Amnesty for Illegal Aliens is the Wrong Way to Go

The proposed fix to our nation's immigration system is extremely flawed and is absolutely the wrong thing for our country. Giving amnesty, by any name, to illegal immigrants is wrong. By sanctioning illegal entry or visa overstays we will be rewarding criminal acts. This runs counter to what should be our goal of a more orderly, law abiding society.

Teaching the people that you are inviting to become our nation's newest citizens that it is healthy and acceptable to display disrespect and distain for the rule of law is a dangerously harmful precedent to establish.

At the same time your actions are showing those who have spent careers attempting to enforce laws that their time has been wasted and their choice of careers quite dishonorable. Additionally it is a slap in the face of legal immigrants and those who have invested considerable time and effort with a dream of coming to the United States of America.

Sufficient laws exist to prevent illegal entry, remove illegal aliens, punish employers and to imprison those who abuse and traffic illegal aliens. We require no new legislation. What we are in dire, desperate need of are politicians and leaders willing to enforce these existing laws.

Don't be fooled by the ridiculous claims that enforcement of laws are meant to only target certain races. Laws are not discriminatory. You cannot expect to board a train without a ticket or visit some other country without proper visas and travel documents. Why should we use different standards? Open or extremely porous borders are a weakness. At a time of war it is unbelievably disastrous that nothing greater has been done to secure our homeland.

What is the next step in this path? Will our political representatives decide to close all of our prisons and release into the communities all convicted criminals for the reason that punishment doesn't seem to have stymied the level of criminal activity? Maybe simply forgiving them of their crimes, pointing them to the door and welcoming their integration into our population will work better. By those standards I guess we just have to issue an apology for our enforcement actions along with a friendly pat on the back and everyone will begin to behave appropriately.

Washington…..wake up from this dream and stop trying to lead us in the wrong direction with your distractive tactics.

Citizens…..pay attention to the issues, listen to what your representatives are really saying and keep a close watch on what they are really doing.

President George W. Bush's Greatest Mistake: Too Successful?

Having listened to President Bush's State of the Union Address, watched the news on television and read several periodicals including yours, I am overwhelmed by the amount of ridicule against our president, talk of more planned anti-war protests, outright refusals to reinforce and support our troops on the battlefield and of course the incessant calls for investigations and impeachment proceedings against members of the current administration.

I immediately realized that President George W. Bush's success has surprised us all. I admit that I too never would have imagined that nearly five-and-a-half years after the horrible attacks against our country on September 11th 2001 that we would so successfully deter and prevent additional attacks on our homeland. It is a sad realization that our country's massive efforts in tracking, monitoring and arresting terrorists have been so successful that millions of our own citizens have completely forgotten the evil acts we witnessed and suffered on that September morning. So many cannot remember that day and actually argue that we are not now and never have been threatened or involved in any real war! People are so fat and happy, riding the wave of economic successes and immersed so deeply in their own individual lives that they will not open their eyes and ears to what is truly going on. I agree that our comfort is a blessing and continually pray that my children will never have to witness such violence and feel such anguish. But I still recognize that there are threats out there. There are many who would end our lives, exterminate our families and completely erase the existence of our nation if they just once had the chance.

An international coalition of nations joined in a worldwide effort to confront terrorism in the many places it grows and hides. It is a fortunate result that Al Qaeda leadership stressed the importance of preventing the success of the new Iraqi government. They called for jihad, imploring indoctrinated Muslim youth to report for duty, encouraging radical imams to admonish the faithful, and for Middle Eastern families to forgo their futures by sending forth their untrained, sandaled children to carry the fight to the infidels. While I cannot imagine that the creation of an actual front in this war was an expected outcome, I do realize that it is a benefit to my family and fellow citizens. Before you condemn me for this attitude let me make it clear that I fell strongly for the plight of the Iraqi people. This war has spawned a new head on their soil. It is bad for the Iraqi people, but undeniably positive for so many others.

We entered this conflict without the desire to employ overwhelming force and have waned in our convictions and actions over the following four years. We have refused to confront our enemies on their terms and have often employed a useless strategy more appropriate for a children's game of tag rather than an all out war. Understanding of the situation is then more diluted by spiteful politicians treating the conflict in Iraq as a political tool. Using innocent civilians and our proud fighting men and women as pawns is disgusting and shameful. Prolonging the war by refusing to use the means necessary to win it will inevitably result in greater suffering by the Iraqi hosts as well as an increased number of both civilian and military casualties.

Many non-thinking people simply repeat the ridiculous slogan that our presence in Iraq has resulted in an increase in the number of new terrorist volunteers. I challenge you that there has been no greater terrorist recruiting poster than the ubiquitous photographs of our fellow citizens plowing into the Twin Towers upon hijacked commercial aircraft.

Supporting President Bush and "His Boys"

In a letter published in the South Flroida Sun-Sentinel newspaper on October 9th, "Anti-terrorist boast," the writer states: "Let's not give [President] Bush and his boys credit for no terror attack since 9-11."

I cannot help but feel an extreme desire as well as responsibility to clarify his obvious confusion. As a proud U.S. veteran, I guess I should first establish my position as most likely qualifying as one of "his boys."

Although I cannot attest that this result was intentional, I certainly do believe that we are very fortunate that the Islamic terrorists have selected to focus their efforts on confronting our well-prepared military in Iraq and Afghanistan rather than pursuing innocent civilian targets here on our own soil. Claims that our successful efforts in the war on terror should not be applauded, but rather chalked up to the strategic mastery of terrorists themselves are both ridiculous and illogical.

While the terrorists have concentrated much of their energies on harassing our allies and military targets in Iraq and Afghanistan, they have not forsaken hopes of hitting us in the homeland. Our nation's intelligence and law enforcement operations have successfully thwarted several attacks. I have no doubt that additional plots are being planned and will be attempted by these evil forces.

War is not a pretty thing and no war has ever been scheduled to begin and end with the timing of some sporting event. War is sometimes necessary and usually unpredictable. We cannot abandon our efforts to battle this ideology that threatens us. Don't become overwhelmed by the sound bites and distractions continually tossed out by struggling politicians. Invest some time into researching the facts and actually developing your own, well-informed opinions.

God bless President Bush and all of "his boys."

Published in the South Florida Sun-Sentinel on October 28, 2006.

The State of Social Security

Is there any problem with the current Social Security system? Should an update of the current system be addressed or should we simply ignore it and just see what happens? Why was it a failing system when Bill Clinton spoke of it, but a thriving program without any faults when President Bush addresses it only a few years later? What happened? How did the struggling, over-burdened re-distribution system amazingly heal itself? Look, before we can make a single step we have to decide whether we can agree that the program is in a failing flux based on current demographic projections rather than seventy-year-old statistics.

I believe that we should improve and modernize our social security system. Workers currently pay into cover to fund the benefits of current retirees. As medical and technological advances have made it possible for people to live so much longer, these people are spending many more years in retirement. When the current Social Security system was started, it took nearly two dozen workers to pay every retiree. Now, in 2005, it takes less than half of that number to cover today's retirees. As a worker, every dollar you pay goes directly into the pocket of another person. By changing the system and allowing workers to elect to invest a portion of their FICA tax in private accounts, they are not only paying a portion to themselves, but also taking advantage of our incredible stock market to build interest and strengthen the system of the future. Additionally, with some form of individual or private accounts if a retiree dies prior to drawing all accumulated funds from the account, then the remaining balance may be passed on to heirs. In the current system if a retiree dies at an early age, the heirs get nothing…..because there is no distinction on what the person contributed over their working lifetime and there was never any accumulation build up of interest.

If we are set on continuing this socialist program, and I am not advocating its abolition, then I believe we need to seriously consider some major changes. I will start by stating that I am in agreement with the development of personal savings accounts. This will provide a system of investment and growth in place of the current system of simply redistribution. Some changes I suggest in the area of dispersing of funds include providing a needs based formula for retirees. While everyone should contribute to the system, only the needy should actually receive funds in their twilight years. The system was devised to provide a safety net for the elderly and disabled with insufficient or no resources to support themselves so that they might survive without the stresses and horrors of poverty. Certainly we need to teach and encourage individual savings among all citizens starting at an early age. Compounding interest over a lifetime provides the capability to grow modest savings into comfortable nest eggs. Parents, grandparents, and relatives should open accounts for children as early as possible. Every gift-giving holiday, birthday or other opportunity should include deposits into savings. These will be much more valuable than toys and time-wasting, anti-social video games.

The one question I see is that we will have to continue to fund the social security benefits of current retirees (in the old system) during the transition process. We have to replace the money going into private accounts rather than directly to retirees; while allowing those who elect to participate in the private accounts. This can be accomplished by raising taxes for all, or simply removing the cap for people earning over $90,000 annually.

The incorporation of individual accounts seems like a positive change for our country, our citizens and the social security system. Unfortunately, very few people ever participate in savings, investments and retirement accounts on their own. By automatically involving citizens in the process they are taught how to save and encouraged to learn about investing and the wonders of compounding interest. In a nation where so many people choose to live at or beyond their budget, just making it from check to check, largely dependent on credit, how can we not see the benefit of teaching the discipline and great benefits of saving and investing.

Certainly the transition phase will be the most challenging time for the implementation of this plan, and that is why such a debate results. Immediate modernization of this system must be undertaken if it is to survive and continue to serve our nation's most needy citizens and actually provide them with some form of true security. The longer we delay addressing the problem, the greater burden it will be to repair.

U.S. Economic Prosperity

What an incredible economic power we have in this country! Even after the dotcom bust, several down years in the stock market combined with the devastating terrorist attacks in our homeland in 2001 followed by the worldwide pursuit of terrorists and the liberation of millions of oppressed people in Afghanistan and Iraq, we still prosper here at home!

Our nation has presented 350 million dollars to the tsunami ravaged shores of Asia and the loving citizens of America have followed their hearts and contributed millions more from their own pockets. Even with the world's highest ever oil prices, we can still provide our citizens some of the cheapest fuel in the world. We are driving no less and purchasing higher-powered, gas consuming vehicles at an incredible rate. We are without doubt a rich population, freely and voluntarily spending billions of dollars on sporting events, lottery tickets, movies, vacation travel, video and computer games, and a large variety of other activities and forms of entertainment.

While fighting a global war on extremist hate our great nation still has the capacity to inflict economic prosperity on her hardworking citizens. Millions of jobs have been created over the past two years, businesses are growing, productivity has increased exponentially, inflation is in check, interest rates have finally begun to rise from the pitiful fractions we've seen in recent years and we finally have an administration that exhibits a sincere desire to repair our failing social security system rather than simply complain about and predict its impending failure as has been the fully acceptable status quo for the past several decades.

We continue to lead the world in economic and technological development. Our nation has successfully branched out to other motivated and growing countries to share our resources, provide jobs and assist in their own economic development.

Rejoice in our continued blessings, work hard to increase productivity, teach your children to not suffer shame for our success, assist your family, volunteer in your community and aid the less fortunate in seeking improvement and prosperity as well. Continue to recognize and share the blessings of good fortune with community and humankind both near and far.

Confused or Simply Forgetful?

Many of the same people complaining that President Bush didn't do enough to prevent the terrorist attacks of September 11th also now chastise him for our nation's pre-emptive strike on Iraq. But are they pretending to be unaware of the treaty signed by Saddam Hussein in 1991? And the numerous resolutions on Iraq initiated by the United Nations, and the twelve years that Saddam Hussein limited, blocked and hampered the efforts of international weapons inspectors? Saddam thwarted the United Nation's efforts to enforce and ensure Iraq's mandated destruction of weapons of mass destruction (illegal chemical and biological weapons), and effectively ignoring the demands and desires of the united international community.

While there has been no proof that any great amount of weapons of mass destruction actually remained in Iraq at the time of our invasion, there is no shortage of sources that were certain we would find them. We all know that he had them, that he used them previously, that he failed to provide documentation of their destruction and that he repeatedly refused to allow weapons inspectors unfettered access to suspect facilities. Now we are finding multiple sources showing that Saddam Hussein had every intention of reconstituting his biological and chemical weapons programs as soon as the heat was off of him. Yes our intelligence was wrong, as was the intelligence of agencies and governments around the globe. Of this embarrassment there is no excuse. The United States should have had the most extensive network in the world providing the most comprehensive data possible.

How about Saddam's chemical attacks on Kurds and Americans? In 1993 Hussein attempted to assassinate one of our US Presidents. For years Saddam paid $10,000 to every Palestinian family that sent a son or daughter to be a suicide bomber and attack innocent civilians; CIVILIAN WOMEN AND CHILDREN going quietly about their lives, heading to the market, work or school. How about the repeated threats against US interests as well as the planned attacks uncovered by Russian intelligence?

What about the secret deals between Saddam and France, Russia and China in which illegal trading in defiance of UN sanctions were conducted for the financial benefit of the French and the detriment of the Iraqi people? And France's under-the-table deal with Hussein that they would veto any additional resolutions or actions against Iraq which were initiated by the United States. Even more disgusting was the involvement of several UN officials in the plot to subvert the oil for food program to illegally get around UN imposed trade restrictions for the benefit of cheap oil and to line their own greedy pockets.

By Saddam's own admissions, repeated threats and years of boldly defying the UN weapons inspectors he too thought he had them. Whether Hussein was actually duped by his scientists, very extremely mistaken in his assertions, or just very successful in his attempts to bluff the world; his failure to comply with treaties, sanctions and numerous resolutions ultimately led to his downfall.

How much longer that those twelve years should we have waited for the UN to act? Saddam Hussein single-handedly proved the irrelevance of the United Nations as an organization incapable or unwilling to enforce the multiple demands and resolutions. Every time Hussein flexed, the United Nations would take another step back effectively giving him even greater leeway. Saddam knew the United Nations was content with words and would perform no enforcing actions.

At one point they complained that the US government did nothing to prevent the 9/11 attacks? Why did they condone preventive action in the aftermath of the World Trade Center attack, but later completely changed your opinion a full 180 degrees? Would they have reacted differently if we had been attacked a second or third time? Did their attitude simply change with the passage of time or was it some particular event that caused them to forget what happened on that early Tuesday morning? What would it take to make them flip-flop again? At what point might they decide that pre-emptive action is the only way to deter terrorism and to ensure a safer country for our kids? We cannot allow uncontrolled emotions to lead us. That is why we so desperately need to continue to follow the strong, steady, principled leadership that President George W. Bush has provided.

We have to face the threat. This is not a war against a particular country or an organized force. These terrorists hide until they find their preferred moment to attack a selected easy target such as innocent civilians or children in a classroom. This hate is an evil weed in the garden of peace. If we ignore it now and fail to strike at the source, the roots will sink deeper and it will continue to grow stronger; spreading further and becoming an even more difficult foe that we will inevitably have to face in the future.

Democrats Exposed!

Continually misunderestimated, our President George W. Bush has done it again! The Republican National Committee is holding its national convention in downtown Liberalville New York City. The Left has repeatedly questioned the wisdom of holding the Republican Convention in such a liberally biased location, yet once again they never failed to follow through with the thought and actually figure out what its all about. The Libs have planned all sorts of massive protests, marches, nude dances, as well as called for entertainment and transportation strikes, service personnel walk-outs, and even gone so far as to actually advocate civil disobedience! Why, they've even coordinated a cadre of attorneys offering pro-bono representation for anyone who will actually go far enough across the line of decency to have themselves arrested.

Wow! Can you just imagine where we might be if all of this inexplicable hate was focused into creative energy and applied to the positive improvement of our nation?? Tell you what...if these hate-mongers could possibly organize themselves, become truly informed of facts, introduce a candidate that excites the people rather than just someone who is "not Bush", then I might actually worry that they would present such a formidable opponent that doom would surely befall our great nation.

Thankful for George W. Bush

I am incredibly glad and indescribably thankful for what President George W. Bush has done for this country. He has restored honor and integrity to the position of Commander-in-Chief, he has continually exhibited his ability to make powerfully important decisions, and he has shown professionalism and considerable personal restraint in refusing to respond to spiteful and often ridiculous personal attacks.

President George W. Bush has spent his time in office working very hard and in the face of incredible challenges that no previous U.S. president has ever had to face. He has been successful even while facing adamant foes and disgustingly blatant partisan opposition. President Bush has shown his power, his conviction, his faith in God and a refreshing respect for the people he serves. The honor he feels emulates through all he says and does, to the people he protects, to the military that he supports and honors. Allies and enemies around the globe are also captivated and affected by his respect for the office he holds and his dedication to protecting our nation and preserving the American way of life.

President George W. Bush makes his decisions without polls, faces opposition without denial, and accepts responsibility for both his actions and his decisions. He has restored honor to his elected office, both in the eyes of the people of the U.S. and of the world. The White House has been restored to a place of national business and a respected landmark. The infestation of personal interests and self-rewarding behavior has been cleansed. The circus tents have been removed from the lawn and the carnival atmosphere of the Clinton administration has been purged from the grounds.

God bless this great nation and our honorable President George Walker Bush!