Let's face it - this administration's system for vetting people coming into our country failed spectacularly in the case of the San Bernardino killers. As did domestic intelligence efforts intended to ferret out terrorists in our midst before they strike. And in the aftermath, Barack Obama once again bloodlessly lectured a frightened country - claiming that Islam had nothing to do with the violence, that the refugee "widows and orphans" entering our country are no more dangerous than tourists, and that the steps he's already taking to protect us from terror (so unsuccessfully) are all that is necessary.
And, oh yeah - Americans must resist their natural inclinations toward racism and ethnic hatred.
Much of what Obama said is demonstrably nonsense. But sadly we're also hearing nonsense of a distinctly non-helpful variety from Donald Trump. Should we consider a pause on the admission of refugees and immigrants until we figure out what went wrong with the vetting process for Tashfeen Malik? Absolutely. But simply banning all Muslims from entry (and assuming that terrorists are too stupid to lie about their faith) is a ham-handed approach which reinforces Trump's image as an overly-loud oaf who has had a few too many drinks at the bar and needs to be put in a taxi.
When speaking about Syed Farook, Trump said (and we paraphrase from memory here), "Howzabout that woman he brought in with him? Was that his first woman? Probably he'd never had a woman before! So she was able to radicalize him real fast." Well gosh, Donald, thanks for the pithy analysis and the sophomoric locker room talk.
Additionally, Hope n' Change is tired of hearing (from numerous sources) that "we're at war!" Yes, there is a battle which we need to take seriously and need to win - but San Bernardino wasn't Pearl Harbor.
There is room - and necessity - for our nation to find the middle ground between Barack Hussein Obama's denials and Donald Trump's bellicose bombast. It is time - indeed, well past time - for all of this to be dealt with seriously, by serious people.
A personal sidebar: today, I had lunch in a McDonald's which is very near a large mosque in our neighborhood. It wasn't crowded inside, and I took note of the other people who were there. The staffers behind the counter were happily speaking to each other in Spanish. A woman wearing a headscarf was eating and looking at a video on her computer (I admit it - I looked to see if it was a "how to" on building "clocks," but it appeared to be a soap opera). Nearby, two Asian men chatted in what I presume was Chinese. And the McDonald's itself was nicely decorated for Christmas (by name) and, despite being next door to a mosque, advertising the distinctly non-Halal McRib.
As we were leaving, I held the door for a young mother wearing a head scarf as she entered while Mrs. Jarlsberg helped guide the woman's baby stroller through the door. The woman smiled and thanked us.
There's no big punchline to this story, other than that everyone was getting along just fine. At a McDonald's. And it made me wish that we could all take a deep breath and turn down the nonsensical rhetoric a bit on both sides. Not closing our eyes to very real dangers; just remembering that keeping our eyes open should have rewards which go beyond surveillance.
44 comments:
Stilton: 'Allah Allah In Free' is painfully on target. Spot on.
Hello,
You are completely misguided. When a country consists of several incompatible groups (Mexicans, Islamists, Africans and Caucasians), civil war is coming.
Trump is correct.
Trump in 2016,
Bill Moore
I wonder what the women with the head scarves can eat at McDonalds.
Donald Trump seems to be the only one who's not afraid to speak the raw truth. Unfortunately, even many conservatives don't want to hear it.
Gee I wonder if the jihadies are willing to eat a plate full of bacon? You are wrong on this. If a liberal says if even one child is saved if we do this, I say if only one American is saved by stopping Muslims from living in the USA or visiting the nation we will be better off.
I know I lived in the Middle East, and it is a cancer on humanity.
Trump is playing by Alinsky rules, the same as Obama and the rest of the Left. That is the only way one will beat them. Making nice, well you've seen what that wrought over the past eight years. Boehner and McConnell did that, got Bupkis.
No, Trump is going right into their living room and ripping up the furniture. Go for it!
Actually, what Trump should have said, is to immediately stop All immigration for a specified period of time. This is Michael Savages take on Trumps comment, and I agree.
Actually Trump did say to have the ban on Muslims until we can figure out what is wrong with the vetting process. The MSM seems to be omitting that last part of his statement:
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2015-12-07/trump-demands-total-complete-shutdown-muslims-entering-america
I am not saying that I agree with him, only that he states what many Americans feel. However, in the name of fairness, such a moratorium should be held against all immigrants, not just Muslims. On the other hand, our government can't even properly vet the man in the Oval Office. How much success could they possibly have with the Huddled Masses?
I agree with Bruce O'Hara. Stop ALL immigration. Check out the Immigration Act of 1924 where there were restrictions for certain countries. Also there were quotas imposed before that. The point being, it's been done before. It doesn't have to be about a religion but about a country or countries.
PS: War had already been declared by cultist extremists long before the San Bernadino morons went ballistic.
"Ham Handed" good one.
Trump reminds me of Teddy Roosevelt on steroids. Perhaps that is what we need to shake the populace awake. Political correctness will destroy this country. People need to quit whining about that which does not matter and fix that which does matter. God Bless America.
While I agree with you to a point Stilt, in times of indecision I try and remember what my father would say.
He was a quiet thinker and when he uttered the occasional proclamation, it was usually worth listening to.
He lived through the Great Depression as a hand on a dairy farm, arising at 4 each day to milk cows and if the weather was OK in the cold, muddy fields of WI, on his hands and knees, planting onions or potatoes, 50 cents for a 10 hour day. Two wars, 6 kids and the loss of one. The only son of immigrant parents, his father was born in 1865, a war casualty with one leg. His father died before he ever hardly knew him. No other relatives of any kind other than his mother and sisters. A self taught man, he could speak 4 languages and finish the crossword puzzle while eating breakfast, using a pen. Being a life long church goer, I never heard him utter one word against his fellow man, except once. He openly had black friends, in the South, during the '50s, the last word I would use to describe him was racist or bigot. Just learning to read, I asked my mother what "colored" over the bubbler in Penny's meant, bending to take a drink from it she said: "Not a damn thing!" only time I ever heard her curse.
Having been in N. Africa for 5 years, during WWII, he spoke Arabic, self taught, like all his other skills. I don't know what he did, he never spoke of it, he had a draw full of medals and no stories to go with them.
The group of people he told me to never trust or allow near me or my loved ones? Muslims, not people from the middle east but Muslims. He never knew any love from his father so, I never knew any overt examples of it either. His Idea of together time was me at the other end of a two man saw, cutting firewood. When I asked him why, when there was a chainsaw in the shop, he replied: "You cannot talk over a chain saw." This was his idea of love, imparting life lessons and wisdom from the other end of a two man saw. I still have that saw, hanging over the doorway of my shop, when I need to think, still talk to the saw.
So, if you don't mind, I'm going with his hard won wisdom and Trump's bombast, let's get a handle on this before inviting anymore ticking bombs into the last land of the free.
sincerely, Door
@Mike aka Proof- Sadly, it's a deadly serious game of Hide n' Seek.
@Bill- You can check the record here and see that I've never understated the critical importance of cultural assimilation nor softpedaled the fact that it isn't working the way it used to. But I'm going to disagree with your assessment that Caucasians, Mexicans, and African-Americans simply can't co-exist. As far as the Islamists you mention, that's another matter because it's an ideology rather than an ethnicity. In its extreme form (adherence to Shariah law or, certainly, jihadism) it will never be compatible with American values - and its adherents have no business on our soil.
@Anonymous- As far as I know, anything except the delicious, sauce-dripping McRib. Their loss.
@Jon- Trump says a lot that I agree with and raises real issues that others are too timorous to talk about. These are good things. But sadly, the manner in which he does so can be so artless and polarizing that I worry about the consequences. Make no mistake, if Trump is the eventual nominee against Hillary, I will crawl over broken glass to cast my vote for him. I believe that a president Trump would surround himself with good people who have good ideas. We could use that now.
@Anonymous- Before you (or anyone else) thinks I'm ready to slap a COEXIST bumper sticker on my car, let me be clear: Islam, as it is practiced in much of the world, is a backwards, barbaric blight on the face of the Earth. And I'm not nuts about having it in our country. But I'm a fierce adherent of our Constitutional rights, and that includes freedom of religion whether I like someone's choice of faith or not.
Note that this extends only to how you worship - not a "Get Out of Jihad Free" card for people who want their religion to excuse them from obeying American laws.
@Ed G. Mann- Well said, and I don't disagree with you. Trump is going Alinsky on liberal asses, and I'd be foolish if I didn't concede that in today's polarized, media-saturated, twitter-brained culture that may be the only way to win and (more importantly) effect needed change.
The "making nice" of Boehner and McConnell did indeed get us diddly-squat and people are absolutely right in rejecting the various bland candidates who would be unwilling to rock the boat. I just wish that Trump could make his points without digressing into foolishness like insinuating Syed Farook became radicalized in order to get laid.
@Bruce O'Hara- As a matter of fact, I said the same thing in my commentary above - saying we should put a hold on all immigration and refugees (not just Muslims) until we can really vet people.
@Geoff King- The media definitely have their knives out for Trump, and anyone just reading their distorted headlines is being misled. Per my comments above, I agree that all immigration should be halted until we can get a handle on it - not just vetting, but also some genuine policies about social and cultural assimilation rather than balkanizing our nation in ethnic pockets.
As you say, it's entirely possible that our government isn't up to the task of doing that. If that's the case, immigration should simply stop.
@Judi King- As you'll know from my other comments above, I'm in favor of shutting the immigration door until we can get much better control over the process and the resulting effects on our culture.
And yes, radical Islam most certainly is at war with our nation and all other western cultures. Unlike Obama, I don't believe there's a way to change the hearts and minds of the radicals - they need to be exterminated.
@Fred Ciampi- I agree that political correctness is a cancer and I have no problem with Trump ignoring it. I'm really enjoying the dumbfounded amazement of the Left as they watch Trump saying "what must not be said" and getting away with it. And I agree with you that there's not a "politically correct" path back to where this country needs to be.
That being said, I'd like Trump to learn to dial things back a little (just because his dial "goes to 11" doesn't mean he needs to use that as his only setting) so that his valid ideas aren't as easy for the undecideds to reject. As for the liberals, they'll never get it.
@OpenTheDoor- Great comment and I thank you for sharing.
As an aside, Trump sure did know how to deflate the boy king, stick a manicured thumb in the eye of the GOPe, who thought he was in their choke hold, and turn the talk away from the silly gun control meme, eh?
Donald Trump does have an abrasive way of expressing himself but what he says needs to be said. Others have said pretty much the same things in a nicer way. EG Ted Cruz, Ben Carson. And yes, I'd vote for Trump (or pretty much anyone else) before I'd vote for Hillary.
Well, ya gotta give Trump credit: By his bombastic oration on immigration, he's managed to keep his name in the news for another week....which I'm sure is no accident. I agree w/ many previous posters: we (the U.S.) should stop ALL immigration for the next few years in order to get an idea of who's already here and get them to be productive members of society.
Mark Levin made a very salient point last week on his radio show in that the primary purpose of a successful immigration program is to improve the country letting them in; betterment of their lives is secondary, and comes when they assimilate fully (which includes speaking English and getting off of all public assistance).
We currently have more than 94 MILLION Americans that are not working full-time. Letting in more & more foreigners and putting them on the public dole does not improve the country.
Successful immigration. From what I've read, Australia has a handle on that. Not like this country, with it's open borders, and that poem on that is on that gift from France, the one that stands in the harbor, to quote a few lines:
"Keep ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she
With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
Only the masses are not yearning to breathe free, the are using OUR freedoms against us, to promote their own agenda . . .
if even one of them has the burning, yearning,desire to follow a small part, albeit, twisted, his religious doctrine, and bring harm to one of our own, that's one too many.
I'm starting to agree about Trump this way. Alinsky rules.
Trump would do better to speak softly and carry a big stick. It's true that he is saying what voters wish someone would say.....but it doesn't mean it ALL needs to be said...and right now he is making Repiblicans look hateful and ridiculous. If he gets in, no doubt he will do some good things....but it will not help the dramatically worsening division in this country.
I live in a very diverse area. We literally have the melting pot right here. I love it. It's getting scary, though, because everybody hates everybody else...or so the media is stirring people up to believe. I agree with the above poster about too many different groups causing war....but it's not because of what country they are from. It's because of much deeper social problems and a President who enjoys pitting one group against another like Michael Vick.
We do need to clamp down on the borders though. There are tons of people patiently waiting to be given visas and green cards who are doing everything right, and it's very difficult. I have friends who have done it, and it takes a lot of time and is very expensive! I would love if we could close the borders and then make it a little easier for these educated, talented people from other countries to join our society and contribute to it.
Btw, some people think Trump is being a parody Republican in order to help get Hillary in office. I'm not a tin foil hat wearer, but he hasn't said or done anything yet to disprove that little theory. Its something to think about.
@OpenTheDoor- I agree. And one huuuuge thing (to quote the Donald) Trump has accomplished is to show that politicians on the Right don't need to kneel to the popular media.
@Judi King- Much of what Trump is saying does need to be said. It's the asides like saying "it was probably (Farook's) first woman" that make him a big target and make it too easy for his actually substantive ideas to be dismissed.
@FlyBoy- BOOM! What a great point from Levin! The purpose of immigration must be the betterment of our country; all other considerations are secondary. It's additionally a great point that there are 94 million Americans who aren't working, and part of that is surely due to the flood of immigrants. The reason there are "jobs Americans won't do" is because the government has made it affordable for too many to turn up their noses at honest labor, while wages decline because of the hordes of unskilled workers crossing our borders. I actually believe Trump understands this and would act on it.
@Griffin- I can't disagree. And what little I know of Australia's immigration policies I like - basically, if you ain't bringing something to the party, you're not getting in.
@Timothy Phillips- Say what you want about old Saul, but his rules are damnably effective. And there is a sweetness to deploying them against the Left.
@Suzy- I think asking Trump to "speak softly" will never happen (grin) but you're right on the money when you point out that he doesn't need to say everything that comes into his mind. As you say, rhetoric which raises tensions between groups can't be good in the long term. In the short term, I just don't know - maybe our system needs a sharp kick in the pants and a lack of subtlety for a term or two.
And once upon a time, I did a cartoon which showed Barry taking advice from Michael Vick about how to get groups of people fighting each other. I just can't find it at the moment.
Your point about making the immigration process legal and substantive again can't be overstated. Letting in people who will be an asset to our country is a good thing. Sadly, Obama's goal is simply to flood our nation in order to dilute our culture and values.
On a final note, there's no way I could believe that Trump is secretly shilling for Hillary. But I do believe that his ego is big enough that he'll make a third party run if he doesn't land the GOP nomination - and that would unquestionably put Hillary in the White House. That thought terrifies me and is, at least in part, why Trump makes me nervous despite his positives.
The law actually does agree with Trump:
https://themarshallreport.wordpress.com/2015/12/09/trump-vindicated-again-islamic-immigrants-violate-immigration-and-nationality-act-of-1952/
Decades ago as a student watching the dysfunction of leftist policies at work in various cities, I came to the conclusion that the day would come when American voters would willingly vote for a fascist as the "lesser evil" before crime and government inefficiency inevitably and totally engulfed them. This is what basically happened in Weimar Germany, where Progressive culture was out-of-control and paved the way for Hitler to walk on in to power. Today, it's the left's inability to address the obvious in the form of Islamic terrorism that is driving people to Trump. Whether they really support him or not, the message is clear: The establishment's response to, or denial of the Islam problem is not acceptable. We do not want to give up our country the way that the Europeans have surrendered theirs.
An aside: Anyone else notice that on social media yesterday, Godwin's Law was suddenly lifted? Another example of a law that doesn't apply to the left.
As for Trump's suggestion: I find a "religious test" for immigration repugnant. I don't see banning Muslims any less repugnant than banning Christians. It would be pointless anyway, since all the Muslims would simply "convert" to Christianity, just as most of the "refugees" have converted themselves to "Syrians".
But what I would support is a brake on all immigration until our borders are secured, and our policies rationalized. "Can't do that" they say? Then we might as well accept that we've opted for anarchy, because if our mega-money-no-object government can't even address one of the most basic functions of government, then what's the point of anything else? We're just feeding off the spoils of previous generations until it's all gone, just like they are in Europe.
As for @Stilton's McDonald's observation: Contrary to the Progressive narrative to the extreme contrary, America is the most successful multicultural country on the planet. Period. 99% of us get along just fine. It's ironic (or is it?) that the places where people do not seem to be getting along well are college campuses which hold themselves up as America's citadels of diversity and elitist institutions. Perhaps the 99% of us who do get along fine do so because we have to, not being able to self-segregate like the elites can. But we do it, be it at McDonald's, shopping malls, or city halls.
@Bill, in another generation, Africans and Caucasians will be irrelevant in America. Both groups simply are not replicating in sufficient numbers to participate. The future can only belong to those who bother to show up. The civil war will be between Latino and Islam culture. Glad I won't be around to see it.
While not my favorite, Trump is usually both correct and right-minded, also legally & constitutionally correct which is a lot better than most of the progressives and media. I would like him begin acting and sounding more presidential while standing his ground. But then THAT would not let him run a free campaign on the medias tab, which he's currently leading. The man is sharp.
Trump is after one thing... keeping his name in the headlines. He most likely knows that stopping immigration based on religion is a ridiculous notion, but it sure got everybody talking, didn't it? I believe he is a very smart man who acts the fool on purpose, knowing that, by November 2016, the crazy shit he's saying now could be a distant memory to most voters. I'll bet, should he actually make it to the general election, his rhetoric will be a lot more tempered.
I actually also believe his honeymoon is nearly over (maybe why his nutty statements are becoming even more nutty) because Cruz and Rubio are slowing gaining ground, while Jeb and the rest are fading out. People like me want the bold colors that are being offered by the frontrunners, but are souring on Trump's style. I, for one, am pretty relieved that Jeb is fading.
Bottom line? As Judi King and so many others have said here, I get to that voting booth and the ballot has Shrillery or Trump? No brainer!
Very thought provoking post and comments today!
Trump is NOT going to be the Republican candidate when all is said and done. Too many of his ideas will lead to about as much chaos as Ubama's have! But....then there's the sheeple...
I heard Rush talking this morning about a law on the books passed by a Democrat congress and signed by a Democrat president which basically gives the president the right to ban by proclamation aliens he believes are harmful to America and that Jimmy Carter used it during the Iran hostage crisis. I haven't researched it but, if true, this would seem apropos to the current situation. While I wholeheartedly believe the Constitution enshrines freedom of religion and in fact the Pilgrims came here escaping religious persecution, I don't believe our Constitution or laws compel us to accept anyone. We do because that's who we are (to coin a much-used Obama meme). Under the current climate of Islamic terrorism, we MUST be careful who we let in and not base our decisions on PC as that will get us killed. Our entire immigration system and laws need to be carefully reviewed and overhauled to reflect these times, particularly the so-called visa programs which are way too liberal.
"...but San Bernardino wasn't Pearl Harbor."
No, it was more like Columbus New Mexico.
I don't think we should shut down immigration from muslim countries for the duration, I think we should shut down ALL immigration for the duration.
The problem is that the muslims are at war, but far too many Americans (Many of whom are in a position of power or influence) refuse to acknowledge that fact.
Apparently what I mentioned in my earlier post is true:
8 U.S. Code § 1182 - Inadmissible aliens
(f) Suspension of entry or imposition of restrictions by President
Whenever the President finds that the entry of any aliens or of any class of aliens into the United States would be detrimental to the interests of the United States, he may by proclamation, and for such period as he shall deem necessary, suspend the entry of all aliens or any class of aliens as immigrants or nonimmigrants, or impose on the entry of aliens any restrictions he may deem to be appropriate.
So there you go. All the handwringing over Trump's remarks and he was right as it appears.
"I actually also believe his honeymoon is nearly over..."
@Colby Muenster, that's what they were saying roughly 9 months ago. About once a month, people think that Trump has stepped in it or crossed some line, only to emerge from the fire like the Terminator. I no longer assume it.
As long as the establishment candidates gutlessly leave a leadership vacuum, Trump will be there to fill or, for better or worse.
What, exactly, do people think would be so bad about a Trump presidency? How could he POSSIBLY be any worse than Barack Hussein? You all KNOW that Hillary would be at least as bad as Barack Hussein.
Why should we let in all the Muslims? How many Americans need to get sacrificed on the altar of political correctness? Who's to say one of the readers here isn't going to be the victim of PC? If you're asking Trump to shut up about bringing in the Muslims, the terrorists may not let you live to regret your position.
@Geoff King- Sadly, I didn't find that article to be very well written, but it did contain some salient points. Perhaps it's time for us to examine whether Islam is a "religion" as traditionally defined for Constitutional protection, or is it also a political ideology which does not have that same level of protection and might justifiably be considered incompatible with our laws and culture. In which case, we have a solid reason to make immigration much more restrictive without violating our Constitution.
@John the Econ- You express very clearly what I've been trying (perhaps less successfully) to say. A pure "religious test" runs counter to our values and, every bit as important won't work unless the terrorists are morons AND compulsive truth-tellers. But shutting down all immigration (and yes, I'm definitely including illegal immigration) until the government can prove that it's on top of the problem would address both these drawbacks. And as you say, if the government can't make immigration safe for those of us already here but does it anyway, then we're already screwed.
And you make an excellent point that it's on college campuses that people have the freedom (and ignorance) to not try and live in a truly integrated fashion. I have to laugh at a story I saw today (from Philadelphia?) about college students demanding that a campus building have its name changed from the racially offensive "Lynch Hall," even though it's simply named after a beloved administrator. Perhaps they should report this hateful, ugly, should-be-banned word to Attorney General Lynch.
And damn, you cut to the demographic chase when you point out that Caucasians and Africans won't even be significant players in the culture wars which inevitably loom in our future. Say goodnight, Gracie.
@Rod- I agree with a lot of what Trump says, but sometimes wince at the way he says things (although it goes beyond that- I simply don't believe he saw, with his own eyes, thousands of Muslims in New Jersey cheering the 9/11 attacks.) I'm hoping that if he becomes the nominee, he'll be able to polish his delivery just a little. But I mean it when I say "a little" - I don't want Hillary to debate Donald J. Prissypants. I want her to get the full Trump treatment, right between the eyes.
@Colby Muenster- I, too, believe that Trump is smart. He just lacks impulse control. I'm encouraged by seeing Cruz and Rubio on the rise, but worry that if Donald gets pushed aside he may go third party.
As far as voting for Trump versus Hillary, I would do so with a smile on my face and a song in my heart.
@PRY- Some of what Trump suggests could lead to chaos if he really tries to implent it (deporting 11 million illegals?). But I think he's got a very real shot at being the GOP candidate.
@Shelly- Very well said!
@KHarn- I'm afraid I don't understand the Columbus, New Mexico reference (although Googling, I see that it's the home of the Pancho Villa museum). I agree that immigration should be temporarily shut down for reassessment. I also agree that some Muslims are at war with our country and culture - but not all of them.
@Shelly- Works for me!
@John the Econ- Yesterday, the Wall Street Journal had a great piece which stated "for every thesis there is an antithesis," and then went on explain that it's the clear lack of leadership and honesty from Obama that has created the need and hunger for a Donald Trump. As you say, Trump will have support as long as this administration remains dishonest, politically correct, opaque, and opposed to traditional American values.
@JustaJeepGuy- There's no way Trump could be a worse president that Obama. As far as letting in "all the Muslims," I'm against it. Only let in the ones you can be sure are safe- and if that's none then that's the number we go with.
Yes @Stilton, I caught that WSJ op-ed as well and I agree.
Would we have had a Ronald Reagan as President had there not been the vacuum created by squishies Ford & Carter before him? I doubt it.
Trump is no Reagan, but then again the leadership vacuum today is worse than ever, and America is more desperate then ever. I think Ted Cruz's moment may be at hand.
Immigration: Does anyone think that if the "refugees" and illegal hoards were white, gun-toting constitutionalists escaping tyranny abroad the "open borders" folks would feel the same?
Of course, gun-toting constitutionalists rarely have to escape tyranny. That's the point.
Mr. Econ,
You very well could be right. Trump may not cut back on his out of left field statements, but I still think we will see Cruz and Rubio continue to gain ground on him. Yes, folks are desperate for a right wing version of what we've been getting from Democrats for decades (off the wall and inflated claims that make headlines, but by the time they are disproven, nobody cares anymore AKA Harry Reid). Trump certainly fills the bill.
But, I can only speak for the way I feel about Trump. Would I love to see him thrash the crap out of Hillary in some debates? Yes. Would I rather see Cruz thrash the crap out of her? Oh HELL yes!
Stilton,
I wonder who it would hurt more if Trump went third party. It occurred to me that it might actually hurt Shrillery more given that she is a lying sleazebag, and Trump is a pompous windbag.
@Colby Muenster, I agree that America is hungry for a real conservative; a true Reagan for the 21st century. The over the last 20 years, the Democratic party has become the party for the very rich and very poor; Their far-left politics suits the vanity of the very rich who are wealthy enough to be largely immune from the consequences of the policies they advocate for others, and they'll always be happy to subsidize the "poor". The "middle class" take it on the chin, as having to absorb the consequences of these policies as well as having to live with "the poor".
But it's worse than that: The American Middle Class Is Shrinking
The left likes to criticize the Reagan-era mantra of "trickle down economics"; the idea that a rising economy eventually raises all boats. Yeah, the rich get richer, but so does everyone else. But what we are experiencing now is what I call "trickle up poverty"; the idea that through government intervention in all parts of the economy, we can create a "livable" society for all via mandates and subsidies. Via the cheap money policy of the Federal Reserve and crony capitalism, the "rich" have done phenomenally well under Obama. The "poor" muddle along, as always. But the "middle class" has been devastated by job loss or stagnant wages and inflation. The employment "participation rate" remains at an all-time low while the elites advocate for the continued flooding of America with cheap labor that will either compete for jobs and social services resources. Again, this isn't so much a problem for "the rich".
The "minimum wage" debate is a distraction. The real debate should be "Why are minimum wage jobs the only option for so many adults"? Is it because the labor marketplace is flooded with too many people qualified for little else, or the lack of higher value jobs? Or both?
The "middle class" is waiting for a candidate to address this in terms more substantial than pledges for more jobs training and subsidized tuition for jobs that largely don't exist.
The other reason Trump continues to lead is that he speaks off-the-cuff. This is both good and bad, but it's at least more genuine than the scripts the other candidates follow memorized out of the focus-tested briefing binders created by their high-paid consultants. When most of the others say something, I can never really know if they believe it or not, because I know it came out of that binder instead of their own brains or their own hearts.
When one of the GOP candidates who is capable of articulating viable conservative values on their own dumps the binder, we'll have a new front runner who will push Trump aside.
And I agree, Hillary would be toast against Cruz.
@ John the Econ: Binders? OMG BINDERS, You mean like Mitt Romneys' binders holding women he would hire if they won the high office? What a most ridiculous press incident that was. The stupidity of people who could be mislead by such bogus & fake outrage was a new low. If he had said "files" they probably would have inferred the ladies were being held in barred cells. But desperate as they are now & mindless & blind as Hillary supporters have become ... that episode may be out-done this time. Candidates: Watch your words, but Trump gets immunity.
"I have to laugh at a story I saw today (from Philadelphia?) about college students demanding that a campus building have its name changed from the racially offensive "Lynch Hall," even though it's simply named after a beloved administrator. Perhaps they should report this hateful, ugly, should-be-banned word to Attorney General Lynch."
Just once I'd like to see an college administrator ask one of these idiots "Just how did you get into this school anyway? Clearly, we made a mistake."
Another example of how I wouldn't make it in academia today.
Although, I hear there are still some administrators willing to tell the truth.
@Rod, I'm going to disagree with you, Trump doesn't "get immunity" he takes it from the snarling dogs of the press and wacks them on their disloyal noses with a rolled up Times.
Trumps ability to totally own the media is why I am a supporter, I would much prefer Cruz, he like others has to toe a line. Trump has the stones to kick sand over the line and draw his own.
Stilton, The last time I saw something like her it had a hook in it's mouth.
Wow - if this were a health -related matter, such as a vector being imported in meat which ended up killing 14 people and sickening another 20, TPTB would stop the import immediately. As far as it being a constitutional issue, where in the constitution is the right to emigrate without regulation listed? I missed that part.
I do believe civil war is coming.
This election highlighted the last 8 years of our national leadership attempting to alienate whites, blacks, and Hispanics from each other, instead of lighting the fire of patriotism and American identity in every citizen. Hopefully Trump and his cabinet will do all that is possible to unite us. I am a conservative evangelical Christian. I prayed for years that my church would become more ethnically diverse and God answered. Our church is filled with a very diverse and united group of (generally) conservative Christians, who actually get along. I am dismayed that the national leadership has spent so much time catering to those who want division instead of uniting us as Americans. Yes, there are concerns, but our community leaders and those at the national level can come a long way towards uniting us in a common national purpose.
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