We Lost the Battle for the Republican Party’s Soul Long Ago

[JKLivin]

i doubt ignoramuses who spout such things have ever actually been to a “third world shithole”

Been there. Hated it. Would never want to live there, but if you’re in a hurry to live in those conditions, I suggest you move to one rather than turning my country into one.

1. What third world shithole/s have you been to?
2. Why did you go?
3. What did you hate about it/them?
4. You realize "my" country is "our" country, and that there are more "my country" people living in "our" country that make this country a "shithole" than there are "other" people who make this country a shithole, right?
5. Be honest. Which do you like the least? "Illegal immigrants" from Mexico and Venezuela who do not commit crimes other than being in this country "illegally. "Legal" Muslims and Islamists living in Michigan. Members of White Supremacist militia groups in Michigan.

1.What third world shithole/s have you been to?

Mexico and Nepal.

2. Why did you go?

To Mexico to build houses and to Nepal for student cross-cultural experience.

3. What did you hate about it/them?

Lack of potable water, lack of indoor plumbing, abject poverty, and smells.

4. You realize "my" country is "our" country, and that there are more "my country" people living in "our" country that make this country a "shithole" than there are "other" people who make this country a shithole, right?

You have a right to your opinion. I disagree. Those who are actively working to subvert and piss away "my" country no longer have a right to call it "our" country anymore.

5. Be honest. Which do you like the least? "Illegal immigrants" from Mexico and Venezuela who do not commit crimes other than being in this country "illegally. "Legal" Muslims and Islamists living in Michigan. Members of White Supremacist militia groups in Michigan.

That's a pretty loaded question. For me, it would be the illegal immigrants (no quotation marks) who are draining our country's resources that can be used for people here legally, who pay taxes, and who serve their country. A close second would be the White Supremacists.

I think prosperity is a zero sum game, and when the number of people who are taking exceed the number who are contributing, it becomes a slippery slope. I am not against being compassionate and helping others, as evidenced by my work in Mexico and Nepal, but opening the borders and indiscriminately allowing 10 million high need people into the country as Brandon and Giggles have done over the last 3 1/2 years, is irresponsible, dangerous, and, in my opinion, criminal.

You may commence with the ubiquitous lampooning and name-calling now.

[jfish26]

Now juxtapose, “prosperity is a zero sum game, and when the number of people who are taking exceed the number who are contributing, it becomes a slippery slope,” with the R/D state taker/contributor mix.

[RainbowsandUnicorns]

Been there. Hated it. Would never want to live there, but if you’re in a hurry to live in those conditions, I suggest you move to one rather than turning my country into one.

1. What third world shithole/s have you been to?
2. Why did you go?
3. What did you hate about it/them?
4. You realize "my" country is "our" country, and that there are more "my country" people living in "our" country that make this country a "shithole" than there are "other" people who make this country a shithole, right?
5. Be honest. Which do you like the least? "Illegal immigrants" from Mexico and Venezuela who do not commit crimes other than being in this country "illegally. "Legal" Muslims and Islamists living in Michigan. Members of White Supremacist militia groups in Michigan.

1.What third world shithole/s have you been to?

Mexico and Nepal.

2. Why did you go?

To Mexico to build houses and to Nepal for student cross-cultural experience.

3. What did you hate about it/them?

Lack of potable water, lack of indoor plumbing, abject poverty, and smells.

4. You realize "my" country is "our" country, and that there are more "my country" people living in "our" country that make this country a "shithole" than there are "other" people who make this country a shithole, right?

You have a right to your opinion. I disagree. Those who are actively working to subvert and piss away "my" country no longer have a right to call it "our" country anymore.

5. Be honest. Which do you like the least? "Illegal immigrants" from Mexico and Venezuela who do not commit crimes other than being in this country "illegally. "Legal" Muslims and Islamists living in Michigan. Members of White Supremacist militia groups in Michigan.

That's a pretty loaded question. For me, it would be the illegal immigrants (no quotation marks) who are draining our country's resources that can be used for people here legally, who pay taxes, and who serve their country. A close second would be the White Supremacists.

I think prosperity is a zero sum game, and when the number of people who are taking exceed the number who are contributing, it becomes a slippery slope. I am not against being compassionate and helping others, as evidenced by my work in Mexico and Nepal, but opening the borders and indiscriminately allowing 10 million high need people into the country as Brandon and Giggles have done over the last 3 1/2 years, is irresponsible, dangerous, and, in my opinion, criminal.

You may commence with the ubiquitous lampooning and name-calling now.

1. I have zero doubt parts of Mexico and Nepal are "shitholes". I have zero doubt parts of Mexico and Nepal are far from being shitholes. Just like most other countries. Including the USA.

2. Good on you for both reasons. I mean that.

3. See my response to #1.

4. I feel the same way. Difference/s are who we feel are the people that are ruining our country.

5. Your reasons are valid. I dislike White Supremacists the most.

[JKLivin]

Now juxtapose, “prosperity is a zero sum game, and when the number of people who are taking exceed the number who are contributing, it becomes a slippery slope,” with the R/D state taker/contributor mix.

I am talking about citizens vs. non-citizens and legal vs. illegal residents. You can play your numbers games with tax revenue vs. subsidies, but at least these are people who are actually paying taxes.

Case in point, the convenience store I go to every morning to get my caffeine fix has started posting signs on Friday of every week that they cannot break $50 and $100 bills. The sign stays up all weekend. I asked the manager why the other day and she said that Friday is payday and that they have been overrun with Hispanic men starting at about 5:00 every Friday morning coming in with their week's pay in cash and paying for their lunch and snacks with $100 bills, which empties the register within a matter of an hour or two.

It is apparent that they are illegal, getting paid under the table, and cannot set up a bank account because of their status. It is illustrative of the amount of untaxed income that runs through my small, rural Michigan town extrapolated across the country, which is staggering.

[Overlander]

Now juxtapose, “prosperity is a zero sum game, and when the number of people who are taking exceed the number who are contributing, it becomes a slippery slope,” with the R/D state taker/contributor mix.

I am talking about citizens vs. non-citizens and legal vs. illegal residents. You can play your numbers games with tax revenue vs. subsidies, but at least these are people who are actually paying taxes.

Case in point, the convenience store I go to every morning to get my caffeine fix has started posting signs on Friday of every week that they cannot break $50 and $100 bills. The sign stays up all weekend. I asked the manager why the other day and she said that Friday is payday and that they have been overrun with Hispanic men starting at about 5:00 every Friday morning coming in with their week's pay in cash and paying for their lunch and snacks with $100 bills, which empties the register within a matter of an hour or two.

It is apparent that they are illegal, getting paid under the table, and cannot set up a bank account because of their status.

I can only imagine how humiliating it must be to see less educated people with $50s and $100s.

[JKLivin]

Now juxtapose, “prosperity is a zero sum game, and when the number of people who are taking exceed the number who are contributing, it becomes a slippery slope,” with the R/D state taker/contributor mix.

I am talking about citizens vs. non-citizens and legal vs. illegal residents. You can play your numbers games with tax revenue vs. subsidies, but at least these are people who are actually paying taxes.

Case in point, the convenience store I go to every morning to get my caffeine fix has started posting signs on Friday of every week that they cannot break $50 and $100 bills. The sign stays up all weekend. I asked the manager why the other day and she said that Friday is payday and that they have been overrun with Hispanic men starting at about 5:00 every Friday morning coming in with their week's pay in cash and paying for their lunch and snacks with $100 bills, which empties the register within a matter of an hour or two.

It is apparent that they are illegal, getting paid under the table, and cannot set up a bank account because of their status.

I can only imagine how humiliating it must be to see less educated people with $50s and $100s.

Learn to read. Or, better yet, just don't respond to my posts. Your act got old long ago.

[Overlander]

I wonder if your local convenience store owner would be ok if this significant flow of people spending money in his store suddenly stopped?

I wonder how your local tax income would suffer?

I mean, it’s a small price to pay to make sure brown people don’t get to enjoy their lives a tiny speck…right?

[Overlander]

I am talking about citizens vs. non-citizens and legal vs. illegal residents. You can play your numbers games with tax revenue vs. subsidies, but at least these are people who are actually paying taxes.

Case in point, the convenience store I go to every morning to get my caffeine fix has started posting signs on Friday of every week that they cannot break $50 and $100 bills. The sign stays up all weekend. I asked the manager why the other day and she said that Friday is payday and that they have been overrun with Hispanic men starting at about 5:00 every Friday morning coming in with their week's pay in cash and paying for their lunch and snacks with $100 bills, which empties the register within a matter of an hour or two.

It is apparent that they are illegal, getting paid under the table, and cannot set up a bank account because of their status.

I can only imagine how humiliating it must be to see less educated people with $50s and $100s.

Learn to read. Or, better yet, just don't respond to my posts. Your act got old long ago.

I read just fine. Explain to me what I missed. Or, is that beneath you?

[KUTradition]

psych calling anyone’s act old is high-larious

[Overlander]

I am going to assume that I have spent more time in Mexico than anyone on this board.

Mexico, and its people, are some of the friendliest, kindest and most trustworthy people I have ever met.

[KUTradition]

yes, absolutely

[JKLivin]

I can only imagine how humiliating it must be to see less educated people with $50s and $100s.

Learn to read. Or, better yet, just don't respond to my posts. Your act got old long ago.

I read just fine. Explain to me what I missed. Or, is that beneath you?

My issue was not with the money itself, nor the amount per se. It was with it being in cash/under the table, thus untaxable. If I have to get screwed by the IRS, so should they.

[Sparko]

Learn to read. Or, better yet, just don't respond to my posts. Your act got old long ago.

I read just fine. Explain to me what I missed. Or, is that beneath you?

My issue was not with the money itself, nor the amount per se. It was with it being in cash/under the table, thus untaxable. If I have to get screwed by the IRS, so should they.

As we have made clear, this is an employer issue. The hypocrisy runs deep in the GOP as many have been paying illegals forever, especially in Texas and Florida. Your false dilemma would also be fixed easily by making it easier for immigrants to earn legal status.

[RainbowsandUnicorns]

I'm not donating the money but if someone paid for me, why wouldn't I go? Other than I might get arrested for some good old fashioned heckling.
Realize Kenilworth was known as a town that "excluded" "Blacks and Jews" when I lived a couple towns over. Now of course they have their tokens.

Cancelled. Darn.

https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists ... pcc=cst_cm

[JKLivin]

I read just fine. Explain to me what I missed. Or, is that beneath you?

My issue was not with the money itself, nor the amount per se. It was with it being in cash/under the table, thus untaxable. If I have to get screwed by the IRS, so should they.

As we have made clear, this is an employer issue. The hypocrisy runs deep in the GOP as many have been paying illegals forever, especially in Texas and Florida. Your false dilemma would also be fixed easily by making it easier for immigrants to earn legal status.

It’s not a false dilemma; it is a reality. And I don’t care whose fault it is. It needs to stop. And the idea is to discourage immigration, not make it legal.

[Overlander]

Learn to read. Or, better yet, just don't respond to my posts. Your act got old long ago.

I read just fine. Explain to me what I missed. Or, is that beneath you?

My issue was not with the money itself, nor the amount per se. It was with it being in cash/under the table, thus untaxable. If I have to get screwed by the IRS, so should they.

You are making an assumption then, and presenting it as fact.

[JKLivin]

I read just fine. Explain to me what I missed. Or, is that beneath you?

My issue was not with the money itself, nor the amount per se. It was with it being in cash/under the table, thus untaxable. If I have to get screwed by the IRS, so should they.

You are making an assumption then, and presenting it as fact.

I am presenting what was told to me by the store manager as fact on the assumption that she is telling the truth. I did not administer a lie detector test or place her under oath. My bad.

[twocoach]

Now juxtapose, “prosperity is a zero sum game, and when the number of people who are taking exceed the number who are contributing, it becomes a slippery slope,” with the R/D state taker/contributor mix.

I am talking about citizens vs. non-citizens and legal vs. illegal residents. You can play your numbers games with tax revenue vs. subsidies, but at least these are people who are actually paying taxes.

Case in point, the convenience store I go to every morning to get my caffeine fix has started posting signs on Friday of every week that they cannot break $50 and $100 bills. The sign stays up all weekend. I asked the manager why the other day and she said that Friday is payday and that they have been overrun with Hispanic men starting at about 5:00 every Friday morning coming in with their week's pay in cash and paying for their lunch and snacks with $100 bills, which empties the register within a matter of an hour or two.

It is apparent that they are illegal, getting paid under the table, and cannot set up a bank account because of their status. It is illustrative of the amount of untaxed income that runs through my small, rural Michigan town extrapolated across the country, which is staggering.

And? Employers paying employees, both legal and illegal, with cash or gift cards has been going on for decades. I used to get paid cash for a construction job I worked 30 years ago, not because of my legal status but because my employer wanted to avoid having to pay me benefits and overtime for the greater than 40 hours a week I was paid. So you're just making more ignorant assumptions as to why they are being paid in cash.

I now work for a bank and we have to make sure that any of our ATMs that are located in places where they do a lot of manual labor get stocked with cash right before payday as we would see employees getting paid with Visa gift cards and using them to get cash.

[twocoach]

My issue was not with the money itself, nor the amount per se. It was with it being in cash/under the table, thus untaxable. If I have to get screwed by the IRS, so should they.

You are making an assumption then, and presenting it as fact.

I am presenting what was told to me by the store manager as fact on the assumption that she is telling the truth. I did not administer a lie detector test or place her under oath. My bad.

The assumption that you are guilty of is that because they are being paid in cash that they MUST then be illegal. It might be true but it certainly doesn't mean that it's true. There are many legal workers who get paid in cash by employers looking to skirt the rules and save themselves some money.

[JKLivin]

You are making an assumption then, and presenting it as fact.

I am presenting what was told to me by the store manager as fact on the assumption that she is telling the truth. I did not administer a lie detector test or place her under oath. My bad.

The assumption that you are guilty of is that because they are being paid in cash that they MUST then be illegal. It might be true but it certainly doesn't mean that it's true. There are many legal workers who get paid in cash by employers looking to skirt the rules and save themselves some money.

Not my assumption. It’s what she told me. Again, my bad for not deposing her properly and vetting all sources thoroughly. Perhaps I’ll waterboard her to see if her story changes?