Originally and, subsequently over the years our vacation site (Indian Rocks Beach, Florida). In fact, we leave next month for a week there. Have not visited in about 10 years so it will be wonderful to see the, obviously, many, many changes!!!
These (and ALL illegals) should have been, as "criminals" (we already have enough of our own), immediately and unceremoniously kicked out of the USA and returned to the country of their original nationality! However, the "possibility" of "legally or illegally", getting a few thousand extra votes in the forthcoming or future elections might be a means to an end - certainly more criminals on our streets and a "padded" election system!!! !
We have enough criminals of our own and the Nations' prisons
are "overbooked" already so to admit these illegals would be a "crime"!!!! Hopefully, Congress, for once, "will see the light" and this "act" will NOT pass1 It is solely a "move" to increase the "illegal" vote to the detriment of the Nations and its LEGAL citizens and voters!
Reference "petertimber's" comment: So what is the answer or solution? Allegedly, the Government is, again, allegedly, doing everything it can to eliminate this intrusion!! I believe they have raised a special wire fencing (?) along "most" of our border with Mexico. Even with that, which has not totally been effective, illegals manage to climb over or go underground to "invade" the USA. A "Wall of China" type would not be effective as they would find some way to pass that - and it would also have to be built underground! Imagine what it would cost the USA tax payers! Isn't it about time that the LEGAL citizens and voters pressure the supposed "geniuses" in Congress to come up with and act on a firm solution???
Petertimber's comment is a continuing example of what is wrong with the USA's "illegal alien 'programs'" and the facts that the Government does only a minute fraction of its responsibilities to catch and ship them back to their country of origin and out of the USA! In some instances they do find jobs BUT do NOT pay State nor National taxes (but send money "home" o their families); turn to crime; do NOT serve our Nation in military service (and would get caught); manage to obtain or freeload off of welfare and similar services at the expense of the U. S. and its taxpayer; and, similar!!! Our U. S. Border controls should be more stringent in their duties to prevent "illegals" from entering and "using" our Nation! If a foreign national wishes to "immigrate" to the USA an excellent system is in effect through the Department of State (LEGAL visa and application)!
I agree!!! Neither Democratic nor the Republican party , in today's "life", would ever get an "outstanding" report for their activities and/or performances! They are lucky to even get a "fair" rating. As long as they keep up their bickering, backbiting and trying to outdo each other in Congress they are not truly representing nor supporting the wishes of their voters and, what is more important, the Nation as a whole - only what benefits themselves or their financial ' backers'! What would be fair and honest ---
the two (2) major political parties to start AGREEING AND WORKING TOGETHER to eliminate the current and seemingly never-ending serious "problems:" facing the Nation and its citizens! Today our Nation is faced with the worst financial, social/welfare/illegal immigration and "war" problems in many years. President Franklin Roosevelt did have at least one excellent "project" involving "welfare" during the "Great Depression" - which we are bordering again - "The Public Works Administration"! It gave jobless people the opportunity , at least, a minimum annual salary, working on constructive and worthwhile "projects" to help the Nation or State by removing them from welfare, eliminating the "freeloaders" and giving the truly honest man and woman a "feeling" of pride again for being able to support the Nation rather than continuing to "take"! "Do what you can for your Nation---do not depend on your Nation to do for you"! Do not take for granted your rights as a U. S. Citizen - work, fight and support it!
The question/or comment refers to "moving to a 'welfare state' "! May I ask which U. S. State has NOT become a "welfare state"? Unfortunately, that is what the entire United States has become----a "welfare state"! Everywhere we may turn, each U. S. State has its own "welfare system". It is being "used" by freeloaders (mostly by able bodied so-called "citizens" who would rather be on welfare than work for a living at any job they could get); "illegals" and "others" who somehow or other manage to "leech" their way into a welfare system or service; married and unmarried individuals with 1 or usually more children (like the woman in Washington, D. C. discovered some time ago on welfare who had , as I remember, eight (8) illegitimate children; who do NOT, unless drafted, serve their Nation in the U. S. military; do NOT pay National nor State taxes; and, etc.!! Isn't is no wonder why, among other reasons, our Nation is currently in such a mess! Add to this---- today's "politics"! It ALL stinks! Ends up on the "suffering" backs of honest, hard working, tax paying U. S. citizens of all colors and former nationalities!
Don't know where you got the sole idea that "welfare is for kids"!! Welfare is "utilized" by those legally "qualified" for "support" AND the "uncontrolled" freeloaders who do not work == or even try; unmarried and "maybe" married mothers with 1 or more children; "illegals" who somehow or other manage to "bore" into and help drain the system; and similar! All at the expense of the "legal" U. S. citizen who pays taxes into the Social Security and similar programs and who monetarily " supports" the National and State welfare systems from which they, the "users" never contribute! Again----that is why the USA is becoming a "welfare" Nation
Well said!!! Our National and State welfare systems are being drained by our own "freeloaders" and "illegals" who "take" whatever they can from whomever and wherever they can (as no known "controls") ; have never served in our military services for the benefit of the Nation; who do not pay National, State nor other taxes; do not contribute in any way to the National Social Security Program; and, similar!!! No wonder the USA is becoming known as a "welfare state" and haven!
President Obama's "mini-amnesty" to such a large and outlandish number of "illegals" is unfair and a burden on ALL natural born and "legally" admitted immigrants! Those "illegals" do NOT pay Federal nor State taxes; manage to obtain and drain "welfare " and similar services at the U. S. tax payer's expense and support; do NOT serve this Nation in the U. S. military; do not contribute to Social Security nor the Nation's welfare; and, similar! In addition, they take jobs/work away from those "legal" residents of may or want to work! On this latter "item" we already have so many freeloaders of our "own" who are already "using" and draining our welfare services but who could or should be working! If an "illegal" wants to come to the USA do so "Legally" - apply for an immigration visa to the USA in a U. S. Embassy in THEIR country! This "problem" is one of many reasons we, the UNITED STAES OF AMERICA, is becoming known as a 'WELFARE STATE" to its National detriment!!
I joined the U. S. Foreign Service after my honorable discharge having served in New Guinea, Mollucas Islands and P.I. From 1947 to 1972 I had both permanent and temporary assignments in 12 countries, plus 1 twice. Political appointments as those noted is and has been the bane of the Service and a dish9onor to the Service! It has become ridiculously out of control during the current presidential administration! However there is "some" justificat8ion for certain "posts" (i.e.: London, Paris, Moscow, Rome and several other capitols). The cost of living, allowances and salaries for an Ambassador, even the junior personnel, is usually so outrageously inadequate the President has to appoint, usually, an individual of "wealth" who is able to use his/her personal funds to cover official and personal duties of the position - assuming he/she is "qualified" for that "office"! Unfortunately, some so-called "qualified" candidates are and have been "losers"! On the other hand, a very minor number have "qualified" and represented the U.S.A. with "honor"!
Thank God in His "justice" the Department has the foresight to usually have a "qualified" DCM (Deputy Chief of Mission) "on board" who actually "runs" the Embassy!
Actually, the "political appointment" of ambassadors is an injustice to the experienced and qualified Foreign Service Officers who have served with honor and distinction and climbed up the Foreign Service's "ladder". Their "reward" of an ambassadorial appointment, when due, is usually a second or third rated country or, possibly, a Department , United Nations or other appropriate assignment.
To remedy this inequity, the Department should review and upgrade its salaries, allowances and cost of living rates to allow better qualified and experienced FSO's the "possibility" of an ambassadorial appointment to, for a change, a "choice" post!
Truth "will out"!! Unfortunately, you could get "shafted" for the "truth"!
To eliminate voter (and other fraudulent "acts", a 'NATIONAL" and/or 'VOTER" Identification Card could and/or would be the "natural" or "common" logical answer.
With all the of "illegals" now in residence, and still entering our Nation, who do and/or attempt to vote, along with being on welfare and other similar sources at the tax payers' expense, there should be no wonder that, without some National form of "control", electionss' final results could or would not be accurate and not a "fsir" decision of the "legal" voters and the Nation!
It is the responsibility of every political party, and its candidates, to PROVE their ability to HONESTLY and FAIRLY perform the duties for which they may be elected for the benefit of the voters and, more importantly, the Nation!
"Justice" and common sense in a FREE Nation , along with an ability to vote, allows a native born and "legal" U. S. citizen the HONOR to be able to vote their choice regardless of person or political party.
To insure an HONEST, FAIR and ACCURATE "vote" decision, in today's "way of life", a 'NATIONAL' and/or "Voter" I.D. card will guarantee the "People's Choice"!
AFSA is absolutely correct in its stand that the majority of ambassadorial appointees, especially to crucial countries , should be EDUCATED, EXPERIENCED, QUALIFIED and has served "up -through-the-ranks'" positions and countries! Unfortunately, it is a true fact that for many, many years Foreign Service salaries and allowances are totally inadequate, particularly in the "representation areas". That "necessity" has always "allowed" the President to appoint Ambassadors to France, Great Britain and similar Nations who are, not usually "qualified, for this distinctive position, but are financially able to "pay the cost" for the "title" and become "figureheads" who are backed up by qualified Foreign Service officers and staffs.