Had enough yet

[Lee Chowaniec]

Everybody’s Column writer spot on

It’s been a while since the last post on this thread. In that interim nothing much has changed regarding the hatred, divisiveness and polarization fostered by power hungry, narcissistic, self-serving politicos on both sides of the aisle; in all levels of government and nurtured by a manipulative media.

The following column in today’s Buffalo News is indeed spot on (IMHO)!

Watch for the motivations of both parties in shutdown

While most of us are contemplating the government shutdown and border security debate, let us not forget how we are being manipulated by both political parties who seem more bent on who has power and who does not, then actively arriving at a bipartisan solution to this problem.

The welfare of immigrants seeking asylum aside, we the voters are being played. Innocent government employees who have little to say about the process are being penalized by both political parties since neither cares whether this shutdown continues or not.

What should have been done is to dock the pay of all politicians involved with this process until a bipartisan resolution could be attained.

Perhaps a wall around Congress preventing them from enjoying the holidays while others scramble to make mortgage payments would have been in order.

We are, after all, a nation of immigrants or descendants of immigrants, who came here to seek a new way of life. Properly screened and vetted, they raised families, worked diligently, and many fought in two major foreign world wars as Americans.

Today we are faced with a new culture of immigrants which may or may not seek the American dream. In this world of terror for hire, some arrive here bent on undermining what our fore fathers have worked hard to create. The difficulty is separating the wheat from the chaff when it comes to screening out drug cartel and gang members, those with communicable disease for which we may not have sufficient vaccines, and those whose primary aim is to bring terrorism to our shores.

What is needed is a new immigration policy for sure, and the time spent arguing over a wall that would buy us time to implement such a plan could be better spent by people who are supposed to represent us, and not manipulate us. It is important for us to see the motives of each political party for what they are and express our displeasure, or this may drag on indefinitely.

Charle Carter
Akron

[mark blazejewski]

What is needed is a new immigration policy for sure, and the time spent arguing over a wall that would buy us time to implement such a plan could be better spent by people who are supposed to represent us, and not manipulate us. It is important for us to see the motives of each political party for what they are and express our displeasure, or this may drag on indefinitely.[/I]

JUST MY OPINION:

Lee, I agree in principle that both sides have politicized this issue.

You will recall that Bill Clinton condemned illegal immigration in the 1990s. Senators Obama, Clinton, and Schumer voted to build a physical barrier, by whatever name referred, a decade ago.

You also recall that the corner stone of the Trump campaign was to construct "The Wall."

The American voter unambiguously designated the immigration issue as a top priority and 2016, and one would expect that "Wall" construction and subsequent reform would receive both legislative and executive prioritized attention.

However, since 2016, it was those very same Democrat actors who reversed themselves, and oppose such construction. In the world of politics, that reversal would seem to speak for itself.

Trump I am confident is mindful that Reagan, who granted significant amnesty in 1986, was stung by the ineffectiveness of the Simpson–Mazzoli Act, in that comprehensive reform was not forthcoming. While amnesty went forward, so too did illegal immigration.

Ergo, I think that the time pursuing "Wall" construction is not a waste of time, as I view a physical barrier, aka, a "Wall" with a welcoming window, as a necessary prerequisite in contemplation of true comprehensive reform.

Again, just my two cents.

[Lee Chowaniec]

Hey Mark,

You mean the Democrats whose primary agenda is to hate Trump, obstruct and in the process adversely impact the best interest of Americans?

Trump may be the alleged liar and often acts like a dick, but it is some of the things that the clueless leaders on the left say that led me to become a deplorable Trump voter and leads me to have no faith in the Democratic Party for compromise and/or solutions on immigration and/or any other issue they deem is a crisis.

How can some of us not think that the Democratic Party’s agenda is to:

Hate Trump
Impeach Trump
Shield illegals believing they have rights equal to Americans
Gun control
Govern to obstruct and act in their best interests over that of the best interests of its citizens – and the Republicans are equally at fault.

When we have Democratic Party leaders stating the following, they appear incapable of making sound decisions:

“Homicide is the leading cause of murder.” – Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX 18th)

“We must be able to arrest people before they commit crimes. By registering guns and knowing who have them we can do that…if they have guns they are pretty likely to commit a crime.” – Vermont State Senator Mary Ann Carlson.

And my favorite, Nancy Pelosi:

“If we hadn’t fought the War on Terror, the VA wouldn’t be having so many problems.”

“More crumbs! May’s job report shows that strong employment numbers mean little.”

“Building a wall will violate the rights of millions of illegals.”

‘Walls are immoral.”

Just because someone is here illegally doesn’t mean they broke any of our laws.”

“We should only deport illegal aliens if they do something illegal.”

“Not one dollar for the wall.” How hypocritical when this same party voted for barriers in the past.

We live in scary times!

[mark blazejewski]

Trump may be the alleged liar and often acts like a dick, but it is some of the things that the clueless leaders on the left say that led me to become a deplorable Trump voter and leads me to have no faith in the Democratic Party for compromise and/or solutions on immigration and/or any other issue they deem is a crisis.

You mean like this anticipated snub?:

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/artic...remain-stalled

https://www.axios.com/trump-expected...872dcd534.html


That kind of says it all, eh Mr. C.?

We live in scary times!

Indeed!

[Lee Chowaniec]

We are being told that walls (barriers) do not work and are immoral.

So, if a poor American family were just evicted from their dwelling, left without means and breached the wall (barrier) of a politician / celebrity / etc. and sought refuge, would the owners of said property have to grant them asylum and provide for them until they were self-sufficient again, or would they be arrested for trespassing and have charges pressed?

[mark blazejewski]

We are being told that walls (barriers) do not work and are immoral.

There has been much written about the dangers the journey poses to very young children. A wall, in part, would serve to discourage such a journey.

Bear in mind, local ordinance(s) require private properties with backyard pools to have fences for the exact same reason: to prevent accidental injury or loss of life.

No, a wall or barrier is not always immoral, as suggested by this 1979 message appearing in the Reptile House of the Buffalo Zoo:

PLEASE KEEP YOUR HANDS OFF THE GLASS, BECAUSE IT KEEPS THE SNAKES OFF THE FLOOR.

THANK YOU.

[Lee Chowaniec]

I receive the Buffalo News every day of the week. The first section of the paper regularly contains news reports from the biased, liberal media agencies like the New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, etc. – about 90% of the content and near 100% of the time anti Trump; and with many stories based on anonymous sources, leaked documents and/or with baseless, speculative narrative that is anti-Trump.

The following report from Fox, yes Fox, counters some of the negative liberal press and presents another side:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/opini...cid=spartandhp

Holding both sides equally responsible for the shutdown, I can’t believe we have elected self-serving politicos whose best interest are their agendas for election and/or re-election and the hell with the best interests and safety of its citizens.

It is refreshing to start reading and hearing of the scrutiny that will given to the Democratic Party candidates that have entered the presidential race. Harris, Gillibrand, Warren and others are already being taken to the woodshed.

BTW - If you are a staunch progressive / socialist liberal, how is that working out for you? Happy with Governor Cuomo? You must love Mayor de Blasio? And of course there is Cortez!

[Lee Chowaniec]

Yea, the government shutdown is over – at least temporarily. Pelosi won. Trump capitulated. Not one dollar for an immoral wall.

She showed him that there is a new sheriff in town; one that can best him at his own game.

However, the agreement comes with the caveat that the Democrats finally have to actually do something; to act to negotiate a compromise that will realistically secure the border, preventing illegals from entering the country.

Will the hate for Trump prevent some of the same hypocrites who voted for walls / barriers in past administrations lead them astray for doing what’s best for our country’s interest?

Schumer’s admonishment of “let that be a lesson for you” was loathsome.

[mark blazejewski]

I do not think Trump capitulated as much as punted.

I'll be the first to call-out Trump if he caves on "The Wall." I also oppose amnesty across the board for the so-called "Dreamers."

With that said, I view the next three weeks as a "Poop or get off the pot" period for the Democrats and the RINOs. Trump has now positioned himself to say "I went the last mile," and then declare a "National Emergency" to address the border issue when the Left starts to jerk him around.

[Lee Chowaniec]

I do not think Trump capitulated as much as punted.

I'll be the first to call-out Trump if he caves on "The Wall." I also oppose amnesty across the board for the so-called "Dreamers."

With that said, I view the next three weeks as a "Poop or get off the pot" period for the Democrats and the RINOs. Trump has now positioned himself to say "I went the last mile," and then declare a "National Emergency" to address the border issue when the Left starts to jerk him around.

Semantics, Mark, he yielded when he adamantly positioned himself to not give in.

Intentionally, or not, he came out of this as the bigger man – for the present. If his hate opposition continue to take a hardline / obstruct position against a barrier where needed, they will lose face and all hell will break out again and we as a nation suffer.

What should be disturbing to all us moderates, independents and nonaffiliated party individuals is that we are being held hostage by radical, uncompromising politicos to the right and left of us, as well as a biased mainstream media.

To not align entirely with the ideology of the progressive, socialistic hard left or the ideology of the alt-right, to split party votes based on best qualified candidates and/or the least of two evils, earns us labels such as deplorable, communists, and worse.

Tell me why anyone should be declared a winner in this political debacle.

How sad for the citizens!!

[mark blazejewski]

Semantics, Mark, he yielded when he adamantly positioned himself to not give in.

Semantics indeed Lee. The Left, past support for a physical wall not withstanding, does not want to indulge a Trumpian "Wall," but maybe some form of a limited Leftist "barrier."

It is all BS. America voted for a "Wall" in 2016-period.

This thing reminds me of when Taft-Hartley is invoked, and the requisite "cooling off" period is imposed.

Don't get me wrong, Trump blinked and I get it. But, while I don't feel good about the appearance of Presidential weakness, sometime blinking is the prudent thing to do.

During the Cuban Crisis, thank God, both sides blinked.

Kennedy contracted the blockade arc, and Khrushchev had some ships turn around as they approached the blockade line. Kennedy did not over-respond to the downing of the Anderson plane, and Khrushchev decided to "remove" the missiles.

Trump, understanding an absolute need for a "Wall," but hamstrung by the complications and visuals, both the real and exaggerated, of the "shutdown" crap, appears to have been the prudent adult in the room.

National interest be damned, I doubt that Pelosi will rise to the wisdom levels of Khrushchev. And, why should she? The media's obsession with sympathy for all things Left, and anti-Trump, will carry the day for her and her Socialist revolutionaries.

[Lee Chowaniec]

Semantics indeed Lee. The Left, past support for a physical wall not withstanding, does not want to indulge a Trumpian "Wall," but maybe some form of a limited Leftist "barrier."

It is all BS. America voted for a "Wall" in 2016-period.

This thing reminds me of when Taft-Hartley is invoked, and the requisite "cooling off" period is imposed.

Don't get me wrong, Trump blinked and I get it. But, while I don't feel good about the appearance of Presidential weakness, sometime blinking is the prudent thing to do.

During the Cuban Crisis, thank God, both sides blinked.

Kennedy contracted the blockade arc, and Khrushchev had some ships turn around as they approached the blockade line. Kennedy did not over-respond to the downing of the Anderson plane, and Khrushchev decided to "remove" the missiles.

Trump, understanding an absolute need for a "Wall," but hamstrung by the complications and visuals, both the real and exaggerated, of the "shutdown" crap, appears to have been the prudent adult in the room.

National interest be damned, I doubt that Pelosi will rise to the wisdom levels of Khrushchev. And, why should she? The media's obsession with sympathy for all things Left, and anti-Trump, will carry the day for her and her Socialist revolutionaries.

Spot on!


We shall see whether and how the obstructers decide to come to the table and govern in the country's best interest.

[Lee Chowaniec]

Still a deplorable

https://www.washingtonpost.com/polit...=.695393a4da69

The planks of a progressive platform roll off the lips of the presidential candidates to enthusiastic applause from party activists, who are turning out in big numbers to get a look at the field.

The package includes Medicare-for-all, tuition-free or debt-free college, higher taxes on the wealthy, and a Green New Deal. In their most expansive form, these proposals would cost trillions of dollars in government spending or require potentially wrenching economic changes.

Walls don’t work and are immoral; ergo, open borders

Sanctuary cities

Illegal immigrants have the same equal rights as American citizens

If this is, or will be, the future Democratic Party progressive – socialist platform, I will remain a deplorable despite the most un-presidential, hypocritical Trump.

[mark blazejewski]

Ifthis is, or will be, the future Democratic Party progressive – socialist platform, I will remain a deplorable despite the most un-presidential, hypocritical Trump.

The nation is at the metaphorical "Fork In The Road" Lee.

Now, as a "Blank" voter, I do not see these Socialist Democrat proposals reflective of what was once the Democrat Party.

Furthermore, do not I see the tactics, tone, and suggested policies of the current Democrat leadership as issues to be assessed through the prism of traditional D-R or Left-Right politics.

Rather, that political ligation as I see it, needs to be applied through the spectrum of the free America, as outlined in its Constitution, and exerted, for the most part, in a bi-partisan way, for almost 250 years by its loyal "Melting Pot" citizenry.

The alternative is the conception of an entirely Socialist America, as envisioned by fanatical revolutionaries.

[Lee Chowaniec]

The following is being extensively reported by the media:

Bernie Sanders put it simply last week: "We need additional revenue if we're going to provide health care for all, rebuild our infrastructure, make public colleges and universities tuition-free."

Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren is floating a 2 percent tax on all assets of people with a net worth of more than $50 million.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the rising star who's issued her own call for a 70 percent income tax rate on people making more than $10 million.

The 70-percent rate from Ocasio-Cortez, a New York Democrat and the Warren proposal would only hit an estimated 75,000 households in the United States — the upper echelon of U.S. wealth.

A Fox News poll last week found 7 in 10 Americans supported raising taxes on people making more than 10 million dollars a year and 65 percent on those making more than $1 million.


I am one of those Americans that would favor raising taxes on the wealthy – wealthy meaning anyone earing over $5 million per year. Let the progressive-socialist hard left start taxing some of their heavy support base as well – celebrities and sport figures. Let them run that up the flag pole and see how it flies!