Hi Gang:
This past weekend, from January 18th through January 20th, I had the privilege of, once again, participating in the South Carolina Tea Party Convention.
This is the third year I have been invited to speak at the Tea Party Convention in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina by its organizer, Joe Dugan, who did his usual stellar job of assembling a wide variety of speakers from around the United States and even from overseas.
While many news organizations have attempted to marginalize the Tea Party and make all sorts of accusations about the members of the Tea Party and its viability as a political force, I can tell you, that as you will see in my remarks, I made my political orientation as a lifelong registered Democrat known to all. I do, of course, always vote for individual candidates never for a “party line!”
(As I stated during my speech- anyone who votes a party line, irrespective of which party, should hang mattresses or other padding ont heir walls!)
My reception by the audience and the organizers of the event could not have been warmer! Those in attendance are taking their responsibilities as citizens of this democratic republic seriously- would that many more of our fellow Americans were so motivated!
The greatest threat to America today is the abject apathy of far too many Americans!
It is time for all Americans to remember that the First Amendment encourages Americans of every political view to participate in discussions, debates and even arguments, provided that this discourse be carried out in a civil fashion. That is why among other things, the First Amendment makes reference to the “Right of peaceable assemblage.”
As Americans we need not agree with each other on every issue but for the fact that we need to respect each other’s right to speak his (her) mind freely!
The immigration issue and the need to secure America’s borders and effectively enforce and administer America’s immigration laws should be a uniting issue for all Americans, however. Our immigration laws were enacted to protect innocent lives and the jobs of American workers. It is hard- indeed, impossible to imagine how any reasonable person could not think that these two goals are not essential for the well being of America and Americans!
Having been intimately involved with the immigration issue for more than 42 years I was surprised to hear a new term while I was in South Carolina- “Grahamnesty!” Lindsay Graham was one of the “Eight Gangsters” who concocted the Senate immigration bill in the last session and everyone I met demands he be held accountable for that legislative betrayal on election day! I would add that any member of Congress, irrespective of party affiliation and irrespective of whether they are members of the House of Representatives or the Senate need to be held accountable in both the primaries and in the general election that are looming large on the horizon!
This is the link to the videos of all of the speakers, including several members of Congress, several amazing military leaders including retired Major General Paul Vallely and local politicians, as well as four candidates who hope to unseat South Carolina’s Senator Lindsay Graham in the upcoming primary:
Here is the link to the video of my presentation at the convention:
Among the points I made during my speech were:
Failures to secure America’s borders against aliens who evade the vital inspections process undermines national security and public safety and violates commonsense and the findings and recommendations of the 9/11 Commission.
Comprehensive Immigration Reform would require that unknown millions of illegal aliens, who evaded the vital inspections process, with lawful status and the official identity documents that they would be given also violates commonsense and the findings and recommendations of the 9/11 Commission.
Increasing the number of foreign high-tech workers at a time when record numbers of highly qualified, highly educated and motivated American workers, often possessing many years of experience are unemployed is insane and represents a betray of We the People by the very same politicians who were elected to represent all Americans, including those who are now unemployed and/or underemployed!
The importance of our borders and our immigration laws cannot be overemphasized. In the war on terror and transnational gangs, they are our first line of defense and our last line of defense. They are equally important to American workers who are facing unfair competition from foreign workers, aided and abetted by the administration and advocates for “Sanctuary Cities” and Comprehensive Immigration Reform,
In his historic speech before the 3rd Army on May 31, 1944, General George S. Patton said, on the strategy of holding a position:
“We’re not holding anything, we’ll let the Hun do that. We are advancing constantly, and we’re not interested in holding onto anything except the enemy.”
Pushing back against Comprehensive Immigration Reform is the same as holding position. The time has come for us to advance by demanding that our borders be made truly secure and our immigration laws be effectively administered and enforced.
Comprehensive Immigration Reform violates all of the findings and recommendations of the 9/11 Commission but no one is willing to even consider how the lack of real border security and the lack of real integrity to the various components of the immigration system imperil national security and public safety.
Immigration is not a single issue but a singular issue that impacts nearly every challenge and threat confronting the United States today! Simply stated, the immigration laws were enacted to save lives and protect the jobs of American workers.
It is not “Anti-Immigrant” to be Pro-American!
Our armed forces are charged with securing America’s borders externally while the DHS is supposed to secure those same borders from within. The failures of the DHS to live up to its half of the equation are undermining the efforts, valor and incredible sacrifices of Americas men and women who serve in our military!
If our government’s failures to protect American jobs by securing our nation’s borders and effectively enforcing our immigration laws 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!
On Friday evenings from 7:00 PM until 8:00 PM Eastern Time, I host my show, “The Michael Cutler Hour” on the USA Talk Radio Network on Blog Talk Radio.
Call in and join the conversation! The phone number is 310-982-4145
I hope you will be listening! (Please tell your friends and neighbors!)
Here is a link to the program:
http://www.usaradionetwork.com/cutler.htm