Reid talks economy at Asian Chamber luncheon

Senator restates support of bailout; says Obama and McCain are both ‘good men’

Heather Cory

Sen. Harry Reid gives his thoughts on the economic crisis, renewable energy and immigration reform during a luncheon for the Asian Chamber of Commerce at South Point Hotel and Casino on Thursday.

By Ashley Livingston (contact)

Thursday, Oct. 23, 2008 | 3:20 p.m.

Harry Reid speaks to Asian Chamber of Commerce

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Reid, Goodman tour foreclosed homes, present remedy (10-22-2008)

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid today reiterated his support for the federal government's bailout of Wall Street and advised Americans to disregard negative campaigning in the presidential election.

As the guest of honor at the Asian Chamber of Commerce monthly luncheon at the South Point hotel-casino, Reid spoke to local business people as well as invited guests, students from Clark High School's Academy of Finance, about some of the challenges faced by his constituents and the rest of the nation.

"We all know that the economy is in very difficult shape," Reid said to the crowd.

With vacant houses becoming more and more prevalent in neighborhoods across the city, Reid dove right into an issue that has been hitting close to home.

"By the end of the year 1 million American homes will be in foreclosure," he said.

Despite that dire prediction, Reid talked of hope coming in the form of a housing bill.

Under the provisions of the bill, block grants will be set aside that can be used to aid in reoccupying foreclosed homes with new owners, he said.

On the other end of the spectrum, he said relief may also be available for those in danger of losing their homes. He urged those in financial trouble to answer their phones and to not throw away their mail as often times lenders will be wiling to work something out.

"There are people willing to help," he said.

As for the economy as a whole, Reid lauded congress' economic recovery package. With its passage, Reid said, credit markets are becoming unfrozen.

"It will take time, but things will get better," he said.

One thing that needs to be done to reignite the economy, he said, is to create more jobs. Jobs could be created by building infrastructure and developing alternative forms of energy, he said.

Addressing an issue that lately has taken a backseat to economic worries, Reid outlined steps that need to be taken in immigration reform.

First the northern and southern borders need to be protected, he said. Additionally, a meaningful guest worker program that works needs to be established.

Reid said the 1 million people who are here illegally need to be put on the road to citizenship and the children of immigrants need to be granted health care and schooling options.

As his time at the podium was winding down, a handful of attendees took the opportunity to pose questions to the senator. Among them was a Clark High School student who questioned how the economic bailout plan will help families pay for college.

Reid told the student that Congress has increased the amount of Pell grants and made more loans available and said that he hopes to see tuition tax credit made permanent.

In closing, the senator offered advice to those who will soon cast their ballot for either John McCain or Barack Obama.

"I've worked with both of these men, and they're both good men," he said.

"Disregard negative campaigning," he said. "Look at who you think will be the best person for the job."

Ashley Livingston can be reached at 990-8925 or ashley.livingston@hbcpub.com.

Discussion: 3 comments so far…

By Brittanicus

10/23/08 at 3:57 p.m.

Suggest removal

Do people of the Asian heritage really want the so-called comprehensive immigration reform? Do Asians who came to America legally, want to adopt a massive AMNESTY that would swamp this nation with millions of more foreign nationals who would take their jobs.

People of other nationalities who came into America, by honest means need to think about the consequences of their future as well as citizens and permanent residents. Some in the neighborhood of 37 million illegal aliens have arrived in America collected data from Tucson sector Border Patrol union local 2544, with their extended families.

Your job, your families future and putting food on your table, will just as much an impact on you American dream as anybody else. All legal Asians should demand that their Democrat leaders, as Harry Reid sponsor the federal SAVE ACT (H.R.4088).

This will stop predator employers from exploiting any more cheap labor, as it will be mandatory for them to verify their hires on a Federal government data base.

The pro-illegal immigration special interest groups, are using propaganda and just straight lies, to distort the costs and mis-management of the SAVE ACT. But who ever steps into the Oval office is going to pass a gigantic AMNESTY, which will cost all taxpayers billions of dollars to support those illegal immigrants already occupying our nation.

For a disturbing report on how much our government, is already skimming of workers pay check read this (www.eagleforum.org/sources) This might change your mind about any future AMNESTY. Our political parties are not considering the future for all Americans, but to pander to power-brokers in their corporate offices.

Join a anti-illegal immigration organization like NUMBERSUSA. Because they are our only guardian against a future of floods of foreign nationals, crashing our border. If any Amnesty becomes law, then millions more will come.

US taxpayers are supporting parasite businesses that hire illegal aliens. The middle class already overburdened with war appropriation funds, is still force to pay for the education, free health-care and Federal, state welfare handouts for illegal criminals.

SIGN UP FOR THE SAVE ACT(H.R.4088) at www.numbersusa.com.

SIGN JUDICIAL WATCH, A LEGAL ORGANIZATIONS PETITION, www.sanctuarybusters.org/?source
By neiman1

10/24/08 at 4:38 a.m.

Suggest removal

It takes guts to talk about the economy in Reid's position. Reid helped raise our energy costs over double what they were and will cause them to rise again by taking Pelosi's orders to block any drilling. What a joke our Senator is. Most of our economic problems were gasoline costing so much people had no chance to pay their mortgage. Reid is the disaster.