The video below is by Robert Reich, former Secretary of Labor under Clinton. He is about as far left as it’s possible to get. I disagree with just about every position he takes, but in this case regarding immigration he is right.
Before I saw this video today, I read about the points he is making from several sources and his points are valid.
The barrage of negatives about illegal immigrants is politically motivated and laced with misinformation and lies to bring out the worst in xenophobic Americans. This is fear mongering.
No, we are not saying just open the border and let the flow in, but the propaganda we face is not leading to a reasonable solution in the best interests of the United States.
QUINNSCOMMENTARY 
You’ve veered into “useful idiot” territory.
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Walk a mile in my sandals.
If I were in my salad days, the last thing I would want to do is risk my life and health traveling thousands of miles to an uncertain future in a hostile country. Leave my family; parents, siblings, even wife and children, unless the alternative is worse. Most of these people look more like refugees than invaders.
In addition to calculating how much these immigrants can benefit the U.S., and they can, we might consider how much we can improve —their— circumstances. The U.S., as I understand, receives more refugees than any other country. Great, but —as a percent of population— far fewer than most countries.
One of the richest countries per capita, we have a lot to give. And if, as Richard says, we NEED these immigrants, isn’t that a win/win?
https://assets2.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/r/2019/01/29/e3fafd6b-09b1-4be6-9062-c4ab3335851f/thumbnail/1200×630/a1c7e5b264eab0021a38bae703bfdd65/cbsn-fusion-report-undocumented-workers-fired-from-trumps-golf-club-in-new-york-thumbnail-1769767-640×360.jpg?v=47479038714af14683e43d6675dccca0
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Reich lies – by misleading and/or by omission:
#1 – Funding doesn’t equal border control if all you do is use the added funds to process illegals and release them into the US – abusing the parole rules,
#2 – Fentanyl – the fact that 90% may have come through ports of entry, if true, is no reason to let the other 10% cross the border. So, we don’t give a crap about 10% of those who die due to poisoning? And, in terms of drug convictions, he says 86% are US Citizens – is that a surprise to you given that the vast majority of distribution activity and abuse occurs across all 50 states, not by migrants and not at the border?
#3 – Terrorists – The fact that no one was killed here recently is no reason why we should let people across the border. Are there people on the Terrorist Watch List coming across the southern border? Yes. Should we ignore the Terror Watch List created and updated by the Biden Administration’s FBI/CIA/NSA? What’s interesting is that there are, percentage wise, more encounters with folks on the Terror Watch List trying to cross into the US illegally from Canada! In fiscal year 2023, Border Patrol reported apprehending 151 migrants with positive terrorism watchlist matches who entered the U.S. illegally along the southern border, an all-time high for the region that eclipsed the previous record of 98 set in fiscal year 2022, government figures show. In fiscal year 2021, the agency reported just 15 such apprehensions.
#4 – Steal Jobs – Indirectly yes, they do. We pay increased taxes (or worse, allow the idiots like Presidents Obama, Trump and Biden to add to our annual deficits) so that politicians can use those monies to buy votes from able bodied people – allowing them to stay home. Something wrong with enforcing the Clinton-era policies – we surely don’t do that today! Further, employers pay dirt wages to illegals. If we stopped doing those things, employers would have to pay more and able bodied individuals would have to get off the couch if they wanted to eat.
#5 – Crime – he says: undocumented immigrants have lower crime rates than US Citizens and legal immigrants. And, even if so, is that is a reason to allow illegals to enter the US and commit crimes? Even one!
Reich is just as bad as Trump when it comes to misleading and/or lying by omission.
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I don’t like Reich either, but no one lies more than Trump. And he’s not even good at it. When one lie flops, he makes up another, even contradictory lie. He is legendary.
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I have a similar view as you of Professor Reich’s politics, however, I commend you for posting his video. People I disagree with politically are not by definition always wrong. And while I would like to see improved border security, it is both inaccurate and shameful to smear the people illegally crossing the border as “poisoning our blood”.
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I think we should be asking how is it that only in the last eight years we have become so obsessed with illegal immigrants when we happily accepted all their labor for decades and still do? I know the answer, but few want to hear it.
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I think some people resort to scapegoating because, sadly, it works. It is a distraction from major problems which will require painful solutions, and few politicians wish to discuss them honestly.
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Almost 30 years ago, when they were debating Simpson Mazzoli, ultimately signed by President Reagan, I had a similar discussion with my Mother-in-Law. She’s passed, but the issue has only gotten worse.
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You should block that guy. The video link is not legit. It is made to look like YouTube but it is a fake, might even be malicious.
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I downloaded it from YouTube.
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Not the Reich video, the video that the conspiracy theorist has posted twice in the comments and keeps asking for your comment.
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I don’t think Mr Lindquist realizes that illegals immigrants can’t vote.
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Really, many communities like Takoma Park, MD allow them to vote in local elections. Remember, the goal of the left is, and always has been, based on the long-term not the short term. No country in the world has open borders–if you don’t have enforceable borders you don’t have a country.
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Under that logic then we haven’t had a country during your lifetime then. I am not as down on America as you are. I am proud of America and everything we represent. Seems like you are locked in some sort of “holy war” against anyone you deem to be “on the other side”. That can’t be very fun
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During most of my lifetime and yours we have had rules about who comes and how long they can stay. We have things like Green Cards–work visas.
Have we had millions cross over our borders illegally, say 10 or 15 years ago? Your assignment “G”, if you wish to undertake this, is find out during what years illegal immigration exceeded the 3 million that came last year.
I hope you admit that there is a crisis on the border because many Democrats are not happy as the illegals show up in their city/state. These were the asylum folks until the illegals actually showed up.
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Well of course the number of illegals immigrants is up now, because the economy is so much stronger now under Biden. That is just Logic 101.
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Gee, I never would have thought that as they have come in large numbers under Obama (Deporter in Chief)), Trump “(build the wall”), but the old guy, try as hard as he could to discourage the illegals, just can’t keep them out because of a strong economy. I give them credit though as the left tells them we are a racist, bigoted, homophobic country and they show up anyway.
I guess the illegals give him credit for the economy–if only the American people would. If he runs for a second term think he will campaign on a strong economy bringing in the needed labor–illegal as it is?
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Quinn, you can’t seriously believe this video or can you? I know you believe Trump is Hitler based on your earlier references to dictators.
Reich ignores an open border and then attacks people who complain about it. Why do you think it is totally acceptable for untold millions to just disappear into the country with only a promise that they will show up at a hearing in some future year. Are you running a lawn care business the side and need cheap labor? Maybe a roofing company?
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They had 250.000 border patrol detentions last month. I don’t see how that qualifies as an open border. I also don’t see anyone in the current administration who has supported an open border policy. What I do see is a very complex problem that requires bipartisan support. And the Republicans have refused to work with the other party because they want to exploit the issue for Trump. They have come out and publicly said this (Speaker Johnson last week). The border wasn’t sealed up when Trump was president either. Not because of anything he did or didn’t do, just because it is a very complex problem that defies Fox News sound bites. Anyone offering an easy solution on the border just shows they don’t understand the issue.
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You are correct and to make it more complicated Americans do not understand the value that illegal immigrants add to our economy and the work they do that depend on, nine of which justifies illegal immigration but nevertheless is are facts.
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I applaud you for your courage to write this and post the video. Your ability to think independently and consider the bigger picture feels me with hope that we are still the silent majority in this country, reasonable Americans who want the best results for our country, as opposed to seeing politics as some sort of team sport where you have to stay loyal to your tribe regardless of what is best for the country.
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That’s all I hope for, people thinking, taking time to check facts from various sources, but alas that is a nearly impossible goal. It’s too easy to just accept the latest meme or go with scapegoating. Nothing new though, just way more visible these days. A little civility would be nice too.
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Ridiculous! No, the truth is that millions are crossing the border illegally. Should we just forgive anyone who breaks a law just because no one is harmed by the act? Also, you don’t need any additional funds to stop the bulk of illegal immigration. Just close the border. No rational person can justify what is occurring daily at the border – unless you’re planning on future amnesty and additional votes for the democrats.
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Yes, so easy, why did no one think of that, just close the border. Why didn’t Trump do that either? Just wave the magic wand and close it. Then wave it again and get rid of the homeless and the deficit too right ? Or could it be that this stuff is actually very difficult and complex, and people offering you easy answers are charlatans? I think it is the latter. I worked on the border issue and it is extremely complex.
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The crossing numbers during the previous administration were exponentially better than what is happening now. You can’t argue that point unless you live in a dream world.
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Looks like there were millions coming through during the Trump administration too. Why didn’t he just close the border? He must be a RINO, a Democratic plant then.
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This guy is a goofball.
He has zero credibility.
<
div>I’d suggest you stick to your knitting as you’re going down a rabbit ho
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dick,
thx for your blogs.
please view this when you can …. is this a legit video?/
are thesse facts?
what do you think?
thx again,
Harry Joscher
hgjoscher@verizon.net
******
The following 5 minute video should make it clear that the humanitarian sounding UN Agenda 2030 passed in 2015 in the Obama era to eliminate world poverty and climate change among 10 other admiral sounding goals is the reason that the Marxist driven Democratic party is intentionally following the 2030 Agenda mass migration plan and applying such restrictive policies on fossil fuels. But take note that at least it seems that only the woke European countries and the US seem to be impacted by this Race to a Sustainable Future. It certainly makes me wonder about the real intent of this agenda and the hidden agenda in the US where our politicians lie about it and will not admit their intentions. Enough said! Watch the video!
Take five minutes to watch the video if you want to see the real truth about the “Biden” border.
This is must-know information important for every American to be aware of. This is about a five minute video that explains and provides a physical map for the background, purpose, and goal for this current global migration into the US just supported by multiple international organizations. This is socialist plan that will soon doom the US if not curtailed immediately. I’m sure this hasn’t been reported by any media or investigative agency, so this info will be a surprise to nearly every American no matter what their political affiliation.
The last three minutes is really instructive as it puts in a nutshell the replacement theory that is falsely debunked by the left and open borders crowd.
By Dee Stafford LTC Army Ret.
https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/HUklrX2dVk4
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This video is complete looney tunes. This is the reason the Far Right and Far Left try to discredit mainstream video, so people end up searching insane YouTube videos because they don’t know who to trust anymore. My rule of thumb is don’t trust the side with the white supremacists or Nazis.
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As I said. It is easy to verify his comments from other independent sources, but I did expect anyone to take the time. People have made up their minds based on misinformation and the sight of thousands at the borders – helped along by xenophobia. Which part of the video is a lie? Drugs, crime?
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I think you inadvertently give short shrift to folks who see the issue differently than you. Someone can have a different opinion than me but that doesn’t mean it’s because of “misinformation”–they look at a set of facts and interpret it differently. You might see illegals crossing as a positive–I see it as illegal and what else that is illegal need I accept?
And xenophobia ? Really, how do you know that? Folks in NJ have issues with illegal immigrants because of a dislike of foreigners? Is that why the Vineyard sent them on their way, or the Mayor of NYC said something about the culture being changed.
The parents of James Madison High in NYC dislike folks just because they are foreigners when their kids were temporarily displaced 10-days ago for illegal immigrants who needed shelter.?
Just back from a haircut from “Diane” (not her given name) who is from Vietnam and a few years ago took control from Camillo (Italian) after his retirement. Buddha now has a prominent place in the shop where for 42 years pictures from Italy lined the walls. She has been there 20-years . Who cares? She told the shop is doing exceptionally well–no doubt because of Buddha.
In Germany yesterday an estimate 100,000 folks marched in opposition to parties of the “right”. The “right” almost everywhere in Europe is gaining strength and one reason is immigration. Like Trump the more vilified they are the stronger they become–the average person knows the difference between right and wrong and when wrong is justified it can cause all kinds of problems.
The so called facts Prof. Reich has are just fine–but do they trump breaking the law?
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I was referring to wacko Inside the Darien Gap Agenda video posted in the comments. The video from Robert Reich is spot on. Like you, I do not often find myself in agreement with him. But migration is the thing that America most needs right now. We need more labor and we need more younger workers to help us with the otherwise intractable budget issues with social security and the deficit. And we need a larger population and industrial base to better compete with China. Matt Yglesias summed it up nicely in his book “One Billion Americans”. It is rate that two problems line up so perfectly to form a solution.
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When is the last time you saw a rally in your area with white supremacists? 5 folks shot and killed in Baltimore this weekend. How many shot by white supremacists? Are they lurking in your “hood” and how do your recognize if they are?
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All you have to know is when the illegal entrants come to states like NJ–NY—IL-, or the Vineyard, as just a few of the sanctuary states/cities —the governors/mayors now want them out. When they were in the south and southwest they sanctimoniously criticized the governors for being upset and concerned. They were racists and bigots. Now, of course it is different. These are many of the same folks that fled the cities when black and brown folks moved in decades ago. A plan for you and me that does not include them.
What if I buy the myths? So what–they come here illegally–obey the law–gun laws–drug laws–traffic laws–no room for people who are here illegally.
Republicans lie but not the Democrats–so when you wonder out loud if they want to change Texas and other states from red to purple and then blue they jump up and down and deny it. Their actions speak louder than words.
Almost, if not all, actions taken to stem the tide of illegals by Trump administration were reversed by Biden, many in the first day.
How many times has Biden been to the border? What about Harris? I think once each so this is no crisis–how could it be if the leaders, through their action basically do nothing.
Now the old guy is running scared so we see some action. Think he will run on the “myths” we just saw. Campaign nationwide on the value of illegals. Give a speech on the border and repeat the words found on the Statute of Liberty.
Have a special section in March at the State of the Union so he can introduce the brave men/women who crossed illegally into our country? Sing the virtues of the illegals?
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to Dick Quinn …. please respond to my question about the video I sent you earlier … this answer (Al’s) is not addressing my request …. here’s the note & video link again ,
thanks,
>>>>>>
The following 5 minute video should make it clear that the humanitarian sounding UN Agenda 2030 passed in 2015 in the Obama era to eliminate world poverty and climate change among 10 other admiral sounding goals is the reason that the Marxist driven Democratic party is intentionally following the 2030 Agenda mass migration plan and applying such restrictive policies on fossil fuels. But take note that at least it seems that only the woke European countries and the US seem to be impacted by this Race to a Sustainable Future. It certainly makes me wonder about the real intent of this agenda and the hidden agenda in the US where our politicians lie about it and will not admit their intentions. Enough said! Watch the video!
Take five minutes to watch the video if you want to see the real truth about the “Biden” border.
This is must-know information important for every American to be aware of. This is about a five minute video that explains and provides a physical map for the background, purpose, and goal for this current global migration into the US just supported by multiple international organizations. This is socialist plan that will soon doom the US if not curtailed immediately. I’m sure this hasn’t been reported by any media or investigative agency, so this info will be a surprise to nearly every American no matter what their political affiliation.
The last three minutes is really instructive as it puts in a nutshell the replacement theory that is falsely debunked by the left and open borders crowd.
By Dee Stafford LTC Army Ret.
https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/HUklrX2dVk4
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I am really trying to understand Al. What does 5 people getting shot In Baltimore this past weekend have to do with all the ties that Trump has to white supremacist troops and Neo Nazis? Are you saying that these militias would stop inner city violence? Maybe they could wear brown shirts…
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Are white supremacists and Nazi’s responsible for killing our youth? Where are these folks? Are they in your neighborhood–do they regularly meet in a field? Do they show up at games or sporting events? My point is the greatest risk faced by most of us is not white supremacy–it’s being shot especially in the inner city.
When your wife leaves the house is she concerned about Nazi’s? Is she worried about white supremacists hijacking her car.? Why not give us a list of white supremacists activities in your area. I live in the city and nobody I know says moo or poo about your issue.
By the way what do you think of the Biden folks carrying the Hamas flag or Palestinian flag–groups that carry flags and signs you don’t like tell you a great deal. What about the lefties with Palestinian and Hamas flags?
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Once again you are confused Al. The people carrying Hamas flags are protesting AGAINST Biden, whereas the Nazi flags and Confederate Flags are key features for people rallying FOR Trump. They even stormed the capital to try to keep Trump in power. He even had white supremacist leaders over for dinner af his home last year. There is no equivalence between the two. Biden has condemned Hamas unequivocally over and over. And Trump has embraced the Nazis and White Supremacists over and over.
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Who do you think the flag carriers support in the current election? These are Biden folks–how do I know–well they are students and the usual left wing nuts–how many students are at Harvard–U. Penn–or Stanford are MAGA folks–why did two university female presidents lose their jobs?–they could not condemn antisemitism on the university campus–do you really think elite college students on college campuses are Republican?
Any name of the supposed supremacists at the dinner? Did I hear tonight that illegal immigration is now the # 1 concern of the American public–again tell me where white supremacy is on the concerns of Americans? I am listening–see if you can find it!
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Enrique Tarrio. Had dinner at Trump’s house personally with him. But you could have googled it. At this point you have lost all credibility. I recommend you do a full reset and expand your media diet. You will also see that pro-Hamas protesters abhor Biden. And Biden has been a strong ally of Israel and the Jewish people. Far left extremists have a lot more in common with right wing MAGA extremists, such as their mutual desire for an authoritarian strongman, their mutual hatred of free speech, and their united opposition against the center.
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pro-Hamas–pro-Palestinians demonstrators are Biden supporters– they come right off the campus– left wing extremists– the folks who vote for Democrats–yes, Biden is a strong supporter of Israel but we are talking supporters, who when voting, vote “D” right down the line. They are environmental extremists–climate warriors–and the folks who looted, burned, and injured multitudes in the summer of 2020. They will support the party and President on almost all issues.
Democrats in the House and Senate are not monolithic either. There are outspoken opponents of the open border policy like the new senator from PA. Sen. Fetterman as well as those who oppose the U.S. policy toward Israel. Does the “squad” support U.S. policy toward Israel at the current time? Want to bet “squad” members vote almost down the line with Biden on other issues.
Were folks who rioted at the Capitol of Jan.6 Maga supporters? Yes, of course–why deny the obvious.
In your mind you might deny the flag carriers and demonstrators are not the left wing loons of the party–but they are not MAGA folks and when they vote Trump is not their candidate.
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