DISQUS

A. J. · 3 years ago

America became what it is due to immigration. But the Mexico situation is out of control, but there's really no way to solve it. They could shut the border if they wanted to, but they won't. So many business owners rely on migrant workers, it's ridiculous.

A funny idea is to just make Mexico part of the U.S...and be done with it.

So much of American values is built upon hard work and responsibility. We're fighters too. It doesn't register with us that people in the world allow themselves to be taken advantage of or controlled. Vietnam is a good example. The normal Vietnamese people would help the American forces and then turn around and help the Vietcong. All they cared about was working the rice paddy. They didn't care who was in charge as long as their basic needs were met.

I guess my point is if people are not willing to stand up and make something of their country, who are we to step in and "help" them or force them?

David Nick · 3 years ago

A.J., you make a couple of interesting points.

1) You said: "But the Mexico situation is out of control, but there’s really no way to solve it."

That's defeatist. There are solutions to the crisis, but you have to take an open honest look at them. Most aren't willing to do that yet, but the momentum IS building

2) You also said: "I guess my point is if people are not willing to stand up and make something of their country, who are we to step in and “help” them or force them?"

If we don't step in sooner, rather than later, it will simply cost us more. More money, more resources, more red tape. To be proactive is beneficial for us as well as them.

A. J. · 3 years ago

"That’s defeatist. There are solutions to the crisis, but you have to take an open honest look at them. Most aren’t willing to do that yet, but the momentum IS building."

If they wanted to control the borders, they could. There's reasons why they won't get tough on the border. We do things with our own interests at heart first. For example, we wouldn't be "liberating" Iraq if Iraq had no natural resourses or strategic advantage.

"If we don’t step in sooner, rather than later, it will simply cost us more. More money, more resources, more red tape. To be proactive is beneficial for us as well as them."

Stepping into Vietnam didn't do a thing, and it cost us a ton of life and resources. It remains to be seen what will happen in Iraq. One of the headlines today is the Iraq government is telling us to stay out of their affairs.

Aaron · 3 years ago

"Make Mexico a part of America"?

That's a sure-fire way to ensure that your liberal nanny-state mentality becomes further entrenched, what with higher taxes, more welfare and centralized medicine, eh? ;-)

I know you're joking but you gotta think... Mexico is possibly the poorest country (populous wealth) in the America's after Venezuela... Assume that albatross? I think not...

A. J. · 3 years ago

It's a joke because nobody wants to actually step up and do anything about it.

Telling me I have a "liberal nanny-state mentality" is over the top. Sure, liberals encourage a more social attitude but the other extreme is worse. There is no reason why the richest, most powerful country in the world has millions of kids without health care, elderly who can't afford prescription drugs, underpaid teachers, and the lowest minimum wage relative to cost of living since the 30s!...But we can plunge our country into debt spending hundreds of billions fighting a phony war in Iraq. This country is obsessed with money and we live to work instead of work to live.

I'd rather have a congress that I have a part in electing make the rules rather than corporations who only care about the bottom line. The whole lobbyist ordeal gave us a look at how much power big corporations have over a Republican controlled congress. Democrats aren't perfect, but since Republicans have had control lobbyist activities have skyrocketed...

That's just as bad, if not worse than your dreaded social programs that actually aim to help people rather than line the pockets of CEOs.

Aaron · 3 years ago

There is no reason why the richest, most powerful country in the world has millions of kids without health care, elderly who can’t afford prescription drugs, underpaid teachers, and the lowest minimum wage relative to cost of living since the 30s!

Perhaps over the top, but the truth nonetheless. There IS a reason why the richest, most powerful country in the world has all of these things.

1. Money - we don't have the money as a nation to support all of these programs.
2. We can get money with raising taxes and I encourage you to send a check to your Congressmen or Senator if you'd like to volunteer for such higher taxes. I'm not willing.
3. Where is the State and Local governments, the private organizations, the faith based organizations... the parents!... in all of this mess? Shouldn't accountability for the outcome of children lie with these more ept groups? Why should Uncle Sam pay for it?

A. J. · 3 years ago

Exactly, where is everyone?? Nobody wants to part with their money, yet everyone complains how bad everything is.

What's so scary about the federal government? We elect them!....If everyone gave a damn, there wouldn't be anything wrong with the federal government. If people held the government accountable, we wouldn't have to worry where our tax dollars go. There is nothing scary about the government if people work to make it the govenrment they want it to be. Do you want a government that's elected by the people in control, or have major corporations be in control and crafting the rules for you to ultimately benefit them.

Aaron · 3 years ago

Very idealistic of you, AJ. Maybe if I think hard enough, maybe things will just magically begin to work in the federal government. Maybe if I generate enough positive vibes, that can make a difference. Get real. You know as well as I do that government does NOT respond to the people. Not in a global sense and not when it comes to things that matter. Government is about one thing - power. In an idealistic world it is about Constitutionality and the role of government. In an ideal world, the Declaration of Independence would be a part of the Constitution - "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed".

You and I both know that it takes tremendous amounts of ground swell and legislators fearing for their jobs for real change to occur. Let's get our heads out of the sand and realize that the America according to Thomas Jefferson is not the America of today and it will never be this way.

Keep in mind the saga of Rome. Rome was a Republic until one day it was no longer a Republic, it was an Empire. History repeats itself and it has as long as their has been history.

Aaron · 3 years ago

Let me sum all of that up - I am a realist. I am neither an optimist, nor am I a pessimist. I'm a realist and the reality is that 1) Yes there is a need for social change, 2) society must provide a way for the less privileged and 3) government should not do it because they are neither equipped nor fundamentally capable of doing this job.

A. J. · 3 years ago

All I said was if everyone cared or paid attention things wouldn't be the way they are. The sad truth is, most people don't care until it effects them directly.

The government will never be perfect, no government is or ever will be. But I know what side I'm on...

If you want to talk about being real, then you are right on about America being the Empire...Getting real is knowing we have a President who believes in a unitary executive... That is much scarier than after school programs, food kitchens, or free health clinics that are paid for by tax dollars.

David Nick · 3 years ago

Getting real is knowing we have a President who believes in a unitary executive

Ummm....the executive branch is already "unitary". There is 1 guy at the top

uni-tary-
adj.
1 of a unit or units
2 of, based on, or characterized by unity
3 having the nature of or used as a unit

Just a clarification A.J.

:)

A. J. · 3 years ago

1 guy at the top - who is not a king.

You know what I mean...This administration thinks it can bypass law and bypass Congress simply because Bush has the title of President.

David Nick · 3 years ago

A.J., I know you're not stupid, but you do know about our Government's series of Checks & Balances right?

Supreme Court can check the Legislative & Executive branches of gov't

Congress can check the Supreme Court & Executive branches

Executive branch can check Congress & Supreme Court branches

I realize that you likely are aware of that. With saying that, even if Bush "thinks" he's king, don't you believe that the Supreme Court, and ESPECIALLY the Congress would act quick to put him into place if he got out of line?

No President believes they are defacto "King" when elected. While they can act on behalf of the country, we have granted laws to enable the President to act on the best interests of Americans.

Your statement about them thinking they're "Kings" is just wrong.

A. J. · 3 years ago

Checks and balances is what we need...We finally have Congress coming together opposing this port deal. (It's so obvious that people in the administration are benefiting personally because of their ties to this company)... It underscores how this administration operates. They are very secretive, engage in cronyism, and they conistantly go around Congress or give their own interpretation of existing law. That's what I meant by the President acting like he has more power than he actually does...Congress just needs a backbone and they are finally growing one.

Charles Curtis · 3 years ago

One thing you can do is email the Senate Judiciary committee that will begin debating a new immigration bill this week. The proposal of the committee's chairman, Senator Specter, look a lot like amnesty to me.