Solving the Immigration "Problem" . . .

We've all heard how congress has to pass a new immigration law because there are too many illegal immigrants hiding in the shadows, that these immigrants need a "path to citizenship" so we don't "divide families."

Poppycock!

The problem isn't that we need a new law.  The problem is that we need the will to enforce the existing laws on the books that we already have --- and that when states try to do this on their own, that they be supported by their national government instead of being prosecuted by it (like Arizona).

If enforcement of existing laws is lacking, why should anyone expect enforcement of a new one?

And if the illegals don't respect our laws upon entry, why should they be expected to be law-abiding while they are here?

If immigration "reform" is passed, it will merely be the institutionalization of existing policy that benefits certain constituencies: The Republicans will get laborers for their mansions, farms, and factories.  The Democrats will get legions of supporters controlled by government handouts... But the American public, as usual, will get the shaft!

Contrast the behavior of our government with our friends, the Brits, across the pond. ‘Go home or face arrest’: UK anti-illegal immigrant ads face stiff criticism .

The British solution is simple:  Make it uncomfortable for people illegally present to stay ... and make it easy for them to leave.  

We can do this! If we need a "path to citizenship" so as to not "divide families," it should be "Go out the back door the way you came (we won't hold it against you) and come in the front door LEGALLY."

"PROBLEM" SOLVED.

By What Constitutional Authority ...

Can Feds tell Web firms to turn over user account passwords ?

This is your private information between you and your provider ... enabling you to do business through your provider in a safe and secure manner. Government taking this information makes you personally less secure.

Do we tolerate this?

The Party of No Mail Delivery?

You really have to wonder who is leading the Republicans these days?  First they authorize seizure of all private phone conversations .... Now they want to force everyone to walk to clusters of mailboxes ... making it easier for mail to be stolen and more difficult for seniors to get their mail. No wonder there is such a lack of enthusiasm for them ... even with all the horrors coming out of the current administration.  They obviously are not thinking of the needs of the average citizen.

Recently I had a certified mailing for delivery two towns away take one week ... to go a mere 8 miles! The mail went all the way to Rochester before making its way back thru Syracuse then to its destination!

 FedEx and UPS don't seem to have problems making timely deliveries right to the receivers.

Instead of trying to dictate how the Postal Service should save money, perhaps these Republicans should propose contracting the service out to professionals who know what they are doing ... including letting them set the rates that cover the cost of delivery.

The Party of Limited Government???

House rejects bid to curb spy agency data collection

A U.S. spy program that sweeps up vast amounts of electronic communications survived a legislative challenge in the House of Representatives on Wednesday, the first attempt to curb the data gathering since former NSA contractor Edward Snowden revealed details of its scope.

Amash Amendment On NSA Data Collection: House Roll Call Vote

The 217-205 roll call Wednesday by which the House rejected a challenge to the National Security Agency's secret collection of hundreds of millions of Americans' phone records. A "yes" vote was a vote to halt the NSA program; a "no" vote was a vote to allow the program to continue. 

Voting yes were 111 Democrats and 94 Republicans. 

Voting no were 83 Democrats and 134 Republicans. . . . 

NEW YORK 

Democrats – Bishop, N; Clarke, Y; Crowley, Y; Engel, N; Higgins, N; Israel, N; Jeffries, Y; Lowey, N; Maffei, Y; Maloney, Carolyn, Y; Maloney, Sean, N; McCarthy, X; Meeks, N; Meng, N; Nadler, Y; Owens, Y; Rangel, Y; Serrano, Y; Slaughter, N; Tonko, Y; Velazquez, Y. 

Republicans – Collins, N; Gibson, Y; Grimm, N; Hanna, N; King, N; Reed, N.

This was:

• A Vote against our 4th Amendment privacy rights 
• A Vote against our 1st Amendment right of free speech (It's chilling to know that everything you say is being recorded)
• A Vote against the concept of Limited Government

The Republicans allowed the spying to continue!

Big Brother (and Big Government) is alive and well in the Republican Party

Only In Utica . . .

I thought that the City did a pretty good job with this video . . . Something to show your out-of-town friends why we like it here.

Kicking the Can Down the Road?

OD: Spring's federal budget cuts now having impact

The sequestration cuts are part of a 2011 deal to raise the national debt ceiling. The compromise also required spending cuts of $1.2 trillion over the next decade. . . . 

U.S. Rep. Richard Hanna, R-Barneveld, is not happy with the sequestration cuts and wants to see Congress move to reverse them. “It’s a pretty ham-fisted way to reduce the budget and I don’t support it,” he said. “It needs to be dealt with, or we will have to face this every year for 10 years. We need to fix it.”

OK, so what's the solution, Mr. Hanna?  More debt ceiling increases and borrowing (which you have supported in the past)? Or will you and your fellow Republicans finally get serious about shrinking the size of the federal government to something sustainable? (Which may mean that some of your favorite causes like Planned Parenthood and STEM education will have to be supported elsewhere).

Every society going back to the ancient Romans that increased benefits to itself which it could not pay for eventually collapsed.  That ancient history is our future unless changes are made now.

Please do the job we sent you to Washington to do.      

Why Is the City Applying for a Grant . . .

. . . When the project is already being built by the State?

 Per the OD: Region pitches economic development projects

More money for Genesee Street improvements. An extension of the Rayhill Trail to the Utica Memorial Auditorium. And a push to continue development in Bagg’s Square. Those are among the 10 applications for funding under this year’s statewide regional economic development competition from groups across the city.

But the extension of the Rayhill Trail to the Utica Aud is already part of the State's North South Arterial Project.  So why the "economic development" project? What "group" from across the city is seeking this?  Or is there something we are not being told?