Category: Opinion

Cultural, political, and philosophical ideas

Opinion

Is the current President creating an illegal immigration crisis?

The president claims that his threats provoked a deal with Mexico to protect our southern border. News reports are saying that the bulk of the deal was done several months ago, and that the final deal was pretty much what Mexico wanted before all the threats. The issue is we want America to be the threatening neighbor that creates problems and then backs down claiming victory? President Obama’s administration reportedly had illegal immigration down to a 40-year low. Illegal immigration is reported to be up massively since Trump has taken office. It is said that smugglers are telling desperate people that they need to cross now before it is too late – leading to the current immigration crisis.

Opinion

What is the situation in Central America?

We have been hearing a lot of news about people from certain countries in Central America wanting to come to the United States. I have recently heard two versions of the reason for a surge of immigration to our border. First that climate change is creating shortages of food and jobs pushing people to migrate to opportunity in the USA. The second is that the New Mexican president welcomed people to transit through his country on the way to the USA with easy visas (according to a possible political rival and member of the previous Mexican government). Because how those who defend our borders and society are treating these immigrants; we need to know what are the real reasons for this recent wave of immigration. I think most Americans would prefer that we help people have decent lives in their own countries; first here in the USA, and down in Central America, instead of cruelty and chaos at the border.

Opinion

Senator Warren has a plan

The 2020 election will have a massive impact on the future of our country and the world. Will we remain a republic, will we fight tyranny, will working people get a fair chance, will we lead the effort to keep the earth human friendly? Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts is a fighter and has some thought provoking plans to lead the USA to a better day. She knows that she cannot do it alone. People power is required for real change – there are no messiahs, and dark money (extra votes for the unidentifiable power elites of various countries) must be eliminated from our politics.

Opinion

Why so much criminal activity in the Trump administration?

The investigators cannot keep up with the pace of criminal activity that swirls around the current president. Some of the activity appears to go back decades, while other activity is quite current. The sheer volume of potential indictments will tax birth federal and numerous state prosecutors to the limit. The future of our republic rests on those who hold officials to account for their actions, and keep our nation’s foundations built on truth and justice for all. We want no collusion with foreign powers in our elections, and no kleptocracy for our government.

Opinion

What will the Trump Tariffs lead to?

Many of us grew up as the children of Great Depression parents who made a point of never wasting anything useful. That generation made a point of consuming as much as possible – if it looked like something you could use you bought it. I was taught that the Great Depression was the result of tariffs and foolish policies on the part of the developed countries of the world. The Smoot-Hawley Tariff etc. made a bad economic situation worse. Too much money in too few hands became a train wreck that almost destroyed capitalism. Now we see a poorly educated, and emotionally imbalanced president using tariff authority like a toy. We are all possibly in jeopardy.

Opinion

Mueller speaks!

We heard today from Robert Mueller. Mr. Mueller has given the country a report that is over 400 pages long, and he has challenged us to do something hard – read it. Today’s news conference by Mueller clarified that he could no indict the president; only the House of Representatives can. Not enough information could be gathered to determine conspiracy with Russia, and that was because obstruction of justice took place. Today was a big day for everyone who believes in truth, decency, and equality under the law.

Opinion

Climate change – anxiety and hope

I believe the issue of human induced climate change continuously hovers in the thoughts of a majority of our society. People may not speak of it, or admit that they think about it, but it is in our minds creating angst. A recent poll cited climate change as a reason that a sizable group of millennials did not want children. Population is a driver in climate change. I think the negative tone of our debate over immigration is driven in part by the idea that their are hordes of people looking to come to the USA and Western Europe to escape drought, and violence. There is no doubt that a looming and existential threat is growing.

I believe that there is hope in technology linked to our free markets creating viable solutions that do not include massive wars and die offs. Leadership (selected by an aware citizenry) will make the difference in whether or not we are heading into a long night, or a bright new day.

Opinion

Who wants a war with Iran?

Americans are receiving notification that Iran is seeking to escalate tension with the United States, and that the administration will not tolerate it. Navy ships and Air Force bombers are being used to send a message to the Iranians. It is good to show strength to prevent a war. It is bad when the President of the United States tells allies that Iran is looking for war and they don’t believe him. Let’s hope that facts triumph over lies before any citizen or military personnel are sent into harms way.