Homeland Security To Step Up Enforcement Efforts Against Employers Of Illegal Aliens

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano soon will direct federal agents to focus more on arresting and prosecuting American employers than the illegal laborers who sneak into the country to work for them, department officials said Monday.

...

"She is focused on using our limited resources to the greatest effect, targeting criminal aliens and employers that flout our laws and deliberately cultivate an illegal workforce," the official said.

Homeland Security officials emphasized that the department would not stop conducting sweeps of businesses while more structural changes to U.S. immigration law and policy were being contemplated.

OK, so one of the middle steps in the Chad plan is going to be implemented (supposedly - given the nature of the Democrat party I am not sure I believe it yet. I want to see some raids on employers). Let's assume this is for real and not just away for the Obama administration to put off enforcement efforts while "building cases", and there is some concern about that as this guy points out:

Michael W. Cutler, a retired senior special INS agent, said the Obama administration needed to go after workers and employers to send a message that it would not condone illegal immigration.

"Who is more responsible for prostitution, the hookers or the johns? It is a shared responsibility," said Cutler, a fellow at the Center for Immigration Studies, a group opposed to illegal immigration.

He said it would be "dumb" to "go after employers and not the illegal aliens. That means they are going to make very few arrests. And the message that sends is that if you can make it across the border, you're home free. No one is going to be looking for you."

Then it would be a good first step. Now let's get to work on improving border enforcement and deporting criminals.

Speaking of deporting criminals. We need some of those intestinator things like in the movie Fortress so that if a criminal crosses the border again his guts explode. But I digress.

source

immigration

National Council for a New America Embarks On Listening Tour - Cantor, Bush, Romney, No Sarah Palin

Earlier today I linked to an article about a new GOP organization intended to revive the parties 2010 election prospects.

Formed by Eric Cantor this group wants to "give people something to say yes to" as well as developing a policy agenda that is suited for the 21st century.

All well and good but in the process they are leaving the social conservatives out of the picture:

The party leaders notably avoided any discussion of issues that have motivated the GOP base – gay marriage, immigration, and abortion.

Social conservative issues aren't really my thing but avoiding them seems to be a recipe for even more party division. The anti-arbotion, anti-illegal immigration, anti-gay marriage groups are going to want their say and as a party we need to hammer out an acceptable compromise soon. 2010 will be too late. Case in point:

Indeed, several protesters from an anti-illegal immigration group stood outside the pizzeria holding signs complaining that the party was sidestepping crucial social issues.

“The reason that immigration, same-sex marriage and abortion were left off the agenda is because they feel it will turn people off to the Republican party,” said Michael McLaughlin, a member the American Council for Immigration Reform. “To me, you can’t discuss energy independence and health care without talking about immigration. It’s all related.”

BarbinMD at the Daily Kos is elated that there is no mention of social hot-button issues:

So, what's the first change?

The National Council for a New America launched with an open letter that’s notable for what it leaves out: The issues that a large segment of the party’s base are most passionate about. The letter, signed by 14 congressional Republican leaders, makes no mention of same-sex marriage, immigration — legal or otherwise — or abortion.

Yes, they're throwing the "values voters" under the bus, which one assumes is the reason they were:

... unable to reach Palin to ask her if she would like to join the group.

It seems that the marginally less insane faction of the Republican Party is attempting a coup. This should be fun.

Dan Riehl of Riehl World View also agrees this strategy is a loser:

Frankly, what's so wrong with being "the Party of No!" when the Federal government is looking at re-shaping American corporations and entire industries, ultimately nationalizing Health Care and spending our children's money like a drunken sailor? It seems to me these guys are more afraid of bad headlines, than they are the mostly Republican base that has been taking to the streets in recent months. If so, that isn't a good thing for their political futures.

...

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to advocate local control on Education, or to figure out Free Markets with prudent regulation. Nor does it require one to address the border before considering some form of path to citizenship for hard working, law abiding illegals. The answer for the GOP is not making a bunch of new promises from the Federal Government after having not fulfilled earlier promises.

When both your friends and your enemies are telling you your plan is horrible it may be time to rexamine.

The platform posted on Cantor's webpage doesn't have a lot of details either:

Economy: Real Solutions for Economic Recovery

As the country battles through the worst economic crisis in a generation, we must remain focused on the foundations and institutions that have made us the most prosperous people in the world and the ideas that create jobs and grow our economy. At the same time, we must learn from the mistakes that led to the current crisis and to prevent similar situations from ever occurring again.

Healthcare: Building a 21st Century, Patient-Centered System

No one doubts that our nation’s health care system is in need of reform, but we must strike the right balance that builds on what works and fixes what is broken. All Americans deserve access to high-quality, affordable care. But such coverage cannot come at the expense of their ability to choose their own doctor and have access to the right care, at the right time, in the right setting without waiting in line while sick. In addition, we must continue to focus on the innovation and science that have resulted in thousands of treatments and cures for life-threatening or debilitating diseases while allowing America to remain the leader in research and development worldwide.

Education: Preparing Our Children to Succeed

A high-quality education should not be dependent upon a parent’s income or address. All of America’s children deserve an education that will prepare them for the opportunities and the challenges that await them in the global economy. Yet today, thousands of American children, especially in our inner cities, receive a substandard education or find post-secondary education unaffordable. We must return power from Washington to parents and well-paid teachers who know what’s best for our children.

Energy: Solutions for Energy Independence

American families and businesses cannot afford an energy policy where we are held hostage by foreign oil cartels and dictators. As a nation, we can no longer send billions of dollars overseas each year, often to countries that help fund our enemies. We must implement a comprehensive energy policy that includes traditional fuels, alternative energy, and conservation resulting in affordable, reliable domestic energy. Such a policy will stabilize costs for families and businesses while at the same time creating much-needed jobs here at home.

National Security: Defending American Liberty and Freedom

The threats posed to our nation are more varied and evolving more than perhaps at any other time in our history. Modern communications, technology and the proliferation of weapons of all types have empowered our enemies and those who support them. Our national security policy must reflect these realities while allowing us to maintain technological superiority, support the most well-trained and well-equipped military in the world and have the intelligence capabilities to uncover and prevent attacks before they occur.

It appears that they just took the major concern of each participant and threw it on the page with a bunch of platitudes. It might just be me but it seems that having a framework to guide the conversation would be a good idea. An even better one might be some concrete suggestions. That was one of the great things about the Contract with America. It had concrete mileposts and goals not all of them were achieved but they were there.

So where would I start? Back in January 2006, during the Alito confirmation hearings, I wrote the following:

Anyway that got me to thinking about what the Republican party is or wants to be. The GOP claims to be a big tent party with room for all different viewpoints, and to a large extent I think that is right. There are many Republican politicians who are anti-death penalty, pro-choice, etc. Again all that is almost immaterial too me too me this is what defines being a Republican:

1. Emphasis on the individual and his accomplishments, rather than on the group and their perceive injustices.
2. A belief that government should be as small as possible and as local as possible.
3. A belief in fiscal conservatism

That's my starting point and I am willing to hammer out details on those points with anyone else who wants to get in on the action, at the same time I am willing to discuss the Social Con issues. I am not going to demand that the GOP be perfect on every issue because I am not perfect on every issue.

politics, GOP, Eric Cantor, Mitt Romney, Jeb Bush, Sarah Palin

Examining Obama's Immigration Overhaul - What I am reading 11/21/2014

Josh Blackman - Eight Observations About OLC Memo on Constitutionality of Executive Action on Immigration -

The TL:DR version.  The program appears legal, but the details will matter.  If it becomes a rubber stamp and all applicants are automatically approved then it becomes an exercise in executive overreach and therefore illegal.  At least that's how it reads to my non-lawyer eyes.

The Verge - Obama's immigration plan comes up short for Silicon Valley -

"If this is all there is, then the president has missed a real opportunity," Russ Harrison, of the IEEE, tells Reuters. "He could have taken steps to make it easier for skilled immigrants to become Americans through the green card system, protecting foreign workers and Americans in the process."

Reuters - Obama's immigration tweaks leave Big Tech wanting more -

The president's moves will make it easier for entrepreneurs to work in the United States and extend a program letting foreign students who graduate with advanced degrees from U.S. universities to work temporarily in the United States.

But tech industry insiders said the changes, while positive, were limited.

I think you all know how I feel about H1B visas.  There mat be some (limited) value to them but in general they are a scam for tech companies to avoid paying higher wages to US workers while not having to relocate to someplace like India, Bangladesh or the Congo.  Given that, I was not disappointed at all that Obama didn't expand the program.  As I said last night - If the Republican Congress really wants to hold Obama's feet to the fire on this they should let Zuckerberg and FWD.us do the heavy lifting.  Simply refuse to authorize any H1B visas for the next 3 years and no green cards for current H1B holders.  Hit the Silicon Valley types in the pocketbook.  They supported Obama overwhelmingly, let them face the consequences.

My standard disclaimer - Don't take this as an anti-immigrant statement.  I think legal immigration is a good thing.  In general I welcome anyone who wants to come to America, assimilate and work.  My problem is with illegal immigration, both because it is illegal and because of the negative economic consequences and with the gaming of the immigration system (use of H1B visas.)

Public Service Announcement - 

Lifehacker - PSN, 2K, and Windows Live Allegedly Hacked, Change Your Passwords Now -

 CNET and Geek.com report that hacker group DerpTrolling claim to have 7 million logins and 500,000 credit card data—including Comcast, Twitter, Facebook, and other sites.

Well I guess I know what I will be doing this weekend.  Again.  At some point we need to be able to sue these fuckers for not properly securing our data.

Fight Brewing on Illegal Immigration

An article in the NY Times today points out that at six state legislatures are likely to enact AZ style anti-illegal immigration laws, and that the is likely to lead to an immediate fight in the GOP.

Legislators have also announced measures to limit access to public colleges and other benefits for illegal immigrants and to punish employers who hire them.

Next week, at least five states plan to begin an unusual coordinated effort to cancel automatic United States citizenship for children born in this country to illegal immigrant parents.

…

But the proposals have already drawn opposition from some business groups. And they are forcing strategic soul-searching within the Republican Party nationwide, with a rising populist base on one side demanding tough immigration measures, and, on the other side, traditional Republican supporters in business and a fast-growing Latino electorate strongly opposing those measures.

Should make for an interesting legislative season.  I don’t know how much money Tea Party candidates got from business or organizations like the US Chamber of Commerce, but it will be interesting to see how many people think they are owed favors coming off the last election season.

Study - Decline Seen In Number of Illegals

The number of illegal immigrants in the country has dropped by as much 1.3 million in the past year, an 11 percent decline since a historic peak last August, an immigration research group in Washington said in a report released Wednesday.

The report, by Steven A. Camarota and Karen Jensenius of the Center for Immigration Studies, found “strong indications” that stepped-up enforcement by immigration authorities had played a major role in the decline.

...

The study’s methods and conclusions were questioned by other demographers and economists, who said the decline might be less than the center reported and was more likely the result of the weak economy, especially in low-wage construction and manufacturing where illegal immigrants are generally employed.

“The decline can easily be explained by changes in the economy,” said Steve Levy, senior economist at the Center for Continuing Study of the California Economy in Palo Alto. He said California had lost 134,000 construction jobs since the summer of 2006.

...

The Center for Immigration Studies is a policy advocacy group that favors reduced immigration and opposes legislation to give legal status to illegal immigrants. The study supports the center’s contention that border enforcement and a crackdown on unauthorized workers and their employers would lead many illegal immigrants to leave the United States without being deported.

source

So it seems everyone agrees there is a decline, but may disagree about how much and the causes. My personal belief is it is caused by a combination of factors including stricter border enforcement, stronger workplace enforcement and a weakening economy. But essentially the result follows what I said during the immigration debates last year. We don't need to try and deport 12,000,000 people the combination of stronger enforcement at the border and in the workplace, especially if combined with rules making it harder to send remittances to Mexico, will cause many if not most illegals to self deport. If they can't send money home there really isn't a reason for them to come here.

The Myth of the Jobs Americans Won't Do

During the Immigration Wars of 2006 I was one of those on the "wrong side" I supported the McCain / Kennedy bill and President Bush's efforts. My reasoning was simple. If you make it economically unviable for companies to hire illegals then they won't. Without work illegals will return home. My idea for a plan was this:

1. Secure The Border


2. Workplace Enforcement


3. Deport The Criminals


4. Legalization


5. Assimilation (Including English as the official language)

I was pretty roundly attacked. Those on the open borders side claimed that there was worked that Americans just wouldn't do and those on the round 'em all up side believed that once here illegals would never leave. Over the past couple years I have posted a number of incidents that disprove the second claim (most recently Sept. of last year) but today I stumbled across an article that addresses the first:

Following a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raid that nabbed 300 undocumented workers at a Columbia Farms processing plant in Columbia, S.C., a spooked House of Raeford quietly began replacing immigrants with native-born labor at all of its plants. Less than a year later, House of Raeford’s flagship production line in Raeford, N.C., had been transformed, going from more than 80 percent Latino to 70 percent African-American, according to a report by the Charlotte Observer.

...

Despite President Fox’s assertion, of the Pew Hispanic Center’s top six occupational sectors for undocumented immigrants (farming, maintenance, construction, food service, production and material moving), all six employed hundreds of thousands of blacks in 2008. That year, almost 15 percent of meat-processing workers were black, as were more than 18 percent of janitors. And although blacks on the whole aren’t involved in agriculture at anywhere near the rates of illegal immigrants—a quarter of whom work in farming—about 14 percent of fruit and vegetable sorters are African-American.

For their efforts, African Americans were paid a median household income of $32,000 in 2007. In the same year, the median household income for illegal immigrants was $37,000.

source

This article was obviously dealing mainly with African Americans, but it kind of puts the kibosh on the idea that Americans won't do the work. Not only will they do it they will do it for less.

So once again I return to the argument that illegal immigration is an economic issue and the best way to handle it is economically.

CA cities trying the AZ approach to illegal immigration

Facing rising unemployment some CA cities are using the AZ approach to illegal immigration and requiring that businesses check all workers using e-verify.

source

It’s about time.  In my opinion we wouldn’t have this mess if CA had stood their ground on Prop 187 back when Davis was governor.

On @aceofspadeshg #cuckservative post

Post is here  I am going to agree with Gabe and Ace, I am suddenly seeing a lot of racially motivated posts from people who I wouldn't have expected it from.  Not just anti-immigrant but flat out white supremacist, and not just on twitter - much more on facebook.  I haven't seen the #cuckservative hashtag but I haven't been looking and honestly once you display that attitude I block you so I probably wouldn't see it.

I may not be the most racially correct person in the world, I may use the wrong terms or inadvertently give offense, or honestly I may just disagree with a particular premise, but I do believe in the innate equality of all people.

On the same note I am a supporter of immigration, but that doesn't mean I support unrestricted immigration, or that I support H1-Bs (I don't because of the way employers abuse them) or illegal immigration (I don't for a number of reasons, among them the damage it does to the labor market for people on the lower end of the socioeconomic spectrum, the leverage it gives employers over all employees, and the lack of assimilation into the culture as a whole), but in general I believe in the promise of America and I believe it is something that should be shared so yeah I support immigration.

OK I have rambled around the point - Yes I think Ace and gabe have identified a trend. It is an ugly one.  I think it needs to be confronted and stamped out now.

Let Them In: The Case For Open Borders

Let me state up front that I am not an open borders advocate, but I am, I think, an immigration realist. My view on the subject is that as long as our standard of living is so much higher than other countries we are going to have illegal immigration. We aren't going to stop it completely, but we can try and mitigate it. I also think that deporting all those who are currently here illegally would be devastating economically and that the only reasonable solution is assimilation and legalization.

Jason Riley of the Wall Street Journal takes the opposite approach and advocates a completely open immigration system. At least that is how it appears from the discussion over at Becky's page. I haven't read the book but I suspect she is accurate in her summary beacuse despite the fact that she is anti-War on Terror and pro-drug she is also pretty close to scary smart. (plus she looks good in shorts).

I have a great deal of trouble accepting the idea that unlimited open immigration would be good for the US but what the hell I will read the book and maybe he can change my mind.

Ran Paul on the Bryan Suits Show

Ron Paul appeared on the Bryan Suits show yesterday. I know a lot of people like to picture him as a raving loon, but he actually comes off as a reasonable intelligent person and frankly I support him on some ideas such as:

• We must withdraw from any organizations and trade deals that infringe upon the freedom and independence of the United States of America. (although we disagree where that infringement begins)



• Working Americans like lower taxes. So do I. Lower taxes benefit all of us, creating jobs and allowing us to make more decisions for ourselves about our lives.
  
  Whether a tax cut reduces a single mother’s payroll taxes by $40 a month or allows a business owner to save thousands in capital gains taxes and hire more employees, that tax cut is a good thing. Lower taxes allow more spending, saving, and investing which helps the economy — that means all of us.



• I share our Founders’ belief that in a free society each citizen must have the right to keep and bear arms. They ratified the Second Amendment knowing that this right is the guardian of every other right, and they all would be horrified by the proliferation of unconstitutional legislation that prevents law-abiding Americans from exercising this right.



• I mostly agree with his position on immigration, although I still legalization.


1. Physically secure our borders and coastlines. We must do whatever it takes to control entry into our country before we undertake complicated immigration reform proposals.
2. Enforce visa rules. Immigration officials must track visa holders and deport anyone who overstays their visa or otherwise violates U.S. law. This is especially important when we recall that a number of 9/11 terrorists had expired visas.
3. No amnesty. Estimates suggest that 10 to 20 million people are in our country illegally. That’s a lot of people to reward for breaking our laws.
4. No welfare for illegal aliens. Americans have welcomed immigrants who seek opportunity, work hard, and play by the rules. But taxpayers should not pay for illegal immigrants who use hospitals, clinics, schools, roads, and social services.
5. End birthright citizenship. As long as illegal immigrants know their children born here will be citizens, the incentive to enter the U.S. illegally will remain strong.
6. Pass true immigration reform. The current system is incoherent and unfair. But current reform proposals would allow up to 60 million more immigrants into our country, according to the Heritage Foundation. This is insanity. Legal immigrants from all countries should face the same rules and waiting periods.


• We must stop special interests from violating property rights and literally driving families from their homes, farms and ranches.
  
  Our country’s founders would roll over in their graves if they saw the takings clause in the Fifth Amendment used to justify booting people out of their homes for the profit of private developers and tax-hungry local governments. The Supreme Court’s Kelo decision said government power could be used to condemn private homes and churches to benefit a huge pharmaceutical corporation and a large property developer.

I don't really care about abortion as an issue so for me his position on that is a moot point.

Here is where Dr. Paul and I diverge:

• Iraq - The intelligence on Iraq may have been faulty but at the time the prudent course appeared to be to take Saddam out of power. As is if we leave Iraq know we are setting up a perfect breeding ground for terrorists just like Afghanistan in the 1990's.



• Afghanistan - Dr. Paul would like us to pull out of Afghanistan. His rationale is well we haven't gotten Osama Bin lLadin and the Taliban may be in resurgence so let's leave Afghanistan to them and we can come back when we have another problem.



• NAFTA / North American Union



• PATRIOT Act - Dr. Paul is against it I support it. I assume that he is against the NSA Terrorist Surveillance Program too.

Except for NAFTA all of those are dealbreakers for me. I can't support a President who doesn't support them.

Earlier in my post I said that Ron Paul appears to be an intelligent, reasonable guy, I said appears, not is, because of this - Bryan asked Dr. Paul if he had been president in 1939 what would he have done to stop Hitler. Dr. Paul's answer - Nothing. When Bryan pointed out that it was generally accepted that if Hitler had been confronted in 1934 World War II would have been avoided. Dr. Paul replied that was the job of Britain and France. So basically what Dr. Paul is saying is "Sorry bout all those dead Jews and the fact that you are being stomped down by the implacable weight of Fascism (or Communism if Russia had still manged to win) but it's not our problem."

I'm pretty sure that all that talk about National Sovereignty would matter much if we had abandoned Europe to the Nazis or the Communists. Especially if Stalin had the A-Bomb.

It's that thinking that makes me seriously question Dr. Paul's judgment.

Update - How the hel did I forget this. His support for and from the "9/11 Truth" movement. That alone should be enough to keep him from being a viable candidate.

Ron Paul, President, Politics

NYT - Boehners Caving On Immigration

He has hired Rebecca Tallent, John McCain's immigration adviser, as an aide and has been quoted by aides this week as saying he supports "step by step" reform, although he remains opposed to comprehensive reform.

Personally I don't necessarily oppose these changes - I have made my position on immigration reform known often enough in the past (i.e. illegal immigration is primarily an economic problem and the enforcement steps we take to combat it should be aimed at making it uneconomic) - but this is going get get the hardcorp conservatives even more upset at Boehner.  I think we may be seeing a new Speaker soon.

source

Michael Barone - New facts undercut old positions on immigration

In his latest opinion piece Michael Barone validates my opinion on Immigration reform - Namely that if there is border and workplace enforcement economics will do the rest.

From this evidence I draw two conclusions. First, stricter enforcement -- the border fence, more Border Patrol agents, more stringent employer verification, state and local laws -- has reduced the number of illegal immigrants. Second, the recession has reduced the number of both legal and illegal immigrants.

CIS explicitly and Pew implicitly conclude that immigration will rise again once the economy revives. I'm not so sure. At least some of the stricter enforcement measures will continue. And the reservoir of potential immigrants may be drying up. Birthrates declined significantly in Mexico and Latin America circa 1990. And as immigration scholars Timothy Hatton and Jeffrey Williamson write, emigration rates from Mexico and Latin America -- the percentage of population leaving those countries -- peaked way back in 1985-94.

Moreover, people immigrate not only to make money but to achieve dreams. And one of those dreams has been shattered for many Hispanic immigrants. Most housing foreclosures have occurred in four states -- California, Nevada, Arizona and Florida -- and about one-third of those who have lost their homes are Hispanic. Immigration is stimulated by the reports of success that immigrants send back home. It may be discouraged by reports of failure.

Nice to be validated.

Feds to check immigration status of all local prisoners

Vast expansion of Bush era program expected to identify up to 1.2 million criminal illegal aliens in four years.

The Obama administration is expanding a program initiated by President George W. Bush aimed at checking the immigration status of virtually every person booked into local jails. In four years, the measure could result in a tenfold increase in illegal immigrants who have been convicted of crimes and identified for deportation, current and former U.S. officials said.

...

Venturella said ICE will give priority to deporting the most dangerous offenders: national security risks or those convicted of violent crimes. Based on initial projections, the agency estimates that 100,000 of these are "Level 1 offenders" and that deporting them would cost $1.1 billion over four years. Removing all criminal illegal immigrants would cost $3 billion, ICE estimated last year.

OK giving credit where it's due this is an Obama administration policy I can support even though I am sure that there is some underside here that I won't be thrilled with when I find out about it.

politics, immigration

How Democrat’s Fooled California’s Redistricting Commission

In the weeks that followed, party leaders came up with a plan. Working with the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee — a national arm of the party that provides money and support to Democratic candidates — members were told to begin “strategizing about potential future district lines," according to another email.

The citizens’ commission had pledged to create districts based on testimony from the communities themselves, not from parties or statewide political players. To get around that, Democrats surreptitiously enlisted local voters, elected officials, labor unions and community groups to testify in support of configurations that coincided with the party’s interests.

When they appeared before the commission, those groups identified themselves as ordinary Californians and did not disclose their ties to the party. One woman who purported to represent the Asian community of the San Gabriel Valley was actually a lobbyist who grew up in rural Idaho, and lives in Sacramento.

In one instance, party operatives invented a local group to advocate for the Democrats’ map.

California’s Democratic representatives got much of what they wanted from the 2010 redistricting cycle, especially in the northern part of the state. “Every member of the Northern California Democratic Caucus has a ticket back to DC,” said one enthusiastic memo written as the process was winding down. “This is a huge accomplishment that should be celebrated by advocates throughout the region.”

Article here

Meanwhile the Economist discusses whether the California GOP can be revived:

…Washington’s Republicans are still testing the power they won in November. Sacramento’s, by contrast, are fighting for survival after a season of epic reverses. All eight statewide offices went to Democrats in the last election. And after falling for decades, the percentage of Californian voters who are registered Republican is now less than 31%, far below the 44% who are Democrats and not far above the 20% who decline to state a preference.

…

although the Democrats have their crazies—largely of the green or unionised sort—they have also picked up most of the rising Latino and Asian political talent. And they tend to be moderate, or even conservative. This may help explain why independent voters in California lean Democratic in elections.

The Economist places a good deal of the blame on perceived anti-immigration policies (read anti-illegal immigration policies).  You will have to make up your own mind on that.

On immigration, last week I posted about the EB5 visa program that allows foreign nationals to qualify for a green card based on investing $500,000 in a business or in the case of some investors Gov’t backed bonds.  Chuck Schumer, along with Mike Lee,  is pushing to expand that program by only requiring the purchase of a house:

Senators Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., and Mike Lee, R-Utah, are believers. And they're offering a sweet deal. On Thursday, October 20, the two lawmakers unveiled legislation, the Visa Improvements to Stimulate International Tourism to the United States of America Act, or VISIT-USA Act (S.1746), one of whose elements would provide renewable three-year resident visas to foreign nationals who invest at least $500,000 in residential real estate here.

The participants have to pay cash, must live in the house 180 days a year and pay taxes on foreign income.  No work authorization or entitlement benefits but spouses and children would be eligible for visas also, and of course children born here would be US Citizens.

Republican 2008 Congressional District Census

Got this in the mail today along with a note requesting that I donate $25, $50, $100, $250 or $500 to support the party. OK I was planning on donating anyway and I wanted a chance to have input on the platform anyway, but I want to share the questions with you guys.

Political Profile

1. Do you identify yourself as a:

a. Conservative Republican
b. Moderate Republican
c. Liberal Republican
d. Independent Voter who leans Republican

2. Do you traditionally vote in all elections

a. Yes
b. No

3. Did you cast a vote in the following elections (Yes, No or Unsure were the choices for each)

a. 2004 Presidential Contest
b. 2006 Mid-Term Election

4. What age category applies to you

a. 18-29
b. 30-44
c. 45-59
d. 60+

5. How close do you think your views are to others in your community

a. Very Close
b. Not Very Close
c. Somewhat Close
d. No Opinion

6. From what media sources do you regularly receive your political news (You can choose more than one)

a. NBC/CBS/ABC
b. Internet Blogs
c. Friends
d. Fox News
e. Local Newspaper
f. News Websites
g. CNN/MSNBC
h. Radio
i. Other__________
j. National Magazines
k. Candidate Websites

General Issues

1. Do you think things are generally going in the right direction in this country or do you think things have gotten off on the wrong track.

a. Right Track
b. Wrong Track
c. No opinion

2. Please indicate the top 3 issues that you believe are most important to the people in your area

a. War in Iraq
b. Energy
c. Federal Spending
d. War on Terror
e. Health Care
f. Foreign Affairs
g. Taxes
h. Economy
i. Social Security
j. Immigration
k. Environment
l. Protecting Traditional Values
m. Strong Military
n. Other__________

3. Which political party do you think is best able to handle each of the following issues (Republican, Democratic or Undecided are the choices for each)

a. War in Iraq
b. War on Terror
c. Taxes
d. Health Care
e. Federal Spending
f. Social Security
g. National Defense
h. Foreign Policy
i. Environment
j. Economy
k. Immigration
l. Energy
m. Education
n. Protecting Traditional Values

4. How much does it concern you that the Democrats will have total control of the federal government if they win the White House and keep control of Congress in 2008

a. Very much
b. Not too much
c. Not a concern
d. Undecided

Domestic Issues

1. How confident do you feel that America's economy will improve in the next six months

a. Strongly confident
b. Not too confident
c. Somewhat confident
e. Not confident at all
f. No opinion

2. Which of the following factors do you feel is most adversely effecting the economy in your area

a. Burdensome Taxes
b. Severe Government Regulation
c. Unstable Real Estate Market
d. Growth of Government Spending
e. Threat of Terrorism
f. Unpredictable Fluctuating Fuel Prices
g. Other

3. Which of the following is the single most important economic issue facing you and your family

a. Health Care Costs
b. Price of Fuel
c. Inflation / Rising Prices Overall
d. High Taxes
e. Other__________

4. Would you like Congress to pass additional tax cuts to further stimulate our nations economy

a. Yes
b. No
c. Undecided

5. Are you comfortable with our current level of government spending

a. Current spending levels are OK
b. Spending should be decreased
c. Undecided

6. Do you think all Americans should have some form of health insurance even if it requires the federal government to underwrite some of the costs

a. Yes
b. No
c. Undecided

7. How do you think Congress should best address the looming Social Security crisis

a. Raise the retirement age for today's workers
b. Eliminate the current Social Security tax cap
c. Offer younger workers the option to put part of their Social Security tax into a personal account
d. Other__________

8. Do you believe global warming is an issue that must be dealt with immediately

a. Yes
b. No
c. Undecided

9. How much of an impact is the rising cost of fule having on you and your family

a. Major Impact
b. Medium Impact
c. Minimal Impact

10. Using the number 1 thru 5 (with 1 being the highest priority) please indicate the policies you support most to address how the US should meet future energy needs

a. Increase drilling in Alaska's ANWR
b. Greater investment in Wind/Solar power
c. More funds for alternative energy research
d. Tap previously unrecoverable oil
e. Build new oil refineries in the US
f. Build new nuclear plants in the US
g. Other__________

11. Do you believe that congress must reform the current parctice of earmarking or "pork barrel spending" that adds billions of dollars to appropriations bills

a. Yes
b. No
c. Undecided

12. Do you support increased funding for securing our borders

a. Yes
b. No
c. Undecided

13. Should employers face strong fines for knowingly hiring workers who are in this country illegally

a. Yes
b. No
c. Undecided

14. Are you in favor of establishing a guest worker program that will allow people to enter the US temporarily to fill jobs that Americans do not take

a. Yes
b. No
c. Undecided

15. Do you think being strong on the issue of illegal immigration and trying to bring it under control helps or hurts the Republican Party when it comes to winning elections in your area.

a. Helps the party
b. Hurts the party
c. Undecided

16. Do you believe the Republican Party should continue to embrace social issues

a. Yes
b. No
c. Undecided

If yes please register your opinion on the following issues (1 = support, 2 = Oppose, 3= No Opinion)

a. School Prayer
b. Faith Based Initiatives
c. Ban Burning of the Flag
d. Ban All Abortions
e. Ban Human Cloning
f. Prohibit Homosexual Marriage
g. Other__________

National Defense

1. Do you support fighting the terrorists in Iraq to ensure that the War on Terror does not come to US shores

a. Yes
b. No
c. Undecided

2. As a voter where do you put the status of the War on Terror as a factor in deciding how you will vote in the 2008 elections

a. The war will be a very big factor
b. The war will be somewhat a factor
c. The war will not be a big factor
d. Don't Know

3. Which party do you think has a stronger message to take into the 2008 elections when it comes to the War on Terror

a. The Republican policy of stabilizing Iraq and handing over military duties as the Iraqi government gains strength
b. The Democrat policy of "cut and run" bringing our troops home immediately and leaving Iraq in the hands of terrorists
c. Undecided

I am just thinking that now might be a good time to contact your Representatives / Senators and let them know how you feel on each of these items.

Rate of Remittances to Mexico Drop

Over the past couple of years I have slowly refined my position on illegal immigration to five points:

1. Secure The Border
2. Workplace Enforcement
3. Deport The Criminals
4. Legalization
5. Assimilation (Including English as the official language)

I believe that if we pursue those points as the priority on illegals there will be no need to try and deport all 12,000,000 of them. The economics of the situation will cause a behavioral change.

My reasoning is basically this. Most illegals from Mexico come to the US to fill low wage jobs that aren't being filled by US workers (I readily admit that not all the jobs are low wage but most are paid at a wage that makes Americans unwilling to take them). They do so in order to support a family in Mexico. When the illegals come here and work in the underground economy they artificially depress wages and this perpetuates the cycle. If we make it too expensive for new illegals to cross the border while combining that with measures that push wages up to a natural equilibrium point the economic situation will tend to stem the tide. Those who are here already will either assimilate or return to their country of origin. The invisible hand that Adam Smith talks about pokes a finger in and resolves the situation.

I have been one of the very few among the circle of bloggers that I read / try to interact with that has taken this point of view, but today's New York Times offers a little vindication:

EL RODEO, Mexico — For years, millions of Mexican migrants working in the United States have sent money back home to villages like this one, money that allows families to pay medical bills and school fees, build houses and buy clothes or, if they save enough, maybe start a tiny business.

But after years of strong increases, the amount of migrant money flowing to Mexico has stagnated. From 2000 to 2006, remittances grew to nearly $24 billion a year from $6.6 billion, rising more than 20 percent some years. In 2007, the increase so far has been less than 2 percent.

Reasons given?

1. Stronger Border Enforcement
2. Stronger Workplace Enforcement
3. Slowing US economy
4. Assimilation

Granted the end of the article does indicate that some still intend to try to jump the border but there is hesitation there now where there wasn't before.

Immigration

Victor Davis Hanson - How McCain can Win

Concentate on four areas - Differentiate from Obama

"The War: Our aims are victory, and we will leave each region of Iraq as our victory on the ground allows us to turn another province over to Iraqi security forces." I'm consistent in my views, Obama isn't. My way is working, Obama's won't.

"Money: Tax cuts led to greater aggregate revenues. Deficits grew due to uncontrolled federal spending." I will reduce spending and keep the revenue generating tax cuts, Obama will increase spending and increase taxes - A recipe for disaster.

"Energy: I’m as much for wind, solar, and conservation as Barack Obama. But for now at present rates of consumption and production, we will go bankrupt in the transition to green energy." Too comabt this I will use all available sources. My opponent will not.

"Illegal Immigration: We can talk all we want about “comprehensive immigration reform” but it won’t matter if we don’t close the border—now. I will; my opponent won’t."

I know the last one is contentious especially with people like DrewM over at Ace of Spades who feel like you can tell McCain is lying because his lips are moving, but he has said it repeatedly in speeches and it is far ahead of Obama's position.

If it was me I would add one more item - Judges, but I think Victor Davis Hanson's list works well enough.

Uh-Oh, Climate Change and Illegal Immigration Have Teamed Up to Deal a One-Two Punch to the United States

[S]cientists are predicting another consequence of climate change: mass migration to the United States.
Between 1.4 million and 6.7 million Mexicans could migrate to the U.S. by 2080 as climate change reduces crop yields and agricultural production in Mexico, according to a study published online this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The number could amount to 10% of the current population of Mexicans ages 15 to 65.

Oh Dear God, what can we do?  Wait I know we can adopted the green house gas emissions targets set at Copenhagen.  It’s the only way to preserve the American way of life.

Or we can look at this as what it is, scare tactics to try and drum up support for the Cap and Trade bill and comprehensive immigration reform, and probably any other languishing social program you care to name.

source

TPP really appears to suck AND Supreme Court to hear case on Obama's Executive Action on Illegal Aliens - What I am reading 1/19/2016

The Hacker News - FBI Has Named Hacker Allegedly Responsible For The Fappening Leaks -

The Fappening was the result of the hack of thousands of Apple's iCloud accounts, including those belonging to Hollywood actresses, models and major celebrities.

However, now two years later, new court documents reveal the name of the FBI’s top suspected hacker: Ed Majerczyk.

Since this is coming to light now I can only assume that some sort of court proceeding must be happening in regards to The Fappening ( :-P ).  I would bet a plea bargain will be announced soon.

Wired - The Silk Road’s Dark-Web Dream Is Dead -

The result has been that the libertarian free-trade zone that the Silk Road once stood for has devolved into a more fragmented, less ethical, and far less trusted collection of scam-ridden black market bazaars. Instead of the Silk Road’s principled—if still very illegal—alternative to the violence and unpredictable products of street dealers, the dark web’s economy has become nearly as shady as the Internet back alley politicians and moralizing TV pundits have long compared it to.

...

Christin argues that the dark web markets have been in a state of ethical decline since the moment Ross Ulbricht was arrested in late 2013. Ulbricht had, at least in theory, restricted the Silk Road’s sales to only “victimless” contraband, positioning the site as the seed of a non-violent anarcho-capitalist revolution. (Never mind the six murder-for-hires of enemies he’s been accused of commissioning in secret.) He treated his users as a community, and wrote them love letters and ideological manifestos. All of that made him a trusted administrator whose political ideals assured his followers that he wouldn’t rip them off for a quick bitcoin. “What we’re doing isn’t about scoring drugs or ‘sticking it to the man.’ It’s about standing up for our rights as human beings and refusing to submit when we’ve done no wrong,” Ulbricht wrote to me using his pseudonym, the Dread Pirate Roberts, before his arrest in 2013. “Silk Road is a vehicle for that message … All else is secondary.”

I am not quite sure how it can be asserted that theft, identity theft and fraud are victimless crimes or see The Silk Road as some sort of utopia.  It sold drugs and murder (hit men advertised there) and profited off of them.  That isn't a political statement it's a business model.

Tech Dirt - World Bank Report: TPP Will Bring Negligible Economic Benefit To US, Canada And Australia -

despite the impact that TPP's measures will have on how the US and other countries do business, there are astonishingly few studies on whether it will indeed have a positive impact overall. Just over a year ago, we wrote about one of the rare attempts to model TPP, commissioned by the US Department of Agriculture, which came up with the following result for countries like the US and Australia:

TPP is projected to have no measurable impacts on real GDP

 ...

Fortunately, we now have a new report from the World Bank, no less, which took into account all aspects of the proposed deal. Here's the summary of what it found (pdf): 

The model simulations suggest that, by 2030, the TPP will raise member country GDP by 0.4-10 percent, and by 1.1 percent, on a GDP-weighted average basis.

Of course the US comes out with the short end of this stick.  0.4% cumulative growth attributed to TPP over by 2030.

Tech Crunch - Why Big Companies Keep Failing: The Stack Fallacy -

The article explores why companies have trouble exploiting their core competencies to move into another market segment.  Well worth reading.

NYTimes - Supreme Court to Hear Challenge to Obama Immigration Actions -

The Supreme Court said Tuesday that it would consider a legal challenge to President Obama’s overhaul of the nation’s immigration rules. The court, which has twice rejected challenges to Mr. Obama’s health care law, will now determine the fate of one of his most far-reaching executive actions.

Fourteen months ago, Mr. Obama ordered the creation of a program intended to allow as many as five million illegal immigrants who are the parents of citizens or of lawful permanent residents to apply for a program sparing them from deportation and providing them work permits. The program was called Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents, or DAPA.

Even though the court asked for a brief on the constitutional requirement for the President to faithfully execute all laws I don't think this case is going to go the way most conservatives want it to. Even if they don't reject the challenge outright the decision will probably leave enough wiggle room that as long as things like comment periods are adhered to the program can go forward.

Around the Moronosphere in 60 Minutes 5/14/09 - More of those wacky Pakistanis and Nancy Pelosi Meltsdown

Doubleplusundead - DUI Lawyers Everywhere Rejoice - 3 out of every 5 lines of code has errors

Economic stimulus by other means? I am sure the lawyers will be making money hand over fist and there should be trickle down

Flopping Aces - “Smoking Gun” Memo Discloses How Global Warming Remedies are Political, NOT Scientific

Just One Minute - A Pelosi vs. CIA summary -

D=S - Limbaugh, Krauthammer & Coulter On Pelosi -

The Other McCain - Another Pelosi Round-up -

Conservatives are having a hell of a time watching Pelosi squirm, but I'm not sure she isn't going to get away with it. She has been a lying partisan hack for years and has slid by with the willing acquiesense of the media, why should they change now. All she has to do is shut up for 5 minutes and stop giving Jon Stewart joke fodder and she will skate.

Other Stuff:

Al- Jazeera - Scores of Taliban die in fighting - At least 124 suspected Taliban fighters have been killed by Pakistani government forces in the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) over 24 hours, the military said late on Thursday.

The army shelled suspected Taliban bases in the districts of Swat and Lower Dir on Thursday, marking the 18th successive day of attacks by the military in NWFP.

BBC - Collapse of Western Antarctic Ice Sheet would only raise sea levels 10 feet or so. Not 15 to 20 feet previously projected.

Dawn - US Senate approves emergency aid for Pakistan - "The Senate measure also includes about $900 million in economic and security aid for Pakistan which is battling militant Taliban fighters spilling over its border with Afghanistan. The House bill has about $1 billion for Pakistan.

Fox News - Gitmo Tribunals to Resume - President Obama is expected to announce the administration's decision to restart Bush-era military tribunals for a small number of Guantanamo detainees Friday.

I can hear heads popping already.

and U.S. Has Plan to Secure Pakistan Nukes if Country Falls to Taliban - "The United States has a detailed plan for infiltrating Pakistan and securing its mobile arsenal of nuclear warheads if it appears the country is about to fall under the control of the Taliban, Al Qaeda or other Islamic extremists."

well at least we have a plan. Does President Obama have the will?

US Trying to speed up training of Pak Army - "U.S. officials are in early talks with Pakistani leaders to develop a program that could increase the number of U.S. special operations trainers in that country, with a goal to slash the training time by as much as half for more than 9,000 members of Pakistan's paramilitary Frontier Corps, said a senior defense official.

Training the 14 battalion-size units of the Frontier Corps is expected to take at least four years, but officials would like to both speed up their counterinsurgency training and expand the schooling to the Pakistani Army, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the discussions are preliminary and no decisions have been made."

NY Times - Mexican Data Say Migration to U.S. Has Plummeted - "Mexican and American researchers say that the current decline, which has also been manifested in a decrease in arrests along the border, is largely a result of Mexicans’ deciding to delay illegal crossings because of the lack of jobs in the ailing American economy."

Again make it economically unrewarding and the illegal immigration problem will resolve itself.

Health Care Leaders Say Obama Overstated Their Promise to Control Costs - He tends to do that just ask the folks at Catepillar

Yahoo - Bipartisan health consensus emerges - Well this can't possibly be good.

Statistical sampling out in 2010 census - "WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama's pick to lead the Census Bureau is ruling out the use of statistical sampling in the 2010 head count, seeking to allay GOP concerns that he might be prone to put politics over science."

Dems find 60 votes isn't enough, those nasty Republicans still want a say and the conservative Dems Chuck Schumer recruited to run in Red states are letting them have it.

"And with contentious fights over health care, climate change and Obama’s first Supreme Court pick ahead, some Democratic senators are now convinced that they can’t wade into some of the hot-button social issues their supporters would like them to pursue.

“They should not take anything for granted,” said Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), who as majority whip has the job of counting votes. “People keep saying, ‘Wow, if you get Sen. Franken up in Minnesota, everything is going to be fine — you’ll be at 60.’ I’ve never said that, I know, because I face these senators every day, and I know that each of them has their own mind.”

Their own little versions of Specter, Snowe, and Collins, gotta love it.

blogs, moronosphere, pakistan, taliban, pelosi