"Obama vows Salvadoran aid, immigration reform Visit cut short by Libya crisis"

Hi Gang:
My commentary today will focus on the President’s trip to El Salvador, his last stop on a trip to Latin America.
Certainly it is important for our country to maintain good relationships with other nations, especially when those nations are part of the western hemisphere, however, it is more than a bit disturbing that President Obama would travel to El Salvador, a nation that according to the Washington Times article that appeared yesterday, March 22nd and served as the predication for this commentary, has some 2 million of its citizens now living in our country.  What is also worth noting is that that same news article also reports that El Salvador has 7 million citizens.
The World Fact Book, a reference book published by the CIA pegs El Salvador’s population at 6,071,774 as of this year.
Here is a link to this reference book- it is not classified and can be helpful:

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/

When you do the math, approximately one-third of El Salvador’s citizens are already living in the United States- I suspect many are illegally present, and the President of the United States has now told the remaining two-thirds of El Salvador’s citizens that we will reward those who violate our borders.  I sometimes think that Obama, Schumer, McCain, Pelosi and the advocates for “Comprehensive Immigration Reform” think that they work for the “Red Roof Inn” where the slogan is “We’ll keep the light on for you!”
The point is that while Obama and the other pro-amnesty politicians start out saying, “America is a nation of laws” they remind me of ever so many Americans who have memorized the “Pledge of Allegiance.”  They recite the words without giving them a thought- they just know that these are the words they are supposed to say.
I would love to ask Mr. Obama, what exactly does the phrase, “America is a country of laws?”
Of course our nation has laws- we certainly have no shortage of laws and, we have no shortage of lawyers, however, when the President of the United States, the person who holds the highest elected office in this nation, can call for conferring United States citizenship upon millions of aliens whose presence in our country represents a violation of our nation’s laws, what do the laws really mean?
Our nation has become a nation of violated laws.  Our country has leaders who are willing to ignore the laws of our nation when it is politically or financially expedient to do so!
I have often made the point that you only get one opportunity to make a first impression.  For most foreign nationals, the first impression they get is the contact they have with our nation’s immigration laws and/or our nation’s efforts to secure its borders that these foreign nationals must cross if they are to gain access to our nation.  These foreign nationals may well first encounter our immigration laws when they go to an American embassy or consulate and apply for a visa.
Please stop and reflect on this quote uttered by President Obama when he stood before the citizens of El Salvador:
 
“America is a nation of laws, and it is a nation of immigrants. And so our job is to create secure borders, to make sure that we’ve got a legal immigration system that is effective and is not frustrating for families, doesn’t divide families…”
Was he reenforcing the fact that our nation is a nation of laws or a nation that is willing to ignore its laws?
What is important to remember is the reason that our nation has immigration laws in the first place.  The immigration laws of our nation are completely and utterly blind to a person’s race, religion or ethnicity.  Our immigration laws only make one distinction- the immigration laws differentiate citizens from non citizens (aliens).  The intention of the immigration laws is to prevent the entry of aliens into our country whose presence would be harmful to our nation and our citizens.  This is of particular significance in this perilous era when terrorists and members of transnational gangs and drug cartels seek to enter our country daily to “ply their trades” in the United States.
When an alien circumvents the inspections process in order to enter the United States and, in so doing, violates our laws as well as our borders, it must be presumed that the alien who does this knows that he would be excludible under the law.  
Here is a link to Title 8 of the United States Code, Section 212- these are the grounds under which an alien would be ineligible to be lawfully admitted into the United States: 

Please take a moment and review some of the reasons why an alien would be barred from entering our country- among the categories are aliens who suffer dangerous communicable diseases, aliens who suffer extreme mental illness and are prone to violence, aliens who are convicted felons, aliens who have committed war crimes and human rights violations, aliens who are human traffickers and narcotics smugglers, aliens who engage in terrorism and aliens who are involved with espionage.  Do we really need these folks in our country?

Even where aliens who are seeking unlawful employment is concerned, every year nearly 60 billion dollars is wired from the United States to the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean while more money is moved by other means and more money still is sent from the United States to virtually every other country on this planet.  The amount of money being sent out of the United States is staggering!  It is estimated that between 100 billion and 200 billion dollars is drained out of our economy every single year!  This is money that is not earned by Americans or lawful immigrants.  This is money that is not spent in America.  This is money that is not invested in America.
Yet the President has mortgaged the economic future of our children and their children in order to stimulate the economy.  How is our economy stimulated when money is earned by foreign workers who violate our laws and then, adding insult to injury, send their illegally earned money out of our country?

Also worth noting is that aliens who enter the United States without inspection do so surreptitiously- there is no record of their entry into our country.

Let me also make a point about the issue of effective laws that don’t divide families.
When people who are present in our country violate our laws, whether those laws are on the local, city, state or federal level, repercussions are likely to follow.  When certain laws are violated and those who violate those laws are prosecuted, among the adverse impact that convictions may have on those found guilty is the imposition of prison sentences.  When the crime is a serious felony, the prison sentence may be extremely lengthy.  Prisoners who go to jail may well be married.  They may well have old or sick parents.  They may have young children.  By sitting in a jail cell for years or even decades, they are certainly separated from their families because they committed crimes and violated our nation’s laws.
Not all who are sentenced to prison have committed violent crimes.  There are citizens of our nation who are now “guests of the government” who committed tax fraud or committed other so-called “White collar crimes.”  However they have now been separated from their families even though the crimes they committed did not endanger anyone’s safety.
As the President said, “America is a nation of laws.”
When an alien is arrested and taken into custody for violating our laws including our immigration laws, it is entirely possible that the the alien may be ordered removed from the United States.  If that alien has family members in the United States those family members do not have to be separated from the alien who is removed (deported) they have the option of traveling to his (her) home country to remain with him.  Children who are born in the United States are citizens of the United States and are eligible to have United States passports issued to them so that they can return to the United States whenever they so desire.  The separation of illegal aliens from family members happens, in a manner of speaking, voluntarily- the illegal alien is sent home and his family members may certainly make the trip with him.
The children and other family members of a prisoner who is serving out a prison sentence does not have a comparable option.  The prisoner was convicted of committing a crime and now he and his family suffers the consequences.  That is what the laws of our nation require.
I have similarly heard politicians who are advocates for issuing drivers licenses to illegal aliens also preface their remarks with the statement, “We are a nation of laws.”  Then, in the very next breath they say words to the effect, “Illegal aliens are going to drive anyway, so now at least, with a license they will drive safely and be able to get insurance!”
Don’t you just love it when the politicians use that term “anyway?”  What happened to being a nation of laws?  Doesn’t that phrase that is recited by rote imply that when people fail to follow the rules (laws) they have to face consequences?  Is not that the purpose for having laws and penalties for those who fail to abide by the laws?
In October 2003 the Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi stood before the citizens of Mexico and decried the special agents of ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) who equated the arrest of illegal aliens working at Wal-Mart with an act of terror!
Now we have the President of the United States standing in front of the citizens of El Salvador promising them that he would work to provide any of them who run our nation’s borders with United States citizenship!  I have been scrutinizing the photos of the President, looking to see if he had brought a starter’s pistol with him, because those words of encouragement are certain to encourage God knows how many desperate citizens of El Salvador to make a dash for the border of the United States!  Of course something will stand in the way of those El Salvadorans- the countries of Guatemala and Mexico.  
Here is something for you to contemplate:
Mexico has a truly tough policy on illegal aliens in Mexico.  While Mexican leaders decry any effort that the United States may make to secure the border that is supposed to separate our two countries, Mexico is quickly building a fence on its southern border to keep illegal aliens from running its border!  Furthermore, illegal aliens found in Mexico are likely to be imprisoned and will be lucky in many instances, to survive their experiences in Mexico- between corrupt officials, violent coyotes and the ongoing escalating drug cartel violence!
The obvious question that no one has asked, is “Why are the Mexican authorities so hostile to illegal aliens in their country?”
I cannot imagine that illegal aliens are getting jobs in Mexico, a country that does not have enough opportunities for their own citizens.  Additionally, the wages in Mexico certainly would not likely attract illegal aliens to seek employment in Mexico.  Furthermore, as I noted previously, the violence in Mexico is horrific.  Therefore it is obvious that in the vast majority of cases, illegal aliens in Mexico have no intention of remaining in Mexico- they are heading north, for the border of the United States!
Why would this be a problem for the Mexican authorities if they know that the great majority of illegal aliens entering Mexico are not planning to stay in Mexico anyway?  Certainly the illegal aliens in Mexico will not be enrolling in Mexican schools or seeking treatment in Mexican hospitals.  They are only “passing through!”
My theory is that the government of Mexico hate competition!  They do not want Mexican citizens who are working illegally in the United States to have to compete with illegal aliens from El Salvador, Guatemala or other countries to compete with the 10% of Mexico’s citizens who now live and work illegally in the United States!
The leaders of the nation’s who see their own citizens as their most valuable export must be thrilled to hear the President of the United States do as much as he can to encourage still more of the citizens of these countries to head for the United States.  The money sent back to these countries bolster their economies at the expense of our country.  Meanwhile, the majority of the illegal aliens who flee the grinding poverty of their home countries are young, able-bodied men who might otherwise demand better conditions in their own countries!  The massive exodus of the citizens of El Salvador and Mexico and other countries protect the status quo in their countries that rich rich and the poor poor!  This takes the pressure off of the countries from which the illegal aliens come to address the needs of the majority of their citizens.
Meanwhile the exploitation of the illegal aliens drives down wages in the United States and often the conditions under which the illegal aliens work in the United States are so substandard as to be utterly illegal.  Furthermore, illegal aliens who work “off the books” do not pay taxes but do make use of various programs in the United States such as making use of the emergency rooms of cash-strapped hospitals as their de facto “primary health care provider.”
A final thought:
President Obama, as I noted throughout this commentary made the statement that “America is a nation of laws.”  I want you to consider a law that is found in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA):
Title 8, U.S.C. § 1324(a) defines several distinct offenses related to aliens. Subsection 1324(a)(1)(i)-(v) prohibits alien smuggling, domestic transportation of unauthorized aliens, concealing or harboring unauthorized aliens, encouraging or inducing unauthorized aliens to enter the United States, and engaging in a conspiracy or aiding and abetting any of the preceding acts. Subsection 1324(a)(2) prohibits bringing or attempting to bring unauthorized aliens to the United States in any manner whatsoever, even at a designated port of entry. Subsection 1324(a)(3).

Encouraging/Inducing — Subsection 1324(a)(1)(A)(iv) makes it an offense for any person who — encourages or induces an alien to come to, enter, or reside in the United States, knowing or in reckless disregard of the fact that such coming to, entry, or residence is or will be in violation of law.


Conspiracy/Aiding or Abetting — Subsection 1324(a)(1)(A)(v) expressly makes it an offense to engage in a conspiracy to commit or aid or abet the commission of the foregoing offenses.

Here is the link to this section of law in its entirety:
It would certainly seem to me that when anyone makes statements that credibly offer the potential for gain to illegal aliens who may be contemplating violating our nation’s immigration laws and/or our nation’s borders that the person making those statement is encouraging aliens to “…come to, enter, or reside in the United States, knowing or in reckless disregard of the fact that such coming to, entry or residence will be in violation of law.”
When the person making such statements is the President of the United States, these words of encouragement take on an entirely new dimension and possess extreme credibility!
Of course, as a matter of practicality, no one expects that an Attorney General who works for the President of the United States will seek ti indict the President for making statement that any reasonable person would agree offers encouragement to illegal aliens to violate our borders and our immigration laws, but the level of hypocrisy demonstrated by our nation’s leaders is more than a bit disturbing.  In order to govern, a government must possess legitimacy.  When the majority of the citizens witness attempt after attempt of a government that is supposed to be “of the people, by the people and for the people” ignore the clearly known desires of the citizens of a nation, the notion of legitimacy evaporates!  
The effective enforcement and administration of our nation’s immigration laws are, arguably, among the most important of all missions that are supposed to be carried out by our federal government.  
Nothing less than the security of our nation and safety of our citizens hang in the balance!
A country without secure borders can no more stand than can a house without walls!

I

our country is to survive and if our children and their children are to get their share of the “American Dream” the citizens of this nation must take their citizenship seriously!

We the People must be the best citizens we can be, citizens who are worthy of the gallantry demonstrated by our valiant men and women in the military, law enforcement and firefighters, who routinely go in harm’s way in defense of this nation and our citizens.  
My goal in writing this and other commentaries is to point out our nations many failings before more victims pay the ultimate price for the incompetence and ineptitude of our government.
The first step in problem-solving is to first identify the problems and vulnerabilities and then devise strategies to overcome them.
If you find yourself to be in agreement with this commentary, I ask that you forward it to as many of your friends and family members as possible and encourage them to do the same.  We need to create a “Bucket Brigade of Truth!”

The practice of good citizenship does not end in the voting booth, it only begins there.

The large scale apathy demonstrated by citizens of this nation has emboldened elected representatives to all but ignore the needs of the average American citizen in a quest for massive campaign funds and the promises of votes to be ostensibly delivered by special interest groups. There is much that we cannot do but there is one thing that We the People absolutely must do- we must stop sitting on the sidelines!


The collective failure of We the People to get involved in make our concerns known to our politicians have nearly made the concerns of the great majority of the citizens of this nation all but irrelevant to the politicians.  I implore you to resolve this year to get involved!
I believe our nation’s is greatly benefited by the rich diversity of our people which is why I could never imagine living anywhere except New York City, arguably the most diverse city in our nation if not, in fact, the world.  However, my idea of diversity most certainly does not include members of MS-13, the Mexican drug cartels or members of other transnational gangs or members of al-Qaeda!

If this situation concerns you or especially if it angers you, I ask you to call your Senators and Congressional “Representative. This is not only your right- it is your obligation! 

All I ask is that you make it clear to our politicians that we are not as dumb as they hope we are!

We live in a perilous world and in a perilous era. The survival of our nation and the lives of our citizens hang in the balance.

This is neither a Conservative issue, nor is it a Liberal issue- simply stated, this is most certainly an AMERICAN issue!

You are either part of the solution or you are a part of the problem!

Democracy is not a spectator sport!

Lead, follow or get out of the way!

-michael cutler- 


Please check out my website:

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/mar/22/obama-vows-salvadoran-aid-immigration-reform/

Obama vows Salvadoran aid, immigration reform

Visit cut short by Libya crisis

President Obama, with first lady Michelle Obama, waves from the tarmac after arriving in San Salvador, El Salvador, on Tuesday. He and Salvadoran President Mauricio Funes announced several partnerships. (Associated Press)President Obama, with first lady Michelle Obama, waves from the tarmac after arriving in San Salvador, El Salvador, on Tuesday. He and Salvadoran President Mauricio Funes announced several partnerships. (Associated Press)

8:29 p.m.,
Tuesday, 

March 22, 2011SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador | Making his first visit
to Central America, President Obama brought promises of crime-fighting
money and a vow to push the U.S. Congress to pass an immigration bill to
aid El Salvador, a once war-torn country that has emerged as a stable
democracy and a friendly ally.

In keeping with the other stops on
his extended Latin American tour, Mr. Obama held up the tiny nation’s
recent peaceful transition between political parties as a model for
other nations looking to emerge from chaos or dictatorships.

“There
are few better examples of both the opportunities and challenges facing
the Americas today than here in El Salvador,” Mr. Obama said at a joint
news conference with President Mauricio Funes, whom he commended for
overcoming “old divisions” and showing that “progress comes through
pragmatism and building consensus.”

Mr. Obama is cutting his visit
here short, though, to return to Washington and oversee the U.S.-led
effort to enforce a no-fly zone over Libya. He held a bilateral meeting
with Mr. Funes and attended a state dinner Tuesday night, forgoing a
previously scheduled visit to local Mayan ruins on Wednesday.

The
leaders unveiled a series of partnerships on issues ranging from climate
change to security, with Mr. Obama pledging $200 million in U.S. aid to
help Mr. Funes’ government address the “social and economic forces that
drive young people to criminality.”

The president also sought to
reassure El Salvador — which has nearly 2 million of its citizens living
in the U.S. — that he’s still committed to shepherding comprehensive
immigration legislation through Congress, though he acknowledged the
politics are tough.

“America is a nation of laws, and it is a
nation of immigrants. And so our job is to create secure borders, to
make sure that we’ve got a legal immigration system that is effective
and is not frustrating for families, doesn’t divide families,” he said,
citing declining Republican support for a bill that would lay out a path
to citizenship for illegal immigrants. “My hope is that they begin to
recognize over the next year that we can’t solve this problem without
taking a broad, comprehensive approach.”

El Salvador was by far
the smallest country on Mr. Obama’s itinerary — its population hovers
just above 7 million — but regional analysts say his stop there could
end up being the most substantive of the trip. Mr. Funes has emerged as a
possible interlocutor among other Latin American countries that might
not be as friendly toward the U.S.

“I get the sense that President
Obama decided that [Mr. Funes will be] his go-to person in Central
America,” said Kevin Casas-Zamora, a former vice president of Costa Rica
who is a fellow at the Brookings Institution. “They probably decided
that all the other leaders … are too weak, too corrupt or too
controversial.”

Indeed, analysts agree that Mr. Obama’s Latin
American tour had to include a visit to a country in Central America, a
vital bridge between drug producers in South America and consumers in
the United States, and El Salvador represented the most obvious choice.

Anti-Americanism
among leaders in Guatemala and Nicaragua and a 2009 coup in Honduras
likely ruled out those countries. And with Mr. Obama bearing no good
news on a long-stalled free-trade agreement, Panama would have been an
awkward option, while the government of Mr. Funes is seen as more in
need of shoring up than that of Costa Rica, another U.S. ally.

Some
observers were concerned initially that the election in 2009 of Mr.
Funes — the first center-left candidate to win office since a truce
ended the fighting in 1992 — would spiral the country back into
violence. Instead, Mr. Funes, a former TV personality, has been credited
with bolstering the nation’s democratic credentials.

“Thirty
years ago, we were shooting bullets [at] each other,” said Francisco
Altschul, El Salvador’s ambassador to the U.S., at a discussion hosted
by the Heritage Foundation. “Twenty years ago, we were able to find a
political solution to our conflict. The past two years, we have been
advancing and consolidating our democratic institutions.”

© Copyright 2011 The Washington Times, LLC. Click here for reprint permission.

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