Comment on Ashley Wests Post

After reading Ashley West original post, then continuing on and reading the comments, I understand what she is saying. My first thoughts were that she was simply complaining about the hassles of getting an identification card and supporting minorities just because 'it's difficult to obtain.' I don't mean that negatively in any way, just the way it was read across in my mind. When I read your comment responding to Carissa, you clarified it a little more. 

I don't see an issue at all with making people obtain a form of identification. Sure it's irritating to sit at the DMV, but I had to do it, why shouldn't they. I've lost a birth certificate, it's not that hard to obtain. You can do it with a social security card and something like 15 bucks. Now this all beside the point. I agree with Ashley West on not stepping backwards. We have achieved so much and to go back to petty crap such as this, well it's kind of a waste of time. 

Voter fraud across the states is not really that big in numbers. Carissa stated that there were 50 cases in Texas alone. There were a total of 311 total accusations of voter fraud with only 51 debatable convictions according to Polifacts Texas. Also according to Polifact Texas, three-quarters of the these claims were election code violations classified as "illegal voting" -- which includes acts such as voting more than once, impersonating a voter or voting despite ineligibility -- and "method of returning marked ballot." With three quarters of these claims being based on illegal voting and only 51 debatable convictions, the other cases were dismissed. Given that number over a 10 year period, I don't really see voter fraud as a threat. 

Just to add a little extra note though........As a former corrections officer, it really sucks when someone comes in without an ID. I support a law that enforces people to obtain an identification card of some sort. 

Toodles!

Nicholas J. Quaschnik

http://www.politifact.com/texas/statements/2012/apr/17/greg-abbott/greg-abbott-claims-50-election-fraud-convictions-2/

Dems Backing Gay Marriage

Finally, a major party is standing up for something that shouldn't even matter. While I don't fully agree with Democrats, this subject I do believe in........if only they weren't just doing it for the votes. Multiple times before, Obama has beat around the bush, stated that he only believes in civil unions and at times supported gay marriage. Now he's all gung-ho over it. I've never liked Obama; it's just a personal choice of mine. But this makes me not like him even more. To me it's more of a mockery than it is actually backing up a cause. Obama has stated before that he supports gay marriage, but wants to leave it up to the individual states, but then he doesn't support it again, and only supports civil unions. His 'evolving' decision is getting annoying. The only reason he is 'backing' gay marriage this year is for the votes. I think that it's a smart move, but I also think that what he is doing it wrong.

 One of my best friends is a lesbian. She’s in the military with me. I would pick her over a straight man to go to war with. Not because of the stereotype that she’s a butch or crap like that. But because I know that no matter what, she’s not going to judge me for being straight, she’s got the heart of a saint, and well, she’s a badass. I went to her ‘civil union’ a couple months ago. It’s was amazing. I’ve never seen that much love and passion between two people. Why should they be treated any differently? Her wife has 3 kids from a previous marriage that they are raising together because the father is a deadbeat dad. You tell me who those kids are better off with?

While that seems like a random rant, there is substance behind it. I believe that Obama doesn’t care about the true feelings, love, compassion that gay and lesbians have for one another. I think he only cares about their vote, then moving on to the next group that he can scam for a vote. We have a black president, that changed history and many said it would never happen. It’s a new day and age, lesbian and gays deserve their rights too. If another woman wants to leave her significant other the house when she passes away, or her 401k, or add her to her insurance as “spouse”. They should be able to, but only under the right terms; because the politicians in office truly DO care about their citizens and their rights, not for another couple years in office.

Take it or leave it

Nicholas J. Quaschnik

Comment on Bianca Tamez' Post

I disagree with what you say about your stance on Arizona’s “show me your papers” bill. I understand that it is your opinion and I will explain my stance as well. I have very little patience and tolerance for people who commit crimes and knowingly continue to. I understand that we all break the law here and there, I’m guilty of it too, but that would be something petty like speeding up through a yellow light or going 5 over. What I mean by my intolerance is mostly targeted in this case at illegal immigrants. If I were pulled over in the state of Arizona and asked to prove my citizenship I would not find this offensive or considered racial profiling. I would see this as the Officer doing his/her job to protect the LEGAL residents of the state, county or federal government that he/she works for. I personally think that if someone takes offense to this, they are either an illegal immigrant themselves, support illegal immigrants, have family that are illegal immigrants, or too sensitive. I do believe that this bill could be slightly tweaked. Initially, an officer could pull you over for no reason and ask you for your papers. I can see how that could get out of hand. But I think that if this was tweaked a little bit to put some restriction to that, it would work out in every ones benefit. Now again, these are simply my own opinions. They sometimes are a little controversial. I don’t think that you are wrong in what you believe in on this subject. I think that you do bring up valid points. Because of our difference in opinions is the same reason that the world with never “Just get along.”  Hope I made some sense in where I stand on this issue and my opinions. Toodles. 

Healthcare Stuff

As we all know healthcare does come in handy. You never know when something is going to happen and you or a family member needs medical treatment. That being said, it's not something that should be mandatory. Even with programs like medicaid and CHIP, this is still a priviledge to have healthcare. Obama is trying to make this mandatory and make companies or persons pay a fine for not having it. Usually the reason that someone doesn't have healthcare is because the high cost of it. I know at my old job, it was cheaper to not have any health insurance than to pay some odd $300+ dollars a month for it.

On Monday July 10, 2012 marked the 31st time that the republicans have voted to repeal the Affordable Health Care Act. Democrats on the other hand are fighting diligently against the republicans to get the bill passed. As I have read through some articles pertaining to the healthcare bill, I have noticed some of the pros and cons to it. There is a part in there that states that insurance companies can no longer deny care or charge an individual more due to a pre-existing condition. I see this as a good thing. i don't believe that someone should be denied care when switching insurance providers or because of a lapse in coverage just because they may have had something like cancer or asthma before.

I pay for my health insurance. Being in the military I get great coverage and and it's not that expensive. I don't  support programs that supply medical care for people who live off of the taxpayers or the government. If I can manage to find the funds to support my family and provide healthcare for them, these people should too. I am very opinionated when it comes to these issues. Too many people are on medicare or are receiving social security benefits that shouldn't be. It may be blunt and even with the state of the economy and job market but, get a job and pay for your own crap. I can support my family but not yours too. I couldn't tell you whether Obamacare is a good thing or a bad thing. Everything has it's pros and cons, and this is one of them. It has a lot of good benefits and a lot of bad benefits but our government must do something and move on to other issues like the state of our economy, national deficit and increasing jobs for the middle class. These are also important issues that need to be resolved. I feel like these issues are not getting as much attention as the healthcare reform crap is. It may just be me but oh well.


Take it or Leave it!

Nicholas J. Quaschnik

Operation: Fast and Fail!

I read an article on USAtoday.com that talks about “Operation: Fast and Furious.” This was an operation that started back in 2009 by the Bureau of ATF (Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms) that let firearms “walk” into the hands of the Mexican Drug Cartels. The plan was to track these weapons and see who and where they would lead the ATF agents in the hopes of fighting the war on these cartels. Unfortunately, the ATF lost the trail and the guns would end up at murder scenes and a tragic shootout that happened in Arizona. This story caught my attention mostly because it spoke about firearms and our government; two things that never go good together. The claims that the author makes are based on facts about how the government has done nothing but lied about events that have unfolded in this so called operation. Every time that someone lied about the events of this operation, someone else has uncovered the truth. What does this do for the civilians that read these stories? For me, it makes me not trust our government even more. I agree with the author when they state  “With a few exceptions, fights over executive privilege between the White House and Congress have historically been resolved through negotiations that give investigators access to what they need while preserving the confidentiality of sensitive information. That should be the goal in this case, too.” It has been the way of the past, why should it change now? By president Obama asserting “executive privilege” only makes him look like a crook just like the rest of them. By going about this the way he is, it makes it look like whatever is being covered up, he doesn’t want the citizens of the U.S. to know about it before election time. It’s safe to say that regardless of the information that is being withheld from the public, he never had my vote.

Take it or leave it,

Nicholas J. Quaschnik

Immigration Irritation....

I recently read this article in USA today that talked about immigration reform and how it’s back in the hands of Washington where it should be. This article speaks about different issues of the immigration laws that the state of Arizona has tried passing as well as the other states that have adopted similar laws. The authors of this article obviously don’t feel the same way I do about immigration. They believe that immigration laws are back to where they should be; Washington. This article targets voters who have strong views on the status of our country’s immigration laws and what the current or next president is going to do about it.

The author does point out that the reason that the amount of immigrants in the country is Washington’s fault. But the author then states that this is where it needs to be fixed as well. Congress has refused to work out any type of compromise regarding immigration. This is problem as it’s becoming more and more of a problem in the United States.  

I don’t agree with the author of this post. I think that the immigration laws should be up to each individual state. In my personal opinion I don’t think that any immigration law is too harsh either. My opinions come off as very harsh when it is regarding immigration. I have no sympathy or patience for someone who comes into this country illegally. I am sick of paying their bills and supporting their families. The author believes that these issues will get resolved at some point. I don’t think that Washington will ever make the right choice. Arizona has the right idea. The author states that Arizona’s “show me your papers” law opens the windows for racial profiling. When you look at illegal immigration in the United States, it is all racial profiling. If people get offended by it they need to toughen up and stop complaining. Show your legal documents and get on with your day. If you don’t have them, you don’t belong here. That’s it. These laws need to be up the each individual state. I believe that over time the illegal immigration numbers in this country will decrease.

Take it or leave it.

Nicholas J. Quaschnik

Immigration Schmimigration!

       I recently read an article on USA Today. It was titled "Evangelicals push Congress for immigration changes" and spoke of religious groups getting together to push for revamped immigration system. The group is calling themselves the "Evangelical Immigration Table" and claims that due to Congress, it is impossible to get any legal immigration legislation to treat illegal immigrants fairly. The article goes on to explain about the DREAM act that was attempted to be put in place by the Bush Administration. This DREAM Act states that it would grant legal status to illegal immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children and have either completed some college or served in the military. Pres. Obama is saying that he supports the DREAM Act and would like to create a comprehensive immigration package. On the flip side, Presidential candidate Mitt Romney stated that he would veto the current DREAM Act but support a version for illegal immigrants who serve in the military. 

       My opinions on this subject are very blunt. Some may find what I say and feel as offensive and if you do, my apologies. When it comes to immigration, I feel that the U.S. Government should stop trying to impress and instead fix the problem. I feel that if you are in the U.S. illegally you should be removed from the country until you can obtain a legal citizenship. I have worked in the law enforcement field and have many friends who work border patrol. When an illegal immigrant is detained, they receive an ICE detainer. What this does is gives ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement), the rights to take custody of the illegal immigrant. The illegal immigrant goes through the standard booking process except they are placed on a national database vs. a local or state. The illegal immigrant is then deported from the country. During this time they are informed of the consequences for illegal re-entry. This is considered a Federal offense and will give the up to 5 years in an ICE detention facility. What I want to know if why they are given a second chance? The illegal immigrant already knows what he is doing is wrong, it's just like stealing, you get a ticket or arrested for doing it the first time, not the second. Instead what our country does is gives way for that illegal immigrant to re-enter. Say they don't get caught the second time, they have a child in the U.S. Now that child is entitled to an education and is offered the chance to join our military.  Now how does this affect me or my family? By that child (who is here illegally whether by choice or not) is taking up a seat in my classroom, taking away from my education. Sure that sounds selfish, but that's my opinion. When that illegal immigrant wants to go to college, they are given grants and financial aid and such to do so. I still have to pay for my education, "because my parents make to much money". Then on the topic of the military, as a service member, and knowing and seeing the effects of the downsizing in the military, this is obvious. My fellow citizen has to fight for his job against someone who doesn't deserve to be there. I believe that people can come into our country and compete with me for my job. I don't mind that, just do it legally. I understand it can be a process, but that's life, get over it.

Take it or leave it, 

Nicholas J. Quaschnik