USCG Hang in there...

[Seevee]

Not really...I had many reasons for signing up.


One was I had full faith in the US to make good on their promises....one of which was a guaranteed paycheck/retirement while big businesses were failing every year.


I can only hope our youth takes note of our steady deterioration and are smart enough to stop joining and defending a country run by leaders with no morals or principles.

Paul,

I feel sorry for you... really! However, it's been proven over and over again that the government promises aren't any good.

Heck, I was in the private sector and 90% of my retirement was taken by the government which was the thing they PROMISED to protect!

So, the private sector isn't any better.

You're right, the govt has NO morals or principles, on ANY level.

 

[Seevee]

Another thing.....

Just ask the folks that have had loved ones killed an raped by the illegal immigrants that cross over the southern boarder from Mexico and see how THEY feel.

The folks that oppose the wall are the MAJOR cause of the shut down.

I know this is getting very political, but I could argue strongly to support our president that is really concerned about the illegal aliens causing harm to our country, when the opposition could care less.

 

[twistedtree]

In my experience, Mexican immigrants are hard working people just trying to make a better life for their families, just like all the rest of us.

And funny how a government who supposedly refuse to negotiate with terrorists, have themselves become the hostage holders. This is all so un-American, or perhaps so American. I suppose it depends on your perspective.

 

[Commander Nomad]

Again, you sign up for the government payroll, you roll the dice.

"Guaranteed" paycheck and/or pension. Until it isn't. Low ceiling but low floor, if that's what you're after then by all means go for it. But please don't think it's a guaranteed gravy job.

 

[twistedtree]

All this reminds me of a bumper sticker when my kids were in grade school. It said “imagine the day when schools have unlimited funding, and the military have to hold a bake sale to buy a new fighter plane”

Maybe some day we will evolve.

 

[Seevee]

In my experience, Mexican immigrants are hard working people just trying to make a better life for their families, just like all the rest of us.

And funny how a government who supposedly refuse to negotiate with terrorists, have themselves become the hostage holders. This is all so un-American, or perhaps so American. I suppose it depends on your perspective.

I could argue that there's nothing wrong with Mexican or any other immigrants are hard working folks just trying to make a better life.

BUT, as an American I'd INSIST that they come to our country legally, just like what is required of us going to another country.

Now, it's "un American" to close the boarders to illegals? Don't think so. Enough is enough.

 

[twistedtree]

I could argue that there's nothing wrong with Mexican or any other immigrants are hard working folks just trying to make a better life.



BUT, as an American I'd INSIST that they come to our country legally, just like what is required of us going to another country.



Now, it's "un American" to close the boarders to illegals? Don't think so. Enough is enough.

I’m all for legal immigration. I just think it’s a grossly overblown problem. It’s the classic boogie man in the closet who will come take your wife and kids if you don’t support me. BS. It’s the oldest trick in the book, and people are still falling for it.

The real problems are much deeper, and much harder to solve. Like labor with value well below what’s needed to live the American Dream. Are you willing to stop shopping at walmart and buy only American made products? And are you ready to accept the massive inflation that accompanies all of the professed ideals? For the last 30 years the answer has been a resounding NO. Remember “most favored nation” status, annually awarded to China for great “civil reform”? BS. It was “most profitable trading partner”, so we could ignore our otherwise anti communist policies.

 

[O C Diver]

In my experience, Mexican immigrants are hard working people just trying to make a better life for their families, just like all the rest of us.

Most are; some are not. The sad part is that while many work hard, most families are a significant drain on state, county and city resources as those that work make minimal wages and don't meaningfully contribute to the tax base. It's easy to be sympathetic to those coming in search of a better life. What's is often missed is that most all states have poor districts deserving of additional funding for schools etc., unfortunately these poor USA citizens take a back seat to the costs of illegal immigrants.

Ted

 

[Seevee]

I’m all for legal immigration. I just think it’s a grossly overblown problem. It’s the classic boogie man in the closet who will come take your wife and kids if you don’t support me. BS. It’s the oldest trick in the book, and people are still falling for it.

The real problems are much deeper, and much harder to solve. Like labor with value well below what’s needed to live the American Dream. Are you willing to stop shopping at walmart and buy only American made products? And are you ready to accept the massive inflation that accompanies all of the professed ideals? For the last 30 years the answer has been a resounding NO. Remember “most favored nation” status, annually awarded to China for great “civil reform”? BS. It was “most profitable trading partner”, so we could ignore our otherwise anti communist policies.

Twisted,

Your post does not address the illegals. And YES, they are here and they are taking our wives and kids.

Why don't you let them move in with you?

Nothing to do with trade.

 

[78puget-trawler]

Right now its not so much the illegals coming here from MX, its from everywhere else in South and Central America. The asylum laws need to be changed. The Wall needs to be built. Folks who wish to immigrate here need to do so legally and not by SNEAKING ACROSS OUR BORDERS!!! It does not matter that most illegals are this or that, NOT the point. We have borders for a reason, just like all countries do. There are now at least 3 caravans headed for our southern border. Anyone who says this is overblown, a manufactured crisis, or just a boogeyman thing is not paying attentions or is an open borders type. I am so sick of hearing this line of thinking I could puke!

 

[psneeld]

Again, you sign up for the government payroll, you roll the dice.

"Guaranteed" paycheck and/or pension. Until it isn't. Low ceiling but low floor, if that's what you're after then by all means go for it. But please don't think it's a guaranteed gravy job.

Did I think joining the USCG was going to be a gravy job?

Especially to become a helo pilot?

Man, that's a new one.

 

[Commander Nomad]

Did I think joining the USCG was going to be a gravy job?

Especially to become a helo pilot?

Man, that's a new one.

You became a Helo pilot on the government payroll? Congrats, do you realize what that costs a private citizen for the same training?

You signed up for a job, all inclusive. Don't complain when the part you didn't like comes due.

 

[Andy G]

What is that noise in the distance, wow it's getting louder, sounds pretty angry..........why hello Janet.

No, nothing going on here. 'OTDE light' surely not.

Just a bit of friendly agro.

Yes, we will behave (phew that was close).

 

[psneeld]

Just one of many appropriate quotes....

"The nation which forgets its defenders will be itself forgotten." Calvin Coolage

 

[menzies]

Just one of many appropriate quotes....

"The nation which forgets its defenders will be itself forgotten." Calvin Coolage

I can only hope our youth takes note of our steady deterioration and are smart enough to stop joining and defending a country run by leaders with no morals or principles.

..

 

[Boat]

I wondered about that one myself.


Quiz time. How many foreign born people are living in the US? Hint UN DESA


https://migrationdataportal.org/themes/international-migrant-stocks


Rhetorical questions: How many do we really need and why? Do US born people have the same rights in their countries as they have in ours?


It's 58.5 million, just in case you don't want to click the link.


Why isn't this talked about?

 

[78puget-trawler]

Do US born people have the same rights in their countries as they have in ours?


ANSWER: NOPE!

 

[Andy G]

I wondered about that one myself.


Quiz time. How many foreign born people are living in the US? Hint UN DESA


https://migrationdataportal.org/themes/international-migrant-stocks


Rhetorical questions: How many do we really need and why? Do US born people have the same rights in their countries as they have in ours?


It's 58.5 million, just in case you don't want to click the link.


Why isn't this talked about?

To put it in perspective. Of the UK, Canada, Australia & the US. The US has the lowest percentage of foreign born citizens, followed by the UK, Canada, and Australia comes in at just under double the American percentage.

Interestingly, the US intake, in percentage terms, has barely moved over the last one hundred years. The figure stood at 14.4% in 1880

The obvious question is why does it get some much political airplay at the present. Maybe some people have a vested interest in stirring the pot?

 

[Boat]

Maybe some people have a vested interest in stirring the pot?

It is almost inconceivable that this a serious question.

What is your nationality and what are your interests in this matter?

What pot? No pot. It's the country. We have a vested interest in self preservation as a country. Maybe it's a lost cause but it's all we have left.

58.5 million. Let ME put this in perspective for YOU. How long would it take to count 58.5 million people? Cost? You can't even count that many people. Impossible to do anything useful with them.

 

[78puget-trawler]

Combined population of the UK, Canada and Oz is just over a third of the population of the US. Might be one of the reasons we have less percentage (if true) than the smaller countries. It takes more people to change that percentage. Something some folks don't seem to understand. There is NO right to immigrate to America. It is not a given that all you have to do is show up and be admitted. I don't know anywhere that it would thus. But we do have this serious problem at our borders and large groups just coming across the river, in tunnels under the border fences, etc. There are a lot of people who overstay their legal Visa's and just vanish. When illegals cross the border and ask for asylum, there are so many cases they cannot all be adjudicated, so they are given court dates and told to come back later. Guess what? Most just vanish into the country and never come back. This is a problem, it needs to be fixed. Folks from other countries really ought not try to tell us that we are pot stirrers. You mostly don't have any idea what you are talking about and have no vested interest in our situation.

 

[BruceK]

Does the USA ever tell other countries how to behave? All the time. It even invades or attacks for behavior it disapproves, and imposes economic sanctions.
USA can`t be immune from observations from outside.
One of the issues is the ability of arrivals without visas to seek asylum. It`s not illegal, but it is "irregular".
Australia has put much effort into preventing or dissuading irregular boat arrivals, and the constant sinkings and drownings associated with small poor condition vessels.We do understand the problem.
The "wall" issue is hopelessly politicized, from outside it looks extraordinary,and that is clearly affecting this discussion. Lack of (money) Supply here can result in a change of Government,it did once, amid much argument,but it cured the problem. Our system permits that, yours it seems does not.
"The wall" is an unresolved issue with a significant part of Government closed down as retribution for no agreement,or perhaps less politely, in a form of blackmail. The world can not be expected not to notice,or comment, and wonder how when and if the stalemate will be broken.

 

[bogranjac1]

Does the USA ever tell other countries how to behave? All the time. It even invades or attacks for behavior it disapproves, and imposes economic sanctions.
USA can`t be immune from observations from outside.
One of the issues is the ability of arrivals without visas to seek asylum. It`s not illegal, but it is "irregular".
Australia has put much effort into preventing or dissuading irregular boat arrivals, and the constant sinkings and drownings associated with small poor condition vessels.We do understand the problem.
The "wall" issue is hopelessly politicized, from outside it looks extraordinary,and that is clearly affecting this discussion. Lack of (money) Supply here can result in a change of Government,it did once, amid much argument,but it cured the problem. Our system permits that, yours it seems does not.
"The wall" is an unresolved issue with a significant part of Government closed down as retribution for no agreement,or perhaps less politely, in a form of blackmail. The world can not be expected not to notice,or comment, and wonder how when and if the stalemate will be broken.

Just an observation from afar.
I wonder that with the benefit of hindsight how many of the (affected)government workers who voted for this president would vote the same way ?
Was it just the 'basket of deplorables' that would never have a good job or prospects (ie. government job) and nothing to lose who got him elected?

 

[Boat]

The "Wall".


We all know this is being done by people whose objectives are hoarding wealth and hoarding power.

Pelosi and Shumer voted for a fence along the border back in the 1990s. It must of been the highest priority or they would have voted elsewise. Now as they speak from the other side of their mouths, it is immoral.

Or maybe it is all political. No, it is about hoarding.

The Democrats voted for a "fence" along the border back in the 1990s. They recognized it as an issue then and they have had 30 years to do something about it. Their choice. They chose to renege and now we are holding their feet to the fire. Maybe that will work or maybe it will take pitchforks.

 

[Boat]

Was it just the 'basket of deplorables' that would never have a good job or prospects (ie. government job) and nothing to lose who got him elected?

Maybe your premise is based on listening to too much propaganda.

Government jobs are not for everyone, except in a socialist/communist society. Bernie promised this but he didn't give away his wealth and commit to living on the median income of his voters, probably $45-$50K.

Talk to me about socialism when all of our wanna-be socialist representatives are paying a mortgage on a 50 year old, three bedroom ranch in the suburbs; driving their own used car to work and shopping at Walmart to eat meals at home. And yes, I will look down at them and laugh. $45-50K probably won't get you this anymore either.

 

[menzies]

House passed a bill funding the wall in December. It went to the Senate and was rejected.

Isn't that the way our government is supposed to work?

 

[psneeld]

Funny, people from all over, particularly Canada ask me how I feel about forgoing my pension check over the wall.

I say it should be a question to the top of border security and a board of well known border security experts. Not to me and certainly not the opinions of anyone else.

Then the question is, do we want border security as a nation (and border security does not effect LEGAL immigration) and how much and how will we pay for it.

Everything else is background noise. The way we ARE doing it though is the reason for the cartoon.

The funny thing is the USCG stopped illegal immigrants this week off Miami.

So Menzies, what is the secret part of the cartoon?

 

[Boat]

Drama most definitely plays a part in this. Entertainment is good for business.


I need to bash out one more and I promise to leave this alone.

In my experience, Mexican immigrants are hard working people just trying to make a better life for their families, just like all the rest of us.

They are people, not all the same. Stereotypes are bad, even if they are nice stereotypes.

Give them air conditioning, a car, cell phone, home, clothes, food, and then try to get some work out of them. Good Luck.

This is being done. Social groups, church groups mostly are being paid a government subsidy for asylum seekers. Take the money away and the situation changes. Bet?


It is a big money subsidy scam.

 

[ranger58sb]

The "wall" issue is hopelessly politicized, from outside it looks extraordinary,and that is clearly affecting this discussion.

Yes.

Some think the wall is crucial, and there's a crisis; some think it's a waste of money, and the "crisis" is hooey.

Many who think it is crucial believe a wall would completely solve illegal immigration, drug trafficking, human trafficking... even though DHS reports most of that activity occurs at other ports of entry (NYC would be an example). A subset of these seem to think that the existing U.S. labor force could possibly fill all the jobs immigrants are willing to do (as if some young millenial is willing to harvest crops, work in car washes and landscaping jobs, etc.). Those who believe a wall is necessary mostly seem to think it's only "Democrats" who oppose, despite the polling.

Many who think it's a waste of money are accused of being soft on the idea of border security, even in favor of illegal immigration, even though they are instead focused on supporting other border security measures DHS has asked for (improved listening and monitoring devices, etc.).

There's another category: those who think a wall is heartless, possibly racially-driven. Not sure this category has much insight into security work, what it takes to interdict various trafficking operations, program complexity and costs, etc. This group is also often accused of being in favor of illegal immigration.

In the meantime, Fed workers -- and federal contractors, who also can't work when the gov't is closed -- are the first pawns. Next comes all the work not being done (airport security, tax stuff, loan approvals for farming programs, etc.). Then the whole economy starts to falter...

It happens Congress owns the decision to budget for various programs (the Executive only implements those). A Congress with a spine -- and a clue -- could pass veto-proof legislation that could improve the border security situation.

But the trouble with "compromise" in the Legislature is that many see that as a lose/lose outcome. The trouble with a "common sense" approach is that there isn't much "common." Not many (yet) seem willing to look for a win-a-little/win-a-little solution.

-Chris

 

[JLD]

Another thing.....

Just ask the folks that have had loved ones killed an raped by the illegal immigrants that cross over the southern boarder from Mexico and see how THEY feel.

The folks that oppose the wall are the MAJOR cause of the shut down.

I know this is getting very political, but I could argue strongly to support our president that is really concerned about the illegal aliens causing harm to our country, when the opposition could care less.

Do you know that the crime rate for illegal immigrants is actually much lower than it is for U.S. citizens?

Also, that 2/3rd of the illegal immigrants did NOT come across the southern U.S. border, but came in on legal visas, and have overstayed their visa? There doesn't seem to be much concern by the President over these folks, could it be the color of their skin?

I think most Americans would like to see a comprehensive fix to our immigration problems. This would include comprehensive border security, but that shouldn't be confused with just building a wall. Manufacturing a crisis, and holding 1/4 of the government hostage (lets not forget that the President said he would be proud to own a shutdown) to fulfill a campaign promise to the base is not leadership. Leadership would be offering a compromise deal that actually solves the problem.

It is time to end this stupid shutdown and get all the furloughed feds back to work. It is also time to pay those folks who are working (Coasties, Secret Service, CBP Agents, and all of the other folks) for their work. It is also time to have REAL discussion between members of both the Republican and Democratic parties of comprehensive immigration reform. Folks on both the far right and the far left cannot be driving this discussion, as compromise is made in the middle.

And for those couple of posts in this thread, who treat military or public service as nothing more than a paycheck, thank God you are in neither. There is a calling to serve, something that I sincerely hope you seek to understand.

Jim

 

[psneeld]

Thank you Jim.

I am aware that many on the Fed payroll really don't really earn their keep compared to others.

Winston Churchill nailed it....

‘Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.’