President Obama recently said that income inequality is growing in the United States and that the United States is the worst country in the world for income inequality.
Really? So the President believes that third world countries, led by dictators and/or socialist governments that keep the masses controlled and "equal", even as the political leaders remain wealthy and powerful, are somehow better than the capitalistic system still used in the United States - at least until Obama changes it? And I believe he means to do just that.
Ever notice that politicians with money and power always talk about income inequality and redistribution but never volunteer to give up their own wealth? Nancy Pelosi is a multi-millionaire whose husband makes most of his money from cheap labor overseas. But she wants to redistribute wealth.
President Obama was worth nearly 12 million dollars in 2012, from book sales and his Presidential salary. Yet it was he who said "There comes a point where you have made enough money." I can't help but wonder what that point is for him. Maybe he wants to be equal to Bill Gates before he has made enough. Or maybe he wants to be the richest man in the world and redistribute everyone's money but his own.
That's the whole point. In a socialist system, where everyone is supposedly equal, the leaders of the government still have the wealth and power. It's the common citizen who doesn't have it. The only real difference is that in a capitalistic society anyone with drive and determination can become wealthy. There are more middle class and poor people in this country than wealthy but the opportunity is there for everyone who is willing to put in the time and hard work. But in a socialist/communist society the only ones with wealth are those few at the top and the ones those few allow to be wealthy. So your income might be the same as your neighbor's but unless you're in a position of power, that will be because he doesn't have a large income either.
I will never be happy with the government dictating how much money someone can make. Ronald Reagan once said "Our loyalty lies with the little taxpayers, not the big spenders. What our critics really believe is that those in Washington know better how to spend your money than you, the people, do. But we're not going to let them do it. Period."
Wealth redistribution is a form of progressive socialism. Spreading the wealth around is pure socialism and, as Margaret Thatcher once said, "The problem with socialism is that sooner or later you run out of other people's money." I certainly can understand why poor people, those at the bottom of the income list, would like socialism. It's a way they can "keep up with the Jones's." But I will never understand why middle class people - the workforce in this country, would be in favor of it. Liberal guilt, I suppose.
Thursday, December 5, 2013
Obama Fans OK With His Lies...
On Sunday evening, ESPN columnist L.Z. Granderson justified, in his own mind, the President's repeated lie about Obamacare. He claimed that the American people knew he did it for their own good.
"Now with President Obama, it is true. He should have been more forthright with how the Affordable Care Act was going to impact the country," Granderson said. "But with that being said, all Americans know politicians lie. The question is, which lies can you live with? And, time and time again, Americans have said we can deal with the lies that President Obama tells us because we believe in his heart, he has the best interest for the American people. Every president is going to lie to you. Every politician is going to lie to you. The question is, which lies can you live with?"
The sad truth is that it's the sad truth. Obama supporters allow President Obama to lie to them and praise him for it, or at least forgive him. Even when it is directly effecting them.
People who are signing up for Obamacare are finding themselves forced to purchase insurance coverage they don't need and even if a few find better monthly premiums, they lose money with extremely high deductibles. If you have to pay $8,000 up front in deductibles before your policy begins paying the bills why would most of us need the policy? Unless something bad happens I don't spend $8,000 a year on health care. Do you?
Certainly you purchase insurance in case something bad does happen. But since the Affordable Care Act makes it illegal for insurance companies to deny coverage due to pre-existing conditions, you can literally purchase your insurance from the Emergency Room if necessary. "Hey Doc - how much will this operation cost? $15,000? OK - give me about half an hour to get insurance."
One of the other lies that liberals keep floating around is the one about how Obamacare is going to insure everyone who doesn't have insurance. Even though the President bypassed the Congress (and the Constitution) and put the cancellation of policies on hold until after the 2014 elections, it is expected that people with employer based plans will be losing their coverage next year as well. Some are predicting as many as 100 million people will lose their policies and be forced to find other insurance. Can someone please explain to me how helping 30-40 million obtain coverage while forcing 100 million to lose theirs is a positive thing? I was educated in Ohio and in Ohio 100 million is far bigger than 40 million. It is here in Texas as well.
So it seems that Obama supporters not only approve of Obama's lies but actually expect them as part of his Presidency. I seem to remember George W. Bush being accused of lying about Iraq and weapons of mass destruction - even though it appears now that he was correct at the time. I don't recall a single liberal saying "All Presidents lie. And we think Bush is lying but we know he's doing it with the best intentions for the country."
Of course you didn't hear that. Because this type of logic only applies to liberals.
"Now with President Obama, it is true. He should have been more forthright with how the Affordable Care Act was going to impact the country," Granderson said. "But with that being said, all Americans know politicians lie. The question is, which lies can you live with? And, time and time again, Americans have said we can deal with the lies that President Obama tells us because we believe in his heart, he has the best interest for the American people. Every president is going to lie to you. Every politician is going to lie to you. The question is, which lies can you live with?"
The sad truth is that it's the sad truth. Obama supporters allow President Obama to lie to them and praise him for it, or at least forgive him. Even when it is directly effecting them.
People who are signing up for Obamacare are finding themselves forced to purchase insurance coverage they don't need and even if a few find better monthly premiums, they lose money with extremely high deductibles. If you have to pay $8,000 up front in deductibles before your policy begins paying the bills why would most of us need the policy? Unless something bad happens I don't spend $8,000 a year on health care. Do you?
Certainly you purchase insurance in case something bad does happen. But since the Affordable Care Act makes it illegal for insurance companies to deny coverage due to pre-existing conditions, you can literally purchase your insurance from the Emergency Room if necessary. "Hey Doc - how much will this operation cost? $15,000? OK - give me about half an hour to get insurance."
One of the other lies that liberals keep floating around is the one about how Obamacare is going to insure everyone who doesn't have insurance. Even though the President bypassed the Congress (and the Constitution) and put the cancellation of policies on hold until after the 2014 elections, it is expected that people with employer based plans will be losing their coverage next year as well. Some are predicting as many as 100 million people will lose their policies and be forced to find other insurance. Can someone please explain to me how helping 30-40 million obtain coverage while forcing 100 million to lose theirs is a positive thing? I was educated in Ohio and in Ohio 100 million is far bigger than 40 million. It is here in Texas as well.
So it seems that Obama supporters not only approve of Obama's lies but actually expect them as part of his Presidency. I seem to remember George W. Bush being accused of lying about Iraq and weapons of mass destruction - even though it appears now that he was correct at the time. I don't recall a single liberal saying "All Presidents lie. And we think Bush is lying but we know he's doing it with the best intentions for the country."
Of course you didn't hear that. Because this type of logic only applies to liberals.
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
The New Obamacare Campaign...
President Obama is set to go on a three week campaign to
promote, once again, Obamacare. I guess after the debacle that was the roll out of the sign-up phase in October the President
believes the American people need to be lied to agai.... uh, reassured - that's it - reassured about
how wonderful the Affordable Care Act really is. My question would be - if it's
so wonderful why does it need to be re-sold to the people?
There have been huge promises made about Obamacare since
2008. The President promised each and
every one of us that if we liked our current plans we could keep them. Period.
He said if we liked our doctors we could keep them. Period.
He said most Americans would see a reduction in premiums by about $2500
a year. He said shopping for insurance in
the exchanges on the website would be simple and quick.
None of these turned out to be true. Now the Obama administration not only has to
re-sell the entire idea to America but the President himself has made
unilateral changes to the law and its implementation - something that is quite
illegal by Constitutional standards.
None of this surprises me.
I knew from its onset that the Affordable Care Act would be a
disaster. I predicted it three years ago
and have made several more accurate predictions over the course of the last
three years. Political pundits did the
same. We were all told we were wrong;
that we didn't know what we were talking about; that we were obstructionists,
or worse - racists, for not believing in and supporting Obamacare. Except we were right.
Millions of people have lost their health care coverage in
the last two months because of the implementation of Obamacare. The Obama administration, the Democrats in
Washington and their lapdog media outlets deny that the President lied about
people keeping their plans and their doctors.
The President himself told a bold faced lie about telling a lie. The media said he either "misspoke"
or didn't know the truth when he made those statements - ever a period of three
years. And they act like his not knowing
is acceptable.
To that I have said "If he doesn't know anything about
what's going on in his administration why do we need him?" I don't need a President who sits in the
White House, or in Martha's Vineyard, or in Camp David, or in Hawaii, or
anyplace else and has no clue what's going on with the most major issues in the
country. And I certainly don't need one
who has staff who allow him to tell the country lies for three years unchecked. Of course, I don't believe he didn't know.
Some liberal pundits and elected officials have blamed the
Republicans for the failures of the Obamacare website. That's right - it's somehow the fault of the
Republicans that Obama gave a no-bid contract to a Canadian company (that just
happened to be headed by one of Michelle's best friends and has a poor track
record with the Canadian government) and the program sucks. The Obama administration is now scrambling to
fix the website even while telling people it works fine. Honestly, the President should be ashamed
enough of himself to resign and walk away quietly. It's that bad.
Of course, it won't happen.
He'll go out there again, on taxpayer money, telling people how
wonderful the Affordable Care Act is and telling us we should all sign up. And the reason why is because the worse it
gets the more Obama feels the need to change our minds. He can't have his signature legislation fail,
can he? It has been suggested that he
repeal it and start over, fixing the major problems and writing sound, helpful
and bipartisan legislation. But that
won't happen either. The President said just yesterday "It won't be repealed as long as I'm President." It's his plan. He likes it and he's
going to keep it. Period.
Internet Difficulties...
Yesterday afternoon our internet service quit working. In our new neighborhood we have Skybeam satellite internet service because service is limited out here. There are only two providers in our neighborhood at the present time - Skybeam and Comcast. Since we already have a DirecTV contract and the Skybeam equipment was already in the house we elected to try it. And with the exception of last night there have been no problems.
After checking my computer, the wireless router and restarting both without success, I called Skybeam. After about 15 minutes of holding I finally got to speak with a representative - who took me through all the same checks and procedures, saying he could see that my antenna was functioning properly and he could see my router was also connected. But he couldn't fix the problem. He said he would like to put me on hold, again, and check with someone else in their technical support office.
He came back about 5 minutes later and told me the problem was on their end - that they had a malfunction and most of the service in Fort Worth and surrounding areas was down. He said they were "working hard to correct the problem" and to keep checking periodically to see when it came back up.
It didn't come back up last night. When we got up this morning I checked and discovered I had a signal so I logged in to the internet. My e-mail came right up - no problem. Then, "We do not recognize this computer. Please enter your account number and phone number to register this device in our system. You will only have to do this once."
OK - I figured since their system had been down I had to reestablish my connection - no problem. Except I was already online in my g-mail account...
I entered the required information and got a different window that said "You have more than the authorized number of devices. Please select a device to remove." I have three computers hooked up to the system but I never had any messages like that before. I figured I'd have to remove one then call Skybeam and get the problem straightened out. But that wasn't the case.
The only device it showed I needed to remove was my wireless router. And if I did that how the heck was I going to access the internet?
I closed the window and tried logging in again. Same thing. Same information. So I finally selected my router and removed it, knowing I could reconnect it (and would most likely have to) in a minute - after discovering I couldn't access the internet.
I logged into my e-mail again, successfully. Then I tried to log into another window and got the same Skybeam window again. Only this time, when I entered the account number and phone number it just returned to the same window. I had no "unauthorized devices" - it just kept asking me for the account number and phone number and telling me "You will only have to do this once." Yeah, OK.
By the way - why is it that Social Security numbers, phone numbers, account numbers, etc., all have spaces and/or dashes in them but when you enter them into an internet page, most of the time you have to leave them out? Just wondering...
By now it was time to call Skybeam. It was 5:10am here. (We had to get up early this morning anyway.) I called the number, pushed the necessary numbers to talk to tech support in English, and eventually got a recording that said "You have contacted us after normal business hours. Our hours are from 6am until 10pm. Please call back during normal business hours."
So now I have to wait nearly an hour to get this corrected. I made the bed, started some laundry, had some coffee and did a virus scan on my computer... What else is there to do at 5:15 in the morning? (Arden said she wants the internet to go down more often... wonder what she meant by that?)
So at a minute or two after 6 I called again. I didn't have to wait long this time. I guess if you call early enough - you know - before most people are even awake, there's no waiting line. It was 5am in Colorado where Skybeam is located.
I explained the problem to the very nice woman on the phone and she had me do a couple of things. Then she said "Let me try to fix it on my end." I waited a couple of minutes and she said "Try logging in now." I logged into g-mail with no problem. Being thorough she suggested "Log into a couple more pages just to be sure the problem is corrected." I did that too. Four pages opened up without a problem.
I thanked her and asked her if it was really 5am where she was. She said it was. I said "Ewww" and she laughed. Apparently she understood I was being sympathetic. Anyway - my internet is now operational and I have another blog post ready from yesterday. So thanks to Skybeam for fixing the problem - even if it was somewhat of a hassle. And thanks for reading my posts.
Have a great day!
After checking my computer, the wireless router and restarting both without success, I called Skybeam. After about 15 minutes of holding I finally got to speak with a representative - who took me through all the same checks and procedures, saying he could see that my antenna was functioning properly and he could see my router was also connected. But he couldn't fix the problem. He said he would like to put me on hold, again, and check with someone else in their technical support office.
He came back about 5 minutes later and told me the problem was on their end - that they had a malfunction and most of the service in Fort Worth and surrounding areas was down. He said they were "working hard to correct the problem" and to keep checking periodically to see when it came back up.
It didn't come back up last night. When we got up this morning I checked and discovered I had a signal so I logged in to the internet. My e-mail came right up - no problem. Then, "We do not recognize this computer. Please enter your account number and phone number to register this device in our system. You will only have to do this once."
OK - I figured since their system had been down I had to reestablish my connection - no problem. Except I was already online in my g-mail account...
I entered the required information and got a different window that said "You have more than the authorized number of devices. Please select a device to remove." I have three computers hooked up to the system but I never had any messages like that before. I figured I'd have to remove one then call Skybeam and get the problem straightened out. But that wasn't the case.
The only device it showed I needed to remove was my wireless router. And if I did that how the heck was I going to access the internet?
I closed the window and tried logging in again. Same thing. Same information. So I finally selected my router and removed it, knowing I could reconnect it (and would most likely have to) in a minute - after discovering I couldn't access the internet.
I logged into my e-mail again, successfully. Then I tried to log into another window and got the same Skybeam window again. Only this time, when I entered the account number and phone number it just returned to the same window. I had no "unauthorized devices" - it just kept asking me for the account number and phone number and telling me "You will only have to do this once." Yeah, OK.
By the way - why is it that Social Security numbers, phone numbers, account numbers, etc., all have spaces and/or dashes in them but when you enter them into an internet page, most of the time you have to leave them out? Just wondering...
By now it was time to call Skybeam. It was 5:10am here. (We had to get up early this morning anyway.) I called the number, pushed the necessary numbers to talk to tech support in English, and eventually got a recording that said "You have contacted us after normal business hours. Our hours are from 6am until 10pm. Please call back during normal business hours."
So now I have to wait nearly an hour to get this corrected. I made the bed, started some laundry, had some coffee and did a virus scan on my computer... What else is there to do at 5:15 in the morning? (Arden said she wants the internet to go down more often... wonder what she meant by that?)
So at a minute or two after 6 I called again. I didn't have to wait long this time. I guess if you call early enough - you know - before most people are even awake, there's no waiting line. It was 5am in Colorado where Skybeam is located.
I explained the problem to the very nice woman on the phone and she had me do a couple of things. Then she said "Let me try to fix it on my end." I waited a couple of minutes and she said "Try logging in now." I logged into g-mail with no problem. Being thorough she suggested "Log into a couple more pages just to be sure the problem is corrected." I did that too. Four pages opened up without a problem.
I thanked her and asked her if it was really 5am where she was. She said it was. I said "Ewww" and she laughed. Apparently she understood I was being sympathetic. Anyway - my internet is now operational and I have another blog post ready from yesterday. So thanks to Skybeam for fixing the problem - even if it was somewhat of a hassle. And thanks for reading my posts.
Have a great day!
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
Political Correctness Is Making People Crazy...!
I didn't think I had much to write about this week but fortunately, the daily news in this country always provides - this time in the form of stupid liberal political correctness.
Singer Katy Perry, the other night at the American Music Awards, dressed as a Japanese Geisha to perform one of her songs. Immediately following the performance, the social network "Twitter" lit up with criticisms of Perry - everything from being a racist to committing "cultural appropriation."
Just so we're clear - let's look at the definition of "cultural appropriation." "Cultural appropriation is the adoption of some specific elements of one culture by a different cultural group."
Hmmm. So that would take in a lot of different people and groups in the world. People impersonate other cultures all the time. White people act and talk like black people - depending on where they grow up. Some black people act and talk like white people. I know for a fact that Asian people imitate and impersonate non-Asians when performing. English karaoke is very popular in some Asian cultures. Is that cultural appropriation or is it different because it's not an American citizen doing it.
And what about interracial marriage? If one spouse adopts the culture of the other - is that cultural appropriation? Or is there an exception for someone so "enlightened"?
Let's look at actors. Johnny Depp played Tonto in the recent Lone Ranger movie. Meryl Streep has portrayed a Jewish holocaust survivor and even Maggie Thatcher in movies. Ed Ames, for those of you who remember, played Mingo, a Native American, on Daniel Boone. David Carradine played a Buddhist monk in a TV series. And the Wayans brothers played white women in a movie. I never once heard anyone accuse any of them of racism. But each and every one of these is an example of "cultural appropriation", right? Wait... what? They were performing? Well gee... what was Katy Perry doing?
What I would like to know is - when did any culture gain the right to exclusivity? When did any culture gain the authority to decide who and who cannot "adopt some specific elements" of that culture? Where is the law or the rule that says that? Who made the rule? And is it OK for some and not for others? As my examples show - there are numerous instances all the time of people borrowing things from other cultures.
The liberal left wants everyone and everything to be inclusive in this country - except what they decide shouldn't be inclusive. If they decide something is not to their liking the attack with a vengeance - calling people racist or hater or a host of other names. They like to pretend that they and they alone have the right to decide what's right and wrong, what's acceptable and unacceptable - all the while preaching about tolerance. It would be laughable if it wasn't so serious.
Katy Perry performed in the garb of a culture she personally likes. It wasn't racist. It wasn't cultural appropriation. It was her performing in a costume of a culture that means something to her. And liberal haters have decided to attack her for it.
I'm not a Katy Perry fan. I don't even know a single song she sings. But I felt compelled to defend her on this one because left-wing political correctness often gets to the level of absurd. And that's the case here.
Oh - and speaking of liberal intolerance - given the controversy over the name of the Washington Redskins football team I thought this was particularly amusing. I can liberal heads exploding all over the country....!
I'm not a Katy Perry fan. I don't even know a single song she sings. But I felt compelled to defend her on this one because left-wing political correctness often gets to the level of absurd. And that's the case here.
Oh - and speaking of liberal intolerance - given the controversy over the name of the Washington Redskins football team I thought this was particularly amusing. I can liberal heads exploding all over the country....!
Gotta Love Automation...
Since we moved into our new home we are still learning about certain aspects of the neighborhood. Today we need to learn about disposal of yard waste. We've been pruning some trees, digging up some bushes and other plants we don't want and now need to know what to do with them. We've heard our trash collection company apparently does not take care of this.
So, at Arden's suggestion, I called them this morning just to double check. I got this recorded message: "Thank you for calling Progressive Waste Solutions." (Just what I need - 'Progressive'.) "Your call is important to us. All of our customer service representatives are busy. If you would like to receive a call back, press 1. If you would like to stay on the line, press 2."
Now - maybe it's me, but if I just stay on the line doesn't that indicate I want to stay on the line? Why do I have to push 2 if I want to stay on the line? Don't I have to be on the line to push 2?
So after being prompted a second time, I pushed 2. The new message was "Your wait time is approximately 16 seconds. You are next in line. Thank you for calling...."
So I wait the 16 or 20 seconds and get a customer service person. She says "Thank you for calling. This is Tina. Can you please hold?" Click
So after being on hold and being told I'm next in line the first thing they do is put me back on hold....?
Tina came back on the line and asked how she could help me. I told her my situation - that I needed to know if they collect yard waste such as tree branches, bushes, etc. She told me she didn't know - she'd have to look it up. Then she told me the book really didn't say so she'd have to ask a manager.
She asked me what, exactly, I had that needed to be collected. I told her "tree branches, bushes, etc."
"I know they have to be in 2x4 foot bundles," she said.
"So you do pick them up," I asked.
"I don't know. I have to check with a manager."
Huh?
She took my information and promised to call me back. She said it could be a while because she didn't know when she'd get to talk to the manager.
So I'm waiting on a call back from Tina. I think when she calls, and I learn that it's her, I'll say "Hi Tina. Can you please hold? Your wait time will be approximately 3 minutes..."
So, at Arden's suggestion, I called them this morning just to double check. I got this recorded message: "Thank you for calling Progressive Waste Solutions." (Just what I need - 'Progressive'.) "Your call is important to us. All of our customer service representatives are busy. If you would like to receive a call back, press 1. If you would like to stay on the line, press 2."
Now - maybe it's me, but if I just stay on the line doesn't that indicate I want to stay on the line? Why do I have to push 2 if I want to stay on the line? Don't I have to be on the line to push 2?
So after being prompted a second time, I pushed 2. The new message was "Your wait time is approximately 16 seconds. You are next in line. Thank you for calling...."
So I wait the 16 or 20 seconds and get a customer service person. She says "Thank you for calling. This is Tina. Can you please hold?" Click
So after being on hold and being told I'm next in line the first thing they do is put me back on hold....?
Tina came back on the line and asked how she could help me. I told her my situation - that I needed to know if they collect yard waste such as tree branches, bushes, etc. She told me she didn't know - she'd have to look it up. Then she told me the book really didn't say so she'd have to ask a manager.
She asked me what, exactly, I had that needed to be collected. I told her "tree branches, bushes, etc."
"I know they have to be in 2x4 foot bundles," she said.
"So you do pick them up," I asked.
"I don't know. I have to check with a manager."
Huh?
She took my information and promised to call me back. She said it could be a while because she didn't know when she'd get to talk to the manager.
So I'm waiting on a call back from Tina. I think when she calls, and I learn that it's her, I'll say "Hi Tina. Can you please hold? Your wait time will be approximately 3 minutes..."
Monday, December 2, 2013
Illegal Aliens vs Undocumented Immigrants
Last week President Obama held a rally in San Francisco concerning immigration reform. He apparently surrounded himself with illegal aliens and/or undocumented immigrants. 24 year old Ju Hong, whose family came here legally on work visas then stayed illegally when the visas expired, heckled the President and told him he must do more to stop the deportations of undocumented immigrants.
Rather than be removed from his position behind the President, Ju Hong was allowed to speak. President Obama attempted to address his concerns but Hong was unsatisfied. He wrote and open letter to President Obama which was published in the Huffington Post. Excerpts are as follows:
I spoke up not out of disrespect, however, either for you or our country. No, I spoke up -- and am writing to you now -- to ask that you use your executive order to halt deportations for 11.5 million undocumented immigrant families.
Here's something that apparently Mr. Hong is either confused about or chooses to ignore. Legally he and his family are not Americans. They came here on work visas. That is not immigration - it's a work visa - a temporary authorization to stay. His family members who overstayed their visas went from being legal alien workers to illegal aliens because they no longer have authorization to be in the country. Just because you decide you're going to stay without authorization doesn't mean it's legal. Ju Hong is one I would consider an undocumented immigrant - only because it was not his choice to move here and it's not his fault his parents overstayed their visas. He possibly could have begun the process toward citizenship but didn't - most likely out of fear of deportation. But that doesn't make it legal either.
In his opening paragraph he expressed he meant no disrespect for Obama or "our" country. But legally it's not his country - not until he happens to become an American citizen. But there is a process that must be followed and he needs to begin the process - not be handed citizenship ahead of those who are here legally.
In the meantime Mr. Hong has taken full advantage of the liberal state of California and has obtained a degree from U.C. Berkeley and is now working on a Master's Degree in another California university. His parents, already identified as being here illegally, are still here and he, as an illegal immigrant, is invited to attend the President's rally. I'm surprised the President didn't invite him to attend the protest with him outside the White House on Friday.
I know many will disagree with me but that's part of the problem with illegal immigration to this country. Some people are in favor of simply opening up the borders and letting anyone and everyone come in. Others believe anyone who is already here should get to stay without penalty. Both opinions are contrary to U.S. law and unfair to law abiding immigrants.
Immigration certainly needs some reform and changes. Granting amnesty and ignoring current law is not the answer. Closing the borders is still something that needs to be done. President Obama and the Democrats don't seem to be the ones to do it. And Republicans don't seem too willing either. Everyone is worried about votes. I say if they're not willing to do their jobs - vote 'em out.
Rather than be removed from his position behind the President, Ju Hong was allowed to speak. President Obama attempted to address his concerns but Hong was unsatisfied. He wrote and open letter to President Obama which was published in the Huffington Post. Excerpts are as follows:
I spoke up not out of disrespect, however, either for you or our country. No, I spoke up -- and am writing to you now -- to ask that you use your executive order to halt deportations for 11.5 million undocumented immigrant families.
My family came to the United States from South Korea when I was 11 years old. Like many immigrants, my mother brought me to this country to seek a better life for her children.
I graduated from UC Berkeley, and am now pursuing a Master's degree in Public Administration at San Francisco State University. I have lived in America now for 13 years. I consider this country as my home. During my senior year in high school, however, I learned that my family had overstayed a tourist visa. We are undocumented immigrants.
As an American without papers, I was not able to get a job, obtain a driver's license, or receive governmental financial aid.
Like many other undocumented immigrants, I was living in the shadows and living in fear of deportation. However, I have decided to speak out and stand up.
He signed the letter:
Your fellow American,
Ju Hong
The entire letter in the Huffington Post is attached.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ju-hong/president-obama-stop-sepa_b_4371244.html?1385989671Here's something that apparently Mr. Hong is either confused about or chooses to ignore. Legally he and his family are not Americans. They came here on work visas. That is not immigration - it's a work visa - a temporary authorization to stay. His family members who overstayed their visas went from being legal alien workers to illegal aliens because they no longer have authorization to be in the country. Just because you decide you're going to stay without authorization doesn't mean it's legal. Ju Hong is one I would consider an undocumented immigrant - only because it was not his choice to move here and it's not his fault his parents overstayed their visas. He possibly could have begun the process toward citizenship but didn't - most likely out of fear of deportation. But that doesn't make it legal either.
In his opening paragraph he expressed he meant no disrespect for Obama or "our" country. But legally it's not his country - not until he happens to become an American citizen. But there is a process that must be followed and he needs to begin the process - not be handed citizenship ahead of those who are here legally.
In the meantime Mr. Hong has taken full advantage of the liberal state of California and has obtained a degree from U.C. Berkeley and is now working on a Master's Degree in another California university. His parents, already identified as being here illegally, are still here and he, as an illegal immigrant, is invited to attend the President's rally. I'm surprised the President didn't invite him to attend the protest with him outside the White House on Friday.
I know many will disagree with me but that's part of the problem with illegal immigration to this country. Some people are in favor of simply opening up the borders and letting anyone and everyone come in. Others believe anyone who is already here should get to stay without penalty. Both opinions are contrary to U.S. law and unfair to law abiding immigrants.
Immigration certainly needs some reform and changes. Granting amnesty and ignoring current law is not the answer. Closing the borders is still something that needs to be done. President Obama and the Democrats don't seem to be the ones to do it. And Republicans don't seem too willing either. Everyone is worried about votes. I say if they're not willing to do their jobs - vote 'em out.
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