February 13, 2017

Immigration Reform A Very Cloudy Issue

A Mother of two deported to Mexico this past week has the issue even more front and center than it was with the Muslim Ban that went down in flames. The problem is, her case is not as simple as it appears, perhaps forces us to take a closer look at how we as a nation can find compromise on this important issue...where to we draw that line between sympathy and the law? This mother who came to America illegally at 14 wanted a life here...problem is, in building that life, she stole/bought a fake ID, was using a stolen Social Security number. For any of us who have ever been a victim of Identity Theft, this is not a laughing matter, is not something easily dismissed.

Further (I think) complicating her case...she was undocumented, using a fake/stolen ID, and had been working in the United as an undocumented immigrant for over a year...under our current law, that last one is actually a felony in and of itself.

There are other issues that bother me. Undocumented immigrants claim they pay taxes, and in some, perhaps many that is a true statement. Yet as Paul Harvey used to say, and now for the rest of the story... many undocumented immigrants do not pay the BIG TAX, the one we all think of when we think about taxes, and that is Federal Tax. If you are working under the table, paying sales taxes and the like, but skipping out on your Federal Taxes, that is a serious matter, and the suggestions I have heard for getting right with the law as relates to this I find inadequate.

The jobs issue. Undocumented workers/immigrants do take jobs from Americans, and the lie that they only take jobs Americans will not take is simply not true...they have in many industries lowered the wage base, and are now firmly embedded into the Nursery, and Construction industries as examples...not exactly jobs Americans would turn their backs on.

My only point here, is that the issue is very complicated. I embrace finding a solution that finds a way to give those deserving a pathway to citizenship. The question is, how to do it, and should a part of the formula include a means of making whole those Americans who have been hurt badly with this influx of immigrants from foreign lands. Furthermore, is it time as a part of immigration reform including severe penalties, including jail time for those who hire undocumented immigrants, using E-Verify as the cornerstone of such a change where the employers are held accountable for their crimes.

I am as confused as the rest of us, but do feel the way to finding compromise and a solution is to talk openly and honestly, and hear everyone's side of the story, rather than cherry pick details that fit our own narrative.

February 10, 2017

WOW...thank you anonymous for the heart.

What a delight to find a DU mail message telling me I received a heart! THANK YOU.

February 8, 2017

Mr. Trump...you are a GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEE!

Dear Mr. Trump

You are a government employee...I do believe that using the @POTUS twitter account to complain about how Nordstrom's is treating your daughter Ivanka puts you in VIOLATION of the law!

An employee shall use official time in an honest effort to perform official duties. Generally, personal activities should not be conducted during duty hours.

5 C.F.R. § 2635.705 (see Subpart G - Misuse of Position; Use of official time)

Let's see you explain how tweeting about Nordstrom dropping your daughter Ivanka's line due to lack of adequate sales falls under official duties on government time, and while using government PROPERTY which is owned by "We the people!"

February 8, 2017

Dear Mr. Trump you really need a reality check!

Dear Mr, Trump:

Time for another letter to you, and again, notice I do not use the term President, as you are not my president, and never will be, though I could come up with a lot of other names befitting you such Orange Menace, Idiot in Chief, Tiny Hands Traitor, so forth and so on...you get the idea. You really need to accept the very real fact that well over half of America hates your guts...seriously, we detest you, find you repugnant. Which brings me to my first issue.

Nordstrom dropping Ivanka's line, not renewing the contract had NOTHING to do with your policies. It had to do with dropping sales of said line. You see, boycotts work....especially boycotts carried out by the people who did not vote for you...you see, 65 percent of the REAL MONEY is in our pockets, and we do not like you, your family, your policies, your hotels and your various and assorted brands. So, "We The People" stopped buying Ivanka's over-rated brand, and that in turn led to declining sales which in turn led to Nordstrom's kicking Ivanka and her brand to the curb! WOOT WOOT, one for our side. Instead of taking this set back like a MAN, you in your usual fashion have LASHED OUT ON TWITTER, unfairly attacking Nordstrom for making a good business decision. Even worse, you are using the position of President to make said attack...surely that is an impeachable offense?

I will not even dignify your harsh maniacal attacks on judges and the courts. You know what you are doing, and America will not tolerate it...even your support among Rabid Republicans is starting to crumble around the edges, and it is attacks such as these that account for you owning THE LOWEST "First 100 Days" of any President to ever hold office.

Your first authorized attack on terrorists...you were DESPERATE to score a big early win in the fight against terrorism so you could pound your chest and brag about your military brilliancy. So you saw a chance, RUSHED TO JUDGEMENT, and in the process you got a service member killed, several others injured, while destroying some very expensive military equipment. In short, your haste caused the death of one of our service members, and you can never wash that blood off your hands. You decision making process is far worse than a clusterfuck, and hopefully someone in the White House, or the Republican Congress will file paper saying you are unfit to hold office as you are.

Please, do us all a favor....RESIGN, and save America all the trouble, harassment and shame that impeaching you will cost an already hurting nation.

February 8, 2017

The Scam that is Health Savings Accounts

A few years ago I had Rotator Cuff Surgery...with Physical Therapy and everything else, the total bill was around $35,000

Average family with two kids, both of them working for say $10 and hour. That's $800 a week for the couple, or about $41,000 a year. Doubt they could afford to save ten percent of their income a year, but lets say they could. Various taxes (local, state and federal) will see about 20 percent skimmed off the top, leaving this couple about $33K give or take some change. So, that would mean they would have to save 10 percent of their remaining income for 11 years to have enough for that one singular surgery!

No average American can make a Medical Savings account work for their family, so stop trying to fool us with that Red Herring.

Second Red Herring...giving us the right to PURCHASE HEALTH CARE INSURANCE does not mean we can afford to purchase it...especially when Congress refuses to pass legislation for a LIVING WAGE.

February 8, 2017

A question for Trump and Cruz on Healthcare...

Cancer rates are going up every year because greedy corporations are dumping pollutants into our water and environment that are causing cancers...how about we tax every polluter, and use that money t provide every American with CANCER INSURANCE.

February 8, 2017

Muslim Ban TRO...Let's BAIT Donald Trump

So, word from the White House...no comment on tonight's hearing until after the judges hand down a ruling...I say lets all run over to Twitter and BAIT Trump into losing his temper!

February 7, 2017

(Humor) DOJ Opening Statements in Muslim Ban EO Case in Washington

"Your Honor, first we apologize for the ill advised, out of line, and inappropriate remarks of Donald J. Trump and his Press Secretary. We admit that our filing is bat shit crazy, and the TRO should stay in place, but the Orange Menace who insulted you against the advice of staff insisted we file an appeal if we loved our families. This was said while Trump cradled and kissed an 8x10 autographed photograph of Putin. As you can imagine, we felt it was best to file the appeal, even if it verges on and flirts with being frivolous."

February 7, 2017

Trump Really is a MORON

So Trump once again is out pushing his "Mexico Will Pay For It" with tariffs...can someone send Pence in to explain to him that having the wall paid for with Tariffs on Mexican goods means we Americans will end up paying for the wall not once, but TWICE.

February 7, 2017

So Called President and his So Called Press Secretary

are trying to undermine America's judiciary, while also showing us that anal retentive chimps tripping on LSD while drinking Boones Farm Apple Wine have more intelligence and class than the two of them combined.

1. Trump again showing he is lower than a maggot on a slugs butt again attacks a judge, this time a FEDERAL JUDGE.

2. Not to be out done, his arse cyst Press Secretary of Robe Gate fame decided to take his bosses attacks a step further, accusing the judge on FAUX News of GOING ROGUE! Really Spicer, adjust the tension on that foil hat you wear.