S.C. pol blames 'lazy residents' for immigration issue
SPARTANBURG, S.C. - South Carolina's lieutenant governor said Friday that lazy residents who don't want to take jobs harvesting the state's crops are the root of its problems with illegal immigration.
Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer's remarks came at a debate of GOP gubernatorial hopefuls. Candidates were asked about Arizona's new tough illegal immigration law and whether South Carolina should do more to fight the problem.
"The real problem is the workforce," Bauer said. State relief programs leave people unwilling to work the jobs in fields and orchards now filled with migrant workers, he said.
"The problem is we have a give-away system in this country and in this state that is so strong that people would rather sit home and do nothing than do these jobs. Laziness is not a disability," Bauer said.
Bauer has made a point throughout the nomination race of criticizing people who depend on the state for help.
Bauer shared the stage with U.S. Rep. Gresham Barrett, state Rep. Nikki Haley and Attorney General Henry McMaster.
"You'll never hear me criticize or complain about or be anything but proud of the people of this state," McMaster said. - AP
'A million years isn't enough' NewsdayTV goes behind the scenes of the day Rex Heuermann was sentenced for the Gilgo killings.
'A million years isn't enough' NewsdayTV goes behind the scenes of the day Rex Heuermann was sentenced for the Gilgo killings.
