Montalvo - Politics
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The United States should allow Mexican trucks to transport goods on U.S. highways. Preventing Mexican trucks from transporting goods within the U.S. is all about a wealth transfer from consumers to Teamsters Union members. All other justifications are simply obfuscation.
The government has a responsibility to keep Social Security as is for those already invested in the program. CLEARLY they have that responsibility. But CLEARLY they won't be able to deliver, after squandering the so-called trust fund like homeowners who bought more house than they could afford.
Columbus Day should be celebrated as an official holiday. Drop Columbus Day as a legal holiday? During these tough times, you Titanic deck-chair re-arrangers might be better served bending over and kissing your financial asses goodbye.
A world free of nuclear weapons is not achievable. The genie is out of the bottle. Unless or until society develops a foolproof system to control individual behavior, nuclear weapons will remain a Damocles sword over society's head.
The U.S. is safer from terrorism today than it was before 9/11. Despite the many idiotic actions of the Bush administration that have fomented even more hatred of the US among Islamic militants, the very fact that we're aware of the threat has made us safer.
Republicans will win the most seats in the 2010 Congressional elections. As a wise pundit said during the Clinton-Bush race, "It's the economy, stupid!" There's a very good chance that we'll still be seeing double-digit unemployment in 2010. If so, the Dems are toast.
The U.S. cannot stabilize Afghanistan. I'm enough of an optimist to see nation-building as possible if 1) you're skillful, 2) you understand the culture & 3) you're willing to expend the patience/capital/lives. We lose on all counts...
A woman in the first trimester should have unrestricted legal access without exceptions to terminate her pregnancy. Just as she should have an unrestricted right to change her hairstyle. Having some irrational Bible-thumper erroneously claim that the Bible forbids abortions doesn't make a fetus a human being.
State should play a role in enforcing immigrations laws. And also counties, cities, hospitals, schools and businesses. Why do folks insist on protecting law-breaking immigrants while doing nothing to aid the 1000's of deserving folks on waiting lists???
The U.S. should be a member of the World Trade Organization. Think the economy's screwed now? Imagine another 30% decline in GDP & the associated unemployment increase. If Obama's health plan doesn't do it, leaving WTO'll get us to Great Depression levels!
The Russia-Georgia conflict will not lead to another Cold War. Now if those Ruskies continue on south to FLORIDA, that's a whole different ball game!
Sarah Palin should not pursue political office again. Incompetence, coupled with a low tolerance for embarrassment, aren't good credentials. Republican's would do well to generate as much distance as possible from this poster-child for inept vetting.
Georgia should not become a member of NATO. And that goes for South Carolina, too! What is it with these southern states...always trying to secede???
Media outlets should use the word 'torture' when covering Bush-era detainee policies. If it walks like a duck and talks like a duck, I think it's fair to call it Donald.
Infidelity should not be grounds for a politician's removal from office. Oh, please! What's next...nose-picking? And remember, the spouses knew they were married to politicians. What...they were surprised by the lying and deceit??? The voters weren't!
Mark Sanford should not resign as governor of South Carolina. Great family values, huh? The guy's a hypocrite and a liar, AKA a politician. But unlike Clinton, he didn't deny it under oath so he didn't commit a felony and he needn't resign.
Illegal immigrants have a positive impact on the economy. I'm all for enforcing immigration laws but illegals benefit the economy enormously, primarily in adding youth to our workforce, thereby shifting our demographic.
The Obama Administration should not issue a statement of support to the Iranian election uprising. Fomenting revolt in a democracy is lunacy...and hypocritical, since we support monarchies and dictatorships. But Obama was late in supporting an election investigation.
Puerto Rico should not become a U.S. state. Plebiscites suggest the residents don't want it so where's the incentive? And if PR, what's next? Guam? American Samoa? US Virgin Islands? Northern Marianas? Iraq?
Guantanamo Bay detainees should not be moved to U.S. prisons. Congress needs to pass legislation stripping enemy combatants of civil rights when on US soil. Until that happens, the US is compelled to use the "Guantanamo gimmick".
The government should permit late term abortions when a woman's health is at risk. The govt. has a legitimate right to protect the civil rights of "people". 80% of states say a fetus is a person in the third trimester, as defensible a definition as any other.
The Obama Administration will have no impact on the Middle East peace process. Regettably, the ME peace process will be stalemated indefinitely, as explained in a particularly insightful article that I shared with Jamal here: http://whereistand.com/Sayegh/119242
Bill O'Reilly should not bear responsibility for the murder of Dr. Tiller. O'Reilly's no more responsible than all the fundamentalist Christian ministers who've convinced their gullible flock that the Bible says fetuses are people. The killer's responsible.
There are persuasive non-religious reasons for prohibiting abortions. The medical establishment has generally concluded that a fetus in the third trimester can typically survive outside the womb and is therefore a human being deserving of legal protection.
Sonia Sotomayor is a good choice to replace Justice Souter. I was more concerned by Obama's announcement that he seeking a candidate who would use "empathy" [vs. law and logic] in deciding cases than by the trivial concerns being voiced about Sotomayor.
Eliot Spitzer should not run for public office again. I've got no problem with this guy's sexual proclivities. But getting caught violating the law shows such bad judgment that I can't imagine a public office for which he'd be qualified.
The U.S. should hire private contractors to combat piracy. Great idea but shippers should bear the cost, not taxpayers. The pirates would lose their taste for US-flagged ships after a few pirate boats got deep-sixed by on-board soldiers of fortune.
Paying taxes is not patriotic. If the reason you choose to pay taxes is love of country, fine. But the tax code has no more patriotic implications than the motor vehicle code. Pay up...for whatever reason makes you feel good.
President Obama's budget is unsatisfactory. This budget makes it clear that this is a President who "inhaled". While "The Audacity of Hope" makes for a great BOOK title, I just don't think it's an appropriate basis for a BUDGET.
The U.S. should not take military action against Somali pirates’ land bases. I'm thinking that a sting operation, covertly armed ships blatantly flying the stars and stripes off the Somali coast, might be a better response. 'Course the ACLU would likely call that entrapment...
President Obama's first overseas trip was not a success. No G-20 successes: capitulated to Germany on fiscal stimulus, IMF bailouts for Central European banking system and Afghanistan troop support. Michele looked great though...
The U.S. Department of Justice should drop the charges against former Senator Ted Stevens. DOJ blew it. No sense throwing good money after bad just 'cause you're frustrated. Gov't screw-ups are the norm, e.g. the current economic mess. Dems love gov't. Get used to it.
People overreacted to Obama's joke about the Special Olympics. Political correctness has established being thin-skinned as a justifiable response to each and every slight imaginable. But it's also true that the condemnation or excusing are often partisan.
There was not a conspiracy behind the assassination of JFK. Those in the conspiracy crowd surely still believe in fictitious beings, UFOs and all manner of other concepts lacking any rational basis. Study the latest evidence. The issue's as dead as JFK.
President Obama's video message to Iran will have a positive effect on U.S.-Iranian relations. Iran will be faced with significant political instability in the very near future. Opening a dialogue with the Iranian people can only help US interests during forthcoming leadership changes.
The U.S. should end the embargo against Cuba. As Dr. Phil would ask, "How's that working for you?" Castro STOLE millions from businesses & private citizens. It's gone, never to be recouped. Engagement offers the best hope for ultimate freedom.
Timothy Geithner should not remain Secretary of the Treasury. Inept decisions and uninspired leadership have combined to sabotage confidence at a time when it's critically important to the nation's economic recovery. Fire him and move on...
All troops should not be removed from Iraq at the end of President Obama's 19-month timetable. Notice to all pacifists: You voted for a President with a brain. The troops'll be home when he thinks it makes sense. Now live with it!
The economic policies of the Obama Administration will not lead the U.S. towards socialism. The Treasury will be bankrupt well before Obama implements his more socialistic initiatives, mercifully putting the brakes on any major move toward Euro-style socialism.
The debts of highly indebted African countries should not be forgiven. For those overcome with compassion for the plight of African countries, explain how ruining their credit ratings, rewarding graft and corruption and discouraging private investment do them any favor.