As I wrote last night, it looks like this is going to be one heck of a week. Tomorrow afternoon at 1:00, the House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the U.S. Capitol will hold its last public hearing. It is expected to vote on whether to refer former president Trump to the Department of Justice for criminal charges. Then, on Wednesday, it is scheduled to release its report, which is said to be around 1000 pages.
The insanity of Republican opposition to accepting immigrants blows my mind. Here are some facts:
There is a huge worker shortage across many sectors of employment. This from the US Chamber of Commerce:
"We hear every day from our member companies—of every size and industry, across nearly every state—they're facing unprecedented challenges trying to find enough workers to fill open jobs. Right now, the latest data shows that we have over 10 million job openings in the U.S.—but only around 6 million unemployed workers."
"The transportation, health care and social assistance, and accommodation and food sectors have had the highest numbers of job openings."
OK, all together now, does anyone see a sensible solution to a crisis in worker shortages? Do I hear a roar of "DUH". Hundreds of thousands of people are banging on our doors to enter this country. They are escaping the impacts of climate change (can't grow food) and violence in countries run by mobsters.
They want to work hard, pay taxes and raise their families in safety. I say give them a big hug and a job. BTW, every study I have ever read suggests that immigrants work harder than native born Americans and they commit less crime. Why do you think that is? DUH. Because they are so grateful to be here. They value the opportunity. We need workers and we turn them away when they ask for a job. One more time so Rethuglican bigots can here us: DUH!
But you have to hand it to the gop, they have crafted a perfect scheme: Fearmonger about the “invasion of the Others”. Hype the numbers by supporting a law that allows and encourages multiple border crossing attempts. Claim falsely that eliminating the law and funding orderly processing of immigrants will creat MORE successful crossing attempts. Push to have the weak law made permanent to insure the inflated numbers increase. Control the immigration narrative by pressuring MSM to “not ignore the crisis”. Rinse. Repeat. Win elections.
YES! Yes, yes, yes to everything you have said here! I just don't understand why there is such resistance to immigration (other than the relatively baseless fears of >replacement theory< and losing their >superior< position in this white patriarchic society). Sigh.
Where do immigrants end up? Do they end up in red state's counties as farm labor, but voting blue? Or do they end up in blue state's city/counties as entry level service industry workers, construction labor, factory workers that vote blue? Either way, R’s do not win. Fearing a loss of their majority, the GOP links up with fascists. I think this is where we are now.
Down the road I mean, their kids, and once they become citizens. That’s the rub. Keep the mirage of an ‘immigrant crisis’, maintain uncertainty for dreamers and all immigrants in general. Obstruct all immigration policies. This way, it slows down and or ceases the pathway to citizen ship, thus less threat to R power. Get it?
Ditto on your "yes, yes, yes" to Bill's post. Not only do immigrants work harder than native born Americans, they also have higher rates of entrepreneurship.
You can bet that if the immigrants were coming from, say, Switzerland, immigration wouldn't be an issue for Rethuglican bigots.
The insanity and inhumanity of inaction, indifference, and obstruction in place of debate, compromise, and clear policy. I’d like to correct Stephen (baby Goebells) Miller, the real factors decaying our democracy into Oligarchy. Libertarian billionaire Robert Mercer signs his checks, not the American people.
I'd love to hear from HCR readers who live close to our southern border - San Diego, Nogales, El Paso, Matamoros, etc. Are there big logistical problems causing feelings of being invaded, are local border town jobs being taken by immigrants, local taxes paying for increased welfare and sheriff budgets in response?
This morning's conversation with a neighbor whose daughter designs space-going rockets. She gloated that private industry is doing it (rocket science) all so much better and spouted that government should stay a fast away as possible from that Industry. She then went on to brag about her daughter's latest contract job which was a multibillion dollar defense contract.
To what end to Republicsns want to stop government from working? To the specific end of making it work great for themselves while avoiding taxes to cover program addressing g marginalized peoples needs.
If you give the ultra wealthy a series of massive tax breaks, sideline anti-trust and write laws that foster and protect corporate interests over the common weal, wealth becomes a form of governance in itself.
If money was poring into NASA at anything remotely close to the rate it pours into mega-corps, you would expect to be seeing more ambitious projects. Considering the overall state of technology in the 1970's, the successful moon missions were a triumph. But that was before "Reagan Revolution" tax cuts (mostly for the rich) and budget cuts. It's doublethink to believe that Republicans "hate government"; that's just a ruse. They really want exclusive control over government, and ham fisted control over everyone else, as in overturning Roe or "Don't Say Gay". Reagan pretended to hate government but what he really blasted was democracy, codes of conduct for business, and spending money on the common good.
Reagan getting elected was a sad day for America. The ordinary middle class person has been losing ground ever since. Voodoo economics that Republicans are such fans of is not logical, plus it's just a damn lie. Most things Republicans say are damn lies in pursuit of power for themselves. Their platform is greed.
"Voodoo economics that Republicans are such fans of is not logical, plus it's just a damn lie."
Yep, Voodoo economics. The funny thing is that Bush Sr. (a senior repub.) is the person who told Americans that Reagan's economic plan was "Voodoo economics." It was the best thing Bush Sr. did for Americans. That was the summer of 1980. Then, Reagan chose Bush Sr. as his VP running mate, and Bush spoke no more of Voodoo economics because he himself became part of it. Junk bonds, corporate hostile takeovers, anti-union hostilities, looting of the Social Security Fund, selling missiles to Iran to get the hostages back, starting wars in Central American, et al. And the beat goes on....
Alas, Kathy, this has been the Ghastly Oligarch Party's theme song for decades now: obstruct the proper functioning of government in order to spread chaos in order to get more Rethuglicans elected and forward the fascist agenda. Sowing fear, as we all know, is a great strategy if autocracy is the goal.
The "events" will continue dramatically through the end of the year (J6 Select Committee final Hearing;Today at 11 am AM Eastern) & into 2023. There is a real possibility that the Special Prosecutor will indict tf'g upon his return to the Country. JACK SMITH: "The pace of the investigations will not pause or flag or under my watch",
Where is TFG? Is he out of country? That’s interesting. Considering he stole classified docs, has a jet and a fresh million cash from digital clown cards, a private jet…seems like a flight risk to me. Maybe he is just working on a new Mara Largo, Venezuela.
Neither does TFG. For legal analysis read Joyce Vance’s Substack today. Former US Attorney lays out the 3 biggest expected criminal referrals to be announced this week.
Me too & YES ... another Professor. I am Interested in Professor Vance`s analyses after the J6 Select Company publishes their voluminous evidence this Week.
"to what end, I cannot say." I can! The party of minimalist government, the minority party, has everything to gain and nothing to lose by sabotaging our government. The American people, in general, at least enough of them, are dumb enough to see such skullduggery and blame the current administration.
that's the question I keep asking myself. Power - retaining power. But how do you use power if there is no government? that's anarchy. They may want to look at history - power in the hands of a few never ends well - the 'peasants' always revolt.
Kathy, far too many Republican Americans hate and fear immigrants, a reflection of the awful divide we have lived with ever since Reagan. It's all part of white supremacy and truly ugly anti-semitism, bigotry and systemic racism that has plagued our country for three centuries.
We may be the best of the worst, but many of my friends are moving elsewhere, like Portugal.
Their purpose is obvious: a democracy is a government of, by, and for PEOPLE. They want a government by, for, and of the elite, the privileged, and white male.
They hate government, and can't stand the idea that it would use regulation to protect the people (especially workers and minorities) from corporations, to protect the environment from the depredations of corporations, to enforce equality, and to provide services to ALL the people. They tolerate government only insofar as it protects corporations from regulation, pays corporations through rebates on taxes corporations have never paid, and suppresses the will of the people.
And all of the above, replacing "corporations" with "the wealthy," as well.
Aside from that, they believe the only legitimate function of the government is national defense, which primarily involves keeping wrong-colored* people out of the country and fighting wars that protect the interests of capitalists.
In other words, to Republicans, proper government is not the servant of the people, it's the handmaiden of the wealthy.
The fascists want to put most tax revenue into maintaining and growing the world's biggest military force. This is often left out of the conversation when it is the most important thing that needs to be looked at very closely. In fact, most Americans actually have no idea of how gargantuan the US military is. Our arsenal could blow the planet to smithereens, yet the military is given the lion's share of the budget while Americans can't afford health care or a university education. We kill people all over the world, every day, yet no one reports it in the media.
I'm just about asleep after a 'bug' did a number on me the last couple of days... but I do have one thing to say. My husband and I watched the Pelosi documentary this evening (which I highly recommend to everyone) and to read this, and watch the insanity going on around TFG and all the other minions from the extreme corners of our country (I mean, Lauren Bobert, really?!) I am so exhausted and disgusted that we are still dealing with such horrible people and ridiculous situations as we are. When will the rodents just die?
What an incredible waste of an incredible country with so many blessings and resources!
I'm sorry you're under the weather and your bad mood is totally understandable, however, I on the other hand am sizzling with glee--I've waited for the 1/6 committee to make a referral, let alone THREE, for a very long time! I did not expect the abetting an insurrection one since it's tricky to prove beyond reasonable doubt and glean a unanimous verdict from a jury, but the IDEA that a former president of the US is basically being accused of treason is too much to digest. After all I've had to witness this moronic jackass clown get away with until now, this has managed to make me whole again. Imagine my exultation if he gets indicted and sentenced (my prayers are powerful)...y'all have to sedate me....GOOD WEEK TO ALL!
You are so right! I guess I am too frayed and a bit cynical that anything will actually happen to him. So slippery! But I'll hang onto my belief that all will be right in the end'! I think the trading cards pushed me to the edge. And after rewatching the nightmare of January 6 knowing how many sick people did and (shockingly) still do believe in him and applaud his shenanigans absolutely terrifies me! Prayers said and digits crossed!
Sophia, I love “sizzling with glee”! That describes me. I’m up and ready for the the committee to begin! I’ve waited for this day since November 8th 2016. The NFT cards helped with my mood quite a bit. The grifting was just as obnoxiously hilarious as any other of his schemes. Trump Steaks being my personal favorite. They’re just so tawdry, and Republicans are cringing at TFG, finally. Like the golden TFG statue used at CPAC functions, wasn’t quite up to the obnoxiousness he is accustomed to.
I’m wishing you all a good health and happiness as we enter the season of holidays my friends here on Letters From an American. Heather has brought us together here for such enlightenment and soothing our fears even when we thought we’d lost it all, we’re here for another day. My prayers for those suffering the loss of loved ones and mourn those we’ve lost this past year. Bless you All.
Yes Karen, human connection is a balm and this newsletter has its own unique healing properties (though at times it sends me crouching in the corner, terrified).
Even if nothing more happens with the committee, history has been made. I actually wrote Merrick Garland a letter urging him to keep his promises and remind him that there is a reason we have a law against Rebellion and Insurrection. In my own little fantasyland I feel as if he listened....
There is a component to the insurrection piece that I am curious about. It does not say that the person needs to be tried and found guilty; it just says that he needs to support and give aid and comfort. I suspect there is enough testimony from all these folks that have been tried and convicted that tfg (or, as BSM writes it tf'g) that they did find support, aid, and comfort along with encouragement from him.
This is cut and dried. It went beyond "encouragement" when he ordered the Secret Service to remove the metal detectors so that the mob could reach the Capitol armed....
In a perfect world... we're about to witness an elaborate ballet of many acts and artists... you're familiar with the expression 'slight of hands'? Get ready for the 'slight of feet'!
It seemed to me that Joyce Vance lays out the charges pretty neatly. Although I could not find a direct answer to your question. But perhaps it might be of interest if you haven't already looked at it.
True but we have to put up with this garbage from them for 2 years which is depressing in and of itself.I hope that some of them will be indicted/ removed from Congress for their smarmy roles in this treason.
My state is so deeply-red, there wasn't an option on my November ballot for anyone but a single Republican in every slot, but two. Of course I left all boxes empty.
Incredible! In every slot! That simply couldn't happen here (Australia) - the voters wouldn't allow it. They'd march in the streets as soon as word got out. If we don't vote, we get fined, but everyone wants to vote. There's early voting, postal voting, and the actual election day is a Saturday.
Can that process be challenged by the Sec'y of State or a lawsuit against the state? Try getting in touch w/ Marc Elias of Democracy Docket. He's a pro-democracy advocate.
It sounds like no Democrat challenged the Republican candidate in all those races. I wonder what needs to happen to persuade Democrats that there's a point in running for office in your state. May we ask what state you live in?
Anne-Louise, voting in Australia is how decent people would set up voting to operate honestly and effectively. Thug minorities (wealthy people) since the founding fathers have sabotaged voting by things like the electoral college.
The electoral college was a paternalistic construct back in the olden days when it was so insultingly introduced. Why it wasn't abolished in the 20th century is more than I can fathom. It's completely anachronistic.
It was, and still is, a power play. It was meant to cajole the wealthy planters into voting for the Constitution. I doubt the founders thought the Constitution in its original form would be considered as "sacred" as it is today. Then there's the bs "originalist" supreme court. But that's another story for another day.
It was, until Trump removed the GOPs genteel veneer. Now it's an race to reduce risks to democracy by Democrats and a race to subvert democracy by the Republicans. Lately, the Dems have been winning. Hopefully this trend will continue, and that's more likely because of the work being done by people like HCR
Trump trashed any pretense of "GOP" decency, but the veneer had been slipping for quite a while. Nixon, Reagan, Gingrich, and Bush II among others. Birthers were a racist dog whistle if I ever heard one. Then Trump grabbed the bullhorn.
Obama's election tore the scab off the badly healed wound of racism and has now let the pus flow. Until we can acknowledge the human costs of the foundation of this country (enslaving one race for economic gain and the genocide of the Indigenous Population) and come to terms with those horrors, we will never be what we're supposed to be, according to the Declaration and the Constitution. The third leg of that human cost is what has been done to women, world wide, in the name of male dominance.
Everything is in bad faith with these folks. It's almost like they don't want government to function and they only care about manufacturing outrage. Thank you for the concise and clear reporting Professor. It's nice to have some adults in charge in the Biden administration as well as Congress that are still trying to actually ensure our country runs effectively.
Exactly. They want to hog tie the federal government, allowing business free rein, and allowing authority on social issues to rest with the states. The only function of the federal government, from a Republican perspective, is the military and its responsibility to protect and encroach on any other country that doesn't shape up in the way they want them to.
... and use the power of government to protect and advance the agenda of corporations. There are tons of laws out there, but how many are of, by and for the public, and how many are really not?
They dream of disabling the government and forcing a rewrite of our Constitution. In the new version , many rights are eliminated as well as most regulations on business. Social programs will vanish and we will live under an authoritarian plutocracy. I never thought I would see the day where one party works at undermining everything our great nation held dear for over 200 years. This is serious, because our own government seems poorly equipped to defend itself from domestic threats, so far.
Jack A. Roe, In reality, only some of the forefathers held dear the values you and we “hold dear”. The others were busy angling the constitution to favor disenfranchising a whole bunch of people to favor their tight hold on business. And this argument has been going on ever since. As Shakespeare said: “Same Play, Different Actors”.
True. Much effort went into protecting property and wealth and the bill of rights was only grudgingly supported by some. The senate and electoral college enshrine minority power over the majority. Imperfect democracy? Yes.
You nailed it, Philly T! Their plan is manufacturing outrage, so government won't work because a government that works for ordinary people curtails the excesses and crimes if the rich.
It is all they have. Anger and hatred. These people are so amped up on cortisol, adrenaline, and norepinephrine that they only know how to react to their amygdala churning out the "fight or flight" cocktail.
“...getting ready to recommend Criminal Charges to the highly partisan, political, and Corrupt ‘Justice’ Department for the ‘PEACEFULLY & PATRIOTICLY’ speech I made on January 6th.”
Maybe the Justice Department could consider indicting him for murdering the English Language.
Trump's statement is tantamount to klieg lights illuminating his madness and glaring unfitness for any office. He sounds like a barely functioning adult. Or child.
When he’s arrested the gun fight starts. I think mass shootings are them pining for their damn civil war ... and how will that look? How will the military defend us against ourselves?
We are in for uncharted waters. But if history is any guide, Ford’s pardoning of Nixon because “he already suffered enough and the Nation wants to move on” was simply a starting gun for the new awareness of how bold corruption can be and gotten away with it. I pray there are criminal charges recommended, and pursued successfully by DOJ. The far-right has treated civil war as if they will suffer no consequences. I believe some will initially protest and entrench their support for the Cheeto. But by the DOJ actually proving “No One is above the Law.” It may go a long way to stabilize the Ship of State. Let people protest. But violence will not be tolerated on any side.
How easily the Congress Critters, and others, forget that many of their ancestors were allowed to emigrate with no quotas and no requirements other than being free of serious contagious disease. Now quotas for some immigrant groups means that non-asylum immigration (getting a green card) can take more than 20 years.
With others, they realize the inequities, but respond “I got mine, f*** you!” A good example is TFG, who attacked family migration AFTER his wife used the rules to get her parents green cards.
Yes. Everyone except those members of First Nations, are immigrants or descended from immigrants. And even First Nation peoples came from somewhere else.
Yep, albeit 10’s of thousands of years ago. Interesting to study the current thinking of humankind’s migrations in populating this planet. Heck, I’m a third generation Californian and still feel I am a newcomer!
IMHO, this is just the tip of the iceberg….migration-wise. This will be more of a world-wide phenomenon than it already is as we unfurl the future and the climate impacts on those who try to migrate from “less habitable” places to perceived “more habitable” places (and all the governmental/societal/economic implications). I will likely be long gone before it all hits the fan, but I hope (and hopefully not in vain) that reason, science and compassion rule…yeah, OK, I know, Pollyanna….but still I hope…..
Lauren Boebert (R-CO) tweeted today: “With Title 42 ending, our nation is going to be overrun with illegals worse than at just about any other point in history.
Except when it's been overrun by ignorant, S-for a-brains Republicans.
It was overrun a long time ago by all sorts of Europeans who treated it as an empty continent or a a large workhouse to send undesirables. It is clear that gunslinger Barbie knows nothing about our history or the history of immigration which has been always about keeping others out..no Irish need apply, etc.
In it's self, lack of a college degree is not a measure of knowledge. Same is true of just having a GRD or high school degree. I would put Lincoln or Truman's knowledge up against most folks. I believe 10 presidents did not have a college degree.
I have posted here before that my grandmother, born in So Cal in 1898, had only a high school education, but was one of the most informed and well read persons I knew [as an aside, I was perusing her bookshelf…maybe in the 70’s and came across a book “The Well of Loneliness” by Radcliffe Hall and picked it up…um, wow, was THAT and education and opened my perception in a good way]. I could always find forward thinking stuff on her bookshelf & in conversation. She was, in her later years, well traveled—loved traveling by ship especially. She came home from one trip and exclaimed “I think I found a man I could fall in love with!”…..um, but no, because he was a Priest!!!!—a meeting of the minds instead. I’m grateful for any occasion to think of and bring her foremost in my mind….like a wonderful visit from someone long gone, but never forgotten. Jeez…where’s the Kleenex….
That's the coolest thing ever. I came out to my grandmother before I told anyone else in my family (the first time I came out, as a lesbian). She was very happy for me, writing such gems as "and you will never have to change your last name and become a Nobody" and "be careful telling your folks. They are *very* traditional".
But she did not a have a copy of "The Well of Loneliness" on her bookshelf. Still, I suspect my grandmother and yours would have gotten along well.
Born in 1898, she was of another era; she remembers Santa Monica beach when it was just sand dunes & “old” Los Angeles & riding in horse-drawn buckboards…. She was very open minded & always curious about people and their stories… She had several bi-racial great grandchildren & her response was “I always wanted to be a member of the United Nations!”. She left her husband (once it was discovered he was a pedofile) in late 50’s or early 60’s, something unheard to do at the time, tho’ they never divorced; he passed a few years later. Eventually she met a man and they were together for decades…she would not marry him, nor live with him tho’—-when they started traveling together he asked “what will your family think?”…her reply was “I don’t care, it’s my life”. Of course we were all “go Grandma!!!!”. When during her final months in her 99th year, the folks at the nursing home she’d recently been admitted to asked us “who is the old gentleman who comes and visits her several times a week?”…..our reply was “that’s her boyfriend”. She was one of a kind and I have such great memories of her. I, too, suspect your and my grandma would have gotten along well!!! Thanks for your post.
It's not so much the level of education that a person achieves as the ability to benefit from being open-minded to new knowledge. The Boeberts of the world seem to content to luxuriate in their ignorance and closed-mindedness.
We've got one like that! a tough ageing redhead, Queenslander (our Far North is like your underpopulated States), about as far right as you could throw her. Came to politics from her smalltown fish-and-chip shop. I recall when she was first elected, there was an article in Le Monde, with photo. Only comment from a reader: "Good legs."
The Republican stance is their standard anti-immigrant redirect. Corporate media will dutifully report it. It really is a replay of the anti-Jewish agitation of The Nazi rise of the early 1930s.
I fear that about 2 million Dreamers, who have spent almost their entire lives in America, have gone to school and worked here,have been fully vetted, and a number of whom have served in the Armed Forces, will again be thrown under the bus. With a Republican House in January, they will only be able to lament that MLK Jr.’s I HAVE A DREAM most probably will not be theirs.
I’m recalling from my Houston days stories that emerged revealing just how many Dreamers were on staff at the mighty Medical Center Complex, internationally known for its care. When I lived there, until this year, all but one of my physicians were born elsewhere, had names I could barely pronounce, spoke with accents, and delivered the best healthcare I could imagine. The Medical Center would be crippled without these doctors, nurses, assistants and practitioners.
Barbara Dreamers pay taxes, serve in our military, staff our medical facilities, …..and much more. They have lived in America almost their entire lives, and they have been vetted in a screening process that many of their native born compatriots couldn’t pass.
And these fine human beings are a perpetual Republican football.
Maybe well intentioned Dems are trying to do too much too fast on immigration? Example, a Bill to allow citizenship to Dreamers who served in the military and just the dreamer him/herself. HARD to oppose that. Of course, once citizens, Dreamers can start working to get family members citizenship via other laws. Then maybe dreamers with advanced degrees designated as 'areas of need' (Immigration has a list of 'needs' that get priority for naturalization) for the country like medicine, engineering etc. Eventually ya whittle down the numbers of Dreamers to a less imposing topic.
100 Panthers Over more than a decade, Democrats and Republicans have carefully vetted Dreamers. This has already ‘whittled down’Given the history and the vetting of Dreamers, which already has ‘whittled down’ the gross number of ‘qualified’ Dreamers.
I wonder, in a country created by immigrants and that is dependent on a continuing inflow of immigrants of varying talents, why these educated, engaged Dreamers aren’t precisely the type of ‘immigrant’ our country needs.
Would you prefer to send many of the Dreamers back to a homeland that they have never known?
Gop cannot keep the Dreamers AND a sure-fire fearmongering political issue. They will always choose the issue over the people. This is the same with their gun stance vs #one cause of child deaths. The same with their “tough-on-crime” stance vs our egregious incarceration numbers. There are so many good solutions to our problems, but too often it would mean eliminating a sure-fire political outrage issue.
MLR Spot on. Remember, the Republican Party was founded with the remnants of the American [Know Nothing] Party in the late 1840s. It briefly garnered some gubernatorial seats as well as seats in Congress with its virulent anti-immigration policies.
If all first-or-second-generation immigrants in Congress were obliged to vote for the Dreamers, they would be citizens tomorrow.
Thank you Heather for posting this important information and perspective on the present. What chaos the chaos masters at the GOP are generating----the democrats need to get a message machine going---as usual the wing nuts are getting out a concise message........ On the other hand, the Jan 6 Committee brings more truth to the table, accountability, and opens the way forward (perhaps) to begin the remove the cancerous growths from the body politic. Much screaming will ensue. Rest well. As you say, "one heck of a week."
Judging from tonight's post, Heather, you must be feeling better because you're back in fine form. Please continue to take care of yourself not only for your own sake but for all of us who rely on your knowledge and your wisdom.
Yes, this week is going to be filled with all kinds of great happenings in Washington DC. I can’t wait to hear the list tomorrow afternoon of those being referred to the Justice Department for criminal charges. I wish the January 6 Committee had the authority to bring the charges themselves. It seems they have accomplished more than M. Garland has in their investigation.
As for Title 42 ending Wednesday. Fantastic! It’s about time. Maybe the border department will get off their duffs and get these people processed so they can start their lives in their new country.
It amazes me the amount of people that are complaining about the immigrants entering this country. There’s a few things we all need to remember.
First. This country was built by immigrants. Immigrants founded it. Immigrants built it. Immigrants made it. All of us have ancestry that are from other countries that came to America to start a new life for their family. My ancestors came from France and England.
Second. There’s a tremendous amount of work in this country that American people will not do. It’s beneath them to do this work. It’s hard labor. It’s hard work, and it’s not really as financially rewarding as a cushy office job, or something like that. One job in particular is on the farms. The ‘grunt’ work. The ‘dirty’ work. Getting on your knees pulling weeds, or grabbing a hoe and spending all day in the hot sun weeding around the produce plants, or picking the produce.
I have yet to meet one person in this country that doesn’t eat. People need to remember that this country has some of the strictest safety rules on our farmers for producing these crops, raising our animals humanely so the meat and vegetables can end up on our plates for us to eat. Something else, for those that will say the farmers are making a fortune because they are paying such high prices in the grocery stores for their vegetables and meat. In 2021, the farmers made an average of $0.03 of every dollar spent by the consumers on food products. $0.03!!! Plus, you have no idea of the cost to the farmers to produce this food all within the standards of the federal government. I live by one statement here:
“Don’t cuss the farmer with your mouth full!”
That’s my rant for the day. Everybody enjoy the release from the January 6 Committee. I know I will!
Garland and DOJ, instead of doing their homework, have been waiting for Jan. 6th Committee to issue the Spark Notes. I am hoping that Jack Smith is an avid reader.
I wish more Americans would see how intent Republicans are on making sure the government does not work - to what end, I cannot say.
I wish we could make a trade: take in the asylum seekers and export the Boebert types.
The insanity of Republican opposition to accepting immigrants blows my mind. Here are some facts:
There is a huge worker shortage across many sectors of employment. This from the US Chamber of Commerce:
"We hear every day from our member companies—of every size and industry, across nearly every state—they're facing unprecedented challenges trying to find enough workers to fill open jobs. Right now, the latest data shows that we have over 10 million job openings in the U.S.—but only around 6 million unemployed workers."
"The transportation, health care and social assistance, and accommodation and food sectors have had the highest numbers of job openings."
OK, all together now, does anyone see a sensible solution to a crisis in worker shortages? Do I hear a roar of "DUH". Hundreds of thousands of people are banging on our doors to enter this country. They are escaping the impacts of climate change (can't grow food) and violence in countries run by mobsters.
They want to work hard, pay taxes and raise their families in safety. I say give them a big hug and a job. BTW, every study I have ever read suggests that immigrants work harder than native born Americans and they commit less crime. Why do you think that is? DUH. Because they are so grateful to be here. They value the opportunity. We need workers and we turn them away when they ask for a job. One more time so Rethuglican bigots can here us: DUH!
https://www.uschamber.com/workforce/understanding-americas-labor-shortage-the-most-impacted-industries
But you have to hand it to the gop, they have crafted a perfect scheme: Fearmonger about the “invasion of the Others”. Hype the numbers by supporting a law that allows and encourages multiple border crossing attempts. Claim falsely that eliminating the law and funding orderly processing of immigrants will creat MORE successful crossing attempts. Push to have the weak law made permanent to insure the inflated numbers increase. Control the immigration narrative by pressuring MSM to “not ignore the crisis”. Rinse. Repeat. Win elections.
Fictional narratives always travel faster than policy. When it’s better to be first and wrong, than second and right, policy will always be
trying to catch up. We have a nefarious minority mucking everything up. We need to move the Statue of Liberty to the southern border.
😥 Pretty much.
YES! Yes, yes, yes to everything you have said here! I just don't understand why there is such resistance to immigration (other than the relatively baseless fears of >replacement theory< and losing their >superior< position in this white patriarchic society). Sigh.
Where do immigrants end up? Do they end up in red state's counties as farm labor, but voting blue? Or do they end up in blue state's city/counties as entry level service industry workers, construction labor, factory workers that vote blue? Either way, R’s do not win. Fearing a loss of their majority, the GOP links up with fascists. I think this is where we are now.
Except that immigrants don't vote, only citizens have that right.
Down the road I mean, their kids, and once they become citizens. That’s the rub. Keep the mirage of an ‘immigrant crisis’, maintain uncertainty for dreamers and all immigrants in general. Obstruct all immigration policies. This way, it slows down and or ceases the pathway to citizen ship, thus less threat to R power. Get it?
They've been sold a script and are not going to put it aside.
Ditto on your "yes, yes, yes" to Bill's post. Not only do immigrants work harder than native born Americans, they also have higher rates of entrepreneurship.
You can bet that if the immigrants were coming from, say, Switzerland, immigration wouldn't be an issue for Rethuglican bigots.
The insanity and inhumanity of inaction, indifference, and obstruction in place of debate, compromise, and clear policy. I’d like to correct Stephen (baby Goebells) Miller, the real factors decaying our democracy into Oligarchy. Libertarian billionaire Robert Mercer signs his checks, not the American people.
Sometimes the Canadians are way ahead of us. And not just on the ice. Check out this article (no paywall)
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/17/world/canada/quebec-immigrants-xenophobia.html?unlocked_article_code=SKVRNcX8DXHtPF_ucL-CmWWTr-Xezb4hVo8_VO4VDM88U73-uey6U113iFB7RHhUVCcgKCpiCPGG2c1zVmDXfXwv6p8XaYPF-3XYisX7xtQWlhgax7NTi2GJRMgXy2wuRepqbtZHw0q2Tc4mw5_OgGlvwtExV6eRx9mmfiP8yA24ZKwzFtkVf4JcTjdP7AYesTPgDS0Kj07MSk5TECXQ2t-yY_XBJ2KQo1uAb0Mbe52dh5oruIK9bj3bPLJkR0DJk4XCnjFbOpUh3k-PLBCtDa_MEsr6egPnjl_0NlYJPmO_aMtUkFIp6wv2TXRRyP0bwkB1Y9dtfwvuZMF12zUIA-Gr40QhNY2mIRcb&smid=share-url
I'd love to hear from HCR readers who live close to our southern border - San Diego, Nogales, El Paso, Matamoros, etc. Are there big logistical problems causing feelings of being invaded, are local border town jobs being taken by immigrants, local taxes paying for increased welfare and sheriff budgets in response?
Duh, and thanks for that link. great info.
Word!
Excellent thought! I agree...but can't think who else would want even one Boebert, let alone an entire posse of them.
Seems like she is qualified to carry Putin’s water all day, all night, uphill, and barefoot through the snow.
barefoot
Edited with the edit button! Thanks MP
Now that's a thought. Thanks, Ted!
I'm OK with replacing Boebert & company with Dreamers. The latter sure understand better what America is about than the former.
A vignette to illustrate:
This morning's conversation with a neighbor whose daughter designs space-going rockets. She gloated that private industry is doing it (rocket science) all so much better and spouted that government should stay a fast away as possible from that Industry. She then went on to brag about her daughter's latest contract job which was a multibillion dollar defense contract.
To what end to Republicsns want to stop government from working? To the specific end of making it work great for themselves while avoiding taxes to cover program addressing g marginalized peoples needs.
Great example, just wait til egomaniac and narcissistic bastard Musk trashes SpaceX like he had Twitter.
If you give the ultra wealthy a series of massive tax breaks, sideline anti-trust and write laws that foster and protect corporate interests over the common weal, wealth becomes a form of governance in itself.
If money was poring into NASA at anything remotely close to the rate it pours into mega-corps, you would expect to be seeing more ambitious projects. Considering the overall state of technology in the 1970's, the successful moon missions were a triumph. But that was before "Reagan Revolution" tax cuts (mostly for the rich) and budget cuts. It's doublethink to believe that Republicans "hate government"; that's just a ruse. They really want exclusive control over government, and ham fisted control over everyone else, as in overturning Roe or "Don't Say Gay". Reagan pretended to hate government but what he really blasted was democracy, codes of conduct for business, and spending money on the common good.
Boy, have to say that's it in a nutshell! Wow!
Male, white, "christian" corporatocracy. Yup.
Well said, JL!
Reagan getting elected was a sad day for America. The ordinary middle class person has been losing ground ever since. Voodoo economics that Republicans are such fans of is not logical, plus it's just a damn lie. Most things Republicans say are damn lies in pursuit of power for themselves. Their platform is greed.
Yet, when a storm hits, they are FIRST in line with their hands out for anything at all that our government can provide.
Can you spare a Bonus for a Bankrupted Banker?
"Small government" in Geopese means plenty of benies and control for ME, and none for you.
"Voodoo economics that Republicans are such fans of is not logical, plus it's just a damn lie."
Yep, Voodoo economics. The funny thing is that Bush Sr. (a senior repub.) is the person who told Americans that Reagan's economic plan was "Voodoo economics." It was the best thing Bush Sr. did for Americans. That was the summer of 1980. Then, Reagan chose Bush Sr. as his VP running mate, and Bush spoke no more of Voodoo economics because he himself became part of it. Junk bonds, corporate hostile takeovers, anti-union hostilities, looting of the Social Security Fund, selling missiles to Iran to get the hostages back, starting wars in Central American, et al. And the beat goes on....
Greed, hate, fear, and hubris; the "four horsemen" of Geopee.
Power with someone to blame for the mess. Then the rich rule with no accountability
Government of the people, by the people, for the people..." What if that was the law?
Alas, Kathy, this has been the Ghastly Oligarch Party's theme song for decades now: obstruct the proper functioning of government in order to spread chaos in order to get more Rethuglicans elected and forward the fascist agenda. Sowing fear, as we all know, is a great strategy if autocracy is the goal.
It IS their goal.
I wish all these events were not happening in one week......right before Christmas.
The "events" will continue dramatically through the end of the year (J6 Select Committee final Hearing;Today at 11 am AM Eastern) & into 2023. There is a real possibility that the Special Prosecutor will indict tf'g upon his return to the Country. JACK SMITH: "The pace of the investigations will not pause or flag or under my watch",
Where is TFG? Is he out of country? That’s interesting. Considering he stole classified docs, has a jet and a fresh million cash from digital clown cards, a private jet…seems like a flight risk to me. Maybe he is just working on a new Mara Largo, Venezuela.
Yup, Jack is near full recovery after an encounter of a bike and a scooter in The Hague; Jack was on the bicycle. All better.
Dang it! I was hoping…
Neither does TFG. For legal analysis read Joyce Vance’s Substack today. Former US Attorney lays out the 3 biggest expected criminal referrals to be announced this week.
Me too & YES ... another Professor. I am Interested in Professor Vance`s analyses after the J6 Select Company publishes their voluminous evidence this Week.
Here's the link to Joyce Vance Substack for those who need a quick link to save for later...
https://joycevance.substack.com/p/the-week-ahead-163
To let corporations do what they eant to workers, and to the earth. Simple.
"to what end, I cannot say." I can! The party of minimalist government, the minority party, has everything to gain and nothing to lose by sabotaging our government. The American people, in general, at least enough of them, are dumb enough to see such skullduggery and blame the current administration.
that's the question I keep asking myself. Power - retaining power. But how do you use power if there is no government? that's anarchy. They may want to look at history - power in the hands of a few never ends well - the 'peasants' always revolt.
To keep their jobs while doing nothing but making partisanship worse.
Kathy, far too many Republican Americans hate and fear immigrants, a reflection of the awful divide we have lived with ever since Reagan. It's all part of white supremacy and truly ugly anti-semitism, bigotry and systemic racism that has plagued our country for three centuries.
We may be the best of the worst, but many of my friends are moving elsewhere, like Portugal.
Keep the faith!
Hate and fear are GOP tools to preserve power.
Their purpose is obvious: a democracy is a government of, by, and for PEOPLE. They want a government by, for, and of the elite, the privileged, and white male.
100%
The GOP actively wants chaos at the border. This is a red meat issue for them, and if they can make things worse it just feeds the outrage machine.
And it protects their power when it delays and denies them their path to citizenship.
For the chaos
They hate government, and can't stand the idea that it would use regulation to protect the people (especially workers and minorities) from corporations, to protect the environment from the depredations of corporations, to enforce equality, and to provide services to ALL the people. They tolerate government only insofar as it protects corporations from regulation, pays corporations through rebates on taxes corporations have never paid, and suppresses the will of the people.
And all of the above, replacing "corporations" with "the wealthy," as well.
Aside from that, they believe the only legitimate function of the government is national defense, which primarily involves keeping wrong-colored* people out of the country and fighting wars that protect the interests of capitalists.
In other words, to Republicans, proper government is not the servant of the people, it's the handmaiden of the wealthy.
*i.e., non-white
The fascists want to put most tax revenue into maintaining and growing the world's biggest military force. This is often left out of the conversation when it is the most important thing that needs to be looked at very closely. In fact, most Americans actually have no idea of how gargantuan the US military is. Our arsenal could blow the planet to smithereens, yet the military is given the lion's share of the budget while Americans can't afford health care or a university education. We kill people all over the world, every day, yet no one reports it in the media.
The end is the ret of the late 19th century: a society dominated by rich white men.
I'm just about asleep after a 'bug' did a number on me the last couple of days... but I do have one thing to say. My husband and I watched the Pelosi documentary this evening (which I highly recommend to everyone) and to read this, and watch the insanity going on around TFG and all the other minions from the extreme corners of our country (I mean, Lauren Bobert, really?!) I am so exhausted and disgusted that we are still dealing with such horrible people and ridiculous situations as we are. When will the rodents just die?
What an incredible waste of an incredible country with so many blessings and resources!
They are such low lives.
I'm sorry you're under the weather and your bad mood is totally understandable, however, I on the other hand am sizzling with glee--I've waited for the 1/6 committee to make a referral, let alone THREE, for a very long time! I did not expect the abetting an insurrection one since it's tricky to prove beyond reasonable doubt and glean a unanimous verdict from a jury, but the IDEA that a former president of the US is basically being accused of treason is too much to digest. After all I've had to witness this moronic jackass clown get away with until now, this has managed to make me whole again. Imagine my exultation if he gets indicted and sentenced (my prayers are powerful)...y'all have to sedate me....GOOD WEEK TO ALL!
You are so right! I guess I am too frayed and a bit cynical that anything will actually happen to him. So slippery! But I'll hang onto my belief that all will be right in the end'! I think the trading cards pushed me to the edge. And after rewatching the nightmare of January 6 knowing how many sick people did and (shockingly) still do believe in him and applaud his shenanigans absolutely terrifies me! Prayers said and digits crossed!
Hey, Cynthia...I remember how you kept me sane on January 6, circa 2:00 p.m.
I'm grateful that I said something meaningful... rewatching it last night was so disturbing, it really shook me to the core... ❤️
That is what this LFAA community does. Keep each other sane. Give support when we need it, support others when they need it.
Yes! Counting my blessings ❤️
I'm with you--the notion that one third of all Americans are that ignorant and void of critical thinking is beyond disturbing....
Was it always this way?
i think so....
Sophia, I love “sizzling with glee”! That describes me. I’m up and ready for the the committee to begin! I’ve waited for this day since November 8th 2016. The NFT cards helped with my mood quite a bit. The grifting was just as obnoxiously hilarious as any other of his schemes. Trump Steaks being my personal favorite. They’re just so tawdry, and Republicans are cringing at TFG, finally. Like the golden TFG statue used at CPAC functions, wasn’t quite up to the obnoxiousness he is accustomed to.
I’m wishing you all a good health and happiness as we enter the season of holidays my friends here on Letters From an American. Heather has brought us together here for such enlightenment and soothing our fears even when we thought we’d lost it all, we’re here for another day. My prayers for those suffering the loss of loved ones and mourn those we’ve lost this past year. Bless you All.
I believe he made $4.5Mill in just under 12 hours. There has gotta be a law...... Color me profoundly disgusted.
My reply to Cynthia applies to your comment as well....
Yes Karen, human connection is a balm and this newsletter has its own unique healing properties (though at times it sends me crouching in the corner, terrified).
Even if nothing more happens with the committee, history has been made. I actually wrote Merrick Garland a letter urging him to keep his promises and remind him that there is a reason we have a law against Rebellion and Insurrection. In my own little fantasyland I feel as if he listened....
🍿🥤👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼⚖️🧑🏻⚖️
Your glee is contagious! Thank you, Sophia! I’m praying with you!!! 🙏💙🙏
There is a component to the insurrection piece that I am curious about. It does not say that the person needs to be tried and found guilty; it just says that he needs to support and give aid and comfort. I suspect there is enough testimony from all these folks that have been tried and convicted that tfg (or, as BSM writes it tf'g) that they did find support, aid, and comfort along with encouragement from him.
This is cut and dried. It went beyond "encouragement" when he ordered the Secret Service to remove the metal detectors so that the mob could reach the Capitol armed....
I want you on the prosecution team!
In a perfect world... we're about to witness an elaborate ballet of many acts and artists... you're familiar with the expression 'slight of hands'? Get ready for the 'slight of feet'!
https://joycevance.substack.com/p/the-week-ahead-163
It seemed to me that Joyce Vance lays out the charges pretty neatly. Although I could not find a direct answer to your question. But perhaps it might be of interest if you haven't already looked at it.
Thanks for the link.
On the plus side, their true colors are finally showing, which will help defeat the worst of them at elections.
It CAN help if Democrats get smarter about turning GOP depravity against them.
True but we have to put up with this garbage from them for 2 years which is depressing in and of itself.I hope that some of them will be indicted/ removed from Congress for their smarmy roles in this treason.
Not where I live
My state is so deeply-red, there wasn't an option on my November ballot for anyone but a single Republican in every slot, but two. Of course I left all boxes empty.
Incredible! In every slot! That simply couldn't happen here (Australia) - the voters wouldn't allow it. They'd march in the streets as soon as word got out. If we don't vote, we get fined, but everyone wants to vote. There's early voting, postal voting, and the actual election day is a Saturday.
Wow, your ballot didn't even have spaces for write-in candidates? I wonder if that varies by state.
Can that process be challenged by the Sec'y of State or a lawsuit against the state? Try getting in touch w/ Marc Elias of Democracy Docket. He's a pro-democracy advocate.
Sounds like the stories I heard as a kid, about despotic regimes.
It sounds like no Democrat challenged the Republican candidate in all those races. I wonder what needs to happen to persuade Democrats that there's a point in running for office in your state. May we ask what state you live in?
OMG...where, may I ask?
Anne-Louise, voting in Australia is how decent people would set up voting to operate honestly and effectively. Thug minorities (wealthy people) since the founding fathers have sabotaged voting by things like the electoral college.
The electoral college was a paternalistic construct back in the olden days when it was so insultingly introduced. Why it wasn't abolished in the 20th century is more than I can fathom. It's completely anachronistic.
It was, and still is, a power play. It was meant to cajole the wealthy planters into voting for the Constitution. I doubt the founders thought the Constitution in its original form would be considered as "sacred" as it is today. Then there's the bs "originalist" supreme court. But that's another story for another day.
Not where I live either.
It’s getting them elected and re-elected.
It was, until Trump removed the GOPs genteel veneer. Now it's an race to reduce risks to democracy by Democrats and a race to subvert democracy by the Republicans. Lately, the Dems have been winning. Hopefully this trend will continue, and that's more likely because of the work being done by people like HCR
Trump trashed any pretense of "GOP" decency, but the veneer had been slipping for quite a while. Nixon, Reagan, Gingrich, and Bush II among others. Birthers were a racist dog whistle if I ever heard one. Then Trump grabbed the bullhorn.
Obama's election tore the scab off the badly healed wound of racism and has now let the pus flow. Until we can acknowledge the human costs of the foundation of this country (enslaving one race for economic gain and the genocide of the Indigenous Population) and come to terms with those horrors, we will never be what we're supposed to be, according to the Declaration and the Constitution. The third leg of that human cost is what has been done to women, world wide, in the name of male dominance.
Amen!
Everything is in bad faith with these folks. It's almost like they don't want government to function and they only care about manufacturing outrage. Thank you for the concise and clear reporting Professor. It's nice to have some adults in charge in the Biden administration as well as Congress that are still trying to actually ensure our country runs effectively.
Exactly. They want to hog tie the federal government, allowing business free rein, and allowing authority on social issues to rest with the states. The only function of the federal government, from a Republican perspective, is the military and its responsibility to protect and encroach on any other country that doesn't shape up in the way they want them to.
... and use the power of government to protect and advance the agenda of corporations. There are tons of laws out there, but how many are of, by and for the public, and how many are really not?
Like our own.
They dream of disabling the government and forcing a rewrite of our Constitution. In the new version , many rights are eliminated as well as most regulations on business. Social programs will vanish and we will live under an authoritarian plutocracy. I never thought I would see the day where one party works at undermining everything our great nation held dear for over 200 years. This is serious, because our own government seems poorly equipped to defend itself from domestic threats, so far.
...and I expect that this iteration of SCOTUS will put it's thumb on the scales of justice to allow religious bigotry to reign..
Jack A. Roe, In reality, only some of the forefathers held dear the values you and we “hold dear”. The others were busy angling the constitution to favor disenfranchising a whole bunch of people to favor their tight hold on business. And this argument has been going on ever since. As Shakespeare said: “Same Play, Different Actors”.
True. Much effort went into protecting property and wealth and the bill of rights was only grudgingly supported by some. The senate and electoral college enshrine minority power over the majority. Imperfect democracy? Yes.
You nailed it, Philly T! Their plan is manufacturing outrage, so government won't work because a government that works for ordinary people curtails the excesses and crimes if the rich.
I agree. Outrage and hatred IS their platform. They want the Biden administration to look ineffective and rife with failure.
It is all they have. Anger and hatred. These people are so amped up on cortisol, adrenaline, and norepinephrine that they only know how to react to their amygdala churning out the "fight or flight" cocktail.
“...getting ready to recommend Criminal Charges to the highly partisan, political, and Corrupt ‘Justice’ Department for the ‘PEACEFULLY & PATRIOTICLY’ speech I made on January 6th.”
Maybe the Justice Department could consider indicting him for murdering the English Language.
I thought he had already been convicted of that?!!? 👀👀
He can’t even blame his spelling on auto-correct!
If anyone pointed it out to him, he'd say it was a witchunt and the auto-correct had been rigged.
HaHa!
🤣
Yah, “bigly” doncha know…..
1,000x 👏
Sadly, the grammar police have no jurisdiction here. Our function is simply to correct and to serve, not indict or prosecute.
Trump's statement is tantamount to klieg lights illuminating his madness and glaring unfitness for any office. He sounds like a barely functioning adult. Or child.
Imagine when he's arrested.
just imagine what you'll get when you take a spoiled brat and give him a few billion dollars...no, don't bother imagining...
I don't like that. I'll buy it. I'll buy everything and boss it all.
He is an absolute nut job if he thinks we believe his convoluted lies.
When he’s arrested the gun fight starts. I think mass shootings are them pining for their damn civil war ... and how will that look? How will the military defend us against ourselves?
We are in for uncharted waters. But if history is any guide, Ford’s pardoning of Nixon because “he already suffered enough and the Nation wants to move on” was simply a starting gun for the new awareness of how bold corruption can be and gotten away with it. I pray there are criminal charges recommended, and pursued successfully by DOJ. The far-right has treated civil war as if they will suffer no consequences. I believe some will initially protest and entrench their support for the Cheeto. But by the DOJ actually proving “No One is above the Law.” It may go a long way to stabilize the Ship of State. Let people protest. But violence will not be tolerated on any side.
Well said!
Worrisome thought. I sure hope the arrest and gag order comes before his next stand back and stand by plea.
Which side is the well-regulated militia on? the one that's mentioned in the Constitution?
Those who want internecine war will insist that THEY are a WELL REGULATED militia-NOT!
His emotional and moral development was arrested long ago.
To steal a popular word from the homophobes, he was “groomed” to be what he is today.
Took the words out of my mouth, Janet!
How easily the Congress Critters, and others, forget that many of their ancestors were allowed to emigrate with no quotas and no requirements other than being free of serious contagious disease. Now quotas for some immigrant groups means that non-asylum immigration (getting a green card) can take more than 20 years.
With others, they realize the inequities, but respond “I got mine, f*** you!” A good example is TFG, who attacked family migration AFTER his wife used the rules to get her parents green cards.
Yes. Everyone except those members of First Nations, are immigrants or descended from immigrants. And even First Nation peoples came from somewhere else.
Yep, albeit 10’s of thousands of years ago. Interesting to study the current thinking of humankind’s migrations in populating this planet. Heck, I’m a third generation Californian and still feel I am a newcomer!
And, so far as I know, first nations really did discover a new, uninhabited (by any other people) land.
Compared to the cactus and coyotes, you are!
Or enslaved people. Don't forget them.
IMHO, this is just the tip of the iceberg….migration-wise. This will be more of a world-wide phenomenon than it already is as we unfurl the future and the climate impacts on those who try to migrate from “less habitable” places to perceived “more habitable” places (and all the governmental/societal/economic implications). I will likely be long gone before it all hits the fan, but I hope (and hopefully not in vain) that reason, science and compassion rule…yeah, OK, I know, Pollyanna….but still I hope…..
Right there with you on that hope, Barbara, pollyanna-ish or not!
Yep, exactly
Looking at you, Stephen Miller. I’m sure your family background is not First Nation or even “Mayflower”.
Safety for Me, but not for Thee
Lauren Boebert (R-CO) tweeted today: “With Title 42 ending, our nation is going to be overrun with illegals worse than at just about any other point in history.
Except when it's been overrun by ignorant, S-for a-brains Republicans.
It was overrun a long time ago by all sorts of Europeans who treated it as an empty continent or a a large workhouse to send undesirables. It is clear that gunslinger Barbie knows nothing about our history or the history of immigration which has been always about keeping others out..no Irish need apply, etc.
She probably didn’t take much of US or any history in school. Her terminal degree is a GED.
Her ignorance oozes from every pore.
In it's self, lack of a college degree is not a measure of knowledge. Same is true of just having a GRD or high school degree. I would put Lincoln or Truman's knowledge up against most folks. I believe 10 presidents did not have a college degree.
I have posted here before that my grandmother, born in So Cal in 1898, had only a high school education, but was one of the most informed and well read persons I knew [as an aside, I was perusing her bookshelf…maybe in the 70’s and came across a book “The Well of Loneliness” by Radcliffe Hall and picked it up…um, wow, was THAT and education and opened my perception in a good way]. I could always find forward thinking stuff on her bookshelf & in conversation. She was, in her later years, well traveled—loved traveling by ship especially. She came home from one trip and exclaimed “I think I found a man I could fall in love with!”…..um, but no, because he was a Priest!!!!—a meeting of the minds instead. I’m grateful for any occasion to think of and bring her foremost in my mind….like a wonderful visit from someone long gone, but never forgotten. Jeez…where’s the Kleenex….
Read it - at the recommendation of my mother. I understand it was considered very daring in its time!
Yes. But it's not a very cheery picture of lesbianism. Many are really very happy with their lives.
It was!
Grandma had a copy of "The Well of Loneliness"?
That's the coolest thing ever. I came out to my grandmother before I told anyone else in my family (the first time I came out, as a lesbian). She was very happy for me, writing such gems as "and you will never have to change your last name and become a Nobody" and "be careful telling your folks. They are *very* traditional".
But she did not a have a copy of "The Well of Loneliness" on her bookshelf. Still, I suspect my grandmother and yours would have gotten along well.
Born in 1898, she was of another era; she remembers Santa Monica beach when it was just sand dunes & “old” Los Angeles & riding in horse-drawn buckboards…. She was very open minded & always curious about people and their stories… She had several bi-racial great grandchildren & her response was “I always wanted to be a member of the United Nations!”. She left her husband (once it was discovered he was a pedofile) in late 50’s or early 60’s, something unheard to do at the time, tho’ they never divorced; he passed a few years later. Eventually she met a man and they were together for decades…she would not marry him, nor live with him tho’—-when they started traveling together he asked “what will your family think?”…her reply was “I don’t care, it’s my life”. Of course we were all “go Grandma!!!!”. When during her final months in her 99th year, the folks at the nursing home she’d recently been admitted to asked us “who is the old gentleman who comes and visits her several times a week?”…..our reply was “that’s her boyfriend”. She was one of a kind and I have such great memories of her. I, too, suspect your and my grandma would have gotten along well!!! Thanks for your post.
I fully agree. But in her case, her education is a reflection of her limited intellect.
More like her willful, intentional ignorance. It’s calculated.
Amen !
It's not so much the level of education that a person achieves as the ability to benefit from being open-minded to new knowledge. The Boeberts of the world seem to content to luxuriate in their ignorance and closed-mindedness.
I can't imagine eating anything that woman cooked. She is a blight wherever she is....might have to rename her Blight Barbie.
We've got one like that! a tough ageing redhead, Queenslander (our Far North is like your underpopulated States), about as far right as you could throw her. Came to politics from her smalltown fish-and-chip shop. I recall when she was first elected, there was an article in Le Monde, with photo. Only comment from a reader: "Good legs."
Can't say anything good even about the Blight even her legs.
His speech and actions were "mild and loving"? Loving himself maybe. He is such an embarrassment.
He is so weird.
What's love got to do with it.
He must have been listening to Tristan und Isolde yet again. Mild und leise...
The Republican stance is their standard anti-immigrant redirect. Corporate media will dutifully report it. It really is a replay of the anti-Jewish agitation of The Nazi rise of the early 1930s.
Kinda like Rachel Maddow's "Ultra"!
And how is this possible?
I fear that about 2 million Dreamers, who have spent almost their entire lives in America, have gone to school and worked here,have been fully vetted, and a number of whom have served in the Armed Forces, will again be thrown under the bus. With a Republican House in January, they will only be able to lament that MLK Jr.’s I HAVE A DREAM most probably will not be theirs.
I find this congressional politics at its worst.
(and let's not forget DACA recipients DO pay taxes as well.-I did look it up.)
I’m recalling from my Houston days stories that emerged revealing just how many Dreamers were on staff at the mighty Medical Center Complex, internationally known for its care. When I lived there, until this year, all but one of my physicians were born elsewhere, had names I could barely pronounce, spoke with accents, and delivered the best healthcare I could imagine. The Medical Center would be crippled without these doctors, nurses, assistants and practitioners.
Barbara Dreamers pay taxes, serve in our military, staff our medical facilities, …..and much more. They have lived in America almost their entire lives, and they have been vetted in a screening process that many of their native born compatriots couldn’t pass.
And these fine human beings are a perpetual Republican football.
Maybe well intentioned Dems are trying to do too much too fast on immigration? Example, a Bill to allow citizenship to Dreamers who served in the military and just the dreamer him/herself. HARD to oppose that. Of course, once citizens, Dreamers can start working to get family members citizenship via other laws. Then maybe dreamers with advanced degrees designated as 'areas of need' (Immigration has a list of 'needs' that get priority for naturalization) for the country like medicine, engineering etc. Eventually ya whittle down the numbers of Dreamers to a less imposing topic.
100 Panthers Over more than a decade, Democrats and Republicans have carefully vetted Dreamers. This has already ‘whittled down’Given the history and the vetting of Dreamers, which already has ‘whittled down’ the gross number of ‘qualified’ Dreamers.
I wonder, in a country created by immigrants and that is dependent on a continuing inflow of immigrants of varying talents, why these educated, engaged Dreamers aren’t precisely the type of ‘immigrant’ our country needs.
Would you prefer to send many of the Dreamers back to a homeland that they have never known?
Gop cannot keep the Dreamers AND a sure-fire fearmongering political issue. They will always choose the issue over the people. This is the same with their gun stance vs #one cause of child deaths. The same with their “tough-on-crime” stance vs our egregious incarceration numbers. There are so many good solutions to our problems, but too often it would mean eliminating a sure-fire political outrage issue.
MLR Spot on. Remember, the Republican Party was founded with the remnants of the American [Know Nothing] Party in the late 1840s. It briefly garnered some gubernatorial seats as well as seats in Congress with its virulent anti-immigration policies.
If all first-or-second-generation immigrants in Congress were obliged to vote for the Dreamers, they would be citizens tomorrow.
Thank you Heather for posting this important information and perspective on the present. What chaos the chaos masters at the GOP are generating----the democrats need to get a message machine going---as usual the wing nuts are getting out a concise message........ On the other hand, the Jan 6 Committee brings more truth to the table, accountability, and opens the way forward (perhaps) to begin the remove the cancerous growths from the body politic. Much screaming will ensue. Rest well. As you say, "one heck of a week."
Judging from tonight's post, Heather, you must be feeling better because you're back in fine form. Please continue to take care of yourself not only for your own sake but for all of us who rely on your knowledge and your wisdom.
Agree. Hope you are better and taking care. We will all need to be alert this week.
I really hadn't ever thought of tfg's speech on Jan. 6 as "mild and loving." Shades of "1984."
Cornered rats and cornered con man are cousins.
GOP game plan: distract and blame.
This is another great article.
Yes, this week is going to be filled with all kinds of great happenings in Washington DC. I can’t wait to hear the list tomorrow afternoon of those being referred to the Justice Department for criminal charges. I wish the January 6 Committee had the authority to bring the charges themselves. It seems they have accomplished more than M. Garland has in their investigation.
As for Title 42 ending Wednesday. Fantastic! It’s about time. Maybe the border department will get off their duffs and get these people processed so they can start their lives in their new country.
It amazes me the amount of people that are complaining about the immigrants entering this country. There’s a few things we all need to remember.
First. This country was built by immigrants. Immigrants founded it. Immigrants built it. Immigrants made it. All of us have ancestry that are from other countries that came to America to start a new life for their family. My ancestors came from France and England.
Second. There’s a tremendous amount of work in this country that American people will not do. It’s beneath them to do this work. It’s hard labor. It’s hard work, and it’s not really as financially rewarding as a cushy office job, or something like that. One job in particular is on the farms. The ‘grunt’ work. The ‘dirty’ work. Getting on your knees pulling weeds, or grabbing a hoe and spending all day in the hot sun weeding around the produce plants, or picking the produce.
I have yet to meet one person in this country that doesn’t eat. People need to remember that this country has some of the strictest safety rules on our farmers for producing these crops, raising our animals humanely so the meat and vegetables can end up on our plates for us to eat. Something else, for those that will say the farmers are making a fortune because they are paying such high prices in the grocery stores for their vegetables and meat. In 2021, the farmers made an average of $0.03 of every dollar spent by the consumers on food products. $0.03!!! Plus, you have no idea of the cost to the farmers to produce this food all within the standards of the federal government. I live by one statement here:
“Don’t cuss the farmer with your mouth full!”
That’s my rant for the day. Everybody enjoy the release from the January 6 Committee. I know I will!
“Don’t cuss the farmer with your mouth full!”
Amen, Daniel!
Thank you, Daniel. That's the best kind of rant. If only your words could lodge in their brains.
Thanks, but it’s real doubtful. They’ll continue to cus the farmer fur the high prices they pay in the store
Garland and DOJ, instead of doing their homework, have been waiting for Jan. 6th Committee to issue the Spark Notes. I am hoping that Jack Smith is an avid reader.