Wednesday, August 8, 2018

The Left “Wrongs” America


 It’s hard to escape the conclusion that the Left’s campaign for illegal immigration is a slander on America.
Is that an overstatement?

Consider:
          - Illegal immigrants are termed “undocumented”, as if the difference between those who enter lawfully and those who do not is merely a matter of missing paperwork.

          - A caravan of buses originating in Hondurus travels north through Mexico, carrying passengers seeking asylum in the United States from the violence in their home country.  That offered by the Mexican government is spurned.  Yet CNN, etc., bemoan efforts to slow or stymie their efforts to enter the U.S.
          - Activities by American lawyers in advising would be border-crossers on what to say to immigration officials are favorably highlighted by the liberal media.

          - The U.S. admits over one million immigrants each year who have complied with our laws.
          - America, in its compassion toward foreigners, is more generous than most of the world.

 
America is indeed a compassionate, caring and generous country.  And the above facts prove it is slanderous to charge or suggest otherwise.
But most Americans are also law-abiding and resent, and are angered by, those who are not.  We are a people raised, in general, to be fair and considerate.  And we do not approve of people cutting in front of those waiting “in line” to enter our great land.

The Left is, in effect, accusing America of being uncaring, callous and contemptuous of foreigners.  That’s a lie.
Further, America wants new residents to come for the right reasons.  We welcome those attractedby our open society, religious tolerance, love of individual freedom and who possess the desire to adjust to our culture and mores.  Those who come merely to continue their “old ways” in a new setting are not appreciated.

After all, America is a unique land.  We are not populated largely by people of the same ethnic, racial or tribal backgrounds.  Rather, our nation is founded on ideas.  Thus, we have an expectation – a right to demand – that those who settle here shave that commitment.
The standard for admission into any sovereign nation is not merely that people want to enter; it is also that the citizens want them to.

Friday, August 3, 2018

Are Trump Supporters “Flip-Floppers”?


Max Boot, a right-leaning military affairs writer, expresses contempt for the GOP because recent polling finds that only 40% of Republican voters now support NATO while 56% approve of Trump’s relationship with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin.
To be sure, these are unusual results for recent times.  Republicans have generally been supporters of an aggressive foreign policy and suspicious of Russia.

The Democratic Party membership has been just the opposite.
But none of this should be cause for disdain.  How many people make independent, considered judgments about foreign affairs?  Not many.  The reality is that party faithful (note the term) take the position of their leadership.

Prior to 1952, when internationalist Dwight Eisenhower became the GOP nominee, the Republican Party had been isolationist for several decades.
These days, Donald Trump, has questioned America’s involvement in NATO and has been friendly toward Russia.  Thus, it’s to be expected that the Party’s membership would be favorably disposed toward those views.

[Actually, it’s surprising that “only” 56% are on Trump’s side regarding Putin considering that polls have Trump’s approval among Republicans at nearly (90%.]
Although I’ve seen no polls, I’m confident that the Democratic base has flipped, too.  Now, they are undoubtedly more pro-Nato and less antagonistic to Russia.  Not coincidentally, they are adopting views contrary to Trump’s.

Thus, the Max Boots of the country need to calm down.  As Trump changes (isn’t that a sure bet?) so will the views of the rank and file.  There is another sure bet.  Republicans are patriots.  They want the best for our country.  For now, their faith is in Donald Trump.  Is it misplaced?