Shutdown and The Wall

The editorial by publisher Robin Goldsworthy (From the Desk of the Publisher, Jan. 24) about the government shutdown is very balanced. That is not the case with Rep. Adam Schiff’s report that placed the blame on the President. The hardship for the people was not only caused by President Trump; it also resulted from the Democrats and their leadership’s stubbornness and absence of concern for their country with the unchecked influx of illegals.

The Wall – call it by any name – could be a much-needed tougher border fencing to deter illegals invading this country. [There are thousands in Mexico eager to come; many have stormed the border and some have already sneaked in through various tunnels.]

Mr. Schiff had nothing to say about his leader, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who is acting as a dictator [by] not only stubbornly opposing The Wall but has also shut down the State of the Union address, a prerogative of the President. Speaker Pelosi thinks that she owns the House and its building. She gave the excuse about security, which was promptly rebuffed by the Homeland Security Dept. and the Secret Service.

Then, during the shutdown, Pelosi and a group of her Democrat party-members planned to go on a foreign junket (instead of remaining in Washington to talk about ending the stalemate). Mr. Schiff had asked his own salary not be paid until the shutdown ended and federal employees were paid. No such statement came from the Speaker. Obviously, she was more concerned about her public relations in foreign countries than about the problems back home. The President rightly stopped that foreign excursion on military aircraft at the taxpayers’ expense.

The funding of The Wall is only 0.1% of the government spending and is absolutely necessary. All the top Democratic leaders, including Pelosi, Obama and the Clintons, have in the past supported The Wall. Pelosi, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and others have strong walls surrounding their homes. Recently, a group of illegals put up a tent on the property of Mrs. Pelosi but she called the police to take them away. You protect your home with a wall, but not your country? Wow!

One small example that the common American supports The Wall is the effort of a retired Air Force veteran, Brian Kolfage, who started a GoFundtheWall and raised 20 million dollars in as many days. And Pelosi says the people don’t want it, it’s immoral. No, Madame Pelosi, it’s your stubbornness. Stop it.

Yatindra Bhatnagar

Tujunga

Sharing Her Viewpoint

I am putting forth another viewpoint regarding the immigration issue and referencing a recent letter to the editor in [the Jan. 24] issue on the subject. I am a native Californian and have no prejudice against immigrants being in our state or country “as long as they abide by the existing laws that have been set up for the protection of all.” I by no means assume that all immigrants are criminal but, unfortunately, a number of them are and some have extensive criminal backgrounds. How would we ever know this if they do not go through the “legal “process set up by our immigration system?

My main concern is that there are many who do not have any intentions of abiding by our laws as evidenced by the numbers who try to cross the borders by climbing under fences or jumping over walls and bringing children with them, endangering their lives as well.

I have a close friend who worked as a park ranger in another border state for many years and spent quite a bit of time dealing with “illegal” immigrants who were violating local laws. He said it was not uncommon that many had criminal records, were in violation of numerous laws other than what they were being stopped for, and increasing numbers had gang connections from their country of origin.

Yes, I agree that many immigrants may be seeking asylum due to political and life-threatening situations in their countries, but many are also coming here with no intention of abiding by our laws and will abuse our already strained resources and system. Just last week, the LAUSD teachers were on strike asking for higher wages and decreasing class sizes. Part of the tentative agreement proposed involves a reduction of class sizes over the next four years. (See LA Times article in education section dated Jan. 22, 2019 for complete article.) 

There are many unseen ramifications of increasing populations. I think it’s is a display of common sense to demand that people abide by our existing laws on immigration if they come to America and I would think that other countries would expect the same for themselves. Doors should only be opened “legally” and we do need to know who is knocking.

Trissie Badger

Glendale