Want to Know Where "Chicken Jim" Talent Stands on Immigration? ...Follow the Money

Jim Talent has portrayed himself as tough on immigration, on his website:

http://www.talentforsenate.com/issues/default.aspx?id=14

Talent states that:

“As Missouri's senator, Jim Talent will continue changing Washington to support strong and effective measures to secure the border.”

His website touts the many reforms he has made or plans to make to stem illegal immigration, however; if you track some of his biggest campaign contributors, you will note that they are responsible for the out of control immigration rates in Missouri.  They are giant corporate agriculture corporations, and upon looking at the facts you will find that immigration is out of control.

As of 2004 the percentage of Hispanic / Latinos living in Missouri was 2.6%

The following is a list of Talent contributors, the counties that they are located in and the Hispanic immigration rate.

“Tyson's #1 Senator in 2006.  Talent took a total of $16,415 from Tyson Foods during his campaigns for Governor and Senate.  During the 2006 election cycle, he has accepted $8,000 from Tyson's PAC.   [Center for Responsive Politics]”

Tyson has plants located in Missouri located in the following counties:

Aurora, Lawrence County

4.4%

Monett, Barry County

6.7%

Noel and Pineville, McDonald County

12%

Sedalia, Pettis County

5.8%

Grandview, Jackson County

6.6% 

“ConAgra’s #1 Senator in 2006.  Talent has taken $8,000 from ConAgra’s PAC for this cycle, placing him far ahead of the next biggest recipient.  In 2002, Talent accepted $6,000 from ConAgra.  [Center for Responsive Politics]”

“Premium Standard Farms #1 Candidate for 2006.  In 2006, Premium Standard Farms donated the most of any federal candidate to Talent.  He accepted $5,000 from their PAC for the 2006 cycle, more than double the next candidate.  [Center for Responsive Politics]”

Both Con-Agra and Premium Standard Farms have facilities in Sullivan County ,

10.8%

“Cargill’s #1 Senator in 2006.  Talent has taken $16,500 lifetime from Cargill, the nation’s second-largest beef producer, including $7,000 for 2006.  Talent is the top Senate candidate of Cargill money this cycle.  [Center for Responsive Politics]”

Cargill – Excel has a meat processing facility in Saline County

5.3%

“In May 2006, Tyson Foods closed more than half of its meat and pork-processing plants in the Midwest to support the pro-immigration marches.  [ Bradenton Herald, 5/2/06]”

“In May 2006, Cargill gave more than 15,000 workers the day off and closed plants in six states in response to “A Day Without Immigrants.”  [ San Antonio Express-News, 5/2/06]”

"In April 2006, Premium Standard Farms announced it would close its plant in Milan , Missouri to allow employees to take part in “A Day Without Immigration” rallies.  [ Kansas City Star, 4/29/06]"

So while Jim Talent may claim to be tough on immigration on the U.S. / Mexican border, it appears he is perfectly o.k. with it in Missouri, as long as Corporate Agriculture keeps sending him money.

Information used and obtained from the following websites:

Jim Talent for U.S. Senate

http://www.talentforsenate.com/

No Talent .Com

http://www.no-talent.com/agriculture.asp

The U.S. Census Bureau

http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/29/29195.html

Questions? Comments? Email me at: clintlacy2@yahoo.com