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HATCH WITNESSES ALLEGED HUMAN SUFFERING, FILMS CAMPAIGN AD
By Michael B. Brodkorb | October 26, 2006
I am absolutely stunned by Mike Hatch's latest tv ad. Standing outside what he alleges is a scene of massive human suffering, Hatch does nothing but film a campaign commercial. Dressed in Ralph Lauren dress shirt, Hatch does nothing to help the people living in what Hatch described as horrible living conditions.
Governor Pawlenty's campaign issued a press release on Hatch's blind eye.
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Hatch witnesses possible immigration law violation, decides to tape it for ad rather than report it to authorities
In new ad, Hatch implies that illegal immigrants are in trailer right behind him
(St. Paul) – Mike Hatch is suddenly feigning interest in cracking down on illegal immigrants, after saying that governors should have "nothing to do with illegal immigration" (Bemidji Pioneer, December 11, 2005) and claiming to be "confused" about the issue of in-state college tuition for illegal immigrants. (Minnesota Public Radio, Midday, October 11, 2006)
In a new television ad Hatch stands in front of a row of mobile homes and makes false claims about the Pawlenty Administration.
The Pawlenty campaign today asked Mike Hatch to answer the following questions:
- Were illegal immigrants living in the trailers pictured in the Hatch ad?
- How did Mike Hatch become aware that illegal immigrants were living there?
- When did Mike Hatch become aware that illegal immigrants were living there?
- Did Mike Hatch report these illegal immigrants to proper authorities?
- Did Mike Hatch attempt to prosecute these illegal immigrants for any crimes?
- Did Mike Hatch have these illegal immigrants arrested?
"The real offense here is the state's top law enforcement official, standing in front of an alleged crime scene and exploiting it for a campaign ad, rather than arresting, prosecuting or reporting the lawbreakers involved," Pawlenty spokesman Brian McClung said. "Mike Hatch has set a new low with his willingness to distort and exploit for personal gain."
The Pawlenty campaign also explained Hatch's claim that "companies can hire illegal immigrants in Minnesota" due to an alleged failure by the state Department of Labor to enforce the law is false. As the Attorney General should know, federal immigration law prohibits states from sanctioning employers for violations of the law related to the hiring of illegal immigrants.
The section of federal law is USC 1324a (h) (2). Under this federal law, a state cannot independently establish sanctions against an employer for hiring an illegal immigrant, but can use existing state licensing laws to impose sanctions.
During the 2006 legislative session, Governor Pawlenty proposed a comprehensive immigration reform package to promote legal immigration and crack down on illegal immigration. Included was a proposal that would have given the state authority to fine or penalize employers for hiring illegal immigrants. However, Democrats in the legislature prevented the measures from becoming law.
"As the state’s top lawyer, Mike Hatch is either extremely ignorant or is deliberately misleading Minnesotans," McClung said. "He should know that the state cannot investigate complaints regarding the hiring of illegal immigrants or impose penalties on an employer. Additionally, if state authority did exist to pursue employers in this manner Mike Hatch, the state Attorney General, would be the person in charge of prosecuting someone who violated the law."
As Attorney General, Hatch is required by state law to investigate violations regarding business practices (MS 8.31). If Hatch believed a state law had been broken it was his duty to investigate and take action. In this case, it appears that he preferred to exploit the situation for a campaign ad, rather than do his job.
Minnesota Statutes 8.31 Additional duties of attorney general.
Subdivision 1. Investigate offenses against the provisions of certain designated sections; assist in enforcement. The attorney general shall investigate violations of the law of this state respecting unfair, discriminatory, and other unlawful practices in business, commerce, or trade.
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Topics: Uncategorized | 28 Comments »
28 Responses to “HATCH WITNESSES ALLEGED HUMAN SUFFERING, FILMS CAMPAIGN AD”
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October 26th, 2006 at 7:04 pm
Isn’t the AG (HATCH!!!) supposed to enforce the law? Why is he wasting his time on Medica goose chases, when real crimes are being committed by illegal immigrants and the corporate tax dodging exploiters who hire them?
Would someone please sedate Mike and put him out of our misery.
October 26th, 2006 at 7:08 pm
Hatch makes Ventura appear mainstream
October 26th, 2006 at 7:29 pm
What a slime ball, hello Mike Hatch you are the top attoney in the state! Don’t blame the labor department, you feel you can sue whoever you want to score yourself points to the populace, but not when it comes to other people. Also Hatch didn’t you say illegal immigration isn’t that important. Hmm…instead of filming turn these employers in!
October 26th, 2006 at 7:36 pm
I heard Hatch’s response to the media after Pawlenty’s press conference today was that “Pawlenty started this fight” and “Tim Pawlenty is a bully.”
Huh?! Are we playing the opposite game in this campaign and no one told me? Hatch calling someone else a bully is one of the funniest thing I have ever heard.
Hatch better come forward with some pretty good responses as this could be very embarrassing.
October 26th, 2006 at 7:38 pm
Would you expect anything different from Mike Hatch?
So much for looking out for the little guy.
October 26th, 2006 at 8:23 pm
The hypocrisy displayed here is amazing.
To Bush Republicans like Pawlenty, immigrants represent terrorism, so they use immigration to scare people with.
But when Hatch calls their bluff, talks about how business exploits immigrants, and suggests they be treated as people, Bush Republicans howl.
How dare Hatch treat immigrants as people?
And when Hatch says that immigration is a federal issue, Bush Republicans call him weak on terrorism.
But when Hatch suggests immigrants deserve the protections, and should not be exploited, Bush Republicans complain again about interference with federal law.
Immigrants are people. We are all immigrants (except if you are native American). Immigrants deserve some legal protections against exploitation.
Bush Republicans simply want power, an exploitable workforce, and issues to scare Americans with.
October 26th, 2006 at 8:28 pm
This has to be the most shitty ad of the campaign. Hatch is starting to squirm. If heard the internals are trending toward Pawlenty, this is proof that is true.
October 26th, 2006 at 10:00 pm
//To Bush Republicans like Pawlenty, immigrants represent terrorism, so they use immigration to scare people with.//
The border problem is a very real issue. It needs to be fixed. It’s an issue of human exploitation for “cheap labor”, and it’s a national security issue. The borders must be secured.
//But when Hatch calls their bluff, talks about how business exploits immigrants, and suggests they be treated as people, Bush Republicans howl.//
Hatch has done none of this. He’s release a bunch of confusing statements that it’s not a state problem. He’s come out in favor of corporate exploitation of illegals and in favor of corporate tax dodging by those who hire illegals.
Meanwhile, he apparently found some criminals working for a criminal employer. And as the state’s leading law enforcer, he filmed a campaign ad.
How is that treating anyone like a human BH?
//And when Hatch says that immigration is a federal issue, Bush Republicans call him weak on terrorism.//
No, we call him ignorant and confused.
//But when Hatch suggests immigrants deserve the protections, and should not be exploited, Bush Republicans complain again about interference with federal law.//
No, we accuse him of shirking his duty to investigate and prosecute criminal employers.
Immigrants are people, everyone immigrated here… everyone… at some point or another.
Hatch’s position is to do nothing, to favor exploitaion of illegals and to scratch his head when employement laws and protections aren’t being enforced.
Maybe less time pursuing frivilous law suits against Medica, and more time doing his job would have helped him out.
Until the, Pawlenty had better hang this around Hatchette’s neck, long and hard… bury him with this issue.
October 26th, 2006 at 10:05 pm
gee whiz hanna, you sure are slanted aren’t you? i guess i never realized how closed-minded liberals were until i started visiting websites like this.
October 26th, 2006 at 10:27 pm
So, if Hatch is telling the truth and there are illegal immigrants in those trailers, he should have notified authorities. Otherwise, if there are no illegal immigrants in those trailers, then he’s lying. He must be getting desperate if this is his best stuff.
October 26th, 2006 at 11:04 pm
Listen to all these responses. Must have struck a sensitive nerve with obviously nervous conservatives.
By the way, all those who think the Attorney General has the ability to prosecute illegal aliens needs to spend more time reading law instead of spouting off 10 second soundbites to defend their ineffective leader Tim Pawlenty. The Governor made illegal immigration the issue in 2002 and now in 2006. What the hell has he done besides stir the pot one more time to try and get elected.
October 27th, 2006 at 12:12 am
Hatch is simply too stupid to be elected. He’s like a total brat!
October 27th, 2006 at 1:01 am
worried: // closed-minded //
hahahahhahahhahaha Try looking up the words “liberal” and “conservative”.
October 27th, 2006 at 1:10 am
Kyle: // Meanwhile, he apparently found some criminals working for a criminal employer. And as the state’s leading law enforcer, he filmed a campaign ad.
How is that treating anyone like a human BH? //
By pointing out the facts of their conditions, he brings up the issue for discussion and correction.
That’s treating immigrants like people, not just an exploitable resource.
The companies that do house workers twenty to a trailer in 100-degree heat apparently gets a pass from Pawlenty’s Labor department, according to Hatch.
Hatch states that the Labor department won’t enforce the law. There is likely some history behind these particular sites shown, and I’d be interested in the facts.
You called them criminals working for criminals – based on what, I don’t know. Until we get the facts about these particular sites and the laws involved, all you have is wild speculation.
October 27th, 2006 at 1:12 am
JOB: // So, if Hatch is telling the truth and there are illegal immigrants in those trailers, he should have notified authorities. //
And why do you think he didn’t?
Hatch states clearly that Pawlenty’s Labor department is allowing this activity. Hatch has to have standing in order to file a case. Perhaps he needs the Labor Department to file a complaint, or else he has no standing.
The assumption that Hatch is derelict is based on nothing but wishful thinking. Get the facts.
October 27th, 2006 at 1:15 am
Beyond checking documents, what are employers supposed to do? Most illegals have a forged document, or two, that says they’re perfectly legal. Okay…. Not all of us … mere mortals … have the psychic powers of Mike Hatch, that tell us who has the fake document, and who has the real one. Resident IDs have to get better, but that’s a national problem.
October 27th, 2006 at 5:35 am
I loved my (Left of center) wifes reaction when she saw the Hatch video. She was wondering why in the hell Hatch wasn’t doing anything about it.
If this is typical of the reaction from moderates, I think that Hatch just buried himself by exposing his own incompetence.
October 27th, 2006 at 8:53 am
BH:
//The companies that do house workers twenty to a trailer in 100-degree heat apparently gets a pass from Pawlenty’s Labor department, according to Hatch.
Hatch is the top law enforcement officer in the state. It is his job to enforce the law. The Administrative Departments, such as Labor, codify the law. Hatch was supposed to enforce it.
It is not the Labor Department who is “allowing the activity”… By activity, it is Hatch.
//You called them criminals working for criminals – based on what//
Illegal immigrants are criminals… they are breaking the law by illegally entering the country. The employers are criminals for hiring them. Not sure why that’s confusing.
Hatch had EVERY standing to prosecute and enforce the law. He is the top law enforcement official in the state. What more “standing” do you think he needs?
Someone apparently alerted him to the illegals. Someone alerted him to the sweatshop labor camp that the “employer” had set up.
And Hatch did nothing.
October 27th, 2006 at 8:54 am
I’ve seen the ad and several others from Hatch, the DFL and other Liberal groups. None of them will admit that we have problems with Illegals and that it’s the Illegal’s them selves who are to blame. When you enter a sovern country you need to do it legally and be available to answer questions and give answers. Sure the DFL and Hatch don’t answer question so why should Illegals from Mexico. The DFL see’s this as fair and what ever they want they and the “drive by media” are all too happy to cover up if they need to.
October 27th, 2006 at 10:24 am
Does anybody think Hatch can still win this? I never really thought he had a shot. This shows him to be politically tone-deaf.
And negligent.
October 27th, 2006 at 11:06 am
As much ‘grand-standing’ as Hatch has done over the years, if there really were illegal immigrants in those trailers and he HAD done something – we would have heard about it by now. I think it’s a pretty good assumption he either did nothing or is lying.
October 27th, 2006 at 1:26 pm
Chris-
hatch didn’t have any problem finding a county attorney to prosecute eibensteiner on bs charges, now did he? the ag manipulates criminal prosecutions all the time when he WANTS to. who are you tryin to kid?
that was my point hanna, ya dork….you are an incredible hypocrit. you foam at the mouth with generalizations and predjudices yet call yourself a liberal.
October 28th, 2006 at 9:09 am
worried: // the ag manipulates criminal prosecutions all the time when he WANTS to… dork… you foam at the mouth with generalizations //
I’m middle-left of the spectrum, a law-and-order democrat. I welcome Hatch taking a strong law-and-order stand against exploitation of regular Minnesotans.
As far as foaming goes, I’d suggest you check your own rhetoric first before criticizing others.
October 28th, 2006 at 9:10 am
Kyle: // Hatch is the top law enforcement officer in the state. It is his job to enforce the law. The Administrative Departments, such as Labor, codify the law. Hatch was supposed to enforce it.
It is not the Labor Department who is “allowing the activityâ€â€¦ By activity, it is Hatch. //
Quote the statute Hatch isn’t enforcing.
October 28th, 2006 at 11:29 am
if you’re middle left hanna, i’ll vote for wetterling.
October 28th, 2006 at 12:08 pm
Hanna //I welcome Hatch taking a strong law-and-order stand against exploitation of regular Minnesotans.//
I guess since illegal immigrants aren’t “regular Minnesotans” it’s ok for Hatch to just ignore them.
October 28th, 2006 at 1:46 pm
Are you kidding Brian Hanna? Or are you just stupid?
Minnesota Statuted regarding number of occupants in a mobile home trailer:
Minnesota Statute mandating that employers pay workers compensation, payroll taxes and ovetime.
Brian, you can start with Minnesota Statute Chapter 176 on Workers Compensation. It defines employers responsibilities and liabilities for workers compmensation and payments to workers compensation insurance. Hatch says these employers did not pay workers comp. That is a violation of Minneosta statute, and a violoation that must be procecuted by teh Attorney General…. lazy Hatch. )
Next, you idiot, visit Minnestoa Statute Chapter 290 on various income and franchise taxes. These outline employers withholing responsibilities. Per Hatch’s ad, this employer did not pay payroll taxes. This is a clear violation of Minnesota Statute, why did Hatch not prosecute this crime?
Next, if you can read, take a trip to Minnesota Statute Chapter 177, which includes the Fair Labor Standards Act. Specifically 177.25, covering Ovetime. According to Hatch, this employer did not pay the workers overtime. Why did Hatch not prosecute this third violation of Minnesota law?
These are all violations of Minnesota law. Per Minnesota Statute, Chapter 8, Section 31, which states:
“The attorney general shall investigate violations of the law of this state respecting unfair, discriminatory, and other unlawful practices in business, commerce, or trade, and specifically, but not exclusively, the nonprofit corporation act (sections 317A.001 to 317A.909), the act against unfair discrimination and competition (sections 325D.01 to 325D.07), the unlawful trade practices act (sections 325D.09 to 325D.16), the antitrust act (sections 325D.49 to 325D.66), section 325F.67 and other laws against false or fraudulent advertising, the antidiscrimination acts contained in section 325D.67, the act against monopolization of food products (section 325D.68), the act regulating telephone advertising services (section 325E.39), the prevention of consumer fraud act (sections 325F.68 to 325F.70), and chapter 53A regulating currency exchanges and assist in the enforcement of those laws as in this section provided.”
You asked for it.
October 28th, 2006 at 6:17 pm
If Hatch wins there will be a vast migration of businesses to other states. Unemployment will rise and Spartans will yell “off with his head.”