Between Friends

RE: Illegal Aliens

I say get rid of them -- 100% of them. Deport them. Imprison them. Kill them -- that is, those who commit violent crimes against those of us who are here legally. Whatever it takes to get them out of this country, just do it. I don't care how. Just do it. Enforce the BOOGEDY laws we have in this country that protects the integrity of the country and protects the Americans who are here legally -- who do, for most part, respect and honor the laws on the books. I know what you're thinking. If there are fewer -- or no -- illegal aliens then who will do the work that "Americans are not willing to do?"

Hogwash. Take a look at who is cramming that message down your mental throat. The politicians and majority shareholders -- and executives -- of big businesses that's who. The more you believe that c-r-a-p, the more those bastards feel justified. Make no mistake, Americans would take these jobs if the employers treated them with respect, including paying them at least the minimum wage and benefits.

Because the companies only want to pay -- and are allowed to only pay -- workers $2.50 per hour -- and require 12 to 14 hour shifts with no lunch breaks -- and pay no benefits -- they cannot find Americans willing to work in those jobs. Gee I wonder why. Guess what. The CEO and management in that same company will earn 20 to 50 times as much as one of these workers. And so, is it any surprise that no self-respecting American would have interest in taking such a job? Ladies and gentlemen the point is simple: This is NOT an issue of "Americans are not willing to do the jobs illegal aliens are doing." This is -- and only is -- and issue of Americans are not willing to tolerate sub-standard working conditions -- nor sub-standard compensation. Period.

It's the latter that gives corporate executives -- of Fortune 1000 corporations and large, private corporations -- and other millionaire shareholders investing in these companies -- their money and wealth. The less they pay out in labor costs, the more money they collect and keep in their 401ks and the more value that accrues in their stock.

So it's not an issue of Americans will not take the jobs performed by illegal aliens. But let's pretend for a moment it's true -- that Americans don't want -- and will not work in the -- jobs that illegal aliens perform in this country. So what if those "jobs" go unfilled. I say so damn what if the businesses -- "that rely on illegal labor" -- are forced to shut down. However, bankruptcy is not even likely to occur. More times than not these companies will only have to adapt and become more efficient in their processes.

Innovation is always driven by a need to do things differently. So these businesses will have opportunities to create and engineer new systems and processes and will have to find and administer leaner strategies. Opportunities they now have but choose to ignore taking advantage of. Why? Because these companies prefer taking the easy road -- if they find workers willing to work for $2.50 an hour without benefits and other compensation, they need not have to do anything any differently.

And if they need not do anything any differently, well, they make even more money than the money they are already making from not having to pay a higher wage and benefits. It's called a scam folks. And it's pushed by the politicians that support this -- be it through amnesty plans or a policy of keeping the borders open -- primarily because these same politicians -- both (D) and (R) politicians -- are getting financial incentives from the big corporations that are benefitting financially from the hiring of these illegal aliens.

It's fraud -- and deception -- of the American worker -- and individual and family.  

So what if the big business' shareholders -- and executives -- have to take a hit and earn less stock dividends. So what if the business has to get more efficient or downsize or go out of business. That requirement to adapt and change is good for them and us. We the people have to adapt and change whether we like it or not. So why then are big businesses given such a break? Money. That's why.

All of that money saved and earned by these big companies -- doing the hiring of these illegal workers -- is lining the wallets of the politicians and executives and shareholders. Not unlike the fat that lines their arteries. 

And here's another -- very related -- matter. There are many small companies that face the same labor shortages in the same markets served by the big businesses -- or in other markets where there are no illegal aliens.

Guess what happens when those companies cannot recruit enough workers? They are forced to get more efficient or downsize or go out of business.

So let every other damn business have to do the same, especially Fortune 500 and large private corporations. Tyson Foods, for example, has been busted for hiring thousands of illegal aliens. Large construction companies do the same. In my opinion, based on what I see, there are certain municipalities in St. Louis County that seem to draw -- and are becoming a mecca for -- Mexicans, many of whom are here without a green card.

There are some communities in our region with a significant number of Mexican-owned businesses. These same communities have hundreds of single-family dwellings that are occupied by multiple families -- dozens of people living under one roof is the norm in Mexico and among Mexicans living in America. This practice is what creates a breeding ground for infectious and communicable diseases -- and is why we have a resurgence of tuberculosis -- among other highly contagious diseases -- in this country.

This is an altogether different issue of a public health and safety nature. But then again, not really -- after all, the political and business practice of allowing and welcoming and nurturing relations with illegal aliens in this country forces us to have to deal with 100-percent of these issues that exist only because of the presence of illegal aliens.

The practice of hiring them -- and paying them so low -- exacerbates the issue because it forces them to HAVE to live as a large group under one roof. 12 illegal aliens living together, each working at $2.50 an hour can pool their money. Despite their illegal status the banks and credit unions and mortagage brokers are lending them money.  It's a major issue that extends well beyond the border and beyond the issue of jobs.

These municipalities welcoming illegal aliens with open arms should face the same scrutiny as any business doing the same -- if not more. And one more thing about these big businesses doing the hiring of illegal aliens: They are getting a huge unfair edge over their competition -- namely, small businesses. Small businesses lack the resources that big businesses have at their disposal. Small firms cannot retain top-notch attorneys and CPAs who are responsible for -- and are often hired specifically and only for -- finding or manufacturing or developing or exploiting the loopholes in corporate and labor laws that allow them [the businesses] to do whatever it wants to do. Small businesses don't have the money to have lobbyists either. And so small businesses are not unlike Americans -- they are all getting screwed just the same. 

Yet small businesses employ more people than all of the large corporations combined. And small businesses drive the economy. The politicians always commend the small businesses in their speeches and press conferences. Yet it's BS. They could care less about small business. They favor big business and their big money going into their own big pockets. The corporations act as a corporate bank for them -- they feed them money; they probably literally have a "kitty" set up on the side with the politicians' name on it.

Bottom line, if someone is here illegally get rid of them. If they're on the border and causing trouble get rid of them by killing them. Otherwise you'll end up in court and your family will have to listen to the illegal alien lying in their testimonial against you. 

What say you?

How do you think and feel about the illegal alien situation in this country?

Are you seeing increasing numbers of Hispanics -- and multiple Hispanic families living under one roof -- throughout our region?  

Do you support Senator McCain's "amnesty for illegal aliens" plan?

And what about Obama's plan -- do you support it? I don't even know what it is.

P.S. Just for the record, we're not talking about "Mexicans" -- nor people from any other country -- who are here in this country legally. The discussion here is about the legality of these illegal aliens -- irrelevant of where they are from. And so this is not a racist issue nor an attack against a certain country. This issue is a legal issue. Period.

And the problem is an all-American problem -- born from decades of PC [political correctness] BS and people in positions of power in politics having no balls.

I just finished watching a special program on Fox News Channel titled "Porked." The one-hour program was about the practice of political earmarks -- and financial conflicts of interest -- and to a lesser extent, corporations and their lobbying practices. It's simple: Elected politicians on both sides of the aisle are fleecing American taxpayers.

Problem is, the average American is clueless -- completely unaware -- of earmarks and the practice of granting earmarks. And corporations' lobbying practices -- and in some cases, bribery -- to gain special favors and privileges from politicians.  

And without awareness, voter intervention is impossible. And let's get something straight here. I am sick of hearing the phrase that "[elected politicians] answer to voters." These gluttons for money and power don't answer to voters -- nor anyone for that matter. And they know it.  And it shows by how they act and their attitude.

These bastards only care about voters only when they're running for office. Then and only then. They don't care about you and me -- they only care about themselves and their money and their families -- and in that order. If you think otherwise, think again.

What I'd like to know is this:

When did you first become aware of earmarks? and lobbyists? and other financial conflicts of interest among politicians? or fraud, deception and corruption?  

More and more people whom I know -- somewhat or very well -- and people whom I don't know at all [guests on cable TV news programs such as CNN or Fox News] -- and folks here on the blogs -- are becoming more and more outspoken on a myriad of issues that we're experiencing in this country -- right now -- and/or problems that we are likely to encounter in the not-too-distant-future.

Most if not all of these people are highly-educated and highly-intelligent -- they're more intelligent than I am and I possess a high-IQ. They are also insightful and articulate and would seem to be well-adjusted and healthy -- or more specifically, mentally stable [free of mental health defects that adversely effect both thinking and behavior (e.g., paranoid schizoprenia, multiple personalities disorder, and other mental health conditions).

The point: These individuals are not "crackpots" nor psychiatric cases. 

In addition, these individuals are both women and men -- from all walks of life [various ages, different socioeconomic classes, at least four different ethnicities, various cultural beliefs and value systems, each with very different backgrounds and personal -- and family or ancestral -- experiences. Some are white-collar; some are blue-collar; some have no collar; and some may wear a spiked collar for all I know. Equally important, they represent all political parties -- from democrats, far-left liberals, moderates, independents and libertarians, to republicans, neo-cons, fiscal and far-right conservatives.

All of these factors influences a person's perception and level of awareness -- of oneself [self-awareness] and others and society and the world at-large; and it's perception and awareness that drives everything else -- including thoughts and actions.

So, given such a tremendous diversity -- among these individuals -- you'd think their collective voice on a given issue or problem -- or situation or occurrence -- would cover a very large range of viewpoints. But this is NOT the case.    

Despite this tremendous diversity in people -- all of which influences how a person thinks and how they process information, and what they think about -- there is a similar line of thinking occurring -- similar thoughts; similar conclusions from analysis; and strikingly similar predictions and patterns of thinking. I find this highly unusual, particularly given such a diverse sub-population of individuals.

This preface having been presented....

What all of these people are saying -- and seem to be on the same page in their thinking and speaking, if not on the very same sentence, or word or letter, on that page -- boils down to basically 5 key items:

1. Things are occurring in this country that are unacceptable [zero tolerance issues] 
2. We are completely on our own to protect and preserve our health and safety
3. Our government and politicians are corrupted and cannot be trusted
4. Racial tension is alarmingly high and is becoming more and more violent    
5. Things are reaching a "head" and worse, are getting worse   

Many, if not 100-percent, of the most serious issues and problems -- and situations and concerns -- we are now dealing with and experiencing -- or are likely to face -- in this country, intersect all 4 of these things. For example:

• The shooting of the 15-year old girl by the male thugs is an issue that intersects items 1 + 2 + 4 + 5

• The salmonella food poisoning case which, according to the Associated Press, is in part attributed to successful food industry lobbying practices -- corporations buying favors from politicians via bribery -- is an issue that intersects items 1 + 2 + 3 + 5

• The NYPD police officer willfully assaulting the bicyclist participating in the rally -- a rally that featured 1000s of bicyclists riding their bikes on NY City streets that had been closed specifically for that purpose (i.e., the bicyclists were "supposed" to be riding in the street; bicyclists had the right-of-way) -- is an issue that intersects items 1 + 2 + 3 + 5

• Obama's bid for the presidency is a situation that seems to trigger a myriad of other issues -- among a myriad of persons -- and many of these ancillary issues intersect all of these items 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 

And what seems to be occurring here -- in St. Louis and throughout America -- is an acceleration toward the reaching of a "critical mass" point or situation. There is one word that keeps coming up -- on CNN or Fox News or MSN; or when listening to people talk; or when reading columns and posts here on the blogs.

That word is REVOLUTION. 

Some talk about it as something that will probably not occur in our lifetime. Some say it will happen in a decade. Others say we are only right around the corner from a revolution, predicting its occurrence as early as 2009.

Last evening I attended a neighbor's outdoor social event. I knew one person -- her [my neighbor]. One of her guests mentioned the shooters [of the 15 year old girl] had been identified and taken into custody. Guess where that discussion headed? Into all of the above and much more. And I'll tell you what, it was very interesting.

The woman who took the conversation in that direction broached the subject -- of revolution -- by asking "have any of you seen the movie Red Dawn?  If you have, that's what many people seem to predict will happen. 

I'd like to know what you think about this.

Do you agree with the 5 core threads listed here?

What issues are most significant for you -- most disconcerting or scary? 

Is a revolution in our future?  If you think so, what do you think the catalyst may be, that triggers it?  

"Food industry bitten by its lobbying success"

This headline [by the Associated Press] is a reminder of [1] how very effective the various lobbyists and lobbying agencies truly are. It's sickening, at least to me, that such a system -- a system that uses money to buy special favors from anyone [and everyone] in political office [congressmen and women, senators, president and executive and judicial and legislative branches] -- even exists and is not only in place, but is tolerated. Not to mention alive and thriving. 

This reminds me of the other reminder: The fact that [2] money not only talks, it screams and shouts and sings opera -- and it opens doors; doors that not even the best locksmiths and crooks in the world can open.  If you present an idea to someone or ask for a favor, chances are good that you and your proposal will be ignored. Offer the person some money -- or give them things that are worth money -- and you'll get a different response. Your money buys their time and interest.

Give them a lot of money and you'll be treated like family. 3 Questions:

How do you think and feel about lobbyists?

Precisely when, in our nation's history, did lobbying [with money] rear its hideously ugly face? And is this your best guess, or an opinion, or factual political history [hey, it's not my forte]. .

What percent of American voters would you say is aware of lobbying? -- as in they fully understand what's going on, and who wins and who loses].

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If you're interested, the following offers more than my two bits worth of thoughts and feelings. If you're not interested in this but want more info on the headline from the AP -- scroll down to the bottom:

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This buying of lawmakers so as to get special deals and favors and privileges that give them [and the parties whom they represent] a competitive advantage is.... 

In my opinion, screwing we the people -- we are the ones who are getting bent-over and screwed -- literally behind our backs -- by the practice of lobbying. Think about it. The problem with lobbying -- and this is evidence-based and well-documented is that lobbying gives -- and assures an organization -- or corporation or individual or entity or party -- is getting a very significant competitive edge in their markets.

This not only gives them a trump card over their competitors in their industry -- but advantages that can -- and often does -- cause us great -- or potentially great -- harm. By "us" I mean we the American people, including but not limited to their own consumers -- who buy their products and services -- and their employees. 

And by "their" I mean any entity who is feeding the money to their lobbyists who in turn buy their way into the politicians' offices -- and as a result are getting advantages that predisposes "us" -- all of "us" -- to risk.

But the risks are incurred only among the "us" that doesn't include the for-profit and non-profit corporations and organizations buying the favors -- including their ownership and senior executives -- and their families -- and their lobbyists and their families -- and the politicians at all levels who are taking the corporations' -- and their lobbyists' -- money -- and the politicians' families. 

None of those parties incur any risks!  Hell, they are getting the opposite of risk -- a little thing called benefits -- including a not-so-little-thing called money -- and this is how the "rich keep getting richer" -- and um, if you're a U.S. politician in office for a long-term [as in decades] you are just as, if not more, wealthy than the average CEO of a Fortune 500 corporation. Ted Kennedy, for example.

At least the CEO -- most CEOs -- does at least some work for their money. Do a majority of politicians work? It depends on how you define work.

It's this money they all use to buy not just their lavish homes, private jets and chefs, limo service and butlers -- and for some, [female] escorts in every city they may visit but especially in Vegas ["what happens here stays here"] -- but their money buys the best healthcare and medical services money can buy. Of course, since it's not really their money that's doing the buying, it's spend spend spend.  

 Who gets screwed? You -- probably; assuming you're not in the senior ranks of some entity getting the perks from successful lobbying] -- and me -- and our families. That's who.

It's sickening that we have in this country -- a so-called democracy -- a system that favors only those who've both the clout and financial resources to buy their way into doors that are closed and locked tight for the rest of us. 

For the record, contrary to what many people, for-profit and non-profit corporations alike have their lobbyists. AARP has a huge lobbying budget -- as in mid 8-figures per year. That's a tremendous amount of money -- and fun -- for lobbyists and their targets. On the for-profit side of the corporate fence, every Fortune 100 corporation has their lobbyists -- be it IBM, Microsoft, Boeing, General Motors or Ford, etc.  

Whatever happened to a level-playing field for all businesses? Small businesses are where the jobs are -- and its small business revenue and employment taxes -- that you pay -- that feeds the government. But since we can't afford to hire and feed green meat to lobbyists, the government doesn't care about us.

Unless it's an election year.

I don't know about you but in my considered opinion, frankly, I'd like to see a very different system -- a system whereby people do things first and foremost, for the true benefit -- and best interests -- of others. Rather than serving their own needs and best interests and bottom line. And I'd like to see this in business and government and communities throughout our country.  

Problem is, it's an impossible system; one that has never existed -- since 2000 BC society has been hell-bent on doing whatever is in their own best interests.

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RE: Headline story -- in a nutshell, the recent and current salmonella -- food contamination -- outbreak is one of the worst outbreaks of foodborne illness in the U.S. The AP reports "[the outbreak] is teaching the food industry the truth of the adage, "Be careful what you wish for because you might get it."

"The food industry pressured -- note: 'pressured' means 'bought via lobbying' -- the Bush administration years ago to limit the paperwork companies would have to keep to help U.S. health investigators quickly trace produce that sickens consumers, according to interviews and government reports reviewed by The Associated Press."

For the rest of the story read the news! Time to shut up and get back to work.

That's right. I am guilty of being a blog hog.  You see, certain things that people write on their -- and others' -- blogs can trigger certain staunch opinions and perspectives. Because I think very fast and write -- and type -- almsot as fast, it's exponentially easy for me to leave "signature dissertations" everywhere.

As recent as, um, just now on Jeanette's blog -- the issue: energy drink ingredients and consumption, particularly among teen girls, including reasons why.

And historically, on um at Kurkel's Place -- the issue(s): healthcare-oriented topics. At the Michelle4Wellness blog -- issue: not sure. On KKmom's blog -- issue: outsourcing of medical transcription to India [which, incidentally, I've changed my stance on in the months since and see her point as more valid than my own at the time].

Yes, others also. And a select few other bloggers have done the same -- dissertations upon dissertations -- on my blog! Snoopydad, for example. Chickenkiller. Sikuvtherite. And many others! Frankly, I am all for this and welcome the dissertations. In some cases, some bloggers have changed my own views -- a big time credit to them for having presented something in a way that resonated with and educated me.  

The point: For me, perhaps because I write them myself -- thus, am biased about the reasons why they're written -- dissertations represent a blogger's investment of time on my blog -- and an investment of mental and physical energy -- and because of this -- and the fact  they reveal a blogger's core passions, interests, intelligences, insights, opinions and perspectives -- I want to see and read what and how they think.  

However... 

There are certain blog statements and dissertations I don't welcome -- and I will not tolerate and, consistent with Fox2 Blogging Policies, will delete without a moment's hesitation: [A] Personal attacks [B] Slander and libelous comments C] Threats and other offensive or disparaging statements by Internet losers -- faceless cowards, control freaks and insecure, mean-spirited types who lack 3 things:

1. The ability to agree to disagree
2. Respect for others' whom are different -- and who have different perspectives
3. Guts -- and the balls -- to make their personal attacks in person

Question: How do you feel about blog hogs -- bloggers who write dissertations on your blog -- and/or the blogs you frequent? Question: Have you experienced personal attacks on the blogs? If so, how did you handle it -- and what are your own policies for bloggers?  

FAQ: Why is this blog categorized as "Political"? [A] There is no category for "none of the above"  [B] This is the area of the blog bar where I read countless dissertations -- and have left more than a few of my own -- and [C] If you want to get a feel for what the "hot topics" are -- that seem to trigger rath and disdain -- this is the place!

Location: Bangalore, India 

Location: Bangalore, India

Location: Bangalore, India

Bangalore, India markets itself as the IT capital of the world; and just think, this is where corporate America is offshoring its IT operations and infrastructure. So, if you think Indian technology and telecommunications limitations -- and weaknesses -- doesn't affect you, think again. 

Bangalore, India is supposed to be the IT capital of the world.

To bolster their P&L [profit and loss] statements, more and more large U.S. corporations -- and small to mid-size companies -- are offshoring their IT operations to India.  In fact...

Many Fortune 500 corporations offshore their entire IT department! -- including both internal operations [IT infrastructure and management] and external IT activities [product innovation, customer services, computer help-desk operations, technical support]. 

Plus, they may offshore their entire IT workforce. After all, the costs of labor in India is exponentially cheap -- $30 per hour on American soil translates to about $2 to $6 per hour on Indian soil.  

Bangalore, India may market itself as the IT capital of the world -- and the global leader for IT talent -- but if you've ever visited India or seen photos of India-based infrastructure for telecommunications, 2 questions come to mind:   

• Is India's IT truly better -- higher quality and more reliable -- than America's brand of IT?

• Is IT created and managed on Indian soil -- by Native Indians [and Americans who've relocated there] -- better than IT created and managed on American soil -- by Americans [and Native Indians who've relocated here]?

There can only be one #1 most important thing, for anything. As 9-11 painfully revealed, safety is a basic need for Americans; and national security is the #1 most important thing for America. McCain, whether you like him or not, as a person or politician, has the most experience: 

• Experience in Washington, D.C.
• Military Experience
• Experience in Politics

Nothing trumps competency; and competency is born from experience. Imagine having to undergo open heart surgery.  Do you want an inexperienced physician -- whose skills and abilities are untested -- to perform this high-risk procedure on you? Or do you want the most experienced and skilled surgeon available?  

Does it matter how well your surgeon speaks when in the community? Does it matter if the surgeon is a he or a she? Does it matter how much poise and charm he/she has? Does it matter whether or not she/he is of the same ethnicity? No. No. No and No. Be it a surgeon -- or airline pilot, auto mechanic, dog groomer or presidential candidate --ethnicity and speaking skills and poise and charm is completely irrelevant. You care about competency. And you demand experience. 

In this country, the stakes have never been higher than they are right now. The economy, healthcare and other issues are worthy concerns. But wouldn't you agree our safety and security -- as a nation, and as individuals and families -- is exponentially more important? Secondary issues don't matter when you're dead. 

When the planes hit the World Trade Center was the economy a concern to the families of the persons in those offices? What about Jewish families facing persecution in World War II Poland. What was their #1 concern? Their safety. 

We experienced firsthand what happens when the security of our country is taken for granted and left to chance. McCain is not an ideal candidate. But he's the most experienced candidate.

Our hard-earned taxpayer revenues give all 4 presidential candidates -- Obama and Clinton and McCain and Huckebee -- myriad things that we don't get. In fact, our monies give them things that we don't even have access to.

In my considered opinion, these are the Top 5 most valuable things our money gives these folks and others -- senators, congressmen and women, state reps, governors, President Bush and his cabinet, and others in crookment ... oops, I mean government

100% coverage for healthcare insurance -- and zero out-of-pocket expenses 

100% coverage of all medical services for oneself and dependents  --  no medical procedure or treatment is "off the list" and they never pay a single co-pay 

They all have their own PRIVATE PHYSICIAN -- and their MD is at their "beck and call" 24 x 7 x 365. Only a handful of persons have their own physician and 99.999% of Americans are in the "don't have one" category. If I'm not mistaken, Clinton is telling us her plan will give all Americans what congress gets. Tell me, will we all have our own MD? Or will we get only what they think we need and deserve to have?

They never get a bill for medical treatment rendered -- talk about peace of mind and stress-free medical care and living high-on-the-hog [called the American taxpayer]. Imagine going to your favorite high-end supplier of your favorite goods or services and saying give me all you've got and instead of getting a bill, your neighbor has to pay 

0% risk for EVER having to face what the rest of us most fear: wealth erosion and loss of our retirement savings due to a bankruptcy that is predisposed by medical care our insurance plans do not cover  

When you hear -- or see in print -- the word "healthcare" -- in any context, in regards to any issue or statement that is voiced or written by anyone -- what comes to mind?

I would bet that we -- St. Louisians and others chiming in from other regions --  have not really given it much thought; we may assume it means one thing and that everyone knows what that one thing is.  

But here's the deal [a brief explanation why I want to know].

Political and news casts and blogs in regards to healthcare abound. these freely use the word "healthcare." Yet each mention of the word may refer to a completely different issue. Healthcare, after all, is an enormous machine composed of hundreds of pieces. 

When Clinton or Obama or McCain or Huckabee -- or some political pundit or talking head or neighbor or friend -- uses the word "healthcare" what are they referring to? The answer: Who knows! I have my doubts they know themselves.

So, please tell me what you think "healthcare" is or means or refers to. Treat the question as though your health and wealth were on the line. Because it is.

Since this is a multi-factorial issue and we all have different perceptions and realities -- and opinions, ideas, thoughts, beliefs, backgrounds, interests, political parties, mind-sets, other idiosyncracies and characteristics -- it will be interesting to learn all the different ways we view or define healthcare.