DONALD TRUMPS SOTUS- COMMENTS BEFORE AND AFTER. #3.

CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE KEN HARBAUGH. The State of OUR Union. David -- Tonight, instead of focusing on the divisiveness in Washington, let’s assess the state of our union by looking around at our communities and ourselves. The state of our union should include healthcare – can we take our family members to the doctor and afford to pay for that care? It should include the state of our schools – are our kids challenged and cherished? Are our teachers valued and enriched? The state of our union should include jobs – can those who work support their families and themselves on the wages they earn? It should include the state of our neighborhoods – do we feel safe where we live? Are we able to give our kids more than we had? The state of our union should include our defenders – what is our relationship to those who risk their lives to protect our freedom? And, perhaps most important of all, the state of our union should include a call from each one of us to elect leaders of character who will listen to our voices and represent us with principles of courage and honor. Only then will we see the union – and the nation – we truly deserve. In service, Ken.

DONALD TRUMPS SOTUS- COMMENTS BEFORE AND AFTER. #2.

CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE JASON RITTEREISER.

What we won’t hear tonight.

David --

 

Trump and Republicans have been talking a lot about how strong our economy is these days. When we talk about economic benefits, let’s remember who is really benefiting: 

• The top 1% grabbed 82% of the wealth created in 2017 -- another year when the investment accounts of the super-rich ballooned and the rest of us were left with scraps.
   
• A Bankrate study gave us a look at the disturbing impact of this ever-growing inequality -- while Trump touts stock market gains, most Americans live in fear of being forced into debt by even a minor emergency because most have less than $1,000 in savings.

Those of us outside the top 1% are being left behind, and it’s only getting worse. 

 

In the State of the Union tonight, my hope is to hear a comprehensive plan to address income inequality, to help working people who are struggling to get by, and to create prosperity in America from the middle out. Instead, Trump will probably tout “huge” economic growth for his rich cronies and the massive tax cuts for big corporations that our children will pay for.

 

It’s time to say enough is enough. We need to take back the House and put an end to the dangerous Trump-Ryan agenda.

 

In Congress, I’ll do what I’ve done my entire career: stand up for working families. 

 

I’ll fight to make healthcare affordable for everyone, reform the tax system so that everyone pays their fair share, ensure that the minimum wage is a living wage, and give every child a fair shot at a great education.

 

Thank you,

Jason

DONALD TRUMPS SOTUS- COMMENTS BEFORE AND AFTER. #1.

U.S. SENATOR CORY BOOKER.

HERE WE GO.

David, Tonight, President Trump will come to the Capitol to deliver his first State of the Union address. And while the conversation in the news and on social media will narrow to a laser-focus on President Trump's words, we must never lose sight of how President Trump's actions have eroded our union in the past year. This president has relentlessly advanced an agenda that is at odds with our most fundamental American values—seeking to divide and separate us by race, religion, creed, gender, sexual orientation, country of origin, and more. Despite campaign promises to the contrary, President Trump has constantly and consistently rewarded the wealthiest and best-connected at the expense of everyday Americans. Watching this speech, it'll be easy to get frustrated. Rather than bring us together, Trump will seek to drive us apart—attacking immigrants and promoting nationalistic policies designed to further isolate America from our friends and allies. For this, he will get applause in the chamber and praise from the pundits. But I don't ever want this to be normalized in our country. We should be angered, and we should show it. So let's put our frustration to good use. Join me and help me show President Trump that there is more that unites us as Americans than there is that divides us... Thanks for your support, Cory.

BARACK OBAMA AND IMMIGRATION. PART 4.

Let us return to the Presidents Speech on Immigration.

Early on, he relates a Compromise Bill that Passed the Senate last Year:

"I WORKED WITH CONGRESS ON A COMPREHENSIVE FIX... 68 DEMOCRATS, REPUBLICANS AND INDEPENDENTS...TO PASS A BIPARTISAN BILL IN THE SENATE...IT WAS A COMPROMISE."

The Bill, According to the President, Would have;  "Doubled the Number of Border Patrol Agents, while giving undocumented immigrants a pathway to citizenship, if they paid a fine, started paying their taxes and went to the back of the line."

Obviously this didn't pass through the House of Representatives, because House Leadership refused to hold a Vote on the Bill.

The Question becomes simply one of WHY?  If an Elected Official truly believed the Bill was wrong and ineffective, what led to this conclusion?

WAS IT:

-  DOUBLING THE NUMBER OF BORDER PATROL AGENTS.

-  ALLOWING UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS A CHANCE TO EARN CITIZENSHIP BY:  PAYING A FINE, MAKING TAX PAYMENTS, AND WAITING THEIR TURN BEHIND OTHERS ALREADY INVOLVED IN THE PROCESS.

-   A REASON  NOT SPECIFICALLY ADDRESSED BY THE BILL?  

Further, if the House Leadership was convinced that this was Irresponsible, and not supported by most Americans, a Vote would have made their position that much more Powerful.

President Obama goes on to say;  "... I CONTINUE TO BELIEVE THAT THE BEST WAY TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM... WORKING TOGETHER... TO PASS THAT KIND OF COMMON SENSE LAW."

In other Words, The President is saying; I WANT TO COMPROMISE, SO STOP TRYING TO ACT ALONE. REFUSING TO NEGOTIATE IS A STUMBLING BLOCK TOWARDS PROGRESS, AND FINDING LASTING SOLUTIONS TO THIS ISSUE.

With that being said, the Presidents Response to such Tactics is the Following Course of Action, stated in the Body of the Speech;

"BUT UNTIL THAT HAPPENS, THERE ARE ACTIONS I HAVE THE LEGAL AUTHORITY TO TAKE AS PRESIDENT, THE SAME KINDS OF ACTIONS TAKEN BY DEMOCRATIC AND REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTS BEFORE ME, THAT WILL HELP MAKE OUR IMMIGRATION SYSTEM MORE FAIR AND MORE JUST."

LOOK FOR PART 5.

HUNDREDS OF SOLDIERS OWE THEIR LIVES TO ALI. CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE PAT RYAN.

David -- When I served in combat in Iraq, I wouldn’t have been able to do my job without my interpreter, Ali. Pat and Ali in Iraq I was the intelligence officer for a battalion of 1,000 soldiers and officers responsible for ground operations in Mosul. Ali was the lifeline that made it possible to communicate with Iraqi civilians, work with coalition troops, and carry out our mission. He had a tough, dangerous job -- if something got lost in translation, lives could have been at risk. And he put his own life at risk countless times. One night, driving back to his home, he was shot seven times and was so badly wounded that he was taken for dead at an overwhelmed Iraqi emergency room. But he survived. And after he recovered, he continued to put his life on the line serving with American soldiers.  When Ali decided that he wanted to come to the United States, I knew his honorable service had more than proven that he deserved a shot at the American dream. But it wasn’t easy -- I had to fight for years to get Ali and his wife to the U.S. Pat and Ali last week Thousands of interpreters like him are still waiting for their chance to come here. Ali and his wife Layla are still fighting for visas for their children, delayed by a backlogged and broken immigration system. When Donald Trump announced a year ago that he was barring citizens of 7 Muslim-majority countries from the U.S., my first thought was of Ali, who put everything on the line to make our work possible -- and who would be left behind. Trump’s Muslim ban was a despicable way to repay their sacrifice. It’s been amended to let Iraqis in, but that’s not enough. Shutting people out based on their religion or their country’s name runs contrary to the American values my fellow soldiers and I risked our lives to defend. When these values are under attack, we all have to stand up, together. That’s why thousands of protesters took to the airports and the streets a year ago. And that’s why I’m running for Congress today. -- Pat

BARACK OBAMA AND IMMIGRATION. PART 3.

Again, this is taken from the Transcript of PRESIDENT OBAMAS speech on Immigration.

"Today we have more agents and technology deployed to secure our southern border than at any time in our history. And over the past six years illegal border crossings have been cut by more than half."

What do we find if these Statements are checked?

Well, referring to the number of Border Patrol Agents, this is what we find:

YEAR                                      2013            2010            2005            2000

TOTAL # OF AGENTS             21,391.         20,558.        11,264.         9,212.

ON STAFF. (U.S.)

# ASSIGNED TO THE              18,611.         17,535.        9,891.           8,580.

SOUTHWEST BORDER

SECTOR. 

We see it is true that the Total # of Agents has increased, both Nationally and in the Southwestern Operations Area.

Here are the APPREHENSION NUMBERS FOR 2011- 2013, FOR THE U.S. BORDER PATROL, FOR INDIVIDUALS ILLEGALLY ENTERING U.S.           

YEAR                                    2013                      2012                    2011 

TOTAL # OF                        420,789.                 364,768.              340,252.

APPREHENSIONS.                                

U.S. (ALL SECTORS.)

# OF APPREHENSIONS      414,397.                 356,873.              327,577.

IN THE SOUTHWEST 

BORDER SECTOR.

We can see that in just 3 years, the TOTAL # OF APPREHENSIONS HAS INCREASED FROM 340,252 TO 420,789.  THE # FOR THE SOUTHWEST SECTOR HAS GONE UP FROM 327,577 TO  414,397.  

THE ABOVE NUMBERS INDICATE AN INCREASE IN TOTAL STAFF, AND IN THE NUMBER OF APPREHENSIONS.  THIS IS ESPECIALLY TRUE IN THE SOUTHWEST SECTOR.

(SOURCES-  THE U.S. BORDER PATROL, AND THE U.S. DEPT. OF HOMELAND SECURITY.)

LOOK FOR PART 4.

IN FACT. GLOBAL WARNING.

Dear David,

The newest episode of inFact with Brian Dunning is now launched & live:

Season 4, Episode 2

"Two Simple Proofs of Global Warming"

Watch it right now on the inFact website or on YouTube.

Please help spread the word. Share one of the above links on your Facebook page, and if you use Twitter, click this link to send a tweet about the new episode.

Protect the special counsel's investigation. U.S. SENATOR CORY BOOKER.

David,

Late Thursday night, news broke that back in June, President Trump attempted to fire special counsel Robert Mueller but was stopped when the White House Counsel threatened to resign.

This is an alarming revelation that fits into a months-long pattern of behavior from President Trump, his surrogates, and his allies in Congress, who have been relentlessly working to discredit and undermine the credibility of the special counsel and his investigation.

Last August, I introduced bipartisan legislation—the Special Counsel Independence Protection Act—to check and balance the president’s ability to order the firing of a special counsel for anything but legitimate reasons.

The legislation was urgently needed then, and clearly it’s even more urgently needed now.

But despite bipartisan support for our effort, Republican leaders in Congress are refusing to allow our bill to move forward to the floor for a vote.

Clearly, it would be wrong of President Trump to order the firing of Special Counsel Mueller. To do so would shatter norms — and trigger a constitutional crisis.

No one is above the law, and that includes the President of the United States.

A special counsel should follow the facts wherever they might lead, free from prejudice, and free from political interference.

That’s why we need the basic checks and balances outlined in the Special Counsel Independence Protection Act.

Help send a message that we will not tolerate President Trump’s attempts to undermine this investigation—become a citizen co-sponsor of the Special Counsel Independence Protection Act.

Thanks,

Cory

BARACK OBAMA AND IMMIGRATION. PART 2.

WITH THE CONTROVERSY OVER IMMIGRATION LAW REACHING NEW LEVELS OF
 IRRATIONALITY AND PREJUDICE, I BELIEVE THAT THE FOLLOWING REPRINTED 
ARTICLE WILL GIVE US SOME NSIGHT  INTO HOW THEN PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA 
ATTEMPTED TO DEAL WITH THIS SAME ISSUE.. 

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

(PLEASE REMEMBER THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS, AND THOSE SEEKING REFUGEE STATUS. THEY ARE NOT THE SAME, IT'S TWO DIFFERENT ISSUES.)

Lets continue with the analysis of the Presidents speech.

"...and undocumented immigrants who desperately want to embrace those responsibilities see little option but to remain in the shadows, or risk their families being torn apart."

This is a Moral Judgment on the choices given to Undocumented Immigrants. That if they reveal Themselves, it would result in their being forced out of the Country. This could mean Physical Separation from their Minor Children.  The President is implying that if there was an alternative solution, that keeps families together, it would be welcomed by those who want to stay in the U.S.,
and live up to all the responsibilities of residing in this Country.

Moving on:  "It's been this way for decades.  And for decades we haven't done much about it.  When I took office, I committed to fixing this broken immigration system, And I began by doing what I could to secure our borders."

The President has acknowledged the problem, but reminds us that he didn't create it.  He is also accusing former administrations of doing little to address the Issue.  However, he committed to solving the problem while in office, and reaffirms it.  

"Today we have more agents and technology deployed to secure our southern border than at any time in our history. And over the past six years illegal border crossings have been cut by more than half."

LOOK FOR PART 3.

PROTECTING DREAMers. CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATES JASON RITTEREISER AND PAT RYAN.

 

David --

 

While deployed in Iraq, I served alongside DREAMers who came to the United States as children. As a business owner, I’ve seen firsthand how they strengthen our economy.

 

But today, they live in fear of having their lives upended and the only home they’ve ever known torn away from them -- all because Congress has failed to do their job and find a solution after Trump cruelly terminated DACA.

 

Now, a bipartisan solution is on the table -- Congress must act.

These young people are our neighbors, our employees, our students, our future Across much of this district, they power our farms and small businesses. Many volunteered to put their lives on the line for this country in Iraq and Afghanistan. 

 

The idea of repaying these patriots by forcing them back into the shadows is outrageous.

 

Time is running out for Congress to make this right -- but if enough Americans stand up and speak out, they’ll have no choice but to act. Will you join me, David?

 

The threat of deportation is a nightmare these young people don’t deserve...demand immediate action from Congress.

 

-- Pat

 

David --

What were you dreaming about when you were 17? I was playing baseball and saving up for college. I was able to pursue my dreams at the University of Washington and go on to law school, where I knew I wanted to dedicate my career to standing up for people.

 

Today, there are 800,000 DREAMers who are at risk of losing their future because Donald Trump abruptly ended The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Their lives have been thrown into constant fear of being deported to countries they have never known. 

 

The clock is running out to come up with a legislative solution. Starting in March, 1,400 young people will lose their DACA protections per day. 

 

There is a bipartisan solution on the table in the Senate, but it’s dead in the water due to House Republicans and Trump’s inability to make up his mind. His flip-flopping on the bill even led us into a costly government shutdown.

 

We don’t have time for these political games. DREAMers are living in fear of having their lives upended -- we need action now.

 

DACA recipients are our neighbors, students, and friends -- they are American in every way. This program gives them a chance to pursue their American Dreams, just like I did.

My dream was to become someone who fights for people who need a voice. Every child in America has a fundamental right to an education so they can pursue their dream and succeed.

DREAMers can’t wait for Congress to drag their feet any longer. We’re running out of time to protect these young people from deportation --

-- Jason

 

 

 

 

 

 

BARACK OBAMA AND IMMIGRATION. PART 1.

WITH THE CONTROVERSY OVER IMMIGRATION LAW REACHING NEW LEVELS OF
 IRRATIONALITY AND PREJUDICE, I BELIEVE THAT THE FOLLOWING REPRINTED 
ARTICLE WILL GIVE US SOME NSIGHT  INTO HOW THEN PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA 
ATTEMPTED TO DEAL WITH THIS SAME ISSUE.. 
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Lets try a Novel Approach, Ignoring what the Political Pundits on Television and the Radio Have to 
say, and actually READ THE TRANSCRIPT FROM PRESIDENT OBAMAS IMMIGRATION SPEECH.

It is available on line.  So, if you are interested, why not Download it, before passing Judgment.

The following Posts on this Topic, are my Thoughts and Opinions taken directly from the Transcript.

Lets get started.

He opens by praising the Two- Hundred Year+ History of the U.S. welcoming Immigrants from around the World, and the Advantages it has given the Country over other Nations.

However, he goes on to say:

"...Today, our immigration system is broken, and everybody knows it.  Families who enter our country the right way and play by the rules watch others flout the rules.  Business owners who offer their workers good wages and benefits see the competition exploit undocumented immigrants by paying them less."

From this passage we can take the following;

-  The President is acknowledging the State of the Immigration System, AND THE NEED FOR IT TO BE FIXED.

-  That the way the system is currently operated victimizes;  Legal Immigrants who follow the Law, and Honest Business Owners who offer good wages and benefits, who see competitors using undocumented workers to save money.

The President goes on to say;

 "All of us take offense to anyone who reaps the rewards of living in America without taking on the responsibilities of living in America."

-  In other words, the Advantages and Responsibilities go hand and hand.  With one comes the other.

LOOK FOR PART 2.

Shutdown Update. CONGRESSMAN DAVID CICILLINE.

January 22, 2018
Dear David, The past year has shown that Republicans are incapable of governing. Nothing demonstrates this fact more than the federal government shutdown. Operating a $4 trillion federal government without an annual budget, limping along month-to-month, wasting millions of taxpayer dollars, and hurting our military, is no way to lead. Over the last four months, President Trump and Republican leaders in Congress created this crisis. It’s been four months since Republicans allowed funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program to expire. It’s been four months since the President unilaterally ended protections for the Dreamers. It’s been four months since the last appropriations act expired. In those four months, President Trump and Republicans in Congress have failed to provide solutions for children’s health care, Dreamers, veterans, the opiate crisis, and relief for Americans impacted by hurricanes, floods, and wildfires in their communities. Today’s vote does nothing to change that. We should be staying here and working around the clock to get this work done, rather than kicking the can down the road again. I could not support a short-term bill that leaves so many critical priorities for Rhode Island unaddressed and just creates another crisis three weeks from now. The American people are sick of Washington’s dysfunction. You deserve better than a government that lurches from crisis to crisis every few weeks. Rest assured, I will continue fighting to address the issues important to Rhode Island, and to ensure that Washington’s dysfunction does not hurt our state. Warm regards, David N. Cicilline Member of Congress

Victims of slavery deserve support. FREEDOM UNITED.

Dear David,

Maya’s survivor story, having endured years of trafficking for sexual exploitation in England, shows the importance of adequate support to ensure effective rehabilitation. Maya’s experience was not easy, but if guaranteed long-term support was set out in law in England and Wales, then recovery would not be the lottery it is today.


... back the Modern Slavery (Victim Support) Bill.[1]

Lord McColl has introduced a Bill in the House of Lords which would ensure that victims like Maya will receive a support worker and a care plan for 12 months immediately following their formal recognition as a victim. This would help them make that journey to survivor and a life that is free for good.

The Bill will shortly be moving through the parliamentary system from the House of Lords to the House of Commons and there is a risk to the Bill if it does not have the support of government and MPs. That’s why we are working with the Free For Good coalition to show that this legislation is crucial if the UK is to be a leader in fighting modern slavery.

...the campaign for guaranteed victim care in the UK.

Maya says "nobody should ever become a victim of trafficking, I should never have been trafficked for those many years undetected. I was not only a child but I was a child in a school. A child with a GP, a child with foster parents and social workers, all which failed throughout seven years to identify that I was being tricked, controlled, tortured and sold every day."

"I spent years accepting that what my life had become couldn't and wouldn't ever change. It was impossible for me to speak out and nobody around me took any notice of the signs right in front of them."

Maya was fortunate to find The Snowdrop Project, who helped change her life drastically. This shouldn’t be about fortune. Victims should not be facing homelessness or destitution and risk being re-trafficked because of their experience of modern slavery.

...long-term support is crucial to prevent re-trafficking.

In solidarity,

Joanna, Miriam and all at Freedom United

Why we march. CONG. CAND. PAT RYAN.

David --

 

A year ago today, women took to the streets across New York State, the country, and the world to stand up and speak out to demand the dignity, respect, and rights that every person deserves.

 

The last year has illustrated powerfully that transformative social change is possible when women’s voices are heard, and when allies step up to support them.

 

That’s why I was proud to march in solidarity at the Hudson Women’s March yesterday. 

 

 

We have a lot of work ahead. But if we keep showing up and speaking out, as so many have in the last year, progress is within our reach.

 

-- Pat

A New Approach to Politics. CONG. CAND. JOSH WELLE.

Dear David,

Allow me to introduce myself: I'm Josh Welle, 12-year Navy veteran, New Jersey native, Congressional candidate. I’ve dedicated my life to serving my country and putting my community first. Now, at a time when our country is going backwards, I hope to continue that service in the House of Representatives.

Learn more about me here:

I'm tired of absentee politicians like Chris Smith taking us backwards and getting away with it. No matter where we're from or which party we support, we can all agree that a legislator who hasn't held a single town hall in the 21st century needs to be replaced. It's shameful, it's undemocratic, and it's time for a change.

But our campaign is about so much more than unseating a do-nothing congressman. It's about changing the way business gets done in Congress -- by bringing a pragmatic, results-driven approach to governing. It's about working hard every day to improve our schools and our hospitals, to expand access to professional training and career opportunities, and to build a brighter future for the next generation.

I'm committed to bringing integrity and accountability back to our politics.Most importantly, I'm committed to making sure the voices of the 4th District are heard loud and clear in Washington.  

Click here to watch our video -- it'll tell you more about me, why I'm running, and what I plan to do in Congress.

Thank you,

Josh Welle.

ONE YEAR LATER/WOMANS MARCH. EMILY'S LIST, CONG. CAND. KEN HARBAUGH, CONG. CAND. JASON RITTEREISER.

David-- "We've got two choices... We either run for office, or we support a sister who is running for office." That was my challenge on stage one year ago, on a cold winter day in D.C., to hundreds of thousands gathered for the Women's March and the millions more watching online and participating around the world. It's been 12 months, and over 26,000 women across the country in every single state have accepted the call to run. Last year wasn't just the start of a wave. It was the beginning of a sea change that could elect thousands of women over the next decade.  ...keep the spirit of the Women's March going by supporting... ...Democratic women running for office this year and for years to come. I walked off the stage last year feeling hopeful for the first time in months. And that hope grew the next day when a record 500 women joined us for a training on how to get ready to run for office. And this community — we just kept going. In the last year, we've trained over 2,500 women on how to run for office. We racked up historic wins in Virginia, Georgia, and Washington State. Already this year, we helped Patty Schachtner rack up a 10-point win in a Wisconsin state Senate district that went for Trump by 17 points. Hope is everywhere: in every woman who tells us she wants to run, every candidate we endorse, every person who volunteers to knock doors or call voters, and in the millions of people in the EMILY's List community who keep fighting every single day. There is a brighter future on the horizon for us — if we dare to claim it. Thanks for all you do, Stephanie Schriock President, EMILY's List

David -- Today, I was honored to share the stage with my 12-year-old daughter, Katie, at our local Women’s March.  Katie was the youngest speaker there by about a decade, but she was poised and wise and wonderful. She told the audience about her plans to be a Biochemical Engineer and she urged listeners if they wanted to change the future, they should RUN FOR SOMETHING. Katie ended her speech with these words: “If they won’t give you a seat at the table, bring your own folding chair.” I glimpsed the future today and it left me full of hope. Thank you everyone who came out.  In service,  Ken. David -- It’s been one year since Donald Trump took office. Let’s take a moment to look back on what he’s accomplished:    He’s tweeted threats of nuclear war. He’s emboldened the worst elements of our society by defending white supremacists and calling entire countries “s**tholes.” He’s threatened to trample the First Amendment by revoking broadcast licenses for networks that criticize him. Division, chaos, and racism have emanated from the White House.   Who can we rely on to hold him accountable?    Today also marks one year since hundreds of thousands of people mobilized throughout the country in the first-ever Women’s Marches. From Seattle to Washington, D.C., we stood up against the Trump administration to say we will not turn back the clock on progress in America; to say that our diversity makes us stronger.   Now we must make sure this message reverberates in the halls of Congress.   I’ve spent my career representing working people and fighting for Washington families. I won’t sit on the sidelines as Trump and his enablers in Congress put children’s healthcare at risk, nudge us down the path to war, and enrich corporations and billionaires at our expense.   We must take back the House of Representatives in 2018. We must build a grassroots movement today...We must elect someone who will protect our country and our rights.     -- Jason