Tag Archives: politics

Taking All Comers

08 Wednesday May 2013

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Taking All Comers
by Ted Vaughan (subconch)
~Originally published in American Thinker, 04.29.2013

Back in June of 2012, President Barack Hussein Obama, through the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), announced that his administration would be circumventing the Congress, and thereby the U.S. Constitution, by unilaterally implementing elements of the DREAM Act, a legislative proposal dealing with minor aliens which repeatedly failed to become law.  When the memorandum was issued, Obama was campaigning for re-election in November. 

In case we forgot how it works around here, Congress makes laws pursuant to the Constitution, and more specifically, Congress has the sole power “To establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization.”  The President oversees the execution of laws made by Congress.

And is it not enough, with the responsibility for carrying laws into effect, for enforcing them, that the executive needs to encroach upon the authority and duties of legislators?  Is it not enough that he has the power to veto legislation presented him by the Congress during his term?  Is it not enough that the President commands the greatest military power on earth when Congress calls it?  Is it not enough that he has, in concurrence with the Senate, the power to make treaties, and to appoint Supreme Court judges, ambassadors, and other officers?  Is it not enough that the President has the power to pardon offenses against the United States? Is all of this power not enough, that he ought to take on the mantle of lawmaker as well?

Apparently not, as Obama’s DHS, calling their actions (or inactions) an “exercise of prosecutorial discretion,” peeled off an estimated 800,000 certain illegal aliens for exemption from current immigration law.  They halted the deportations of these certain illegals, or granted deference to them when encountered, and ordered the establishment of a “clear and efficient process” for determining their eligibility for this newfound legal status and authorize them to work in this country.

“Certain” illegals were defined in the DHS memo, almost verbatim from DREAM Act language, thus: Under age 16 when they came here, and had been here at least five years, and were under age 30, and were in school or were high school grads or equivalent or had served in the military, and weren’t criminals (forgetting of course that they had to have committed fraud to enter the latter institutions).

Incidentally, discretion is a matter of independent judgment, based on extenuating, individual, isolated circumstances.  Obama and the DHS may be making an independent judgment with respect to existing immigration law, but to then ignore the law where it applies to certain hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants is not discretion, it is lawlessness.

Anyway, in August of 2012, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), acting at the discretion and as a subsidiary of Obama’s DHS, began processing applications from certain illegal immigrants to verify their new legality under the newly established “Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals” (DACA) extralegal program.

After seven plus months running, the latest monthly report on the DACA process is out, courtesy of the USCIS portal, revealed by this recent story from the Washington Times.

99.5%!  That’s the approval ratio of applications processed thru March 31 2013.  Total applications processed: 269,693; Total approvals: 268,361; Total denials: 1,377.

24K gold is barely this pure.

Our government found a mere 0.5% potentiality for fraud or ill intent within a population of 270,000 foreigners here illegally?  Where can you find that level of integrity among any group of humans?

But we are consoled in the above mentioned Times piece that DHS expects the approval ratio to drop, to be fair, and “Indeed, the approval rate already has dropped from 99.8 percent just a month ago.”  Really… that’s what they say.  Furthermore, we are assured in the article by an immigration integrity consultant (retired head of USCIS fraud branch) that advanced analytical predictive technology is being employed to stop any potential fraud, since interviewing all these certain illegals in person is not an option.

This is a “clear and efficient process”, you see, implemented by executive algorithms of multicultural perfection.  And this may serve as a model for future grants of amnesty.

Continuing with the DACA report, it also tallies the applicants’ countries of origin.  The majority are Hispanic countries (Mexican, Central & South American), and within our hemisphere, including Caribbean.

Interestingly, approvals totaling 10,319 originate from the other side of the planet, like South Korea (5,476), the Philippines (2,370), India (1,750), and Pakistan (723).  It makes one wonder how these blocs might be inclined to vote here in the U.S., or if any got the memo that their counterparts were getting a free ride.

The report cleverly lists “Top Countries of Origin”, so as to justify leaving out the nationality of 1,918 approved applicants.  268,361 Cumulative Total Approved, minus 266,443 Approved-to-Date by Country (add them up yourself), equals 1,918 of undisclosed origin.  At least this information is not readily available on the USCIS site.  Wouldn’t you like to know where the 1,918 are from?  Canada, maybe?

Suddenly, inexplicably, thoughts come to mind of certain Chechen immigrants radicalized as Islamic terrorist bombers; 26 yr. old green card holder Tamerlan Tsarnaev, and 19 yr. old “U.S. citizen” Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, naturalized September 11, 2012.

These two barbarians murdered and maimed innocent Americans… and both were here legally, sanctioned by the same system that clearly and efficiently takes all comers, as a matter of political course.  No doubt these monsters would have been welcomed among the aforementioned 99.5%, had they been in that pool.

Who among the pure 270,000 DACA recipients will plant the next bomb, or rape the next child, or beat and rob the next unsuspecting American?

It is beyond reprehensible that the Executive Branch of our government would assume for itself unconstitutional powers for the sake of political expediency and favor, if that is the whole of their motive. And it is unforgivable that they would then execute those usurped powers in a manner now proven to be too perfectly irresponsible to claim incompetence.

The Character of Representation

11 Thursday Oct 2012

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Being how it is election season and all, I thought it appropriate to explore the character requisite in our chosen national representatives, particularly as viewed by the founders of our republic, and specifically as illustrated in the Constitution and the Federalist, because that’s how I do it, generally. Discoveries herein may be equally applied to our sovereign States and the various localities.

(Note: The Constitution is the fundamental framework of American government; the Federalist is the foremost authority on the Constitution.)

I should say that this brief, and in no way inclusive search for truth was embarked upon with not only self-evidence, but preconceived notions alit by a smaller portion of these very texts. Other words, I obviously knew what I’d find, because I already found it.

My findings, revelations that they aren’t, as bits shared below, strangely make no mention of physical appearance, gender, religious sect, hair style, musical talent, cunning, oratory skill, philanthropic plunderability (giving you stuff taken from others aptness), charisma, or affinity for certain pets, as essential to the character of representative government.

No, it’s mostly a lot of old blather about honor, fealty to the Constitution and country (I like these two the most), conscience, confidence, etcetera. If none of this makes sense to you, it’s okay, as you are not required to vote, and maybe it’s best that you don’t in this case, for the sake of liberty and posterity and stuff.

~~~

The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States. ~U.S. Constitution, art.VI, c.3

Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the following Oath or Affirmation:–“I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.” ~U.S. Constitution, art.II, §.1, c.8

…to refine and enlarge the public views, by passing them through the medium of a chosen body of citizens, whose wisdom may best discern the true interest of their country, and whose patriotism and love of justice, will be least likely to sacrifice it to temporary or partial considerations. Under such a regulation, it may well happen, that the public voice, pronounced by the representatives of the people, will be more consonant to the public good, than if pronounced by the people themselves, convened for the purpose. ~Madison, Federalist No. 10, par. 16

As there is a degree of depravity in mankind, which requires a certain degree of circumspection and distrust: so there are other qualities in human nature, which justify a certain portion of esteem and confidence. Republican government presupposes the existence of these qualities in a higher degree than any other form. Were the pictures which have been drawn by the political jealousy of some among us, faithful likenesses of the human character, the inference would be, that there is not sufficient virtue among men for self-government; and that nothing less than the chains of despotism can restrain them from destroying and devouring one another. ~Madison, Federalist No. 55, par. 10

… the president and senators so chosen, will always be of the number of those who best understand our national interests, whether considered in relation to the several states or to foreign nations, who are best able to promote those interests, and whose reputation for integrity inspires and merits confidence. ~Jay, Federalist No. 64, par. 04

This process of election affords a moral certainty, that the office of president will seldom fall to the lot of any man who is not in an eminent degree endowed with the requisite qualifications. Talents for low intrigue, and the little arts of popularity, may alone suffice to elevate a man to the first honours of a single state; but it will require other talents, and a different kind of merit, to establish him in the esteem and confidence of the whole union, or of so considerable a portion of it, as would be necessary to make him a successful candidate for the distinguished office of President of the United States. It will not be too strong to say, that there will be a constant probability of seeing the station filled by characters preeminent for ability and virtue. And this will be thought no inconsiderable recommendation of the constitution, by those who are able to estimate the share which the executive in every government must necessarily have in its good or ill administration. Though we cannot acquiesce in the political heresy of the poet, who says:
“For forms of government, let fools contest– That which is best administered is best,”
yet we may safely pronounce, that the true test of a good government is, its aptitude and tendency to produce a good administration. ~Hamilton, Federalist No. 68, par. 08

With respect to their (the President and the Senate) responsibility, it is difficult to conceive how it could be increased. Every consideration that can influence the human mind, such as honour, oaths, reputation, conscience, the love of country, family affections and attachments, afford security for their fidelity. In short, as the constitution has taken the utmost care that they shall be men of talents and integrity, we have reason to be persuaded, that the treaties they make will be as advantageous as, all circumstances considered, could be made; and so far as the fear of punishment and disgrace can operate, that motive to good behaviour is amply afforded by the article on the subject of impeachments.  ~Jay, Federalist No. 64, par. 15

~tdv

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Randoms: Taken by the Taken

23 Sunday Sep 2012

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On the outside of dignity, on the inside of manipulated, lies the coddled cowering servile mass that once was the Great American Character.

Power has been transferred to ignorance. Receptive control is the spoil of war on liberty.

Infiltrators displace the representative republican principle with the mockery of washed masses.

Silence from the captains of industry is a machine of their oppression, by us our suffrage, or on us their complicity.

“Just politics” & “Just Spin” are aphorisms for preemptive unapologetic unaccountability.

~tdv

Note: The preceding random musings are mine. ~tdv (@subconch) The links take you to the specific quotes on twitter if you care to RT, Favorite, or Reply.

Randoms: Government’s Not the Problem… Ceding to THIS Government IS

22 Wednesday Aug 2012

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One of these days is gonna wind up being one of those days. @ 08.19.12

Why don’t we just cancel the whole Congress thing, ya know, the people’s house, and get on with it? @ 08.19.12
Cuz we’re all aware, that benevolent bettership of an orange dictator is soooo preferred over that silly old constitution & secured liberty. @ 08.19.12
Ref: Cybersecurity: President Threatens to Override Congress
Did I say orange? Damn, I meant scarlet! Gotta get the man’s character right… sheez. BTW, I heard those chartreuses are angelic! #Vote4Hue @ 08.19.12

Enraging: People who slothfully support a progressive paradise over a responsible and proven Constitutional government. @ 08.19.12

What harm is the pat suspicion of govt. motive? If erroneous, are we not just as safe from encroachment, than if we accurately exposed it? @ 08.18.12
“…practice of arbitrary imprisonments have been, in all ages, the favourite and most formidable instruments of tyranny.” @ ~A.H. fed.84,par.5

Awesome, Disgusting, Sad~> America’s Debt Visualized

In the 1790s, it was thought unconstitutional for fed. funding of infrastructure, as locality made projects not in the “general welfare” @ 08.18.12
Ref: Essays on the Preamble ~Heritage

Government is so far removed from its intended role, that now We the People are seen as an Impeachable Offense. @ 08.18.12
“impeachments are… an essential check in the hands of (Congress), upon the encroachments of the executive.” ~fed.66,par.2

It is the foundation of responsible self-governance, a diligent citizenry. The inverse created the mess we’re in. @ 08.17.12
I’ll not judge a man who cares for his own, & knows to reason. @ 08.18.12
If all Americans took note, at Least, and Began to know our Constitution, basics, we’d be safer from the string pullers. @ 08.18.12

Wonder what portion of libs, identify as libs, only because a lib told them it’s best to be libs? @ 08.17.12

Politics: Science of govt.; preserve safety, peace, prosperity. Politician: Man of artifice, deep contrivance ~Websters1828 @ 08.17.12
Twisted is the Politician and the Politics he contrives, when continuance of either precedes liberty and lives. @ 08.17.12

The more these liberal race-baiting hacks speak, the weaker they become. Let them cobble their little constituency of fools. @ 08.17.12
RE a certain comment by msnbc’s tour’e 08.16, look it up.

As the left increasingly marginalizes itself, they serve to bolster the sanity of conservative principles. @ 08.17.12

Note: The preceding random musings are mine, except as quoted/linked. ~tdv (@subconch) The @ symbols take you to the specific quotes on twitter if you care to RT, Favorite, or Reply.

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Social Tyranny, a Means to a Politically Tyrannical End

12 Thursday Jul 2012

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The other night, I pulled from the dusty shelf Vol. 43, Great Books of the Western World, 1952 printing, which includes “American State Papers”, “The Federalist”, and Essays by John Stewart Mill.

Browsing the latter, specifically, the Essay “On Liberty”, and found the paragraphs cited below interesting. I am no scholar, but I think the parallels to today’s society, culture, and politiks are unmistakable.

What Mill is warning against is true democracy, that is, mob rule, a separate form of oppression from that of a tyrannical government. I submit to you that Democrats, as a work-around to the protections in our representative republican form of government, employ both dreaded tyrannical forms in concert to achieve their ends.

Democrats, through their vast networks in media, entertainment, and education, are “making themselves accepted as the majority” and washing the masses with a foreign ideology, where any dissenting individuals are ostracized and ridiculed, even targeted. This is the practice of social tyranny, the ends of which are not only the creation of a prevailing counter opinion, but further to use those feelings as a basis for effecting radical change in government, and thereafter ensuring a consensus acceptance of this despotic, unconstitutional regime and its dictates.

Consider for a moment the massive change in our society that has been realized over recent generations, both culturally and politically, and ponder how it came to be.

The current Democrat Party, its leftist enablers and minions, is a social tyranny, a means by collective to political despotism. ~tdv @

“On Liberty”, by John Stewart Mill, 1859, Ch.1: Introductory, Para. 4 & 5
Emphasis mine, excerpts quoted here @1, @2, @3.

But, in political and philosophical theories, as well as in persons, success discloses faults and infirmities which failure might have concealed from observation. The notion, that the people have no need to limit their power over themselves, might seem axiomatic, when popular government was a thing only dreamed about, or read of as having existed at some distant period of the past. Neither was that notion necessarily disturbed by such temporary aberrations as those of the French Revolution, the worst of which were the work of an usurping few, and which, in any case, belonged, not to the permanent working of popular institutions, but to a sudden and convulsive outbreak against monarchical and aristocratic despotism. In time, however, a democratic republic came to occupy a large portion of the earth’s surface, and made itself felt as one of the most powerful members of the community of nations; and elective and responsible government became subject to the observations and criticisms which wait upon a great existing fact. It was now perceived that such phrases as “self-government,” and “the power of the people over themselves,” do not express the true state of the case. The “people” who exercise the power are not always the same people with those over whom it is exercised; and the “self-government” spoken of is not the government of each by himself, but of each by all the rest. The will of the people, moreover, practically means the will of the most numerous or the most active part of the people; the majority, or those who succeed in making themselves accepted as the majority; the people, consequently, may desire to oppress a part of their number; and precautions are as much needed against this as against any other abuse of power. The limitation, therefore, of the power of government over individuals loses none of its importance when the holders of power are regularly accountable to the community, that is, to the strongest party therein. This view of things, recommending itself equally to the intelligence of thinkers and to the inclination of those important classes in European society to whose real or supposed interests democracy is adverse, has had no difficulty in establishing itself; and in political speculations “the tyranny of the majority” is now generally included among the evils against which society requires to be on its guard.

Like other tyrannies, the tyranny of the majority was at first, and is still vulgarly, held in dread, chiefly as operating through the acts of the public authorities. But reflecting persons perceived that when society is itself the tyrant—society collectively, over the separate individuals who compose it—its means of tyrannizing are not restricted to the acts which it may do by the hands of its political functionaries. Society can and does execute its own mandates: and if it issues wrong mandates instead of right, or any mandates at all in things with which it ought not to meddle, it practises a social tyranny more formidable than many kinds of political oppression, since, though not usually upheld by such extreme penalties, it leaves fewer means of escape, penetrating much more deeply into the details of life, and enslaving the soul itself. Protection, therefore, against the tyranny of the magistrate is not enough: there needs protection also against the tyranny of the prevailing opinion and feeling; against the tendency of society to impose, by other means than civil penalties, its own ideas and practices as rules of conduct on those who dissent from them; to fetter the development, and, if possible, prevent the formation, of any individuality not in harmony with its ways, and compel all characters to fashion themselves upon the model of its own. There is a limit to the legitimate interference of collective opinion with individual independence: and to find that limit, and maintain it against encroachment, is as indispensable to a good condition of human affairs, as protection against political despotism.

Randoms: ‘Nother Thumb in America’s Eye, ‘Nother Day o Tax

17 Sunday Jun 2012

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I’ll take my random over your arbitrary any day! liberty is greater than _____. @ 06.16.2012

The whole of a man is never what we see, and what we’ve seen is bad enough. @ 06.15.2012

Is Obama acting like someone who WANTS to get elected? 800k il’legals’, energy, marriage… presidency will be gone, but not what it did. @ 06.15.2012

It’s Tax Day, for us who manually pay. *CRINGE* If everybody who pays Had to cut a check, gov’t spending would be held to account. @ 06.15.2012

Even IF the economy were booming, the Obama dictatorship should still be STOPPED! No Constitution = No America @ 06.15.2012

If Obama were any more arrogant, he’d pop. @ 06.15.2012

Bypass Congress, Legalize 800k Illegals, Campaign to Latinos, Be POTUS… simple @ 06.15.2012
Ref: Occupy Open Borders: Obama delivers 800,000 more illegal alien deportation waivers by Michelle Malkin 06.15.2012
Related: Krauthammer: New Obama immigration policy ‘out-and-out lawlessness’  [VIDEO] piece by Jeff Poor 06.15.2012

@seanhannity just asked @BillCunninghamS “what has this country come to?” his answer “Barack Hussein Obama…” // So it has, & it says a lot! @ 06.14.2012
~they were talking about New York’s war on food & simultaneous want to legalize marijuana.

Note: The preceding random musings are mine, except as quoted/linked. ~tdv (@subconch) The @ symbols take you to the specific quotes on twitter if you care to RT, Favorite, or Reply.

There ought to be a law against “There Ought to be a Law”

09 Saturday Jun 2012

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I don’t really care about the plausibility of grand gov’t schemes. If it’s not their job, it’s not their job. Period. @ 06.08.2012 ~tdv

Pondering on the success or failure of this or that gov’t program, let’s remember that it’s probably not their place in the first place. @ 06.08.2012 ~tdv

There ought to be a law against “there ought to be a law”. @ 06.08.2012 ~tdv

Obama launched 3,611 new regulations, 106 of them “major”, meaning EACH COST ECONOMY OVER $100 MIL/YR @ 06.08.2012
Ref: Is Obama Turning the Economy Around? By William Beach, 06.08.2012 

From 1996 to 1999: 15,286 new Federal Regulations. Of these, 222 classified “major”rules @ 06.08.2012
In 1998, the Code of Federal Regulations ~ 134,723 pgs, 201 vols., 19 feet of shelf space. In 1970, the CFR only 54,834 pgs.  @ 06.08.2012
Ref: Federal Regulations; The Laws Behind the Acts of Congress

4,450+ federals crimes as of 2007 ~ 3,000 in early 80’s  @ 06.08.2012
Ref: Revisiting the Explosive Growth of Federal Crimes by John Baker 06.16.2008

ABA says number of crimes uncountable. @ 06.07.2012
Ref: Complex Societies Need Simple Laws, by John Stossel, 03.15.2012

Update 06.16.2012:
Related: Charlie Leonard: Inalienable Rights; There ought to be a law against making so many laws 06.14.2012 The Aspen Times ~via GunnyG 

Note: The @ symbols take you to the specific quotes on twitter if you care to RT, Favorite, or Reply.

Randoms: Recurring Infiltration, Grateful Dad, a Voice

07 Thursday Jun 2012

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Democrats cannot be trusted to present themselves, so they cannot be trusted to represent us. @ 06.07.2012
Related: Obama’s Third-Party History 06.07.2012 By Stanley Kurtz

Ignorance is by design, and it is the primary appliance for control. @ 06.07.2012

Wealth that progressives took from the U.S. is gone forever, no refunds, and we will have to earn it all over again. Think about that. @ 06.07.2012

If our political rivals can use the law to silence us, then there is no law… or liberty. @ 06.07.2012

Communism & socialism, rejected, then liberalism & progressivism, rejected. What will be the #NextLeftistLabel? Oblivionism? @ Symbioticism? @ 06.06.2012

The Democrats make promises that taxpayers can’t afford, and when the money’s gone, and goodies cut, the parasites get mad at Republicans? @ 06.06.2012

Thanking God, and the professionals in American medicine, for the many lives I love. @ 06.06.2012

Is political science the same as social engineering? just ask’n @ 06.06.2012

Wonder where all the radical libs will go when they are reduced again to a fringe? @ 06.06.2012

Organized thugism will get thuggier still, but as Wisconsin proved today, the people are DONE taking their sh!t. @ 06.05.2012
Related: Wisconsin’s Walker survives recall by wide margin posted 06.06.2012 by foxnews.com

Can’t ignore our “progress” in the eyes of communism.  @ 06.04.2012
Short Video~> Grinding America Down posted 07.07.2011 by The Right Scoop

They are tiny bits of time, but time nonetheless, so I’m grateful when someone attends to my words. Thanks for following. @ 06.03.2012

Note: The preceding random musings are mine, except as quoted/linked. ~tdv (@subconch) The @ symbols take you to the specific quotes on twitter if you care to RT, Favorite, or Reply.

In god-men we trust

22 Tuesday May 2012

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One problem with Americans is their trust of people they don’t know, such as those on TV, in media, politics, & entertainment. @

Somehow, the public face, voice, craft, the simple likeability, overrules the substance of their character, wisdom, and intent. @

Government is a necessary evil, run by human beings, who are just as flawed as the thug crack head down the street, or you. @

ALL politicians and media should be viewed as equals, not gods, and their words & motives distrusted by default. @

Assume ALL politicians and media are liars, corrupt, or wrong, and you won’t be disappointed. @

Of the separate powers, the people are foremost, the ultimate check & balance, but if blind, they are a perilous power indeed. @

Randoms: Reality of Rehabilitated Reason, Authority of Doubt

19 Saturday May 2012

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That which is beyond human reason is reason enough to… @

Doubt is the first impression of truth. @

Greatness rests in the aftermath of doing something at all. @

Reality finally teaches you that you are. @

The last thing I do is unlikely to be the thing I want to be the last thing I do. @

Reason, this was the victim, this action, a symptom. @

Time and again, we people delegate authority to our representatives, then must exercise our authority to protect ourselves from them. @

An oath, a contract, confirms honor’s will, or exposes honor’s want. @

We have so deliberated and rehabilitated the human design that it ceases its own consent to be. @

We are so drowned in policy and the politic that we cannot surface for a single breath of freedom. @

Note: The preceding random musings are mine. ~tdv (@subconch) The @ symbols take you to the specific quotes on twitter if you care to RT, Favorite, or Reply.