If you don't like it, then why not demand democratic candidates actually discuss the seriously bad economy, the long term unemployment and underemployment problems American citizens are facing, as well as the threat of homelessness, hunger and privation that go right along with it for, again American citizens. With the exception of John Edwards, the others just can't be bothered.

The democratic party are silent about the problems brought about by the globalization they have bought into, the manipulative, fascistic trade deals that more democrats cuddle up to all the time. Their refusal to have to admit that their immigration policies are exploitative and tied to their own dirty corporate coziness. Face it, dems have done it to themselves, helped by idiots like Russ Feingold and the Clintons.

These policies do not serve to end the status quo in Latin America or elsewhere, only to rationalize it and help it continue to create more crushing poverty.

Very few Americans are wealthy, the majority of the rest are suffering. They aren't the ones who exploit resources and perpetuate global poverty, but they sure are the ones the far right and far left demand be made to suffer.

People are leaving the democratic party, becoming independents. They aren't going to vote libertarian or for the despotic leftist third parties that rationalized a Bush presidency and the problems that everyone knew he would bring about. We will end up with a republican president, and no matter what the MSM and the idiotic nut roots say, a republican majority again in congress, and the democratic party will have no one to blame but itself.

If Edwards doesn't win the primary, I will do something I have never done in my life, I'll vote republican, to teach my party a lesson for taking the votes of good and decent American citizens for granted.

The 12 long years of Reagan Bush I were bad for the poor, but I have a feeling that whatever a new republican administration/congress would bring, the majority of any pain brought about by it, would be felt by the flakey far left who have been every bit as cruel and oppressive as any right winger ever has been. Those of us suffering aren't the ones who have very far to fall, so the pain won't be the worst for us. I can handle that kind of suffering, I've been there and done that. Those of you who haven't.. well, I think you'll learn the true meaning of the survival of the fittest..

Make sure you clutch on to your single issues tightly, though they won't be much comfort for you on the way down.

Posted at October 12, 2007 12:55 PM in response to The Republicans Pretend to Debate Economic Policy

I'll ask Mr. Quinones again to respond to the post I made in his other thread, that he found too inconvenient to answer.. perhaps his concern is less interested in actually affecting positive change, more in perpetuating the myth that Mexico can't change unless the US and the struggling American working poor and middle classes pour even more money into the pockets of the corrupt Mexican overlords?

One fact that is never discussed accurately, or fairly, that massive waves of illegal immigration has truly undermined American wages, most especially those of working poor and lower middle class American citizens, those least able to survive without being able to afford or survive long term un and under employment.

What is troubling for me is the fact that too many who use this forum either have no understanding or empathy for those poor and lower middle class American citizens. It's as if they refuse to be cognizant of the realities of the dire poverty, suffering, hunger, homelessness and even death that is imposed on those American citizens because of this. My statements aren't exagerations, I have experienced these problems, and the death of my husband resulted from the overburdening of the health care system in my state causing the cuts at the public hospitals in my former state that denied him the specialist he desperately needed as a transplant patient, causing a cancer that was survivable to go undiagnosed until it was far too late.

We have a limited amount of resources in the US, and have been experiencing an ever declining pool of jobs since the 1980s when outsourcing started. We do not lack workers, but we do lack leaders who will stand up for American citizen workers, and their rights.

I appreciate Mr. Quinones recognizing the fact that illegal immigration does nothing to change the corrupt Mexican, Central and South American governments, but I would appreciate it if he would start targeting organizations like La Raza, MALDEF, LULAC and others that take millions from the US Chamber of Commerce and other corporate interests and remain silent about the corruption of the Mexican, etc.. governments from south of the border. Those organizations are solely interested in power and profit, not the human rights interests they claim to be in aid of.

They serve the interests of those who seek to recreate the status quo from south of the border in the US.

Again, America is a sympathetic nation, we are a generous people, but it is exploitative to take advantage of that and demand that working poor and lower middle class Americans be denied their ability to work and have an opportunity to lift themselves out of poverty.

There needs to be a concerted focus on demanding or forcing change south of the border, rather than assisting in the attempts of corporate interests to destroy the lives of working poor and lower middle class Americans.

The American people can not afford to subsidize Mexico, Central and South America any longer. They are wealthy countries and do not need to be dependent on the US. We will not erase our borders, nor give up our sovreignty. Cozying up to the corrupt governments south of the border would only help perpetuate the status quo there. We need to show some tough love and tell them it's time they grew up and stopped expecting a free ride. No more NAFTA either. That, we're told caused the problem. The Mexican, Central and South American wealthy and middle classes (which do exist in abundance) now have to start paying more taxes to raise standards. We refuse to enable their greed and corruption any more. BTW, those of you who like to talk about a revolution, there is one coming, but not the kind you cackle over.. it'll be more like what happened when Reagan got elected. Even democrats are looking to vote for the least offensive republican possible to teach the democratic party a lesson for taking them for granted. It won't enhance to power of the far left, or the libertarians.

Posted at October 3, 2007 4:19 PM in response to What Are Mexicans Leaving? Mexico City

madison idea, the problem is that remittances do not create any sustaining industry that fuels a community wide economy. The money is spent and the profits pour upward. The benefits are short lived. Yes, it provides food and luxury items, it doesn't create small businesses and industry in those towns and villages. Investments that would generate a livelihood, as long as people went back there and stayed.

The same thing is happening in the US. American workers are suffering from long term, entrenched un and underemployment. Lower wages starves local economies and small businesses. It mires communities in deep, long lasting poverty. It's impossible to lift ones self out of it, and over time will spread even further upward. The remittances also serve to bleed more money out of our local economies, further undermining new job creation, or wage growth. It's suffocation.

The only ones who profit are the wealthy and corporate elite. With fewer good paying jobs, more unemployment, no manufacturing, the economy, society starves.

Posted at October 2, 2007 7:26 PM in response to The houses of Mexican immigrants

I'll ask Mr. Quinones again to respond to the post I made in his other thread, that he found too inconvenient to answer..

One fact that is never discussed accurately, or fairly, that massive waves of illegal immigration has truly undermined American wages, most especially those of working poor and lower middle class American citizens, those least able to survive without being able to afford or survive long term un and under employment.

What is troubling for me is the fact that too many who use this forum either have no understanding or empathy for those poor and lower middle class American citizens. It's as if they refuse to be cognizant of the realities of the dire poverty, suffering, hunger, homelessness and even death that is imposed on those American citizens because of this. My statements aren't exagerations, I have experienced these problems, and the death of my husband resulted from the overburdening of the health care system in my state causing the cuts at the public hospitals in my former state that denied him the specialist he desperately needed as a transplant patient, causing a cancer that was survivable to go undiagnosed until it was far too late.

We have a limited amount of resources in the US, and have been experiencing an ever declining pool of jobs since the 1980s when outsourcing started. We do not lack workers, but we do lack leaders who will stand up for American citizen workers, and their rights.

I appreciate Mr. Quinones recognizing the fact that illegal immigration does nothing to change the corrupt Mexican, Central and South American governments, but I would appreciate it if he would start targeting organizations like La Raza, MALDEF, LULAC and others that take millions from the US Chamber of Commerce and other corporate interests and remain silent about the corruption of the Mexican, etc.. governments from south of the border. Those organizations are solely interested in power and profit, not the human rights interests they claim to be in aid of.

They serve the interests of those who seek to recreate the status quo from south of the border in the US.

Again, America is a sympathetic nation, we are a generous people, but it is exploitative to take advantage of that and demand that working poor and lower middle class Americans be denied their ability to work and have an opportunity to lift themselves out of poverty.

There needs to be a concerted focus on demanding or forcing change south of the border, rather than assisting in the attempts of corporate interests to destroy the lives of working poor and lower middle class Americans.

The American people can not afford to subsidize Mexico, Central and South America any longer. They are wealthy countries and do not need to be dependent on the US. We will not erase our borders, nor give up our sovreignty. Cozying up to the corrupt governments south of the border would only help perpetuate the status quo there. We need to show some tough love and tell them it's time they grew up and stopped expecting a free ride. No more NAFTA either. That, we're told caused the problem. The Mexican, Central and South American wealthy and middle classes (which do exist in abundance) now have to start paying more taxes to raise standards. We refuse to enable their greed and corruption any more. BTW, those of you who like to talk about a revolution, there is one coming, but not the kind you cackle over.. it'll be more like what happened when Reagan got elected. Even democrats are looking to vote for the least offensive republican possible to teach the democratic party a lesson for taking them for granted. It won't enhance to power of the far left, or the libertarians.

Posted at October 2, 2007 7:15 PM in response to The houses of Mexican immigrants

No more money for Mexico, it only goes into the pockets of the corrupt government and the elites of both extremes. Nope, the gravy train is over with.

Tough love is called for. Cut off the aid, end NAFTA, cut off access to jobs, and impose an Eisenhower style program of raids and deportation 500 miles down the Mexican coastline. Those who have to be deported will leave without monies they've earned here, those who self deport get to take it with them.

Enforce the laws, build a fence and teach the Mexican, Central and South American people to do it for themselves.. petition their own governments for higher wages and better life. They seem to know how to protest and conduct work stoppages, it's time they did it at home. Americans did, and no one was lobbying for us.

If you infer that they aren't capable of such things, then it's your racism showing.

Posted at October 2, 2007 7:05 PM in response to Good morning TPM Cafe

The KKK speak out of hatred, America's poor and struggling lower middle classes are speaking out about the realities of long term un and underemployment brought about at the request of the same people demanding open borders and gutting of American wage standards and workplace protections, the US Chamber of Commerce and the corrupt government of Mexico.. and I won't leave out the looney left who believe that if they rationalize open borders they'll finally have dupes to sacrifice themselves in the long dreamed of "revolution", lol!

Incidently, yave_begnet, you seem to have as much hatred as the KKK, you hate poor and struggling lower middle class black, brown and white American citizens who are seeking to petition their government to seek redress, just as the US constitution affords them the right to do. So, you're classist and racist.. wonder why?

Posted at October 2, 2007 7:00 PM in response to Good morning TPM Cafe

There is no democracy in socialism or in any other branch of the disease of Marxism, so quit attempting to exploit poverty and suffering for your parasitical ideology. It's based on slavery and oppression.

Regulated capitalism does work, and as imperfect as the US has been, it's been far superior to any other form of government.

I know the difference between the old world disease of caste system and privelege, and choose the new world of rights, freedom and self determination. That's not "buying into" anything, it's thinking for myself, rather than letting a drone like yourself think for me. ;)

What irks people like you is the fact that poor Americans, of all races and ethnic origins haven't been brought under your thumb, we aren't as stupid and ignorant as you attempt to paint us.. thus the need to demean and insult us. I'll bet it just slays you that those you consider inferior see you for the transparent fool that you are..

Posted at October 2, 2007 5:59 PM in response to Good morning TPM Cafe

I'm neither left wing or right wing. Nor is my opinion "nativist", it's based on my recognition of the human and civil rights of American citizens.

Yours seems to be based on maintaining the status quo perpetuated by the corrupt governments in Mexico, Central and South America, and imposing those status quos here. The only thing I can't say I know is whether this is based on your being racist/supremecist, or that you wish to personally profit from the gutting of American wage and workplace protections?

American workers are among the hardest working people in the world, not only that, they worked and fought to bring about changes that helped lift people the world over out of poverty, and to inspire those peoples to pursue their rights and freedoms.

As a nation we have historical moments to be ashamed of, but we have more than made up for it by our much stronger history for our stands against tyranny and oppression. Perhaps that is what angers you? You believe people should be little more than slaves to be exploited for your profit?

There is nothing wrong with taking a stand in favor of protecting the human and civil rights of American citizen workers. To take a stand against the corporate and ideological zealots who seek to enslave and exploit them. Against homelessness and hunger. If you want to label that nativist, go ahead and try it.

Posted at October 2, 2007 7:14 AM in response to Good morning TPM Cafe

Sorry, but hypocrisy is hypocrisy, and I have to call Amanda on hers. Her rationale is exploitative and in no way intent on empowering anyone but herself.

Equality is a two way street, and making excuses for women who cheat as having to do with their having "second class" status is bull. It's the same idiocy as perpetuated by the old boys club, and for the same old reasons. Denial of responsibility for ones actions.

This is the same irresponsibility as claiming one is taking a stand against discrimination, yet feeling free to perpetuate discrimination against religion, more of Amanda's preference for ethical flip flopping.

I grew up considering myself a feminist, but that was during a time when feminism was about equality and rights. Over the past few decades, changes in the leadership of the feminist movement have been more about exploitation of the movement to promote extremist ideology that is less about providing equality and rights for poor and struggling women, and equality, than it is about protecting a status quo that is elitist and at times more oppressive than any so called patriarchy.

Women are no less capable of selfishness, greed, corruption, abuse and any other atrocities than men. They should be questioned and held to the same high standards of ethics.

Posted at October 2, 2007 7:04 AM in response to Practically perfect in every way

Economists who are ideologically far left or far right can twist things to suit their agendas, and they do. From what we have seen, wages in industries have declined drastically over the past few years in what manufacturing jobs, construction and other related fields, even nursing.

Economic studies have shown that in cases where there is a real shortage of labor, wages increase to attract workers. What we have seen is American wages in fiels that used to pay 16 to 18 and 20 to 25 dollars per hour, drop to 8 to 10 dollars an hour because of illegal aliens underbidding American workers.

In my families experiece, once my husband was admitted to the oncology ward, the other person sharing the room, was an illegal alien from Mexico. He was covered by medicaid. Incidently, we got to know his family, and while I have nothing against them, we even became friendly over the three weeks, I would see them arrive and leave almost daily, they drove an SUV that had to be worth at least 15 thousand dollars. My husband had medicare, but was told he needed medicaid as a supplemental policy, but we were denied it because we had an old car, the state agency told us it had to be worth 4,000. though it wasn't. When my husband died, I sold his car to raise money to pay what bills we had and only got 100. dollars for it.

In the state of RI, illegal aliens do receive social services like welfare, food stamps, medicaid, housing subsidies. It's been exposed that they do so using fraudulent documents, and because Hispanic organizations put pressure for the applications to be approved without the same documentation American citizens have to comply with. You should educate yourself on the reality, not on the myths that are perpetuated to stifle the protestations of suffering, working poor Americans who are being discriminated against. Otherwise you are no different than those who believed the myths of those who supported the Jim Crow laws of the 50s and 60s to demean the civil rights movement.

Face it, your "activism" is in the interest of depriving American citizens of their civil rights, whether for corporate or ideological profit motives. You see to oppress innocent citizens based on your hatred and lust for power and control over their right to self determination. Believe me, I don't need to see a white hooded robe to pick up on that.

Posted at October 1, 2007 7:16 PM in response to Good morning TPM Cafe