MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Obama pledges support for the middle class and is prepared to bypass Congress
US President Barack Obama displayed his strategy for getting around a divided Congress starting with a wage hike for federal contract workers in a State of the Union speech on Tuesday that reflected scaled-back legislative ambitions after a tough year. Read full article
Comments
Disclaimer & comment rulesBypassing Congres with an “an executive order ” is that similar to a Decree? hmmm...
Jan 29th, 2014 - 11:12 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Still, some of the Immigration Reform looks promising at first glance...
Kind of ilsen. However the President is very limited of what he can do. What he can do is declare an order that enables him to run, operate and administer the government. What he can't do is decree laws. If they are too outlandish, the opposing party will not allow it or groups like the ACLU will sue.
Jan 30th, 2014 - 12:25 am - Link - Report abuse 0As for immigration reform, I am all for easier immigration with sponsors, but I am not for rewarding people that came here illegally. While I agree something must be done but not citizenship, perhaps a path to it. It's a slap in the face to everyone who follows the law.
@2 Dear Poppy
Jan 30th, 2014 - 03:06 am - Link - Report abuse 0Much obliged for your considered response, Cap'n!
Nice to know that some 'checks and balances' remain. Should update myself on US political legislation etc!
I am all for CONTROLLED immigration, much good can come of it, if properly handled. Open, or uncontrolled borders, can lead to many problems. Too many to list here...
However, I believe that to attempt the out-right prevention of the migration of people seeking a better life, for themselves and future generations, well, is going against nature itself. By that I mean Human Nature, the basic survival instinct. One can not prevent flocks of birds flying South for the Winter... or the reverse...
Therefore it needs to be managed by properly-elected democratic governments who truly have the ‘mandate of the people’.
There is a great need for firm and fair policies to be enacted now.
However, IMO, the USA, EU and many other countries/ communities across the Globe have to recognise that they already have many ‘illegals’ in ‘in situ’.
There lies the rub. They are human beings, They are ‘here’ so to speak. What would you do with them? hmmm...
So, perhaps a tightening of US borders (surely Dept. Homeland Defense/NSA is on the case, these days?) and, as you suggested, “ a pathway” to citizenship is the answer? IMO there must be a way to 'regulate' these people so that they can become a part of
'everyone who follows the law'
as you rightly put it.
PS: I was typing “ a pathway” too fast and it got Auto-Corrected to ‘apathy’ !!! hmm.. dare not comment on that! (see above)
The USA is a country of immigrants, my family fled Russia during the Bolshoviks and I believe we still need to remain open to immigrants.
Jan 30th, 2014 - 10:11 am - Link - Report abuse 0What I meant for the current illegal or “undocumented” immigrants is to give them a pathway. First by registering themselves and going through a background check process, get them on the “grid” and into the tax system. Assuming the pass background checks they get a legal status after paying some sort of fine. Then perhaps after 5 years doing well, a green card, then maybe after 10 years then can apply for citizenship.
However I also feel that unscrupulous businesses that hire illegals, exploit them and pay them obscene wages get away with crimes as well. Businesses need to be reviewed and seriously fined as well, but they too often get away with it.
I think most Americans agree the state of our current immigration procedures need to be updated.
Jan 30th, 2014 - 01:09 pm - Link - Report abuse 0I don't think illegal immigrants should get amnesty.
There is also no reason to give them citizenship quickly, they can be permanent residents for many many years and then become citizens if they meet the criteria.
We need to open our boarders to more educated people. It is a shame that the foreign kids who studied in the USA are forced to go home.
So much to be done and I don't see anything happening until Obama is gone.
I am not for amnesty, nor an overnight pass. However I am also not for deporting people whom have been have more then they have not. I am also NOT for granting automatic citizenship to people from countries we've illegally invaded under false pretenses.....such as Iraq.......or Cuba with the wet foot, dry foot doctrine. If we are going to restrict immigration, let us give France Lady Liberty back because it is a glaring monument to hypocrisy. And, until we criminalized businesses for hiring and exploiting illegal immigrants, it's a farce.
Jan 30th, 2014 - 01:38 pm - Link - Report abuse 0As I said......my family came here and needed sponsors and we should revert back to that, along with the ability to self support for a 5 year period and have a clean record in that period. We are a country or immigrants, immigrants and slaves built this country and we are also a country that displaced the indigenous people, but I really don;t dwell over when I cannot change.
More importantly, until the 14th amendment is amended and clarified, there will be no real immigration reform. My thoughts, my opinions. Some agree, some disagree but we all have the choice.
I hear on Cap Hill that this would already be a done deal but nobody trusts the Obama administration to adhere and respect the law that is passed.
Jan 30th, 2014 - 02:19 pm - Link - Report abuse 0His Presidency is done.
I hope Senate goes Republican in 2014 like everyone is predicting.
Actually nobody trusts anyone and they are all fucked. I equally hate Republicans to the level I loath Democrats.
Jan 30th, 2014 - 03:20 pm - Link - Report abuse 0I find that unlikely, the Republicans are in a quagmire and are experiencing a schizm as great as the Catholics of the middle ages.
We have not had a decent President at all this decade at all this decade nor a Congress. I am closing US politics here before I get on a rant because I, like all too many Americans are disgusted with politics. Whomever runs for President is an idiot because it's a thankless job to where to other parties role it to lie to take him/her down.
You have Trey Radel of FLorida resigning because he's a coke freak, NJ governors closing lanes during elections killing someone trying to get to the hospital in the course of that action, NY Representative threatening to toss a reporter off the balcony and break him in half like a boy, Benhgazi, IRS , I still look at the Cheney CIA agent leak....Plume, GOP censuring McCain, McDonnell indicted on corruption, Sen. Alexander's top aide arrested for possession of child porn, ....the list is endless.....as I said...they all suck and care less about the AMerican people.
Thomas Jefferson said.....a little rebellion is good now and then......we need a revolution.
@7
Jan 30th, 2014 - 05:06 pm - Link - Report abuse 0At least then, the massive deficits of the US will go to invade other countries and to bail out rich bankers... the republican's dream political platform of course.
#9 Tobi did daddy hit the back of your throat again? I think you shall be referred to from now on as “Virtual boy”...the boy that opines on the world and never left mendoza. Reminds of of the virgin talking about how great sex is because he watched a porn movie.
Jan 30th, 2014 - 05:20 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Obama is going to go down in history as one of the most incompetent presidents in living memory. He has betrayed his supporters, lied to the American people and done virtually none of the reforms he promised to do. He is a fraud. Next to his useless administration G.W. Bush comes out looking pretty. Who would have thought, I still have all the newspapers of that day. All of them full of hope and expecting the radical change that he promised. Clinton would have been so much better.
Jan 30th, 2014 - 08:45 pm - Link - Report abuse 0History tends to write different stories then appears in the present. But then history is always slanted. Carter is by far the worst in 20th Century history.....Harding, Harrison then maybe Obama. But again........5 years out of office is the taletime time frame.
Jan 30th, 2014 - 09:37 pm - Link - Report abuse 0But then that is your perspective from one who is not a citizen. Maybe in Chile, President can do things without congress but certainly not here. However, in the USA, the days of effective presidents have probably run it's course. The opposing party with always and forever try to tear him out of office whatever party holds the office. Politics here have become a blood sport.
BTW....NO US President can deliver all the reforms he promises....intelligent people know that because the opposition will not allow him to succeed because that will get him re-elected and as opposition, we do not want that.
Comment removed by the editor.
Jan 30th, 2014 - 09:50 pm - Link - Report abuse 0The reason all recent American presidents are generally ranked among the “worst ever”, is because overall the country is in steep decline. No one can do anything about it.
Jan 31st, 2014 - 01:21 am - Link - Report abuse 014) I think Clinton was a very good president for the US, certainly better than his predecessors and played out a good leadership and roll of the US throughout the world in the 1990s… President Menem used to play golf with him.
Jan 31st, 2014 - 04:49 am - Link - Report abuse 0#15
Jan 31st, 2014 - 09:56 am - Link - Report abuse 0Clinton...the 1st Bush and so was Reagan. They all negotiated and worked out political differences and had foreign policies down. But 9/11 was a game changer. We'll see what the future looks like in November.
The USA has a keen ability to elect someone that we need at just the right time.
Jan 31st, 2014 - 11:01 am - Link - Report abuse 0All of this whining about USA loss of clout, world power decline, doledrums. stinking economy, crime, broken DC etc etc etc I heard it all before when Carter was President, then we elected Reagan and all was well.
We will find another Prez to get us back on track.
All of these current problems are caused by a Prez who doesn't have a clue how to manage anything. He has no common sense, he is a liar, backstabber, narcissistic beyond belief, some think he is trying to ruin the USA. I don't I think so, I think it is as simple as he is so out of his depth he has no idea what he is doing.
We are very rich, very powerful and when we get someone that can take the reins and run with them this will all be in the past.
Our companies are sitting on (I think) U$7 TRILLION that they won't invest until he is out of office. So just wait to see the USA come roaring back in the next 5 years.
I can feel the pent up demand and frustration.
Now we just need someone to lead.
I agree with your first paragraph, but the problem is there is no one visibly in the wings. Romney was not the answer. I voted for him as Governor and saw what he did and did not do. We in Massachusetts also saw his outright lie and half truths of his accomplishments. No...there is no one on either side until the Dems and Reps sign an amnesty. The two party caucus is as outdated as the electoral college.
Jan 31st, 2014 - 12:48 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Here are the USA's choice of ideologies in a nutshell:
1-Take care of Americans via corporations and BOD's:
*private military
*Private postal service
*Millionaire physicians
*Big Pharma drugging America
*private corporate highways
*excessive cuts to social spending diverted to excessive military spending
AKA----USA, Inc No more congress but a Board of Directors
2-An ever growing intrusion of government:
*Controlled healthcare
*Excessive government handouts that never end
*Abandonment of the Bill of Rights
*uncontrolled spending
*uncontrolled debt expansion
There needs to be a balanced medium and there is not from either party. One more caucus would be good.
But again......November will be the barometer of the future.
18. If the election was today the Republicans would take the Senate and more of the house.
Jan 31st, 2014 - 02:02 pm - Link - Report abuse 0A lot can happen by Nov though
Romney has been poking his head up again have you noticed?
Yes but I am not a fan. Perhaps Jeb is the most electable Republican. As for polls, I pay little attention to them and if I do I avoid media polls and read the academic pools.... Quinnipiac is the most unbiased and independent.
Jan 31st, 2014 - 04:45 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Comment removed by the editor.
Jan 31st, 2014 - 06:19 pm - Link - Report abuse 0@12 Cap'n. (salutes!)
Jan 31st, 2014 - 11:12 pm - Link - Report abuse 0“History tends to write different stories than appears in the present.”
How very apposite! We could do more with this kind of wisdom here.
And oh look, how surprising, real people are having a conversation and the d*ckheads try to put in their 'opinions' BHAAAHH!
as for the trolls, as I have said before.
Your are not worthy of an informed response.
Imbeciles.
Please be quiet when the adults are speaking.
Please, pay attention:
Feb 01st, 2014 - 12:10 am - Link - Report abuse 0nobody expect a “formal response” from any blogger posting in Merco-sh*t hole web site!
ilsen.....I try to keep USA politics out of this forum as it is suppose to be about the Atlantic region, but sometimes it creeps in. Yankee and I are different as he is more conservative than I am. I consider myself moderate, independent. However much we disagree we still have more in common than the trolls realize.......we live in a Republic Democracy and have a market based economy.....as much of Europe does and we do not have to rip our throats out over our differences.
Feb 01st, 2014 - 02:29 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Have you noticed how many posts ron/sussie had removed? It cannot post without a slang/insult or a profane word.....now can it?
@24
Feb 02nd, 2014 - 07:32 pm - Link - Report abuse 0jijiji.....
how sweet Captain Poppy Isolde sounds...
@24
Feb 07th, 2014 - 06:10 pm - Link - Report abuse 0asslips capttain poppy.....
___________why YOU mention sussie so many times___________
don”t you have other things to do?
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