Mr. Donald Trump ?

[Simon Dog]

No one cares about Saul Alinsky.  I don't think I know anyone who even knows who he is/was.

You must not get out much.

"Rules for Radicals" by Alinski is almost as much of  classic as "The Prince" by Machiavelli when it comes to dealing with the political system.

[MooseMom]

Simon Dog, how many times have you heard the name "Saul Alinsky" in this election cycle?  How many times have you heard Donald Trump say that Hillary Clinton follows his teachings?  In how many town-hall meetings have members of the audience queried/commented on Saul Alinsky?  Oh has perhaps Gov. Pence delivered speeches in which he refers to Alinsky?

No, I thought not. 

Do you really think the great American electorate cares about Saul Alinsky?

No, I thought not.

[SutureSelf]

In Hillary's world, it's okay for her to take donations from countries that make homosexuality a crime punishable by death, don't allow women to drive, shoot little girls trying to go to school and slaughter Christians so long as she uses the money for a good cause; her own personal bank account. What Hillary continues to display is her longtime love affair with Saul Alinsky and his rules for radicals, specifically the rule that states, "Ends justify the means".   

You and I are probably driving cars that are fueled by gasoline that has been refined from oil that the USA imports from countries that make homosexuality a crime punishable by death, don't allow women to drive, shoot little girls trying to go to school and slaughter Christians.  Oh, and we also sell them weapons and aircraft that have been manufactured here in this country, providing employment to middle class workers in those industries.

No one cares about Saul Alinsky.  I don't think I know anyone who even knows who he is/was.

As of 2012, oil imported from Saudi Arabia was at a 50 year low of 8.1%.  Canada was (and still is) #1 followed by Latin American countries, Africa and others.  However, towards the end of 2012 and the following years, Saudi imports rose by 50%.  At  the end of Hillary's term as Sec. of State, the GOVERNMENT OF SAUDI ARABIA and SAUDI ARABIA INDIVIDUALS had made donations to the CLINTON FOUNDATION of $25 million.  Coincidence or PAY TO PLAY?

As for Saul Alinsky...yes, the average American probably has no idea who he is.  They don't closely follow politics because they're out working for a living.  However, it is REQUIRED reading for all running for elected office as a democrat.  It is their BIBLE - figuratively and literally.

[Athena]

No one cares about Saul Alinsky.  I don't think I know anyone who even knows who he is/was.

You must not get out much.

"Rules for Radicals" by Alinski is almost as much of  classic as "The Prince" by Machiavelli when it comes to dealing with the political system.

Thanks for this reference. I've looked him up and found it very interesting. His theories seems to explain a lot about how the left-wing so called "progressive" side of politics seems to function these days. He doesn't mention it but I think he may have invented 'verbal diarrhea" as one important tactic in modern politics. The more you talk, the more you are likely to unsettle and confuse your target audience into believing you know what you're talking about.

http://www.conservapedia.com/Saul_Alinsky

[SutureSelf]

SutureSelf, I disagree.  Most people don't pay attention to politics until the conventions, so the conventions are EXACTLY the place where both FRIENDS and political allies should be talking about the different sides of the candidate.  This is EXACTLY the venue where a candidate is formally introduced to the American electorate.  So why isn't Trump politically astute enough to bring on his personal friends to show us the "real" side of Trump, to tell us that what we see on our screens is really just an act and is NOT who Trump really is?  Don't you think we need to know that?  So, what you are saying is that Trump's "friends" are telling us that he is a fake, after all, that the public side of him that we see walking through the fog is just a show.  THAT's what we need in a leader.  All show, no substance.  Here was his chance to show American and the world who is REALLY is, and he didn't take it.

Rerun, if you want to see the personal emails that Hillary Clinton deleted (which was her prerogative, just as it is has been the prerogative of past Secretaries), then I want to see what Trump is hiding in his tax returns.  Why is he protecting Putin and his oligarch friends?  And it is not just Dems who are in an uproar.  Our cybersecurity services are VERY interested in what is REALLY behind Trump's "quip".

Trump-Putin 2016.  Has a certain ring to it...

No, MM, the majority of Americans don't start closely following the presidential election until after summer and during the debates.  And speaking of debates...as with the democratic primary debates held on Saturday nights when no one was at home, Hillary is estactic to have the presidential ones go up against Sunday and Monday Night Football - two highly rated events that will syphon off viewers.  Fewer people to see and hear how lousy of a president she would be for the country.

As for friends speaking at the conventions, only "friends" of Hillary were political operatives and other democratic party "friends".   Since Trump is not a life-long politician like Hillary, he had business "friends," like Peter Thiel speak.  I wonder why Hillary didn't get her good friends Juanita Broaddrick, Kathlee Willey, Paula Jones, Sandra Allen James or Vince Foster to put in a good word for her?

Be careful with the Trump-Putin accusations.  There's the PAY TO PLAY between Hillary and the Russians with the uranium deal

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/24/us/cash-flowed-to-clinton-foundation-as-russians-pressed-for-control-of-uranium-company.html?_r=0

And this PAY TO PLAY with Russia:

http://radaronline.com/exclusives/2016/08/hillary-clinton-russia-reset-report-shady-foundation-donations/


EDIT

BTW, the Clinton Foundation model of a 501(c)3 cgarity is so atypical, the most trusted and respected charity evaluator, CHARITY NAVIGATOR, can't come up with a rating system for them (after previously giving the Foundation a negative) they have removed the Clinton Foundation from its rating system.  From CN's web site:

Why isn't this organization rated?

We had previously evaluated this organization, but have since determined that this charity's atypical business model can not be accurately captured in our current rating methodology. Our removal of The Clinton Foundation from our site is neither a condemnation nor an endorsement of this charity. We reserve the right to reinstate a rating for The Clinton Foundation as soon as we identify a rating methodology that appropriately captures its business model.

What does it mean that this organization isn’t rated?

It simply means that the organization doesn't meet our criteria. A lack of a rating does not indicate a positive or negative assessment by Charity Navigator.

[Simon Dog]

verbal diarrhea

The medical term is logorrhea.

[SutureSelf]

The Liberal Left think anyone and everything is fine so long as it fits their narrative and when it doesn't, it's back to the old "what difference does it make?" speech. Same can be said now of the new "American Socialist Party". Progressivism is code for Communism.

"When tolerance is a one way street, it will lead to cultural suicide"
-Allen B West

I really am with you on this point PrimeTimer. I'm not in the know about US politics but undoubtedly the proselytizing left-wingers has become the new fascism in our times, wherever we may be. I also am now following Milos Y after hearing a very articulate interview he gave recently that was loaded with such good rational common sense and a perfectly valid criticism of contemporary PC group-think.

Can either of you please tell me what any of this means???  And Athena, are you referring to the same bit of video from Milo Y that Prime Timer and I were discussing?  I think perhaps you are.  If so, could you respond to my thoughts I've posted previously?  I'd be interested in your own thoughts.

One final thing.  I was moved by the mother who spoke at the RNC whose son was killed in Benghazi.  Who wouldn't be?  She blames Hilary Clinton personally.  No evidence supports her belief (the blame really should go on the shoulders of the Pentagon, but no one from the Pentagon is running for the presidency), but who would argue with a mother who feels such profound grief?  Certainly not anyone is his/her right mind.  But when Mr. and Mrs. Khan spoke at the DNC, Donald Trump starts his usual ranting on Twitter.  I just do not understand how he gets away with so much.  This behavior is so petty, so disgraceful and so cringeworthy.  I just don't get the appeal, I really don't.  I am truly, truly hoping that someone can tell me what they think Donald Trump is going to do for this country and how he is going to do it.  I have asked this question several times, but no one seems to have any ideas.  I WANT to be more comfortable with the idea of a Trump presidency because I think there is a real possibility that it could happen, so I am BEGGING you all to PLEASE at least TRY to convince me that he will do us proud. 

And what is this about?  Are Trump supporters themselves starting to become more like their candidate?  This just is not right!  It IS NOT RIGHT!
http://www.politico.com/story/2016/08/mother-of-service-member-booed-over-khan-question-at-pence-rally-226540

(Is there anything in my post that's childish or hateful toward anyone on IHD?)

Trump was not my first choice - I voted for Kasich.  However, Trump won the nomination of the Republican Party and as a moderate conservative, I will vote for him - verbal gaffs and all.  Here's why:

1) He will not appoint leftist, progressive activist judges to the Supreme Court like Hillary will.

2) I feel safer from terrorism with him as president than Hillary.

3) He will repeal Obamacare and work with Congress to come up with a better alternative.

4) He will work with Congress to reform the tax code.

5) Immigration reform and The Wall.

6) He will approve the Keystone pipeline.

7) He will leave the 2nd amendment alone.

Trump will cause less damage to the US way of life - individualism/self-reliance - in 4 years than Hillary.

[Simon Dog]

) He will repeal Obamacare and work with Congress to come up with a better alternative.

I am voting for Trump because I am a single issue voter, and Clinton is against my position on that single issue.

That being said

1. Trump will not repeal Obamacare - congress won't let it happen.

2. Something better?  The problem with the current system is long term cost and politicians never concern themselves with any of that silly long term stuff.

3. Everyone who wants "something better" will not tolerate having the oxe gored.   Positions like "better - sure, as long as i get to keep my celler dweller on my policy until age 26", or "sure, as long as the total cost to me goes down - I want that subsidy", "Sure - as long as I still get free care in the ER if I show up without insurance or a credit card", etc.   It's like favoring "Tax reform" as long as "reform" means "make the else's pay more and me pay less."

[Jean]

Dear MM,
 Well, first, you have been rude to Rerun, who is a moderator. Uncalled for. Yes, the forum is for thick skins, but that means, " be prepared to hear things you don't like" It does not mean you are free to talk down to people, either the mods or the rest of the members.
As for the Donald's tax return, if he wants you to see it, you will, if not, then I doubt it . How would you know he cant release his taxes if he is being audited, by your own experience perhaps?? For politicians there is always a way to hide things. Have you seen Hillary's BTW??
Is Trump a successful business man? Wouldnt you think so with all the buildings and businesses he owns? Not to mention his own plane and of course, the chopper for short trips.
I dont know what kind of wages he pays or what kind of jobs he has made, but there are more than 25,000, so things cant be too bad, and in any case nowhere near enough to cover  what our current president has lost.
So yes, feel free to carry on, I wouldnt dream of stopping this interesting post, even tho you think I said it is only you and K&S talking, I did not, I only said you were both rude.

[willowtreewren]

Moosemom said:

One final thing.  I was moved by the mother who spoke at the RNC whose son was killed in Benghazi.  Who wouldn't be?  She blames Hilary Clinton personally.  No evidence supports her belief (the blame really should go on the shoulders of the Pentagon, but no one from the Pentagon is running for the presidency),

If anyone is to blame for the Benghazi fiasco, it whould be the extreme budget cuts forced by the GOP. they aren't talking about that!

And now the mother of the slain ambassador at Benghazi is requesting that Trump stop using the name of her fallen son as political fodder.

Jean mentions that Trump must be successful because everything he has built. She doesn't mention the many small businesses that were stiffed for payment when Trump realized he couldn't afford to pay them. they were strong-armed into accepting pennies on the dollar. AND what about Trump's numerous bankruptcies? Good business man? I think not.

And when did business experience (or bad experience)  qualify someone for the presidency?

Aleta

[Jean]

 The end result is, Donald Trump is a millionaire.  Ya gotta know when to fold em, know when to hold em.

[Simon Dog]

AND what about Trump's numerous bankruptcies? Good business man? I think not.

His strategy of incorporating many separate businesses so the failure of one does not take capital out of the others is, from a business perspective, a smart risk mitigating move.

Boston cab companies have a similar tactic - many holding companies with 1-2 cabs, so someone injured in an accident cannot attach the assets of the entire empire, just a small section of it.

I can only hope Trump is a ruthless dealing with our so called "trading partners" as he is with his supplier and customers.

The end result is, Donald Trump is a millionaire.  Ya gotta know when to fold em, know when to hold em.

Being a millionaire is no big deal now days, and certainly will not generate enough cash flow to provide a lifetime of support.   There are many people who are technically "millionaires" but as a practical matter are just solidly middle class.   

[MooseMom]

Simon Dog, thank you for listing your reasons for voting for Trump.  I agree with you that Obamacare won't be repealed, but I'd be happy to see it made better through bi-partisan legislation.  I don't want to see anyone ever having to lose their homes or go into permanent debt because they happen to need medical care, so whichever way that can be accomplished would be fine with me.  Do you have any ideas on what could/should be done so that people can be free of worry?  I don't think Donald Trump is the man who has any ideas in this regard.  He strikes me as being unimaginative when it comes to providing anything beneficial for anyone who might be outside of his business world.

SutureSelf, thank you, too, for enumerating your reasons for supporting Trump.  While I might disagree with you, I do appreciate your coherent response.  I disagree vehemently with "The Wall" because it will cost too much and is unworkable.  How do you define "immigration reform"?  Hillary Clinton also proposes "immigration reform".  Everybody proposes "immigration reform", and Obama has been working toward that goal only to be thwarted by Congress.  So, how do YOU define it?  What do you think should be done?  Are you perhaps talking about mass deportation? 

What is it about Trump that makes you feel safer from terrorism?  When you say "terrorism", I am assuming you mean, well, I'm not sure what you mean.  Do you mean the kind of attack that took place in Nice?  What policies has Trump set out that make you feel safer?  Is your support for him policy driven, or is it just a result of what you feel in your gut (which doesn't make your support invalid, of course).

What has Hillary Clinton said or done that makes you think she will not leave the second amendment "alone"?  Gun laws are made by individual states.  Most people, especially gun owners, what to see some kind of reasonable background checks so that we can all feel safer from the terrorism you fear.  I fear domestic terrorism, too, just like you, and it worries me that there are so many guns around.

The Keystone Pipeline is dead.  Individual states put the kibosh on that.  I believe it was Nebraska that killed it.  States' Rights and all of that.  If Trump wants to step on a red state's toes, by all means, let him try.

[MooseMom]

No, MM, the majority of Americans don't start closely following the presidential election until after summer and during the debates.  And speaking of debates...as with the democratic primary debates held on Saturday nights when no one was at home, Hillary is estactic to have the presidential ones go up against Sunday and Monday Night Football - two highly rated events that will syphon off viewers.  Fewer people to see and hear how lousy of a president she would be for the country.

The debate schedule was set before the NFL's was released in April.  But I agree with you that the primary debate schedule was a farce and am glad that DWS was shamed into leaving her post.  Trump won't participate in the debates, anyway.

As for friends speaking at the conventions, only "friends" of Hillary were political operatives and other democratic party "friends".   Since Trump is not a life-long politician like Hillary, he had business "friends," like Peter Thiel speak.  I wonder why Hillary didn't get her good friends Juanita Broaddrick, Kathlee Willey, Paula Jones, Sandra Allen James or Vince Foster to put in a good word for her?

That's not true.  I can't remember her name, but her life long friend from Illinois both announced this state's delegate allocation AND gave a speech during the convention.

Be careful with the Trump-Putin accusations.  There's the PAY TO PLAY between Hillary and the Russians with the uranium deal

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/24/us/cash-flowed-to-clinton-foundation-as-russians-pressed-for-control-of-uranium-company.html?_r=0

I'm not sure you read the whole article.  But at least this information is in the public domain for you to do with it as you will.  And that's the point.  We don't have any such information about Donald Trump.  He refuses to release it.

[quote}

BTW, the Clinton Foundation model of a 501(c)3 cgarity is so atypical, the most trusted and respected charity evaluator, CHARITY NAVIGATOR, can't come up with a rating system for them (after previously giving the Foundation a negative) they have removed the Clinton Foundation from its rating system.  From CN's web site:

Why isn't this organization rated?

We had previously evaluated this organization, but have since determined that this charity's atypical business model can not be accurately captured in our current rating methodology. Our removal of The Clinton Foundation from our site is neither a condemnation nor an endorsement of this charity. We reserve the right to reinstate a rating for The Clinton Foundation as soon as we identify a rating methodology that appropriately captures its business model.

What does it mean that this organization isn’t rated?

It simply means that the organization doesn't meet our criteria. A lack of a rating does not indicate a positive or negative assessment by Charity Navigator.
[/quote]

And, what's your point?

[SutureSelf]

That being said

1. Trump will not repeal Obamacare - congress won't let it happen.

2. Something better?  The problem with the current system is long term cost and politicians never concern themselves with any of that silly long term stuff.

3. Everyone who wants "something better" will not tolerate having the oxe gored.   Positions like "better - sure, as long as i get to keep my celler dweller on my policy until age 26", or "sure, as long as the total cost to me goes down - I want that subsidy", "Sure - as long as I still get free care in the ER if I show up without insurance or a credit card", etc.   It's like favoring "Tax reform" as long as "reform" means "make the else's pay more and me pay less."

My Congressman, Tom Price, MD, HAS come up with a comprehensive plan that is better (in 2014) and it is a good place to start the dialog.  I'd list it here but it's too long.  If you care to read these are the links:

http://tomprice.house.gov/sites/tomprice.house.gov/files/Section%20by%20Section%20of%20HR%202300%20Empowering%20Patients%20First%20Act%202015.pdf

http://tomprice.house.gov/sites/tomprice.house.gov/files/HR%202300%20Empowering%20Patients%20First%20Act%202015.pdf

[MooseMom]

Dear MM,
 Well, first, you have been rude to Rerun, who is a moderator. Uncalled for. Yes, the forum is for thick skins, but that means, " be prepared to hear things you don't like" It does not mean you are free to talk down to people, either the mods or the rest of the members.
As for the Donald's tax return, if he wants you to see it, you will, if not, then I doubt it . How would you know he cant release his taxes if he is being audited, by your own experience perhaps?? For politicians there is always a way to hide things. Have you seen Hillary's BTW??
Is Trump a successful business man? Wouldnt you think so with all the buildings and businesses he owns? Not to mention his own plane and of course, the chopper for short trips.
I dont know what kind of wages he pays or what kind of jobs he has made, but there are more than 25,000, so things cant be too bad, and in any case nowhere near enough to cover  what our current president has lost.
So yes, feel free to carry on, I wouldnt dream of stopping this interesting post, even tho you think I said it is only you and K&S talking, I did not, I only said you were both rude.

Dear Jean,

I have looked through all 12 pages of this discussion, and I have found only three posts of mine where I directly quoted one of Rerun's posts, so before you accuse me of being rude, I want you to post the links of any posts of mine where I have been rude to her.  You do not get to paint me in such a fashion without proof.  I am baffled by your comments to me.  Until you can show me where I've been rude to one of our admins, please do not say such things to me again.  Your comments are extremely unfair and are totally without basis in reality.

Yes, Hillary has released her tax returns as had Bernie Sanders and all of the other GOP candidates.

It was the IRS who said that there is nothing prohibiting Trump from releasing his tax returns.  I didn't just make that up, Jean.  Geez.

I don't know if Trump really is a successful businessman despite his flashy bits and bobs.  That's why we should see his tax returns.  Double Geez.

[MooseMom]

To Iolaire, these two are the reason this thread has stayed on so long, they use each other to feed off the hate!!

Jean?

[MooseMom]

My Congressman, Tom Price, MD, HAS come up with a comprehensive plan that is better (in 2014) and it is a good place to start the dialog.  I'd list it here but it's too long.  If you care to read these are the links:

http://tomprice.house.gov/sites/tomprice.house.gov/files/Section%20by%20Section%20of%20HR%202300%20Empowering%20Patients%20First%20Act%202015.pdf

http://tomprice.house.gov/sites/tomprice.house.gov/files/HR%202300%20Empowering%20Patients%20First%20Act%202015.pdf

Thank you for those links, SutureSelf.  I have to admit that I've not read the whole thing.  You've posted these links before, haven't you?  They are familiar to me.  Anyway, I don't think Obamacare is perfect, and I'd be happy to see it repealed and replaced by something that worked better.  What ever happened to this piece of legislation?  Did the House ever consider it or vote on it?

[SutureSelf]

SutureSelf, thank you, too, for enumerating your reasons for supporting Trump.  While I might disagree with you, I do appreciate your coherent response.  I disagree vehemently with "The Wall" because it will cost too much and is unworkable.  How do you define "immigration reform"?  Hillary Clinton also proposes "immigration reform".  Everybody proposes "immigration reform", and Obama has been working toward that goal only to be thwarted by Congress.  So, how do YOU define it?  What do you think should be done?  Are you perhaps talking about mass deportation? 

What is it about Trump that makes you feel safer from terrorism?  When you say "terrorism", I am assuming you mean, well, I'm not sure what you mean.  Do you mean the kind of attack that took place in Nice?  What policies has Trump set out that make you feel safer?  Is your support for him policy driven, or is it just a result of what you feel in your gut (which doesn't make your support invalid, of course).

What has Hillary Clinton said or done that makes you think she will not leave the second amendment "alone"?  Gun laws are made by individual states.  Most people, especially gun owners, what to see some kind of reasonable background checks so that we can all feel safer from the terrorism you fear.  I fear domestic terrorism, too, just like you, and it worries me that there are so many guns around.

The Keystone Pipeline is dead.  Individual states put the kibosh on that.  I believe it was Nebraska that killed it.  States' Rights and all of that.  If Trump wants to step on a red state's toes, by all means, let him try.

Nebraska withstanding, the Pipeline is not dead: http://www.thenewsstar.com/story/opinion/editorials/2015/03/03/keystone-xl-dead-yet/24335819/

Sorry MM, the federal governmen, meaning the president, can have the DOJ promulgate regulations and restrictions which Hillary has come out in favor of.

"What is it about Trump that makes you feel safer from terrorism? When you say 'terrorism?'"  I'm talking about domestic terrorism and international terrorism lead by Islamic jihadism, ISIS, Taliban, AlQaeda, etc.  I feel Trump can do a better job than Hillary based off her weak, failed track record in Benghazi and Syria and the Russian reset for starters, internationally.  Domestically, she's an Obama clone - blaming police depts. broadly for malfeasnace (police were exonerated by the DOJ in Fergusoan and Baltimore, btw).  Bringing out the mothers of the dead thugs before honoring the families of police who lost their loved ones in the line of duty at the DNC Convention just to pander to Blacks - who just happen to vote democratic 90%+ of the time.

The Wall - from Trump's web site on how it will be paid for: 

COMPELLING MEXICO TO PAY FOR THE WALL

Introduction: The provision of the Patriot Act, Section 326 - the "know your customer" provision, compelling financial institutions to demand identity documents before opening accounts or conducting financial transactions is a fundamental element of the outline below. That section authorized the executive branch to issue detailed regulations on the subject, found at 31 CFR 130.120-121. It's an easy decision for Mexico: make a one-time payment of $5-10 billion to ensure that $24 billion continues to flow into their country year after year. There are several ways to compel Mexico to pay for the wall including the following:

On day 1 promulgate a "proposed rule" (regulation) amending 31 CFR 130.121 to redefine applicable financial institutions to include money transfer companies like Western Union, and redefine "account" to include wire transfers. Also include in the proposed rule a requirement that no alien may wire money outside of the United States unless the alien first provides a document establishing his lawful presence in the United States.

On day 2 Mexico will immediately protest. They receive approximately $24 billion a year in remittances from Mexican nationals working in the United States. The majority of that amount comes from illegal aliens. It serves as de facto welfare for poor families in Mexico. There is no significant social safety net provided by the state in Mexico.

On day 3 tell Mexico that if the Mexican government will contribute the funds needed to the United States to pay for the wall, the Trump Administration will not promulgate the final rule, and the regulation will not go into effect.

Trade tariffs, or enforcement of existing trade rules: There is no doubt that Mexico is engaging in unfair subsidy behavior that has eliminated thousands of U.S. jobs, and which we are obligated to respond to; the impact of any tariffs on the price imports will be more than offset by the economic and income gains of increased production in the United States, in addition to revenue from any tariffs themselves. Mexico needs access to our markets much more than the reverse, so we have all the leverage and will win the negotiation. By definition, if you have a large trade deficit with a nation, it means they are selling far more to you than the reverse - thus they, not you, stand to lose from enforcing trade rules through tariffs (as has been done to save many U.S. industries in the past).

Cancelling visas: Immigration is a privilege, not a right. Mexico is totally dependent on the United States as a release valve for its own poverty - our approvals of hundreds of thousands of visas to their nationals every year is one of our greatest leverage points. We also have leverage through business and tourist visas for important people in the Mexican economy. Keep in mind, the United States has already taken in 4X more migrants than any other country on planet earth, producing lower wages and higher unemployment for our own citizens and recent migrants.
Visa fees: Even a small increase in visa fees would pay for the wall. This includes fees on border crossing cards, of which more than 1 million are issued a year. The border-crossing card is also one of the greatest sources of illegal immigration into the United States, via overstays. Mexico is also the single largest recipient of U.S. green cards, which confer a path to U.S. citizenship. Again, we have the leverage so Mexico will back down.

Conclusion: Mexico has taken advantage of us in another way as well: gangs, drug traffickers and cartels have freely exploited our open borders and committed vast numbers of crimes inside the United States. The United States has borne the extraordinary daily cost of this criminal activity, including the cost of trials and incarcerations. Not to mention the even greater human cost. We have the moral high ground here, and all the leverage. It is time we use it in order to Make America Great Again.

From his web site on immigration reform:

IMMIGRATION REFORM THAT WILL MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN

The three core principles of Donald J. Trump's immigration plan

When politicians talk about “immigration reform” they mean: amnesty, cheap labor and open borders. The Schumer-Rubio immigration bill was nothing more than a giveaway to the corporate patrons who run both parties.

Real immigration reform puts the needs of working people first – not wealthy globetrotting donors. We are the only country in the world whose immigration system puts the needs of other nations ahead of our own. That must change. Here are the three core principles of real immigration reform:

1. A nation without borders is not a nation. There must be a wall across the southern border.

2. A nation without laws is not a nation. Laws passed in accordance with our Constitutional system of government must be enforced.

3. A nation that does not serve its own citizens is not a nation. Any immigration plan must improve jobs, wages and security for all Americans.

Make Mexico Pay For The Wall

For many years, Mexico’s leaders have been taking advantage of the United States by using illegal immigration to export the crime and poverty in their own country (as well as in other Latin American countries). They have even published pamphlets on how to illegally immigrate to the United States. The costs for the United States have been extraordinary: U.S. taxpayers have been asked to pick up hundreds of billions in healthcare costs, housing costs, education costs, welfare costs, etc. Indeed, the annual cost of free tax credits alone paid to illegal immigrants quadrupled to $4.2 billion in 2011. The effects on jobseekers have also been disastrous, and black Americans have been particularly harmed.

The impact in terms of crime has been tragic. In recent weeks, the headlines have been covered with cases of criminals who crossed our border illegally only to go on to commit horrific crimes against Americans. Most recently, an illegal immigrant from Mexico, with a long arrest record, is charged with breaking into a 64 year-old woman’s home, crushing her skull and eye sockets with a hammer, raping her, and murdering her. The Police Chief in Santa Maria says the “blood trail” leads straight to Washington.

In 2011, the Government Accountability Office found that there were a shocking 3 million arrests attached to the incarcerated alien population, including tens of thousands of violent beatings, rapes and murders.

Meanwhile, Mexico continues to make billions on not only our bad trade deals but also relies heavily on the billions of dollars in remittances sent from illegal immigrants in the United States back to Mexico ($22 billion in 2013 alone).

In short, the Mexican government has taken the United States to the cleaners. They are responsible for this problem, and they must help pay to clean it up.

The cost of building a permanent border wall pales mightily in comparison to what American taxpayers spend every single year on dealing with the fallout of illegal immigration on their communities, schools and unemployment offices.

Mexico must pay for the wall and, until they do, the United States will, among other things: impound all remittance payments derived from illegal wages; increase fees on all temporary visas issued to Mexican CEOs and diplomats (and if necessary cancel them); increase fees on all border crossing cards – of which we issue about 1 million to Mexican nationals each year (a major source of visa overstays); increase fees on all NAFTA worker visas from Mexico (another major source of overstays); and increase fees at ports of entry to the United States from Mexico [Tariffs and foreign aid cuts are also options].  We will not be taken advantage of anymore.

Defend The Laws And Constitution Of The United States

America will only be great as long as America remains a nation of laws that lives according to the Constitution. No one is above the law. The following steps will return to the American people the safety of their laws, which politicians have stolen from them:

Triple the number of ICE officers. As the President of the ICE Officers’ Council explained in Congressional testimony: “Only approximately 5,000 officers and agents within ICE perform the lion’s share of ICE’s immigration mission…Compare that to the Los Angeles Police Department at approximately 10,000 officers. Approximately 5,000 officers in ICE cover 50 states, Puerto Rico and Guam, and are attempting to enforce immigration law against 11 million illegal aliens already in the interior of the United States. Since 9-11, the U.S. Border Patrol has tripled in size, while ICE’s immigration enforcement arm, Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), has remained at relatively the same size.” This will be funded by accepting the recommendation of the Inspector General for Tax Administration and eliminating tax credit payments to illegal immigrants.

Nationwide e-verify. This simple measure will protect jobs for unemployed Americans.

Mandatory return of all criminal aliens. The Obama Administration has released 76,000 aliens from its custody with criminal convictions since 2013 alone. All criminal aliens must be returned to their home countries, a process which can be aided by canceling any visas to foreign countries which will not accept their own criminals, and making it a separate and additional crime to commit an offense while here illegally.

Detention—not catch-and-release. Illegal aliens apprehended crossing the border must be detained until they are sent home, no more catch-and-release.

Defund sanctuary cities. Cut-off federal grants to any city which refuses to cooperate with federal law enforcement.

Enhanced penalties for overstaying a visa. Millions of people come to the United States on temporary visas but refuse to leave, without consequence. This is a threat to national security. Individuals who refuse to leave at the time their visa expires should be subject to criminal penalties; this will also help give local jurisdictions the power to hold visa overstays until federal authorities arrive. Completion of a visa tracking system – required by law but blocked by lobbyists – will be necessary as well.

Cooperate with local gang task forces. ICE officers should accompany local police departments conducting raids of violent street gangs like MS-13 and the 18th street gang, which have terrorized the country. All illegal aliens in gangs should be apprehended and deported. Again, quoting Chris Crane: “ICE Officers and Agents are forced to apply the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Directive, not to children in schools, but to adult inmates in jails. If an illegal-alien inmate simply claims eligibility, ICE is forced to release the alien back into the community. This includes serious criminals who have committed felonies, who have assaulted officers, and who prey on children…ICE officers should be required to place detainers on every illegal alien they encounter in jails and prisons, since these aliens not only violated immigration laws, but then went on to engage in activities that led to their arrest by police; ICE officers should be required to issue Notices to Appear to all illegal aliens with criminal convictions, DUI convictions, or a gang affiliation; ICE should be working with any state or local drug or gang task force that asks for such assistance.”

End birthright citizenship. This remains the biggest magnet for illegal immigration. By a 2:1 margin, voters say it’s the wrong policy, including Harry Reid who said “no sane country” would give automatic citizenship to the children of illegal immigrants.

Put American Workers First

Decades of disastrous trade deals and immigration policies have destroyed our middle class. Today, nearly 40% of black teenagers are unemployed. Nearly 30% of Hispanic teenagers are unemployed. For black Americans without high school diplomas, the bottom has fallen out: more than 70% were employed in 1960, compared to less than 40% in 2000. Across the economy, the percentage of adults in the labor force has collapsed to a level not experienced in generations. As CBS news wrote in a piece entitled “America’s incredible shrinking middle class”: “If the middle-class is the economic backbone of America, then the country is developing osteoporosis.”

The influx of foreign workers holds down salaries, keeps unemployment high, and makes it difficult for poor and working class Americans – including immigrants themselves and their children – to earn a middle class wage. Nearly half of all immigrants and their US-born children currently live in or near poverty, including more than 60 percent of Hispanic immigrants. Every year, we voluntarily admit another 2 million new immigrants, guest workers, refugees, and dependents, growing our existing all-time historic record population of 42 million immigrants. We need to control the admission of new low-earning workers in order to: help wages grow, get teenagers back to work, aid minorities’ rise into the middle class, help schools and communities falling behind, and to ensure our immigrant members of the national family become part of the American dream.

Additionally, we need to stop giving legal immigrant visas to people bent on causing us harm. From the 9/11 hijackers, to the Boston Bombers, and many others, our immigration system is being used to attack us. The President of the immigration caseworkers union declared in a statement on ISIS: “We've become the visa clearinghouse for the world.”

Here are some additional specific policy proposals for long-term reform:

Increase prevailing wage for H-1Bs. We graduate two times more Americans with STEM degrees each year than find STEM jobs, yet as much as two-thirds of entry-level hiring for IT jobs is accomplished through the H-1B program. More than half of H-1B visas are issued for the program's lowest allowable wage level, and more than eighty percent for its bottom two. Raising the prevailing wage paid to H-1Bs will force companies to give these coveted entry-level jobs to the existing domestic pool of unemployed native and immigrant workers in the U.S., instead of flying in cheaper workers from overseas. This will improve the number of black, Hispanic and female workers in Silicon Valley who have been passed over in favor of the H-1B program. Mark Zuckerberg’s personal Senator, Marco Rubio, has a bill to triple H-1Bs that would decimate women and minorities.

Requirement to hire American workers first. Too many visas, like the H-1B, have no such requirement. In the year 2015, with 92 million Americans outside the workforce and incomes collapsing, we need companies to hire from the domestic pool of unemployed. Petitions for workers should be mailed to the unemployment office, not USCIS.

End welfare abuse. Applicants for entry to the United States should be required to certify that they can pay for their own housing, healthcare and other needs before coming to the U.S.

Jobs program for inner city youth. The J-1 visa jobs program for foreign youth will be terminated and replaced with a resume bank for inner city youth provided to all corporate subscribers to the J-1 visa program.

Refugee program for American children. Increase standards for the admission of refugees and asylum-seekers to crack down on abuses. Use the monies saved on expensive refugee programs to help place American children without parents in safer homes and communities, and to improve community safety in high crime neighborhoods in the United States.

Immigration moderation. Before any new green cards are issued to foreign workers abroad, there will be a pause where employers will have to hire from the domestic pool of unemployed immigrant and native workers. This will help reverse women's plummeting workplace participation rate, grow wages, and allow record immigration levels to subside to more moderate historical averages.

[SutureSelf]

Deleted because it was a double posting.  See comments below.  Thanks!

[SutureSelf]

The debate schedule was set before the NFL's was released in April.  But I agree with you that the primary debate schedule was a farce and am glad that DWS was shamed into leaving her post.  Trump won't participate in the debates, anyway. - Red herring MM.  Maybe the schedule of which teams would be playing hadn't been set, but Sunday and Monday Night Football have been going on for YEARS.  However, there is still time to modify to Tuesday and Wednesday nights.  Put your $$ where your mouth is MM.  I'll bet you $20 Trump will debate.  He loves large viewing audiences and will use these opps to show how horrible Clinton will be as president.

As for friends speaking at the conventions, only "friends" of Hillary were political operatives and other democratic party "friends".   Since Trump is not a life-long politician like Hillary, he had business "friends," like Peter Thiel speak.  I wonder why Hillary didn't get her good friends Juanita Broaddrick, Kathlee Willey, Paula Jones, Sandra Allen James or Vince Foster to put in a good word for her?

That's not true.  I can't remember her name, but her life long friend from Illinois both announced this state's delegate allocation AND gave a speech during the convention.

Be careful with the Trump-Putin accusations.  There's the PAY TO PLAY between Hillary and the Russians with the uranium deal

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/24/us/cash-flowed-to-clinton-foundation-as-russians-pressed-for-control-of-uranium-company.html?_r=0

I'm not sure you read the whole article.  But at least this information is in the public domain for you to do with it as you will.  And that's the point.  We don't have any such information about Donald Trump.  He refuses to release it. - Nothing there, MM.  But keep up your lefty distraction talking point.

[quote}

BTW, the Clinton Foundation model of a 501(c)3 cgarity is so atypical, the most trusted and respected charity evaluator, CHARITY NAVIGATOR, can't come up with a rating system for them (after previously giving the Foundation a negative) they have removed the Clinton Foundation from its rating system.  From CN's web site:

Why isn't this organization rated?

We had previously evaluated this organization, but have since determined that this charity's atypical business model can not be accurately captured in our current rating methodology. Our removal of The Clinton Foundation from our site is neither a condemnation nor an endorsement of this charity. We reserve the right to reinstate a rating for The Clinton Foundation as soon as we identify a rating methodology that appropriately captures its business model.

What does it mean that this organization isn’t rated?

It simply means that the organization doesn't meet our criteria. A lack of a rating does not indicate a positive or negative assessment by Charity Navigator.

And, what's your point? - The Clintons are sleezy and using their "foundation" as a slush fund.  That's my point, MM.

[/size]

[MooseMom]

Thanks for that, SutureSelf.  I have tried but probably have not succeeded in reading everything.  I'm running a bit out of time here, but I wanted to put down a few thoughts while they're in my head.

Re Keystone XL, if Trump becomes president and wants approval for it, then he'll have to fight for it, and that fight will put him against several states who are going to resent the federal government ignoring their protests.  I'm not sure how this will play into the GOP's theme of "less government".  It will be an interesting political fight.  Let him have at it.

As for having Mexico pay for the wall, this dismisses the fact that only a bit less than half of illegals come from that country.  So, are we going to make them pay for only half of the wall?  As for the rest of it, I guess the nation will decide, and then if he wins, I guess then it will be broadly up to Congress.  We'll just have to see what happens.

As for Obama/Clinton favoring blacks over the police, I suspect that there is nothing that anyone could say to you nor is there any evidence that could be presented to you that would change your perception, so I won't try. 

As for Trumps immigration reform plan, again, thanks for that, too.  I was unaware that we had no borders and are therefore not a nation.  Our borders are more secure than they ever have been, and as you know, there has been a net zero rate of illegal immigration from Mexico.  I suspect that the crux of the problem is not so much one of "how to keep them out", rather, "what to do with the ones who are here".

Of course, a Constitutional Amendment will need to be passed to end the right of those born here to have automatic citizenship.  I'd certainly have a good think about that.

I'll try to read more later.  Again, thanks for the info.

[MooseMom]

Oops, sorry, SutureSelf, I missed your other post.

The debates are scheduled by the Commission on Presidential Debates.

http://debates.org/

If you think Hillary Clinton somehow influenced them, I'd like to see the proof, please.  Otherwise you are accusing this group of something unsavory, and that's not really fair.  With DVRs, people don't really have to choose only one or the other thing to watch.  People can watch one on TV and stream the other.  And you are right about Trump, actually.  I'd be surprised if he missed this chance to be on TV (anything for attention), but then again, he'd grab a LOT of attention if he DIDN'T participate, so I don't know WHAT he will do!!

How do you know there's nothing in Trumps tax returns?  Have you seen them?  Why can't he just release them? 

OK, so you think the Clintons are sleazy.  Fine.  Don't vote for Hillary Clinton, then.  But that doesn't make Trump a truly viable candidate.  He's just sort of gone off the rails, what with his manic tweeting about the Khan family.  At first Mr. Trump was admittedly audaciously entertaining and weirdly funny.  But now he is just emotionally stunted.  He is exactly the sort of man I cannot stand....thin-skinned, constantly aggrieved, whingeing and making everything and anything all about him.  If he feels you have insulted him, God love you.

I still want to know if it is true that he is in debt to the Russians.

[Rerun]

The Conn Family thing is getting wore out on the main stream media but Sean Smith's mom testifying that Hillary lied right to her face gets none.

I can't even link it.        That is what is wrong with America.  Go Trump! 

[kickingandscreaming]

Donald Trump's "illustrious" business history laid out in black and white.  His most astute business decision was to be born to a very rich and well-connected father.  All the rest went downhill from there.  Donald Trump, to borrow his words, is a LOSER.

http://www.newsweek.com/2016/08/12/donald-trumps-business-failures-election-2016-486091.html