes- it's welfare. If the Democrats want more welfare for more people they should say so.

[R]

First it was women who faced the white American, God-fearing, Christian hatred and were used for fear mongering. “If women have rights our society will crumble”. But they can't do that one anymore.

Then they hated the African Americans. “They will steal our jobs, steal our land, and murder us good God fearing, Christian white folks in our sleep”. Now that can at least be called a fringe belief as the majority realized that African Americans our just like the rest of us.

Then they hated the homosexuals. “If men can marry men or woman can marry women God will smite us! What will be next, men marrying dogs and cats, woman marrying cows and horses?” That hatred is now becoming unacceptable as Americans see that love and caring can come in many forms.

What is a white, God fearing, Christian American to do now?

Who are they to hate?

Wait, who are those people over there?

You know the ones. The ones coming to America to work hard and try to give themselves and their families a little piece of the amazing American dream. They work hard and do all the jobs that we white, God fearing, Christian Americans will not belittle ourselves to do for the sub-slave wages we can pay them.

And look, as an added bonus, they don’t look like them!

They’re BROWN!

The white, God fearing, Christian Americans are saved!

Now they can hate the BROWN people!

Way to lead the pack, Ginny. What would they do with out you?

U.S. Rep Ginny Brown-Waite, is an idiot for making that comment.

This Republican is tired of having some idiot open their mouths before THINKING!

EITHER THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK OR AT LEAST TRY TO GET SOME EDUCATION ABOUT THE TOPIC YOU ARE GOING TO SPOUT OFF ABOUT. OTHERWISE YOU WILL LOOK LIKE A BACKWARDS IDIOT!

YOU BUMPKIN!!

[John]

Perhaps the people of Puerto Rico need to better understand the way the American Congress works, since they have their own assemby. Ginny was elected by the people of the 5th District, not the people living in Iowa, Miami, California, or Puuerto Rico. It is her JOB to fight for 5th District residents, not people in Puerto Rico or Guam.

It makes perfect sense to me that a Member of Congress represents her federal taxpaying constituents before she goes and gives away the farm by sending my hard earned tax dollars to Puerto Rican residents that DO NOT PAY INTO THE FEDERAL IRS TAX SYSTEM.

Sorry guys, if you don't pay in, you don't get out. That is the fundamental point that Ginny made, and one that accurately represents her constituents in Florida's 5th.

Relax folks. This is merely a slip up by a person that is not well travelled (if travelled at all), well bred nor well educated.

Hopefully, a little cajoling and mockery will cause her to at least try to learn about the material she is about to pontificate about before coming across like a small town moron that is graced by our Lord to be sent to Washington as a Representative of our fine Republic.

[John]

7:37

what exactly is the Congresswoman's slip up here? Let's review the facts:

Residents of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Virgin Islands are all US citizens. Residents of American Samoa are US nationals.

NONE of the aforementioned groups pay US federal income taxes. None.

The economic stimulus package that passed the House, the one that started this whole discussion, included funds from the US treasury for residents living and working in Puerto Rico, Guam, etc...

So, that means that if you live and work in Puerto Rico, and do not pay taxes into the US treasury, you will still get a check from Uncle Sam.

To further sum it up, my tax dollars are going to someone who does not pay taxes like I do.

How is that fair?

And, now that you have been enlightened, exactly what was it about the Congresswoman's point that was wrong?

You can lay out facts and a reasoned argument but you can't argue with people like the jackass at 6:31 or with partisan dingalings like Gene Smith who swallows DNC talking points like Planters peanuts and then flatulates the phrases back again.

[Jamie]

At least by giving AMERICANS money it might help our economy a little. Perhaps we can slash the foreign aid programs while we are at it and allow Americans to spend their own money in America.

The 5th District certainly has become "Nazi Germany". Ginny Brown-Waite and some of her constituents are RACISTS, BIGOTS and Dumber than the back end of a cow. They cannot think for themselves..oh wait, cows don't have brains...they just pooh a lot and get "hoof in mouth disease".

A dumb backwoods Brooksville conservative.

Soembody really needs to run against this kook. Why doesnt Fasano take the challenge? She needs to go.

I'm a Democrat, and even I agree with her point that people who don't pay income taxes shouldn't get an income tax rebate.

But when Brown-Waite makes such an obvious blunder as to declare Puerto Ricans foreign citizens, it's hard to have any sympathy for the woman.

Uhh when is she up for re-election.

if you folks dont like the idea of folks who dont pay income taxes shouldnt get rebates, then CHANGE THAT FREAKING LAW and dont whine about it after the fact!

clearly, you are simply hanging your ignorantracism on that weak excuse!!

disgusting and disgraceful!!!

And exactly how should WE change that "freaking law". People voted for Ginny so that SHE can voice what her constituents want. Obvioulsy, her constituents have put a complete RETARD in her seat. She doesn't like the bill, because she doesn't want millions of dollars to go to those "foreigners" in Guam and Puerto Rico, and still she votes in favor of that bill. *rolling my eyes*.

And yes, someone IS running against her. About Time!!

The only people who should get these TAX REBATES are TAXPAYERS. If you don't like that then BE HERE LEGALLY, GET A JOB and PAY TAXES!!!!

[A.L. Covell]

Look at it this way, is it a foreign country or US territory that refused 3 times in 40 years statehood into the United States of America? Factor that into your equation and the babble above & it is nothing more than a verbal attack on an elected official for the poor choice of the word "country" instead of "territory",
all of which is semantics
to attack the congresswoman.

In this politically correct world it seems that the only persons who are drawn and quartered at the stake are republicans. Liberal hate-mongers
like you above thrive on attacking but deny any responsibility of lisening to the truth on issues.

How dare you throw out the terms racism, bigot, etc. when you, yourselves, have not done your homework on the territory of Puerto Rico. The major reason for this foreign country rejecting US statehood was because they were worried they would lose its Spanish based culture to become a state & they reject having to speak English as their first language. While I wholeheartedly respect the Puerto Ricans reasons for not becoming a state, they cannot have it both ways and just assume they have all the rights of a US citizen in this territory.

Congresswoman Ginny Brown-Waite was 100% correct. Puerto Ricans living in this American territory do not pay federal income tax. For Puerto Ricans, along with any other faction that does not pay federal incomes tax,
they should not receive tax rebate checks that equate to nothing more than
welfare payments. Thank you,
Ginny for fairly representing the 5th Congressional District!

So put your verbal bag of tricks away for something that really is race,
and ethnic, based hate and educate yourselves of the historical facts about Puerto Rico. Your uneducated rhetoric is becoming tedious...

She made a dumb comment. End of story. Even if it was said to pander to a bunch of bumpkins in her district.

then, CHANGETHELAW, numbnutzz!!

otherwise this ranting is clearly aimed a people who canNOT be 'merikuns, 'cause thay aint white and dont speak english!!

of course, they do serve and die in the military, but that dont make 'em 'merikuns, does it?

moreandmore, i have come to believe that ignorant bigots deserve the narrow, hate-filled world they have constructed for themselves!!

[DavidFL10]

You are all missing a very important point. Will any checks sent to Puerto Rico or Guam stimulate the US economy? These checks are nothing but an attempt to buy votes in an election year.
I'm with Congressman Paul, Senator Gravel and Gov. Huckabee that we should spend that money on some projects in the US to help stimulate the economy.

[Guambat Stew]

Come tell it to our faces, Ginny.

Ginny could maybe patch things up by appointing some Puerto Rican Muslims to the military service academies.

[ginger]

When Puerto Ricans and citizens of Guam starting paying income tax, then they should be eligible to receive rebates. If they don't pay in, why should we have to pay out??????????

This has nothing to do with race, people always want to play the race card, if we were rebating to the US Virgin Islands citizens and they didn't pay taxes she would have said the same thing. UGH! It's not race, its who pays in.

when "citizens" of puerto rico and guam start looking white, we will consieder them reel 'merikuns!!!!

[saul]

Hello, do the persons here that critized the fact that we don't pay taxes know that the constitution of puerto rico is a federal law approved by the congress? do you also know what the constitution of the united states of america states "no taxation without representation? is not our problem that we don't pay taxes your senators and representatives aprove it in 1952. so if you want me to pay taxes give me represenation and the presidential vote so i can desided who will send me to war.

And when the idiot at 6;54 stops with his cheap shots we'll start listening to him. Otherwise he's just pouring his antipathy and child-like tantrums out on the keyboard. His form of therapy, a lot less risky than keying cars that have bumper stickers he doesn't approve of. But what can you expect from a moron and a coward?

The idiot at 6:54 is definitely a supporter of Brown-Waite. He is dumb, uneducated on all subjects, a racist and a bigot and every time he "opens his mouth", something stupid comes out. Well trained by the "pack leader".

2/2/08 @ 4:26 PM

Like Timmy McVeigh?

Please let me take a minute and educate you folks on Puerto
Rico and its political status. Understand that some of you are concerned with the fact that Puerto Ricans do not pay federal taxes and obtain the same benefits as do the rest of american citizens.

Let me just remind you that we do not vote for the President, neither do we have a vote in congress. If you remember american history, one of the main reasons for the revolutionary war was taxes and the fact that the colonies did not have representation either. We cannot vote for our President yet are subject to the draft and have been drafted to fight all of america's wars since WWI.

Today our participation in Iraq and Afghanistan is larger than most state
citizens, if we were a state we would be approximately 20th in population and our National Guard participation in the war ranks 9th in the country. When it comes to being in the line of fire most of our fellow citizens do not care if we speak english or if we pay taxes - just as long as we
learn how to shoot.

WE ARE NOT AND HAVE NEVER GOTTEN A FREE RIDE, AS SOME SUGGEST. Brown - Waite is a moron, my question is did she fire the staff people that did not "handle" her?

Just because citizens in GBW's district pay taxes doesn't mean they have representation...they have GBW!

GBW is completely out of touch with her district. If she traveled about anywhere in her district, how could she not be aware of the large number of citizens in her district with ties to the island of Puerto Rico. It is mind-boggling that she could make such a dumb statement.

I've never seen so much ignorance together in my life. Puerto Rico has been a US teritory since 1898. The economy in the island is based on a Commonwealth based relationship with US. It means that for every penny that US puts in Puerto Rico a rate of return is expected. Most of the wellfair programs that we have in the US are also available for the residents in Puerto Rico. All major US pharmaceutical, electronics, and high technology industries have facilities in the island. The level of education is rated above average in comparison with 75% of the 50 states. Puerto Rico has been very rentable to this Nation for more than 100 years. Even when they don't pay federal taxes, the taxes they pay in the island (which are higher), are helping the US economy too. Do they deserve to get the rebates? No one does! This is a tactic to help the economy, get what you get and be happy with it!