July 2-5, 2018
Jul 02 09:41 Which immigration policy wins? Jul 03 09:29 Rep. Pocan's ICE solution? Jul 04 05:24 Happy Independence Day Jul 04 11:29 The DNC's out-of-touch outlook Jul 04 14:39 Dooming the Democrats? Jul 05 09:53 How to fight the opioid battle Jul 05 10:27 Behind the 'Abolish ICE' movement Jul 05 14:51 Trump Jr. unloads both barrels
Prior Months: Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Prior Years: 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
Which immigration policy wins?
After Democrats decided to go too far on immigration , the only question left is whether there's enough sensible Democrats to pull the party back from the brink of electoral disaster.
Scott Jennings put it beautifully when he wrote "This flap over family detention has again laid bare a debate that worked in Trump's favor in 2016 and could still help him and the Republican Party win in 2018 and 2020: One party prefers tighter immigration restrictions and one party leans toward relaxed enforcement. Trump himself made that case in a speech in Las Vegas over the weekend, when he cited in fiery terms Democrats' desire for "open borders" on a campaign swing designed to boost the fortunes of incumbent Republican Dean Heller. Democrats are likely to be disappointed when they poll this issue. My guess is that a majority of Americans will feel the same about Trump before and after, and some may even like him more. The bottom is not going to fall out of this presidency over Trump taking a position that conforms with his hardline anti-immigration stance. I imagine a negligible number of Trump supporters will abandon their support for him over this misguided policy."
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The truth is that the American people have a complex view of immigration in that they want families kept together, even if they're here illegally. This speaks to Americans' decency. They also want the border shut because they don't like chaos ruling the nation. Nothing says chaotic like open borders.
Democrats, for the most part, want open borders. In the grand scheme of things, the American people prefer order over disorder. That's especially true in America's heartland. In fact, that preference is heightened in states like Ohio, Minnesota and Michigan.
If Democrats lose net House seats in those states, their path to a majority in the U.S. House disappears. That's why I've preached that the path to the majority for the Democratic Party is slim for most of this year.
Why would I change my opinion after Democrats started espousing abolishing ICE?
Posted Monday, July 2, 2018 9:41 AM
Comment 1 by Chad Q at 02-Jul-18 06:52 PM
Once it's proven that these children are the actual children of the adults they came across the border with, then fine get them back together and then send them back to wherever it is they came from. If you want to come to this country, do it legally.
Democrats will lose and lose big if they run on open borders and abolishing ICE.
Comment 2 by eric z at 03-Jul-18 07:14 AM
Dems will run on Single Payer, then other issues such as debt relief for the young.
Comment 3 by eric z at 03-Jul-18 07:23 AM
Fix the immigration situation via new legislation, after the midterm elections. Whatever is a majority legislated answer should apply. Get the crying towels out of debate.
Separate customs from immigration. They don't belong together. Especially with a trade war looming, customs enforcement is needed.
Notice how the media are trying, along with Trump, to shift things from economic justice to border politics.
What we need is economic justice, whatever immigration answer evolves. If there continues to be Republican and Democratic party kneeling to the 1%, life for the young will be hell. By the time the minimum wage reaches fifteen bucks, it will be insufficient, given how GOP debt financing of tax breaks for the wealthy cheapens the dollar.
Rep. Pocan's ICE solution?
After reading Rep. Mark Pocan's CNN op-ed , it's clear that he thinks this is a winning issue for him and Democrats. It isn't.
First, let's learn what Rep. Pocan's solution is. Rep. Pocan writes "With the President grossly misusing ICE and the agency broken beyond repair, I'm proposing legislation to abolish the agency. Specifically, my bill would dissolve ICE within six months and create a commission to provide recommendations to Congress on how the US government can implement a humane immigration enforcement system that upholds the dignity of all individuals. The commission would then transfer necessary functions that do not violate basic human rights to other agencies."
Let's study this a minute. How will this change anything? The 'problem' isn't the facilities. The 'problem' starts with President Trump enforcing the law. Most people in the Heartland see that as a feature, not a problem. In fact, I'm betting that a significant majority of people across the United States see that as a feature.
Though much of the President's abusive crackdown on undocumented people and innocent children is focused on the borders, it's also happening in countless communities across the country. From conducting raids at garden centers and meatpacking plants, to targeting families outside churches and schools, the President is using ICE to tear apart families and rip at the moral fabric of our nation.
Since when is enforcing the laws of this land a moral crisis? Democrats can stop this situation in no time by simply funding President Trump's border wall.
While Democrats whine incessantly about families getting torn apart, Republicans educate Americans about the drug cartels, human traffickers and other criminals entering through the U.S.'s porous southern border. These things have nothing to do with ICE but they've got everything to do with fixing America's opioid and crime problem.
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While Rep. Pocan defends his bill, President Trump will defend America.
Posted Tuesday, July 3, 2018 9:29 AM
Comment 1 by Chad Q at 03-Jul-18 03:50 PM
Democrats are really overplaying their hand on the immigration issue. A solution to the problem would be a wall and a zero tolerance for anyone coming into the country illegally, even if you are seeking asylum. Come to our country legally or not at all.
Happy Independence Day
Each 4th of July, I make a habit of reading the Declaration of Independence . What's amazing to me is that it's constantly teaching me new lessons. This morning, a dear friend called me after midnight to be the first to wish me happy birthday. During our conversation, we talked about different generations' perspective on history.
The thing about the period that we're living in right now is that it's based so frequently on instant gratification. By contrast, the Declaration teaches us something entirely different. Specifically, I'm referring to the part where it says "Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes ; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security."
My wish is that this nation would return to building things that are long-lasting, resilient and sturdy. The things that the founders built were sturdy. The principles that guided their decisions have withstood the tests thrown at them. Yes, laws have had to be changed but the principles upon which this constitutional republic was built haven't had to been changed.
Another thing that the Declaration has taught me is that the signers laid out the specific reasons why they were declaring their independence from the throne. Compare that with the flash mobs on college campuses that simply disrupt conservatives with violence. Antifa and its allies act like violent children going through terrible twos. The men who signed the Declaration acted like adults.
Finally, the other thing that the signers of the Declaration of Independence understood was that they would likely be hung for treason if they didn't defeat the British in the Revolutionary War. That's why these words stand so proudly:
And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.
Happy Independence Day. May Nature's God continue to bless the nation He helped create.
Originally posted Wednesday, July 4, 2018, revised 07-Jul 8:36 AM
Comment 1 by Susan Hubbs at 04-Jul-18 01:30 PM
These men were genusises!!! I am continually humbled by their knowledge and foresight. I wish that EVERY American school child would have to read this and the constitution and study it for at least a year!!!!!
Response 1.1 by Gary Gross at 04-Jul-18 01:44 PM
Amen to that, Susan!
The DNC's out-of-touch outlook
The DNC's annual 4th of July statement is as out of touch with reality as Maxine Waters or Nancy Pelosi.
In the DNC's statement, they state "Too many members of our society are still struggling to find a good-paying job or get the health care they need. Too many women, LGBTQ Americans, people of color, and people with disabilities still face inequality and injustice across our society."
If they're living in California or Illinois, I believe that women are still struggling to find good-paying jobs. The unemployment rate for women is the lowest it's been in 60+ years. Now that people aren't required to buy insurance policies they never wanted, health care will become more affordable.
As for "people of color", the unemployment rate for blacks is the lowest it's been in history while the unemployment rate for Hispanics is the lowest in history. What on God's green earth is the DNC talking about? Are they that stupid? Or is it that they're that dishonest? Finally, this is who the Democrats really are:
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Remember that this November. While Trump and the GOP attempt to build up America, the DNC and the 'leaders' of the Democratic Party drift farther leftward.
Posted Wednesday, July 4, 2018 11:29 AM
No comments.
Dooming the Democrats?
Are the Democrats' special interest armies dooming the Democrats this fall? Based on what I'm reading in this article , I'd argue that these organizations are setting Democrats up for a historic failure in the Senate this fall.
What gives it away is where it says "Activists have developed plans to pressure these senators as well as Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), who they are holding accountable to keep the entire caucus together in opposition . Indivisible has set up a toll free line to connect constituents directly with senators, as well as a call script to be used when they reach their respective offices. According to a member of the organization, the website briefly crashed due to overwhelming interest when the organization's co-founder Ezra Levin appeared on Rachel Maddow's MSNBC show last Thursday. The group also held a town hall on Monday at which Schumer was supposed to field questions from constituents, seen as an opportunity to hold him accountable. His plane had mechanical issues which kept him from the sweltering event at the air conditioning less-Congregation Beth Elohim in Brooklyn, leading him to do a telephone town hall instead."
If all Democrat senators vote not to confirm President Trump's nominee, the campaign ads against Tester, Heitkamp, McCaskill, Donnelly, Nelson, Brown, Manchin, Casey, Kaine, Baldwin, Stabenow and Smith will write themselves. With the exception of Tina Smith, all of these senators will have voted to keep Obamacare and against the Trump/GOP tax cuts. Seven of these senators will have voted against both of Trump's Supreme Court nominees, too. If that sounds like smart strategy for red state Democrats, then you must be part of one of the Democrats' special interest groups.
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Do these clowns look like they're capable of rousing the Democrat base? I don't think so. If the Democrats succeed in stopping President Trump's SCOTUS nominee, 2018 will be the Senate version of 2010.
Posted Wednesday, July 4, 2018 2:39 PM
No comments.
How to fight the opioid battle
If this nation wants to fight the opioid addiction crisis, it's difficult to imagine a better way than the plan Jason Lewis has put together . Earlier this week, Lewis hosted a roundtable discussion on the subject.
According to the article, the roundtable took place in Apple Valley on the afternoon of Monday, July 2. Participants were Bryan Klabunde of the Minnesota Farmers Union; Larry Bourgerie of the Society for Human Resource Management; former addict and author of 'Six Years Lost' Ben Schmidt, and Maura McGarry, LGSW, of the Opiate Treatment Program at the Minneapolis VA. The group talked about efforts across the state to combat the opioid crisis and possibilities for future legislation."
Lewis isn't just talking about the problem either. He's introduced legislation to create the "bipartisan Opioid Advisory Committee at Department of Labor", which "was introduced by Lewis and Rep. Matt Cartwright, D-Pennsylvania." Most impressively, "it passed the House by voice vote" on June 13. To get anything passed in DC on a major issue requires dedication and skill. To get major legislation passed on a voice vote is unheard of.
This is why the citizens need to re-elect Rep. Lewis. First, this is proof that he's a problem-solver. In case nobody's noticed, Washington, DC has a shortage of those these days. Next, Lewis doesn't just talk about getting things done in a bipartisan fashion. He's now got a history of bringing people together to fix problems. Third, it requires skill to put legislation like this together.
Think about this:
The bipartisan Opioid Advisory Committee at Department of Labor was introduced by Lewis and Rep. Matt Cartwright, D-Pennsylvania. It seeks to create a committee to advise the secretary of labor on actions the department can take to address the impact of opioid abuse on the workplace. On June 13, it passed the House by voice vote. The Advisory Committee will discuss opioid abuse and its impact on employer substance abuse policies, employer-provided benefits, workplace safety, productivity and absenteeism, alternative pain management treatments, employee privacy, community-based initiatives and workplace policies to reduce the stigma of opioid abuse.
The Advisory Committee will issue a report on successful programs and best practices for how employers can engage with employees affected by opioid abuse.
This is what's already possible:
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Posted Thursday, July 5, 2018 9:53 AM
No comments.
Behind the 'Abolish ICE' movement
Most, if not all, frequent LFR readers have figured it out that the plan behind the Democrats' Abolish ICE movement is their latest semi-silent push for open borders. Unfortunately for Democrats, the Abolish ICE movement is already getting challenged. It's likely going to fail, too. Part of the reason for that is because Americans want to keep drug cartels, gangs like MS-13 and human traffickers out of the US. Abolishing ICE will open the USA's already porous borders to these thugs.
This NY Post editorial highlights what's happening within the Abolish ICE movement when it says " the 'Abolish ICE' crowd has no actual proposal for what - if anything - should replace it. They just want the agency shut immediately, and we'll worry later about what comes next. Which leaves them legitimately open (as Trump clearly realizes) to the charge that what they really want is no immigration enforcement, and de facto open borders."
Let's be clear about something -- ICE didn't rip families apart:
Even though President Trump has suspended the breakups - and it was the Border Patrol, not ICE, separating the families.
That doesn't matter to the Abolish ICE movement's leadership. What matters is that abolishing ICE just pushes the USA one step closer to their real goal of open borders. Here's the bad news for Democrats:
Yes, polls show widespread opposition to Trump's handling of the border crisis - but also show that Americans still oppose illegal immigration and favor beefed-up border security.
Posted Thursday, July 5, 2018 10:27 AM
No comments.
Trump Jr. unloads both barrels
Saying that Donald Trump, Jr. didn't leave anything in the gun in this op-ed is understatement.
Trump Jr. opens by saying "Sen. Jon Tester pretends he's willing to work with President Trump to Make America Great Again, but his Chuck Schumer-approved, liberal record proves otherwise. Tester has voted no on tax cuts, no on repealing and replacing Obamacare, no on cracking down on sanctuary cities, no on repealing stifling regulations, and has continually supported gun control measures that would restrict our precious 2nd Amendment rights - all of which runs directly counter to my father's America First agenda."
What part of that record sounds like a moderate? Tonight, President Trump will rally for Matt Rosendale, the GOP candidate for the Senate in Montana. Expect there to be tons of red meat in the air describing Sen. Tester's voting record. Here's more from Trump Jr.'s op-ed:
When it comes to voting with the President, he only does so 37 percent of the time. He's voted against President Trump's federal nominations numerous times, for instance, and he even opposed a waiver to allow General James Mattis to become Secretary of Defense.
Then there's this:
In this Congress, Tester has voted with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer 84 percent of the time and with his Democratic Caucus 85 percent of the time. He ranks in the top ten for donations from lobbyists, and voted with Barack Obama's leftwing agenda nearly 95 percent of the time - including the disastrous and job-killing Obamacare.
When it comes to the issue of illegal immigration, Tester has been a complete failure. He voted against a Senate proposal in February that would crack down on cities that don't comply with federal immigration laws. He then embarrassed all of Montana by voting against 'Kate's Law,' a bill that would increase penalties for illegals who reenter the U.S. after being deported.
Get out the butter on this guy. Thanks in part to Donald Trump Jr.'s op-ed, Tester is toast.
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Posted Thursday, July 5, 2018 2:51 PM
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