Break's Over, Time For The Next Set

And of course, you're issuing a request.

"I do NOT trust this government, Mike. If you DO, please tell us why."

I don't trust anybody. That's why I want independent state and federal agencies that can efficiently police both each other and private enterprises - , much like Blago's crimes were exposed through the work of a PUBLIC servant, U.S. attorney Patrick Fitzgerald. The "get rid of government, scale back the government, regulations are TOO burdensome" philosophy leads to an economy led by Kenneth Lay, Conrad Black and John Rigas. Maybe homeland and border security can be managed by the private firm at the Peach Bottom nuclear plant where the guards were rotating shifts on certain floors so they could intentionally sleep on the job.

What's in the water on the East Coast? In Ohio, it's chemicals to suppress the Cuyahoga River's flammibility, created by long-past decades of allowing big business to dump waste into it. The anti-regulation philosophy led to a major river being FLAMMABLE. In Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and parts of New Jersey, it's phosphorus from private farms' fertilizers, and it's killing the Chesapeake Bay's fishing industries. So do we go after the business interests responsible? No, instead municipalities, which only contributed miniscule amounts to the problem anyways, are told they can't discharge ANY phosphorus, requiring sewage plant upgrades and substantial increases in consumers' bills.

Does the government need tougher penalties for malfeasance, more transparency, better auditing of expenditures? Absolutely. We should always go after crooks, even when they are in the government. Is cutting the funding and mandate for the government going to do that? No, instead it'll just reward all the crooks outside the government.

And yes, I believe the government can do the things I've referenced here and in the last comment while still preserving the individual liberties promised in the Bill of Rights.

Well, like I said Mike, I do not, nor would I ever go along with slavery, and the south WAS wrong to do that. And that is NOT an agenda with them today...........personally, I still think they'd have been better off calling themselves something else, and omitting the flag, although understandably it IS part of their heritage.

The old "stars and bars to THEM", will always mean State's rights concerning EVERYTHING. To most other people, unfortunately, that flad is only a symbol of slavery. I don't buy that, but that's the way it is.

Now Mike..........I've given you my thoughts about northern intrusion, which I believe are pretty valid when you take a hard look at what "Big Brother" of TODAY is doing..........I don't think it's so very different.

So............the perils we face today from foreign aggresssion, attacks on our liberties, terrorism, illigals, the Chinese continuing to plow us under economically nd our Constitution being steadily chipped away at............

Once again, WHAT do you suppose Obama and our beloved Conress of lifelong members are going to DO about it? You already know, if you've read their platform, and any of their agendas, what the CNP would like to do about it........

They aren't in power, and probably WON'T be in our lifetimes.

I guess what I'm asking, is, knowing what they would LIKE to do, why would I want to continue supporting a system that has NEVER done ANYTHING but tax us more for their own gains, open the borders to one and all, lie, cheat and steal?

Please tell us what you think Obama & these crooks he's surrounding himself with, are going to do? How are THEY going to get our respect and sovereignty back?

I do NOT omit the GOP 'crooks" in Congress, either. They need to go...all of 'em....both sides of the aisle (see "no more than 2 terms for ANYBODY" in the CNP platform).

I do NOT trust this government, Mike. If you DO, please tell us why.

"Slavery had been a part of southern life for over 200 years, protected by not only STATE LAW...but FEDERAL LAW as well. The Constitution guarenteed the right to own property and protected everyone against SEIZURE of property....and as slaves were considered to be 'property' back then........as far as the south was concerned, the Constitution had been violated and all bets were off."

"The south felt a need to secede from the Union, get out from under 'D.C.'c thumb' and live under their own laws.........sort of a 'you take care of YOUR neighborhood, and we'll take care of ours, and we don't need a THING from you.'"

Let's start with zeroing in on "as far as the south was concerned, the Constitution had been violated."

- How? Slavery was not abolished until AFTER the confederacy began attacking and killing American soldiers. President Lincoln even gave confederate states three months to decide to return where they would STILL get to retain slavery before declaring emancipation for slaves in treasonous states in 1862. By YOUR OWN admission, federal law still RECOGNIZED slavery.

How did the North intrude?

"The Republican Party of the north was too friendly to abolitionists and nothern businessmen, and the abolitionists were hammering on the south."

So the North intruded on the South by permitting Abolitionists their First Amendment rights, to criticize the South's denial of other Americans THEIR first amendment rights among many other liberties? Don't Abolitionists deserve to be represented as constituents, just like when Southern legislators forced the Fugitive Slave Act and a war with Mexico on the North?

It sounds like two of the South's major grievances were that civil liberties and democratic representation could extend to people they didn't agree with.

"Northern abolitionist John Brown actually STARTED it all, when he and his band raided a federal armory in Harper's Ferry, Virginia, to steal weapons, intending to arm slaves with to turn on their masters. He was caught and hung in Charlestown."

Sounds like it cannot be said that John Brown, probably even by your standards, got off with a slap on the wrist. Am I understanding correctly that beyond Brown's execution, you believe the South was holding the North accountable for one man's actions? Is that the Confederate idea of justice? Can we riot and loot Virginia over Michael Vick's crimes?

Of course, when it comes to the idea of John Brown as a criminal, some just don't see him that way. Some would see a man who tried to liberate people. Hell, some could note he was restoring the slaves' Second Amendment rights to them. Of course, some aren't so quick to rationalize treating people as property away because it was "a part of southern life for over 200 years." To rationalize their attitude as "you take care of YOUR neighborhood, and we'll take care of ours, and we don't need a THING from you."

Except they had no intention of "taking care of their neighborhood" - their plan was to continue to detain their neighbor against their will and deprive them of their rights. And no, one doesn't "have to understand" their perspective on slavery any more than one "has to understand" why Hitler, Tojo, Batista, Pincohet, Castro, or Islamic theocrats deprive their neighbors of their rights.

Again you are still under the propaganda of the red scare years. Russia was communism or socialism only in name. Stalin/Hitler/Mussolini what have you were fascist dictators and any real socialist wouldn't have that. And that is a fact! Those fascists used the labor movement as a stepping stone to power like most politicians.

If you'd actually look into the history of the labor movement, you would see that it was socialist/communist/anarchist combined with labor unions that they helped create, that won almost all the workers rights in this country. And it was the Government combined with big business, that saw the power of the working people and realized that they would begin to lose money if these people had control of their work environments and social environments. So, the government did what it does best, misinforms the public and demonized these groups.

I will give you the principles that we have always stood by since the beginning of the labor movement/s.

Socialist Party USA: Statement of Principles

-

THE SOCIALIST PARTY strives to establish a radical democracy that places people's lives under their own control -- a non-racist, classless, feminist, socialist society in which people cooperate at work, at home, and in the community.

Socialism is not mere government ownership, a welfare state, or a repressive bureaucracy. Socialism is a new social and economic order in which workers and consumers control production and community residents control their neighborhoods, homes, and schools. The production of society is used for the benefit of all humanity, not for the private profit of a few. Socialism produces a constantly renewed future by not plundering the resources of the earth.

Under capitalist and "Communist" states, people have little control over fundamental areas of their lives. The capitalist system forces workers to sell their abilities and skills to the few who own the workplaces, profit from these workers' labor, and use the government to maintain their privileged position. Under "Communist" states, decisions are made by Communist Party officials, the bureaucracy and the military. The inevitable product of each system is a class society with gross inequality of privileges, a draining of the productive wealth and goods of the society into military purposes, environmental pollution, and war in which workers are compelled to fight other workers.

People across the world need to cast off the systems which oppress them, and build a new world fit for all humanity. Democratic revolutions are needed to dissolve the power now exercised by the few who control great wealth and the government. By revolution we mean a radical and fundamental change in the structure and quality of economic, political, and personal relations. The building of socialism requires widespread understanding and participation, and will not be achieved by an elite working "on behalf of" the people. The working class is in a key and central position to fight back against the ruling capitalist class and its power. The working class is the major force worldwide that can lead the way to a socialist future -- to a real radical democracy from below.

Radical democracy is the cornerstone not only of our socialism, but also of our strategy. Here are the main features of each:

Socialist Society

Freedom & Equality

Democratic socialism is a political and economic system with freedom and equality for all, so that people may develop to their fullest potential in harmony with others. The Socialist Party is committed to full freedom of speech, assembly, press, and religion, and to a multi-party system. We are dedicated to the abolition of male supremacy and class society, and to the elimination of all forms of oppression, including those based on race, national origin, age, sexual preferences, and disabling conditions.

Production For Use, Not For Profit

In a socialist system the people own and control the means of production and distribution through democratically controlled public agencies, cooperatives, or other collective groups. The primary goal of economic activity is to provide the necessities of life, including food, shelter, health care, education, child care, cultural opportunities, and social services.

These social services include care for the chronically ill, persons with mental disabilities, the infirm and the aging. Planning takes place at the community, regional, and national levels, and is determined democratically with the input of workers, consumers, and the public to be served.

Full Employment

Under welfare capitalism, a reserve pool of people is kept undereducated, under-skilled and unemployed, largely along racial and gender lines, to exert pressure on those who are employed and on organized labor. The employed pay for this knife that capitalism holds to their throats by being taxed to fund welfare programs to maintain the unemployed and their children. In this way the working class is divided against itself; those with jobs and those without are separated by resentment and fear. In socialism, full employment is realized for everyone who wants to work.

Worker & Community Control

Democracy in daily life is the core of our socialism. Public ownership becomes a fraud if decisions are made by distant bureaucrats or authoritarian managers. In socialist society power resides in worker-managed and cooperative enterprises. Community-based cooperatives help provide the flexibility and innovation required in a dynamic socialist economy. Workers have the right to form unions freely, and to strike and engage in other forms of job actions. Worker and community control make it possible to combine life at work, home and in the community into a meaningful whole for adults and children. Girls and boys are encouraged to grow up able to choose freely the shape of their lives and work without gender and racial stereotyping. Children are provided with the care, goods and services, and support that they need, and are protected from abuse.

Ecological Harmony

A socialist society carefully plans its way of life and technology to be a harmonious part of our natural environment. This planning takes place on regional, national, and international levels and covers the production of energy, the use of scarce resources, land-use planning, the prevention of pollution and the preservation of wildlife. The cleanup of the contaminated environment and the creation of a nuclear-free world are among the first tasks of a socialist society.

Socialist Strategy

Socialist Feminism and Women's Liberation

Socialist feminism confronts the common root of sexism, racism and classism: the determination of a life of oppression or privilege based on accidents of birth or circumstances. Socialist feminism is an inclusive way of creating social change. We value synthesis and cooperation rather than conflict and competition.

We work against the exploitation and oppression of women who live with lower wages, inferior working conditions and subordination in the home, in society and in politics. Socialists struggle for the full freedom of women and men to control their own bodies and reproductive systems and to determine their own sexual orientation. We stand for the right of women to choose to have a safe and legal abortion, at no cost, regardless of age, race, or circumstance.

Women's independent organizations and caucuses are essential to full liberation, both before and after the transformation to socialism. Women will define their own liberation.

Liberation of Oppressed People

Bigotry and discrimination help the ruling class divide, exploit, and abuse workers here and in the Third World. The Socialist Party works to eliminate prejudice and discrimination in all its forms. We recognize the right of self-defense in the face of attacks; we also support non-violent direct action in combating oppression. We fully support strong and expanded affirmative action programs to help combat the entrenched inertia of a racist and sexist system which profits from discrimination and social division.

People of color, lesbians and gays, and other oppressed groups need independent organization to fight oppression. Racism will not be eliminated merely by eliminating capitalism.

International Solidarity & Peace

People around the world have more in common with each other than with their rulers. We condemn war, preparation for war, and the militaristic culture because they play havoc with people's lives and divert resources from constructive social projects. Militarism also concentrates even greater power in the hands of the few, the powerful and the violent. We align with no nation, but only with working people throughout the world.

Internal Democracy

Socialism and democracy are one and indivisible. The Socialist Party is democratic, with its structure and practices visible and accessible to all members. We reject dogma and promote internal debate. The Socialist Party is a "multi-tendency" organization. We orient ourselves around our principles and develop a common program, but our members have various underlying philosophies and views of the world. Solidarity within the party comes from the ability of those with divergent views on some issues to engage in a collective struggle towards social revolution. We strive to develop feminist practice within the party.

Cultural Freedom

Art is an integral part of daily life. It should not be treated as just a commodity produced by the activity of an elite group. Socialists work to create opportunities for participation in art and cultural activities. We work for the restoration and preservation of the history and culture of working people, women, and oppressed minorities.

The Personal as Political

Living under domination and struggling against it exact a personal toll. Socialists regard the distortion of personal life and interpersonal relations under capitalism as a political matter. Socialism must ultimately improve life; this cannot be accomplished by demanding that personal lives be sacrificed for the movement. We cherish the right of personal privacy and the enrichment of culture through diversity.

Electoral Action

Socialists participate in the electoral process to present socialist alternatives. The Socialist Party does not divorce electoral politics from other strategies for basic change. While a minority, we fight for progressive changes compatible with a socialist future. When a majority we will rapidly introduce those changes, which constitute socialism, with priority to the elimination of the power of big business through public ownership and workers' control.

By participating in local government, socialists can support movements of working people and make improvements that illustrate the potential of public ownership. We support electoral action independent of the capitalist-controlled two-party system.

Democratic Revolution From Below

No oppressed group has ever been liberated except by its own organized efforts to overthrow its oppressors. A society based on radical democracy, with power exercised through people's organizations, requires a socialist transformation from below. People's organizations cannot be created by legislation, nor can they spring into being only on the eve of a revolution.

They can grow only in the course of popular struggles, especially those of women, labor, and minority groups. The Socialist Party works to build these organizations democratically.

The process of struggle profoundly shapes the ends achieved. Our tactics in the struggle for radical democratic change reflect our ultimate goal of a society founded on principles of egalitarian, non-exploitative and non-violent relations among all people and between all peoples.

To be free we must create new patterns for our lives and live in new ways in the midst of a society that does not understand and is often hostile to new, better modes of life. Our aim is the creation of a new social order, a society in which the commanding value is the infinite preciousness of every woman, man and child.

"But the driving force behind the South's contempt for the North was government intrusion."

"In the 1860's, it was the 'Yankees'. In the 21st Century, it's the 'Feds'"

"the intrusion into their lives from those 'Damned Yankees' up north."

Those are just a few of the highlights from YOUR words several days ago and back just before the election, not mine. Before a few days ago I don't believe I'd referred to the Civil War while commenting on this blog at all.

Only after I cited examples that the reverse was true, did you suddenly want to move on from history. ONLY after I illustrated the Southern instrusion upon Northern states, only after I asked for an example of "Northern intrusion" did it become -

"This is 2008, going into 2009."

"We can ALL point fingers"

"These are things we ALREADY know. (-) This is 2008."

And I'm still waiting.

How did the North intrude upon the South in such a way to justify taking up arms against one's own country and killing U.S. soldiers?

Again, Ex-Intern, it doesn't MATTER what the Quakers (and yes, they did the right thing), did 160 years ago. This is 2008, going into 2009.

The Hell's Angels aren't the same group they were 50 years ago, and if a couple of them stopped along the freeway to help me with a car problem, I wouldn't CARE what they USED to be. They still wear the jackets and insignias, but they no longer terrorize communities.and even VOLUNTEERED to fight in Vietnam.

The Southerner today does not think about enslaving blacks............but because he once DID, he is still held today as a racist.

TODAY, Mike....Jack......whoever else out there..........TODAY..2008, soon to be 2009..............many of these guys who make up the new Confederacy........look across the field and say "Hey Y'All......them dudes over there are bustin' into the barn and stealin' what's ours.........fetch yer muskets!"

And IMMEDIATELY, you libs start jumping up and down saying "Aw Bull....! There's nobody stealing anything........we're ON to YOU guys...just looking to re-open the cotton plantations and oppress the blacks again!

Yeah.........2008, terrorists everywhere, Uncle Sam is taxing us out of existence, illegals running EVERYWHERE, half the country is in debt to China, U.N. licking its chops, we're on the edge of an all-out Depression..........and you people think the ONLY thing this new CNP has to do, is try to enslave the negroes again.

You really think that!

Cutting the perks, pork and oversized government will still leave more than enough money for hospitals............it'll just mean that the politicians won't be able to blow YOUR tax dollars helping every other country but ours. Senators would have to fly COMMERCIAL like the rest of us, and dine at Burger King once in awhile, instead of champagne and caviar.

Instead of giving BILLIONS to Africa, and every other nation that views America as the Great Welfare Office, those tax dollars would be used for...........dare I say it?...........OUR PEOPLE.

Gosh........what a novel idea.....helping AMERICANS FIRST with AMERICAN DOLLARS.

Downsize the government.........Every section of government DOESN'T need 50 sub-branches, with 5 different vice-presidents in each, 10 assistants, and 15 "assistant to the assistants" Uncle George got his job through a friend of his, and is creating 2 more unnecessary slots for cousins Charlie and Alice. All at taxpayer expense.

Ex-Intern..........if you and your cohorts had half a clue where you tax dollars actually go......to who.....and for what.........you'd be TWICE as hostile as I am about it.

You wanna prosecute landlords, eh? Newsflash: the small claims courts have been busting these slumlords by the BUSHEL, and there's not nearly as much of it today as there once was.

You libs think on small scales...which is why most of you can't see what's coming around the corner.....

You want the government to PROSEUTE somebody? They can start with all the illegals that are here.

They can nail Bill Ayers for the terrorist that he is.......you remember Ayers, the one likes to set off bombs, and only wishes "he could have done even MORE"

You want to prosecute corporations when there's an accident on the job...if you guys are so "litigation happy", how about urging the government you have so much faith is, to prosecute Bush and the Congress for the 4,000 lives lost thus far, fighting a war in the wrong country!

Prosecute the judge that sent those border agents to prison for doing their &^%#$@*& job!

Wanna prosecute? How about putting the hammer down on every member of congress who supports the U.N., NAFTA, and this "North American Union?"

And if the government wants to prosecute something above an occasional landlord, let them sift through the 435 "elite" back there and find every man or woman who has sought to dismantle ANY Amendment or Article of the Constitution he swoar an oath to protect and defend..................there wouldn't be enough of them left to fill a school bus.

We'd have enough money, ex-intern..........there just wouldn't be a bunch of it to WASTE, and your empty suits in Washington would have to live on a budget like the rest of us do.

Now....Mike....in all fairness...while I believe the CNP is honest and sincere about kicking all the bums out and restoring America, I don't think they have YOU in mind, or any other "modern day Yankee." I really DON'T.

But I think they DO realize that if we're gonna save this country, we can't just save everything below the old "Mason-Dixon Line"........we've got to protect it ALL.

They'd be fighting for YOU and yours, whether they liked it or not, but I think they know that. They're not worried about the blacks, for cryin' out loud.........they're concerned about bombs in malls and on schoolbuses.......courtesy of the terrorists who cross our borders daily, right along with the illegals that Jacknife says we're "picking on."

That's right Jacknife, you commie, by ALL MEANS, let's just get rid of the Border Patrol altogether, and look they other way...........doesn't matter WHO comes in, or for WHAT PURPOSE, does it?

And of course Jacknife..you're SO RIGHT........there ARE more workers here than there are jobs for them.................

NOW WHY DO YOU SUPPOSE THAT IS?

9/11..........3,000+ innocent people killed, and they're constantly threatening to do MORE..........and you don't see ANY reason why we should shut down the borders, do you, Jack?

You don't see ANY reason why maybe we SHOULD KNOW who in the hell is coming in here? Don't see that, do you?

Maybe in a way, you might actually HAVE something about this "socialism" crap. If we were more like your Soviet Union, we probably woulnd't HAVE an immigration problem. First off, nobody would WANT to sneak in, and if they were caught, they'd get a 9mm in the left temple. Any "plea-bargaining" would be done in an alley.......and nobody saw anything.

Nobody would fly an airliner into the Kremlin, either. The Russians don't believe in rattling sabres, encounter groups, U.N. sanctions and world opinion. They don't condemn, they RETALIATE.........NOW............and everybody knows it.

Under a Jacknife Utopia, where Socialism would flourish.........he HIMSELF would have no say. First time he started running his mouth, and somebody didn't like it, he'd have VISITORS, and they wouldn't be Mormon Missionaries or Jehovah's Witnesses, either......."Can you say...K-G-B?.....I KNEW you could!"

Well....you two guys can spout off all you want, while the First Amendment still exists. Ex-Intern can tell us all about the OLD Confederacy, the underground railroads, he can tell us about how all the new guys are interested in is burning crosses on lawns, like they used to.

Jacknife can ramble his commie propaganda in espanol........who are probably the ONLY ones who pay any attention to it.

But still....it remains........that NEITHER ONE of them can tell us what THEIR factions plan to do to fix anything, except TAX us some more, and bailout the thieves who helped put us here to BEGIN with.

Ex-Intern wants us to have faith in a government that continues to become more corrupt everyday...and just wait until after the 20th of January.

He wants us to believe in bureaucrats who SUPPORT the very factions that seek to "GUT" this country, like NAFTA, where "Fair Trade" means we only get to export a fraction of what we're expected to IMPORT.........(China's gonna OWN us before this is over).

Amnesty..........we're all is forgiven, and all are welcome to stay, whether they're illegal Mexicans, Arabs, Syrians, Al Queda, Taliban.......doesn't matter........we're "All brothers in this "Press ONE for English melting pot."

It's more important to prosecute landlords, than perverts and drug czars.

Then we have Jacknife, our "hammer and sickle" advisor, who thinks we should all be in a classless society, which n the end run.....amounts to being subjects, rather than citizens.........doesn't care WHO crosses into America, friend or foe.

Then we have the modern day Confederates.......who have the sheer gall and AUDACITY to go against the grain.......and try to DO something to stop this cancer!

Naw..no way...racists....slavers........back of the bus,whites only..kkk.........

Have it your own way, boys.

Immigrants, Work, and Welfare

by Jacob G. Hornberger

One of the common laments of the anti-immigration crowd is that illegal immigrants are coming to the United States just to get on welfare.

I suppose the idea is that illegal immigrants are willing to pay hundreds of dollars to an illegal guide to take them on a dangerous trek across the desert or have them transported in the back of a tractor-trailer is so that they can be taken immediately to a local welfare office to begin collecting a welfare check.

But if that is true, then why is it that you never hear of illegal immigrants getting busted at the welfare office? How come they're always getting busted working in private businesses?

Is it possible -- just possible -- that Americans, who do have a deep and abiding love for welfare, project their love-of-welfare feelings on illegal immigrants, who in reality seem to have a deep and abiding love for a strong work ethic instead?

How is it that illegal immigrants are able to find their way into the U.S. job market, especially when there are lots of Americans reporting to the welfare office everyday? If there are no jobs, which the Americans in the welfare line will tell you is the case, how is it that illegal immigrants are able to find jobs that supposedly don't exist?

What all too many Americans fail to realize is that immigrants, especially the illegal ones, contribute mightily to economic prosperity. Not only do they bring a dynamism that is lacking in many Americans, they also produce increased levels of prosperity with their consumption patterns. They're buying used cars, housing, clothing, and the like, which increases better-paying job opportunities for Americans in those types of sectors.

There is also the division of labor that immigrants bring, which contributes to people's higher standard of living. Suppose, for example, an 80-year-old man spends 3 days blowing leaves off his big back yard every fall. One fall day, two illegal immigrants show up at his door and offer to blow the leaves away for $20 total. The man might well find it in his own self-interest to agree to the deal. If so, his standard of living has increased.

There are those who argue that illegal immigrants are burdensome to government-owned schools and government-owned hospitals. As my associate Sheldon Richman has suggested, notice that it's only the public (i.e., government) sector that considers too many customers to be a burden. When was the last time you heard Wal-Mart, Home Depot, or McDonalds complaining that too many customers are a burden? If schools and hospitals were turned over to the same private-property, free-market forces under which other businesses operate, wouldn't they have the same positive attitude toward customers that other private businesses have?

There's also an amusing aspect to the lament that illegal immigrants are burdening the public schools. The idea is that Americans don't want to be paying taxes to fund the schooling of illegal immigrants.

One reason this is amusing is that Americans have rigged the system with compulsory-attendance laws. Since most immigrant families are unable to homeschool and since they cannot afford private schools, the compulsory-attendance laws leave them no choice but to send their children into the system. Why not simply repeal compulsory-attendance laws (or, better yet, separate school and state entirely), which would relieve the illegal immigrant from burdening everyone by putting his children into government schools?

Another reason it's amusing is that the Americans who issue the lament are themselves guilty of the very thing they're complaining about with respect to immigrants. For example, I personally don't have children. Yet, people in my county have no reservations about using the tax system to plunder and loot me to subsidize the schooling of their children. Then after looting me and other similarly situated in such a fashion, they exclaim, "Please stop the illegals from looting me because I don't want to pay for the schooling of their children."

The third reason that it's amusing is that immigrants do pay taxes, including property, sales, and income taxes.

Their employers withhold money from their paychecks for both income taxes and Social Security taxes. I would assume that many illegal immigrants file for income-tax refunds but surely there are some that are too scared to do so, which means a free "gift" from the illegal immigrant to the U.S. Treasury.

On Social Security, the illegal immigrant clearly receives the short end of the stick. As defenders of Social Security often put it, the immigrants are "paying in to the system." Yet, many of them return to their home countries, never to make a claim on Social Security. Thus, there is a "free" gift to current U.S. Social Security recipients, whose money comes from current Social Security payers.

In fact, according to an editorial in today's New York Times, "We're not talking chump change. According to the report, the taxes paid by other-than-legal immigrants will close 15 percent of the system's projected long-term deficit. That's equivalent to raising the payroll tax by 0.3 percentage points, starting today."

This, it's ironic that some of the most ardent anti-immigrant types are elderly people on Social Security. You would think they would say to themselves, "Thank goodness for the illegal immigrants or otherwise my children and grandchildren would have to be paying even higher Social Security taxes to fund my retirement."

Isn't it ironic, then, that while some Americans complain that immigrants are coming to America just to get on welfare, the reality is that not only are they coming to America to work, their efforts not only contribute to America's economic prosperity but also to its socialistic welfare state?

You have no idea what your talking about when it comes to welfare/unemployment. The reason there are some many having to rely on assistance is because your wealthy industrialist move the factories out of the country so they can make more money, instead of paying honest, patriotic Americans a fair wage. Not everyone on welfare abuses the system, a vast majority have no other choice because there are more people then there are jobs. And why is that? Because the wealthy want to become wealthier by taking advantage of the desperately poor people in third world countries that will work for $5.00 a day. So your right, the wealthy own the industrial plants, fire the American people, move the plants out of country, leaving your fellow Americans in the gutter and ignorant people like you get on their case for not having jobs. (That is the slap in the face of Working class Americans!)

So I say, put the rich in their place and give back what they stole and steal from us everyday. They make enough money every month that they could collectively feed a small town for a year and still be able to buy an island after wards. They are greedy pigs that only think of money, so screw them.

Eagle Eye.......I worked for Chief Jerry Ash in Yellow Section, 1978 & 1979. I was Crew Chief on 66-048

I spent the next 3 years at Lakenheath on the "F" Models in Blue Section, Crewing 72-0370

Returning the Mt. Home in 82, I was assigned to Blue Section, where I crewed 67-103, working for Gary Foreman

I did a remote in Suwon, Korea (84-85), as an expediter with an A-10 Unit.

Finally back to Mt. Home again........Blue Section again, I was Crew Chief on 67-074, until I made master. I spent my last 2 years doing follow inspections and training the new guys, until I retired in 88. I spent most of that time working for Chief Federhart.

Any of that ring a bell?

Bienvenido al. ... Partido Nacional confederado Restaurar los Estados Confederados de América a su lugar con derecho entre las naciones del mundo PLATAFORMA CONFEDERADA de PARTIDO Nosotros, como ciudadanos comunes de Estados Unidos, tener se reúne con ningunos patrocinadores mayores ni controlando intereses de otra manera que nuestro interés común en la libertad y la igualdad han formado el Partido Nacional Confederado. Nosotros ahora exponemos en este documento nuestras creencias y el orden del d'a comunes de lo que deseamos lograr como un partido nacional. Creemos que el poder del gobierno viene de las personas gobernada y es otorgado por esas personas al gobierno para la protecci--n de las personas, no para el control de las personas. Los estados que componen el pa's de Estados Unidos son entidades soberanas superior al gobierno federal de estos EEUU y que el único papel verdadero para el gobierno federal es de actuar como una voz unificada para los varios Estados a tratar con naciones extranjeras y para servir como la orden central de las fuerzas armadas en caso de la guerra. Creemos en la igualdad y libertad verdaderas para todas personas de todos sexos, de las carreras, de las creencias, de las religiones, y de orientaciones sexuales. Nuestra naci--n fue fundada en la moralidad y principios cristianos y nuestro antepasados reconoci-- que Dios y Lo visit-- para Su gu'a a crear nuestro pa's. Nosotros personas bienvenidas de todas religiones o creencias y favorece su expresi--n libre de esas creencias. Esperamos s--lo la misma cortes'a a cambio de lo nuestro. Creemos en verdadero y justo leyes que sirven a aún más la seguridad y estabilidad de nuestra sociedad; no leyes que restringen nuestra sociedad y los vivir diarios de ciudadanos. Con esos principios en la mente, nosotros creemos que el gobierno federal actual ha llegado a ser demasiado grande, demasiado poderoso, y demasiado restrictivo de los derechos de los ciudadanos de este pa's. Nosotros también creemos que grupos de presi--n especiales han llegado a ser demasiado poderosos en el gobierno de esta naci--n y han establecido una relaci--n que intercambia con pol'ticos profesionales en los que los grupos financian las campañas pol'ticas y son recompensados con regalos monetarios y legislativos de esos pol'ticos. Habiendo expuesto esos principios de nuestras creencias arriba, nosotros hemos determinado los art'culos siguientes a ser objetivos clave de nuestro orden del d'a nacional. 1. Nueva Constituci--n de la Enmienda que revoca 14, y Enmiendas decimoquintas y abole esclavitud dentro de estos EEUU. 2. Una Enmienda a la Constituci--n que indica esa anulaci--n y la secesi--n es los derechos inalienables e irrefutables de los Estados. 3. Una ley y la Enmienda Constitucional eventual que declara inglés como el idioma oficial de estos EEUU. 4. La eliminaci--n de todos poderes en el nivel Federal que no es dado expl'citamente al gobierno federal por la Constituci--n. 5. La retirada inmediata de las Naciones Unidas y el desahucio de todas agencias Unidas de la Naci--n y organizaciones de la tierra de EEUU. 6. La abolici--n del Banco de la reserva federal. 7. La retirada planeada y gradual de todo EEUU fuerzas militares de todas naciones y territorios extranjeros. 8. El impuesto de renta federal aboli-- y reemplaz-- por un sistema de la financiaci--n por una exacci--n de tributos directa en los estados en proporci--n a la poblaci--n de esos estados y estableci-- por convenci--n de los estados. 9. La reforma del quitar judicial federal de sistema muchos de los poderes del magistratura federales sobre los estados. 10. Una reiteraci--n de las primeras 10 enmiendas a la Constituci--n. Si necesario, una nueva enmienda que vuelve a exponer los principios básicos de tal manera que no puede ser interpreta mal. 11. Un l'mite en los salarios de funcionarios elegidos. Ningún funcionario elegido jamás recibirá un salario más que el salario de mediana de la naci--n. 12. La legislaci--n para asegurar que ningún funcionario elegido jamás servirá más de dos términos consecutivos. Creemos que el ciudadano común de este pa's ha llegado a ser desconfiado de pol'ticos profesionales y se siente privado del derecho de votaci--n. Seleccionaremos a nuestros candidatos de trabajar diario hombres y a mujeres de todas facetas de la sociedad y volveremos el poder de controlar el gobierno y la naci--n al ciudadano medio. Nuestra organizaci--n pol'tica es controlada y es dirigida del fondo arriba, en que las oficinas locales del partido proporcionan direcci--n y plataforma art'culos a las organizaciones del estado que entonces dirigen la organizaci--n nacional. Con el apoyo del millones de norteamericanos que han llegado a ser desilusionados con el sistema actual, nosotros empujaremos para volver esta gran naci--n a las libertades y la grandeza que lo supo una vez antes que el gobierno federal empez-- sobrepasar sus fronteras Constitucionales. CONTACTE INFORMACION PARTIDO P.O NACIONAL CONFEDERADO. Encajone 53 Tate, Georgia 30177 CORREO ELECTRONICO: Los SITIOS WEB del ESTADO de ConfederateSon1949@yahoo.com & OFICIALES El Partido confederado de Presidente de Estado de sitio web de Arizona http://www.freewebs.com/ancp: Cogar L ll.cogar@worldnet.att.net El Partido confederado de Presidente de Estado de sitio web de Georgia http://www.geocities.com/cpofga: K. Monje de Steven ConfederateSon1949@yahoo.com El Partido confederado de Presidente de Estado de sitio web de Pennsylvania http://mysite.verizon.net/vzeov6ub/cpofp... George gneatjr12@verizon.net Ordenado El Partido confederado de Presidente Occidental de Estado de Virginia: Bayas de espino de Charles hoda@suddenlink.net

Mike, since I met you a few months ago been trying to place you and think I finally got but not to sure, I also worked on the F111 for a number of years A model and the F model as it came here new from the factory. I spend sometime in Yellow section, Job Control but most of it was in R & R.

Missy...I have ONE in particular that doesn't go out at all during the winter, and just once in awhile throughout the rest of the year when the weather in nice and traffic is light, usually for about a 10 mile spin, or to one of the local car shows.

In wintertime though, I DO crank it up occasionally to heat the oil up and circulate it. I also keep the tank full, with a product called "Sta-Bil" added to keep the gasoline fresh.

Hey Missy.........ol' JK is just bein' JK. Our local Socialist is just making sure none of us forget where his true priorities lie. So I gave him a short reply, but wouldn't expect a draft dodger to understand "Bru", which is a dialect of central highland Vietnamese.

Which reminds me....one of our knuckleheads out there, made a remark on my last blog about Ayrewolf's dad being a Marine and yet serving at Hill AFB.

This is really not all that unusual. Ayrewolf himself would have to give you the whole story.............but I PERSONALLY have done this also.

When I got out of the Corps in the summer of 69, I quickly discovered there were no job opportunities in the civilian sector for ex-bazookamen! So, I worked in a warehouse for awhile, then in a lumber mill in Oregon. Finally, realizing I really wasn't going anywhere, I enlisted in the Air Force where I could learn a plausible trade.

For the next 19 years I worked in supply, then cross-trained into aircraft maintenence, where I worked on F-111's for over 14 of those 19 years.

When I retired in 1988, I'd served a total of 22 years.....3 in the Marines and 19 more in the Air Force.

I was stationed HERE four different times.

Back in the 60's, Vietnam was going on, so most Marines were taught to KILL, and little else. Most of us who survived 'Nam, were "lost" when we got out, and a BUNCH of us re-enlisted in other branches to learn other things besides squeezing a trigger (although I still LOVE doing THAT today!)

So anyway, it's not unusual at ALL for an old Marine to wind up on an Air Force Base......or even when he's still on active duty..............heck, there's a Marine Detachment at Gowen Field.

In 1975 and 1976, during my Air Force tenure, I was stationed at San Vito Air Base, Italy. We had a NAVY attachment there WITH us.

Not unusual at all. It's also common procedure to send specialists to other branches of the service, to "see how the Army does it, or how the Navy does it"...then come back to YOUR branch with reports.............this tends to insure that EVERYBODY'S on the same sheet of music, should we all have to fight together someplace.

I don't remember if I ever asked Ayrewolf waht his dad did, and if he told me, I've obviously forgotten...........so whoever out there had the question........you need to ask HIM.

But in my personal 22-year career, I'd have thought it was odd if you DIDN'T see someone from another service branch walking around your camp or base.

Missy........the "fancy cars" don't SEE the snow, due to the chance of someone driving too fast to stop, and running into the back of one of them.

A '56 DeSoto, for instance, has enough steel in it to well-survive a dent, but finding and buying a replacement tail light or piece of molded chrome can be long and costly.

True, Benjogilvy, I didn't partake of the "Koolaid" but there's 2 or 3 on this net that certainly made up for it!

And to Jacknife......Hudh dih ra, du momih

Zook you're not crazy... You just weren't thirsty when "They" passed the Kool-aid around. Keep speaking the truth brother!