Why Rand Paul and Cory Booker Collaboration Should be the Rule not the Exception

Rand Paul and Cory Booker - working together for the common good - photo veooz.com

From Politico Sentaors Rand Paul (R-KY) and Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) have apparently become fast friends over a collaboration on the REDEEM Act, which would change the criminal justice system and allow for a more fair response to the manner in which juvenile offenders as well as adults who have left the system are treated. One of the most striking notes in this article comes from both men who have left partisanship aside, to work for the people. In one comment under the article, it is suggested that Paul is espousing liberal ideas, however, it is quickly pointed out by another commenter that the ideals from both men are Libertarian in nature, and based on the founding fathers principles of the federal government and how it should work.

Perhaps Paul’s continued outreach and work for the people, regardless of party politics is what is making him one of the most viable 2016 candidates. It is past time that the us vs. them nonsense that proliferates in Washington, from the White House to the Senate to the Congress come to a screeching halt. Those that believe that it is possible to set aside some difference to work toward the common good are, in this opinion the only ones that should be representing the people, rather than those that would be so wedded to a party that they cannot see the forest through the trees.

Hat’s off to both men for doing what is right.

Rand Paul pulls Away in Polling – Tops GOP Charts – Hillary Trumps Lackluster Dem Field.

Forbesreporting on the last Zogby Poll, shows Rand Paul (R-KY), pulling away from the establishment candidates (Bush, Christie) by a larger margin than previously seen. Paul received 20%, while the next 2016 potentials placed at 13%. (Forbes)

Obviously it is far too early to place any bets on who might or might not have the nomination, or even be running for the nomination until after the 2014 mid-terms, that said, what stunned Forbes in their analysis of the poll data was the fact that Paul topped the charts with less “name” recognition than the other “establishment” candidates. It is not surprising given the amount of press Paul has gendered and his popularity across multiple demographics.

On the Democrat side, Clinton buries the competition, which doesn’t say much given the lackluster bunch of Democrats that are being put forth. Name recognition may be the albatross in the next two election cycles, which leaves the door wide open at this point.

An interesting tidbit: the signers of the Declaration of Independence were a rather youthful group – given that Franklin at 73 was the oldest, Washington at 43, and Jefferson a 33 were what may be considered middle age, and the youngest was 26. Occupations also varied, from ministers, to lawyers. The document suggested that the individual was a representative of the people, rather than of the government. There was an abhorrence of all things monarchial – go figure – dynasties were considered to be less than desirable.(Archives.gov)

The U.S. Border – continues to hold headlines – Democrats support Open Borders – their constituents – not so much – Getting past the realities of a Government in Chaos.

As the U.S. border situation intensifies, Governor Rick Perry will, indeed meet with President Obama today to discuss the problem that is facing our nation (CBS News). Perry is seeking aid from the Federal Government to control the border by any means, rather than the current program which resembles the Keystone Cops on crack.

Horror stories of illegal immigrants with a myriad of diseases have been hitting both the mainstream as well as alternative media for the past three weeks. From ABC 15 (AZ) comes reports of diseased illegal immigrants being released into the general population. Rush Limbaugh, who we take with a huge grain of salt, received a call from a couple in California, whose church leader is asking families to take these illegal immigrant children (refugees, etc.) into their homes, the story here, at rushlimbaugh.com. (Note: Limbaugh might not be the most credible to some, however, the concept is not unbelievable.) Last night, on the O’Reilly Factor, Democrat Kirstin Hughes went straight to talking points on the children and Nancy Pelosi’s call for open borders, suggesting that having an open border policy would be fantastic for this country. The show host looked as if he would implode based on her suggestions. The two camps, therefore, even in the media, are divided; yet, one would understand that those who would call for open borders, even with children involved, are – outnumbered.

When one checks the comments under any article relating to this sudden “border crisis” one notices an odd situation occurring, both Democrats and Republicans are agreeing on the fact that this is not a good idea for the nation. See comments under NBC Washington report on undocumented aliens being dumped into MD’s Prince William county.

Yet the administration, as Perry suggested, is inept at handling the situation, and that is the crux of the matter – the administration also asked for billions to be provided for “the children” from Congress – which is being reported on evening newscasts.

From a humane point of view, refer to the previous post regarding responsible immigration practices that would be both fair and reasonable for now and for future generations. Additionally, to address the issue of those who would come here to “get a free ride” or for those American’s on government aid of any scope - reintroduce the original FDR workfare – in this wise, bridges would be built, along with the park system, and those needing food and housing assistance would receive their EBT card, as long as they showed up for work. This would solve so many of the nation’s economic woes in a heartbeat.

Normally, this blogger attempts to be level-headed and apply reasonable options in opinion content, however, the U.S. border and the administration’s handling of the same, has left one’s head spinning. That said the last thing one would want to see is any impeachment of this President. The reason, let it go – let the insane incoherent policies continue, from spying, to the IRS, to whatever is next up on the long litany of things that could go wrong, (never mind the Health Care fiasco), and it will be the undoing of progressivism on all fronts for decades, perhaps even centuries.

U.S. Border Crisis – Rick Perry and President Obama - the Good, the Bad & the Ugly when dealing with Sealing U.S. Borders and Immigration

When the U.S. – Mexican border became a Mecca of sorts, for all of humanity to pour into the nation, unchecked and then abated by our government, one had to have been living under the proverbial rock for the past twenty years, not to have seen this “crisis” coming. Why hundreds of thousands of children are crossing the border along with their mothers, and a sprinkling of gangs is apparently a “mystery”. Some suggest that there were mixed signals sent to media in Central American whereby the U.S. government would grant them asylum and a fast track to citizenship and all that implies. Others suggest that that the situation is so horrific in these nations that to deny access would be immoral. Still, there are others who are blaming President Obama for sending the mixed messages and doing nothing about the situation (or from a bi-partisan point of view, even creating more Democrat’s in the State of Texas.

One knows (or should know) that the nation of Mexico has some of the toughest immigration laws on the books, however, the global economy is such that those who would take advantage of a tide of humanity attempting to break into another country happens to be too tempting. Therefore, Mexico is turning a blind eye to those ferrying the masses from Central America to the U.S. One might consider that to be par for the course from the less than stable (consistently corrupt) Mexican government.

In the U.S., laying partisan blame for our porous borders, would require one go back decades to various administrations, including Ronald Reagan’s, to understand that a border unsealed has apparently not been on the top of the list for all of Reagan’s successors. Be it compassionate conservatism or an economic excuse, the border remains open.

The President, in his usual manner, has taken the “Ostrich Approach”, the wait and see, most pragmatic, academic and obviously, slowest way to address this issue, or any other for that matter. One might want to proclaim dubious plots, or to hold the President on a pedestal of mercy, however, the reality of a pattern of pragmatism to the point of paralysis has been in evidence since the short lived Iranian Revolution in 2009. If one expects a college professor to apply a swift and fast approach to any crisis, one might as well hold one’s breathe. The appearance of a deer in the headlights has become the norm for the administration, and although the buck stops at the Oval office, one can be sure that the rank and file various departemne4t heads of the behemoth bureaucracy we now enjoy, is where the blame truly lays.

What to do about the “children”, is a huge factor, and of course ,the label, humanitarian has been applied ad nasuem. Of course, it is a humanitarian crisis, when one sees poverty stricken, undereducated, and disease ridden individuals pouring over our borders, with the aid of the Federal government.(RT) Those living in the U.S legally and knowing that the federal government will place these children in school systems nationwide, without treatment, are concerned for the safety of their children. The costs to the U.S. alone in housing, and treatment (if any), is astronomical, and above all those who are most at risk, immigration attorneys, should be frantic.

If that makes absolutely no sense, consider the path to citizenship a legal entry requires. One must hire an attorney for thousands of dollars, learn more about our government than our children in college, and spend years going through the process. Those costs into the thousands come in the form of attorney’s fees. Sealing the border is one aspect of the problem the other is revising the current path to legal citizenship. If we were to remove the need for an attorney, or limit the need for an attorney, reduce all government fees, and ensure our children receive the same tests and pass the tests, that those trying to get into the U.S. face, we would enjoy a lively and better civic minded society.

Another tactic would be to employ an “Ellis Island/Great Deal” approach to the southern border, immediately ensuring that the individuals crossing, regardless of age, would be put to work, (be it schooling or labor), for the government itself, building roads and bridges to “pay for their” keep, al la Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

None of the above has even been considered. Therefore, you have a citizenry literally up in arms, a President who is being blamed left right and center, and a host of characters who are so clueless as to what to do with 50,000 children as well as adults, that they are planning housing them in warehouses or abandoned Wal-Mart’s.

One might also suggest that those who feel these children and families are escaping a horrific situation with gangs, might want to visit Chicago, or any other city, and or simply read the papers for the latest gang-related daily death tolls to understand that is not flying with the U.S. populace.

When asking if the bucks stops there, it does, which is why Democrats worry that this is the Presidents “Katrina “moment (USA today).

When Rick Perry is accused of being crazy for calling the President out on the situation at the border, (referring to a plot) they intentionally neglect to include Governor Perry’s alternative to a conspiracy theory - that the President is simply inept. (Austin Statesmen). Perry, is of course, correct, as the academic approach in this situation, as with others, does appear to be inept when one considers the alternative approaches that produce a swift and fair outcome. What to do? Immediately vaccinate and treat each child coming over the border, do not allow anyone over the age of 18 to enter the nation, if a mother, she would have the choice of letting her child stay in custody or settle in Mexico. Offer one way flights back to the country of origin (which would, in the long-run, pay dividends in savings). Should one be seriously seeking asylum, we should have a revamped system for immigration such as described, which would offer swift and reasonable citizenship to anyone, from any country.

Build a giant fence, regardless of which business enterprise objects. Send our gang members not to prison, but on a separate flight to those same countries of or gin and return the favor.

Links: Constitution, not illegal immigration is 'central to our way of life'Chicago Tribune

Obama border request for money won't include authority to deport children faster, for now”Greenfield Reporter

46% Believe Obama Administration Has Encouraged Young Illegal Immigrants To ComeRasmussen

To learn more about the constantly evolving crisis Google or bing news with the search term – U.S. Border and hold your breath.

Elizabeth Warren 2016 – NY Post Headlines – Done Deal?

The New York Post blazed the story regarding President Obama’s choice of Elizabeth Warren for 2016 over Hillary Clinton, suggesting that sources insist that the President’s advisor, Valerie Jarrett is actively pursuing the coronation of the newly minted MA Senator, Elisabeth Warren over Hillary Clinton for the Progressive Democrats Presidential Nomination The story was written by Edward Klein, who is seen in the left circles as not reliable – unnamed sources aside, Klein wrote the book: The Truth About Hillary Clinton, and, although no one can actually substantiate fact or fiction based on hearsay, those on the left don’t care for the tome.

In order to counter the attack on Ms. Warren, or bring her out of the closet too soon, the Wire, suggests that the story is full of nonsense, especially considering the ability of Klein to tell a story that appeals. What is interesting is the fact that incorporated into the story by the wire are select “tweets” on Warren’s “American Indian” Heritage, as if to imply, picking on Warren is not appropriate.

It appears from all things Massachusetts that Warren is indeed, running for the highest office, a neophyte, not unlike the current President, also both academics and both raging Progressives. However, it is doubtful that providing a substitute for Clinton, gaffes and all, that Warren would succeed with anyone outside of the base – given this nations inability to elect a qualified woman to run the show. In 2008 the best choice was Clinton and she was thrown under the proverbial bus by progressives who preferred (in Congress, literally), to anoint Obama to the nomination, regardless of the fact that Clinton had both the popular vote and the delegates – the pulled an end run with the use of the Super Delegates – and the rest is miserable history.

Therefore in summary, although Klein may use “sources” and sensationalize a bit here and there, it would not surprise if Warren beefs up during the next year, pumps up the base and moves promptly to the middle – softens her image, and reminds everyone that will listen that she is more independent, having been a Republican in a previous life.

While Rome’s borders are burning (see Texas, Arizona and California), the fiddler may well be choosing the next successor to the Progressive policies that are destroying the nation. Of course, many will suggest that the rush on the border, like so many of the other “surprises” that have seems to assail this administration are premeditated, it is precisely the lack of experience coming from an academic with theoretical governing credentials that caused this entire debacle in the first place. If Warren were a man, truly, the nation would go on for round two, and as much as a qualified female would be this bloggers preference for the head office, that criteria is not present in Warren, as an academic and a one half term Senator from the State of Massachusetts.