August 2018 Archives

Open Letter to Congress

            To those Senators and Representatives who are fashioning legislation requiring children not be separated from parents who have violated our immigration laws, I ask: "Are you aware that the U.S. judicial system does not allow children to be housed with accused or convicted parents of American citizens?"  Common sense tells us the child's safety and mental welfare is the reason for this policy.

When proposing your bill, did you ask a simple question: "Why on earth would a responsible parent, who intends to violate the laws of a sovereign nation, involve their child in this illegal act?"  To plead a case for political asylum after being chased down by border officers hardly explains why they did not take the time or trouble to seek asylum through normal legal channels.

If you cross the North Korean border illegally, you get 12 years hard labor.  If you cross the Afghanistan border illegally, you get shot.  Two Americans just got eight years for crossing the Iranian border.  If you cross the U.S. border illegally, you get a job, a driver's license, food stamps, a place to live, health care, housing, child benefits, education, and a tax free business for 7 years?  And now you are proposing that, if you decide to violate the U.S. border, bring along your children (in case you get caught) and you can be housed in a cottage with meals, a toilet and bedroom facilities - not only that, if you work up a case for political asylum, there will be limits on criminal prosecution.

There have always been malcontents, whiners and complainers in our society - BUT, you are an elected representative of the people, charged with a greater responsibility and a sworn duty to uphold and defend the Constitution of The United States.  I must ask: "How does your "Bill" solve a very serious illegal immigration problem when you know there are literally thousands of persons crossing our border without benefit of any legal right to do so, and thousands more lining up to be next in line?"

Referring to the chapter called "Crito" (of Plato's "Apology"), Socrates was offered an opportunity to escape to a neighboring country.  He responded by asking, "Do you think that a state can exist and not be overthrown, in which the decisions of the law are of no force, and are disregarded and set at naught by private individuals?"

            You can do better than this!

Tariffs vs The National Debt

            Have you noticed that when the Democrats are in power, the Republicans complain about deficit spending and the national debt and when the reverse occurs, the Democrats return the favor.  Currently, the U.S. National Debt is more than $21 trillion and the interest is increasing it by nearly $40 billion per month.

            President Trump has imposed a round of tariffs against trading partners which has resulted in a storm of criticism.  The President claims a huge contributing factor to this nation's national debt results from lop-sided trade practices with the U.S. getting the short end of the stick.  The tariff imposed is intended to negotiate a favorable trade agreement and thus reduce this nation's deficit spending.

            I can understand why China and other countries are upset because they might have to compromise on their lucrative trade practices.  Accordingly, those Americans who are voicing alarm should give this a chance to work.  Possibly, this is the first President to actually make some effort to reduce our national debt.