Five Things Obama Is Keeping Quiet About Before The Election

Most Democrats that are at risk of losing in the Fall, will argue that Obama is not on the ballot and should have no bearing on their particular electability. However, most political gurus will tell you that the incumbent President always has an impact on midterm elections.  In 2010, Obama wasn't on the ballot.  Yet, his policies were. ObamaCare and the handling of the economy resulted in massive losses for the Democrats; both in state and federal races.

The President knows this, and its why he's attempted to use a number of executive orders this year to prop up Democrats going into November.  But, he also knows that his negatives can hurt the party       and this is why I believe we won't hear anything on the following five key issues.

Ferguson Grand Jury. It has been almost 2 months since the Grand Jury convened on August 21 to decide if the officer involved in the shooting of Michael Brown will be found guilty of murder.  By all rights, such a spontaneous event with limited witnesses and expert testimony, should have had a Grand Jury decision weeks ago; and in fact, the decision has been delayed by an extension.  But, my guess is that there is a feeling, or perhaps proof, that the officer is not chargeable and the final deliberation on that case is being held until after the election.  In fact, we perhaps got a hint of that when a supposed friend of one Grand Jury member tweeted that there is insufficient evidence to charge office Darren Wilson. That tweet also seems to imply that there is no more evidence for the jury to weigh.  While some would argue that the Grand Jury is a local issue and not under Obama's control, his Department of Justice is closely involved in the prosecution of this case. The last thing the President wants is an exoneration of the police officer and a resulting riot before the elections.

Bergdahl Desertion.  According to persons close to the investigation of Sargent Bergdahl , the investigation on whether or not he was a deserter when captured by the Taliban, is supposedly complete.  Yet, the U.S. Army refuses to release the results. Nor have they allowed Bergdahl to talk to the press.  My sense is that the Commander-In-Chief, Barack Obama, knows that Bergdahl was a deserter and ordered -- not asked -- the Army to keep a lid on that fact, since there would be nothing but public outrage over trading 5 high-value Taliban leaders for a treasonous deserter.

Final Numbers on ObamaCare Enrollment, Cancellations and Pricing.  Independent studies have discovered that many enrollees are opting out by either never paying their first premium or failing to continue to pay.  The President's Health and Human Services Department (HHS) has kept that actual number under wraps.  At the same time, HHS is well aware of how much premiums will go up this year, but has already said that they won't release any data until after the election.  Believe me, if the numbers were good, Obama and his people would be tripping all over themselves to tell that story as soon as possible.

Boots on the ground.  With the continued push by ISIS to take more and more territory in both Iraq and Syria, the President has to know that airstrikes, alone, aren't working.  I am quite sure he's been told that success against ISIS can only be done with boots on the ground. But, after seeing this President in action over nearly 6 years, we know he will only make the decision to do that until after the election.  Sadly, this "waiting" may have already handed ISIS the key city of Kobani in northern Syria, and may have actually committed Baghdad to a defeat.

Immigration Reform:  All along, we have been told that the American people want immigration reform. Obama blames Republicans for any inaction on this issue.  So, a few months ago he said that by summer's end, he would, by executive order, take steps to reform immigration on his own.  It was estimated that this action would give 5 million illegals the right to stay in this country.  However, in early September, he announced that he would delay any executive orders until after the election.  Obviously, he knows that, whatever he plans to do, would not sit well with a large segment of the public and would hurt the Democrats chances in November.

References:

Ferguson grand jury deadline extended: http://www.kpho.com/story/26544200/ferguson-grand-jury-deadline-extended

Tweet about Ferguson grand jury sparks misconduct probe: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2014/10/02/tweet-about-ferguson-grand-jury-sparks-misconduct-probe/

Army Refuses to Release Findings of Bergdahl Investigation: http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Peace/2014/10/11/Army-Refuses-to-Release-Findings-of-Bergdahl-Investigation

Axelrod calls Obama's midterm ballot line 'a mistake': http://www.cnn.com/2014/10/05/politics/axelrod-obama-midterm-remark/

Admin Won’t Release Final HealthCare.gov Premiums Until After Elections: http://dailycaller.com/2014/10/09/admin-wont-release-final-healthcare-gov-premiums-until-after-elections/

Over 80 percent of ObamaCare enrollees have paid premiums, insurers say: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/05/07/over-80-percent-obamacare-enrollees-have-paid-premiums-insurers-say/

War against Isis: US strategy in tatters as militants march on: http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment/war-against-isis-us-strategy-in-tatters-as-militants-march-on-9789230.html

Obama to delay executive action on immigration until after election: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2014/09/06/obama-to-delay-executive-action-on-immigration-until-after-election/

Obama's Political Calculus On Immigration Reform

Today, more than 5-1/2 years since taking office, President Obama blames the Republicans for not passing comprehensive immigration reform into law.  A fact that he claims has forced him to act alone.  But, instead of acting by the end of this summer, as promised, he has now pushed his go-it-alone executive actions back until after the fall elections.  His rationale for the the delay is that Republicans would use it as a wedge issue against vulnerable Democrats at this critical time.

Simply, Obama knows that any sort of amnesty for illegal aliens is politically lethal. 

Therefore, contrary to all the promises he made while running for the Presidency in 2008, he did nothing in his first two years in office at a time when he totally out-gunned the Republicans with complete control of Congress; including a veto-proof Senate.  His excuse: The economy was the priority.  However, during those supposed do-nothing-else-but-the-economy years, he did manage to pass ObamaCare into law.

Hispanics are being used by Obama.  Just as is every other minority group in this country. His promises and blame-the-Republicans tactic is being used to merely string along those who are eager for immigration reform.  Wake up Latino Americans.  Like everything else, Obama will never tackle any hard political issue unless it results in a sure political win.  As a State Senator in Illinois, he avoided any controversy by simply voting "present". Never a decisive "yea" or "nay" that could possible hurt his election chances.   A weak approach that he continues to use today

References:

Obama’s failed promise of a first-year immigration overhaul: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/fact-checker/post/obamas-failed-promise-of-a-first-year-immigration-overhaul/2012/09/25/06997958-0721-11e2-a10c-fa5a255a9258_blog.html

Obama to Delay Immigration Action Until After November Elections: http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/immigration-border-crisis/obama-delay-immigration-action-until-after-november-elections-n197306

Obama's "present" tension: http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/article/2008/feb/13/obamas-present-tension/

Obama's Executive Order To Give Illegals Amnesty May Backfire On Democrats In The Fall

President Obama and the Democrats feel they are on the winning side of immigration reform; and, they believe that Republican inaction on the issue will only cause losses for them in the Fall.  That belief is based on recent polling of a cross-section of all Americans.  In addition, it now appears that Obama may sign an executive order which could give as many as 5 million of the 11 million illegal aliens some form of amnesty.  Of course this comes after more than 5-1/2  years of doing nothing.  Proving again that the President's only reason for this action is the upcoming mid-term elections.

The problem with Obama doing this on his own is that, while American's want reform, the last thing they want is amnesty.  In fact, a July 18-20 CNN/ORC poll showed that 51% (35% Democrats, 49% Independents, and 76% Republicans) wanted the most extreme level of reform, with not only the border being shutdown but with people being deported.  This is up 41% from a similar January 2014 poll.  Even Democrats have moved towards supporting deportation, with their number going up from 27% in January; indicating that the current flow of unaccompanied children has soured the entire country on any easing of access to our southern border.

Even worse, in a 2013 Latin Opinion Poll, most Hispanics (60%) in this country don't want amnesty given unless the border is shored up, and they also favor increased enforcement.  56% said illegals shouldn't get any Federal benefits and also, of those polled, 64% said e-Verified should be used to screen illegal immigrants when applying for work.

So, if Obama does provide amnesty to nearly half of all the illegals, it just might backfire on him.  Instead of solidifying the Democrat/Hispanic vote, it may in fact cause an angered and increased turnout against Democrats.  Even by Hispanics. Just in the same way that the passage of ObamaCare swung the House of Representatives from Democrat to Republican control in 2010.  This time, the Senate would fall victim of the President's lawless, executive order.  Of course, this is just my opinion.

References:

Rep. Gutierrez: Obama Could Grant Amnesty To 5 Million People By Himself: http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2014/07/25/dem_rep_gutierrez_obama_could_grant_amnesty_to_5_million_people_by_himself.html

Two New Polls Show Continued U.S. Support for Immigration Reform: http://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/two-new-polls-show-continued-u-s-support-immigration-reform-n129461

CNN/ORC Poll on Immigration. July 18-20, 2014 (page down for specific poll): http://www.pollingreport.com/immigration.htm

Federation For American Immigration Reform: Illegal Immigration and Amnesty Polls:  http://www.fairus.org/facts/illegal-immigration-and-amnesty-polls

What Border Does Harry Reid Think Is Secure?

In a recent impromptu press briefing, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said this: "without any equivocation the border is secure."

Of course, this begs the question as to why the immigration reform bill that has passed his Democrat-controlled Senate includes $30 billion to double the number of border agents and to add 700 miles of fencing to -- guess what -- secure the border.  Further, while still not approved by the House, the Senate's immigration bill was passed in June 2013. That was long before an estimated 50,000 unaccompanied children started pouring over the border last Fall; prompting Obama to ask for an additional $3.7 billion in order to tackle the current crisis. A crisis, by the way, that has literally turned our border agents into child care orderlies; leaving them no time to perform their real duties such as keeping us secure from illegally crossing drug smugglers and gang members. 

Either Harry is off his meds or he must be talking about some other border that we're not aware of.

References:

Harry Reid declares border ‘secure’: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/jul/15/harry-reid-declares-border-secure/?page=2

June 20, 2013: Senators reach deal on border security proposals: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/06/20/senators-reach-deal-on-border-security-proposals/

The Blame-Game and Lies About the Border Immigration Crisis

The explosion of unaccompanied children crossing our southern border -- up 92% just this year under Obama's watch -- has caused the President and the Democrats to find anyway possible to blame the Republicans -- and even George W. Bush -- for this crisis.

Obama blames the Republicans for not passing immigration reform. However, there isn't a single,  change in the proposed policies -- from either the Democrats or the Republicans -- that would have prevented or stopped this current wave of children from asking for asylum from violent countries like El Salvador, Honduras, or Guatemala.

They are coming here because they are aware of an existing law --  the Trafficking Victims and Violence Protection Act -- which mandates that border agents must accept any child into this country who is seeking asylum from violence in their own country.  And, they can't be deported without having  a legal hearing as to whether or not they were truly endangered. Even if we added 700 miles of new fencing, any of these children could go to a cross-border checkpoint, and our agents must accept them.

Now, with regard to the Trafficking Victims and Violence Protection Act, there are those who are attempting to blame George W. Bush for its reauthorization in 2008. But, there are three facts that aren't being told about the 2008 law.  First, it was originally signed by Bill Clinton in 2000 and had to be renewed several times because it always carried an automatic sunset date.  The 2008 renewal not only pertained to human trafficking, but also included a new amendment covering asylum for unaccompanied alien children fleeing violence. That amendment was written and promoted by a Democrat, Senator Dianne Feinstein, in her role as the Chairperson of the Democrat-controlled Senate Judiciary Committee.  Bush may have signed it into law but the "unaccompanied rule" was a Democrat-led initiative. Secondly, it expired in 2011 and had to be reauthorized and signed by President Barack Obama in 2013.  This 2013 reauthorization seems to have been the impetus for the current wave of children exploding into the crisis we are now seeing.

So, it's pretty simple.  If the Trafficking Victims and Violence Protection Act is repealed or amended, the problem would, in all probability, go away.  However, none of our politicians -- on either side of the political aisle -- are going to put their name on a law that would heartlessly return children to a life of violence and possible death.  Personally I don't see any way of ever stopping this.

However, what I am afraid of, is that many politicians will push for reuniting these children with their parents in "this" country and not their own.  If this does happen, it will create a new method for immigrants to gain legal access into the U.S. by simply sending their kids to the border.  Thus, they will succeed in bypassing our existing legal immigration laws.  And, the surge of aliens into our country will only be amplified.

References:

Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victims_of_Trafficking_and_Violence_Protection_Act

Surge in unaccompanied child immigrants spurs White House reaction: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/surge-in-unaccompanied-child-immigrants-spurs-white-house-reaction/

Senate Judiciary Committee Approves Feinstein Amendment to Protect Unaccompanied Alien Children: http://www.feinstein.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=7b292e44-b306-86d0-a0b4-981389abaf5d

U.S. State Department Guide on Trafficking Laws: http://www.state.gov/j/tip/laws/

There Are Illegal Immigrants And, Then, There Are Illegal Immigrants

Since the beginning of the year, the talk of immigration reform has almost reached a fever pitch. Mainly, because Democrats want to use it as a wedge issue in the run up to this Fall's elections. But, in the minds of most Americans, immigration reform is all about those Hispanics they read about who are entering our southern borders without papers, passports, or invitations.

The real fact is that anywhere from 40 to 45% of all illegals in this country came here as invited guests of our government and just never went back home. They came here on work and student visas and, even as tourists with valid passports and travel visas.

For this reason, I think any type of immigration reform must consider the fact that there are really several classes of illegals and each should be treated separately.  In my opinion, someone overstaying their welcome is a less egregious wrong than someone who, from the very onset, was never invited and totally ignored our immigration laws.  As such, they should have the least easy pathway to citizenship and should have to pay penalties for doing so.

Those who should have the easiest path to citizenship should be those who overstayed their work visas or green cards.  They got here because our government felt they would be a valuable asset in that they would be able fill some of the experience-level or educational voids in our workforce.  Most all are highly educated and experienced English-speaking professionals in valuable career fields like computer sciences, engineering, health care, medicine, and research.

Similarly, students who overstayed their educational visas are also valuable; especially if they completed their education.  Like the group above, they are all English-literate; otherwise they would not have been able to pass the admissions tests. With some college or a degree, they have a low chance of being a drag on our economy by being unemployed.

The last group would be those who overstayed their tourist visas and those who came across our northern and southern borders.  I agree with the many pro-immigration reformers who believe that, before any of them can be eligible for citizenship, they should be able to speak English, pay a fine or penalty for coming here illegally, and show proof of employment. Only then should they be allowed to go to the back of the line for legal immigration (ie. green card or work visas) with a possible pathway to citizenship.

References:

10 Myths About Immigration: http://www.tolerance.org/immigration-myths

John Carter claim that 40 percent of nation's illegal residents came by plane and overstayed visas draws on 2006 estimate: http://www.politifact.com/texas/statements/2013/sep/06/john-carter/john-carter-claim-40-percent-nations-illegal-resid/