For nearly eight years, the Obama administration sought to cover up serial wrongdoing by waging a veritable war against the watchdog inspqectors general of various federal agencies. Department of Justice Inspector General Michael Horowitz, an Obama administration appointee, is scheduled to deliver a report this week on DOJ and FBI abuses during the 2016 campaign cycle. Remember: His last investigation of FBI misconduct advised a criminal referral for fired former Deputy FBI Director Andrew McCabe, who allegedly lied to federal investigators. X McCabe and at least a half-dozen other FBI employees quit, retired, were fired or were reassigned as a result of fallout from the politicization of the FBI. Yet, as Barack Obama left office, his chief of staff, Denis McDonough, strangely boasted that the Obama administration "has been historically free of scandal." Obama himself recently concluded of his eight-year tenure, "I didn't have scandals." Those were puzzling assertions, given nearly nonstop scandals during Obama's eight years in office involving the IRS; General Services Administration; Peace Corps; Secret Service; Veterans Affairs; and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, not to mention the Clinton email server scandal, the Benghazi scandal and the 2016 Democratic National Committee email scandal. For nearly eight years, the Obama administration sought to cover up serial wrongdoing by waging a veritable war against the watchdog inspectors general of various federal agencies. In 2014, 47 of the nation's 73 inspectors general signed a letter alleging that Obama had stonewalled their "ability to conduct our work thoroughly, independently, and in a timely manner." The frustrated nonpartisan auditors cited systematic Obama administration refusals to turn over incriminating documents that were central to their investigations. The administration had purportedly tried to sidetrack an IG investigation into possible misconduct by then-Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson. In addition, the Obama administration reportedly thwarted IG investigations of Amtrak, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Troubled Asset Relief Program and the Office of Management and Budget. IBD Newsletters Get exclusive IBD analysis and action news daily. SIGN UP NOW! Despite the campaign against these independent federal auditors, a number of inspectors general still managed to issue damning indictments of unethical behavior. In 2012, Horowitz recommended that 14 Justice Department and ATF officials be disciplined for their conduct in the "Fast and Furious" gun-walking scandal. A 2013 IG audit found that the IRS had targeted conservative groups for special scrutiny prior to the 2012 Obama re-election effort. In 2014, an internal audit revealed that CIA officials had hacked the Senate Intelligence Committee's computers while compiling a report on enhanced interrogation techniques. CIA Director John Brennan had claimed that his agents were not improperly monitoring Senate staff computer files. He was forced to retract his denials and apologize for his prevarication. In 2016, the State Department's inspector general found that Hillary Clinton had never sought approval for her reckless and illegal use of an unsecured private email server. The IG also found that staffers who were worried about national security being compromised by the unsecured server were silenced by other Clinton aides. Still, Obama was right in a way: A scandal does not become a scandal if no one acts on findings of improper behavior. Under former attorneys general Eric Holder and Loretta Lynch, the findings of dozens of IGs were snubbed. That raises the question: What good are inspectors general if a president ignores any illegality and impropriety that they have uncovered? Answer: not much good at all — unless an incoming administration is of a different political party than the outgoing administration. Once that happens in our politicized system, there is a rare interest in not covering up or ignoring a damning IG report, but in acting on it. We may now be experiencing one of those unusual occasions. Soon, various inspector general reports may appear concerning FISA court abuse and improper behavior at the Department of Justice, FBI, CIA and National Security Council during the 2016 campaign cycle. The investigators are, for the most part, Obama appointees, not Trump appointees. At some point, the idea of toothless inspectors general needs to be revisited. Something is terribly wrong when dozens of IGs found wrongdoing, only to object that their efforts were being thwarted by an Obama administration that had appointed most of them — and claimed to be scandal-free. Finding government abuse and doing nothing about it is worse than not finding any at all. Victor Davis Hanson is a classicist and historian at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University, and the author of the soon-to-be released "The Second World Wars: How the First Global Conflict Was Fought and Won," to appear in October from Basic Books.

GRO: 4 killed while identifying a murder victim in Iguala SEMEFO office Banner condemns El Güero of Cártel Nueva Generación de Tepito Boxer Jorge El Pilon Lara near death after being gunned down in Guadalajara The arrest one of the mariachi killers "El Rata" of La Union, attack target was two women Mty: Sicarios record themselves shooting victims in a drive by Four activists murdered after being chased at a fake checkpoint in Veracruz GRO: 4 killed while identifying a murder victim in Iguala SEMEFO office Posted: 02 Nov 2018 05:58 PM PDT Chiviqs

Link to Borderland Beat Martinez Borderland Beat El Heraldo de Mexico On Friday afternoon, four people were shot to death inside the premises of the Forensic Medical Service ( Semefo ) of Iguala, Guerrero. According to official reports, the victims, three men and one woman, were relatives of a person who was murdered yesterday in that municipality, and who had gone to the Semefo for identification of the body. The information states that while performing the paperwork, at 12:30 hours, a group of armed persons entered the building, which is a funeral home of Semefo, and fired at them, killing them instantly. The body they intended to identify corresponds to that of one of the three young men who were murdered yesterday afternoon at the municipal market Adrián Castrejón, after having argued with other people. According to a statement from the Guerrero Coordination Group, the Public Ministry estimated that the murders that occurred in the Semefo are directly related to those of yesterday in the municipal market. Banner condemns El Güero of Cártel Nueva Generación de Tepito Posted: 02 Nov 2018 05:40 PM PDT Chivis Martinez Borderland Beat-from Reforma- Federal authorities are looking for Hugo Pérez Díaz, 'El Güero Karmenta', 'El Güero Loco' or 'La Comadreja', considered leader of the New Generacion Tepito Cartel (CNGT) and against whom a banner appeared Thursday. The banner with warnings to capital and federal authorities was left this morning in the Mayor's Office of Coyoacán. According to the first police reports, the multi-meter-long banner was placed on a vehicular bridge over Calzada Taxqueña towards Oriente, with Cerro de las Torres, in Colonia Campestre Churubusco. The message, allegedly prepared by merchants from the Barrio Bravo, indicates extortions to tenants, executions of police elements and personal data of alleged narcomenudistas. Banner text translated by Sol Prendido for Borderland Beat TO ALL AUTHORITIES:Federal authorities are looking for Hugo Perez Diaz, El Guero Loco ( The crazy light skinned one), or La Comadreja. So called leader of Cartel Nueva Generación Tepito (CNGT) and against who appeared a manta. All locals from the neighborhood Morelos and Tepito are fed up with the extortionists of Cartel Nueva Generación Tepito. Led by Hugo Perez Diaz who has the following aliases, El Guero Karmenta, El Guero Loco and La Comadreja. Who even has the luxury of having (unintelligible). Like Betito (unintelligible) who hasn’t been caught because they don’t know his real identity. In his most recent crimes in the last 6 months he has ordered killed 3 cops investigating him. The last one Miguel Ángel Huerta Trejo. He had him killed by backstabbing him in delegation Azcapotzalco while simulating an assault on an account holder this past 20th of September 2018. On Avenue Las Granjas (The Farms). As well as the commander of SSP.CDMX (Secretaria de Seguridad Publica Ciudad Mexico) Gerardo Villanueva Meneses. As well as Gerardo Osiris Oropeza. Who he bragged of having tortured and burned alive. He filmed their torture and deaths as proof as to what he’s capable of doing if his cuatas are not met, buy his drugs or if any cop bothers him. So that you can all see that all cops bend over for him. We can only imagine how things will go for us. We have warned you of everything, we have sent videos, we have given information of cops involved. And the government keeps on not giving a fuck. SSP.CDMX, PGJ.CDMX (Procuraduria General de Justicia de la Cuidad de Mexico) and PGR (Procudaria General de Justicia) are said to be partners of Erick Valencia Salazar El 85. This delinquent also claims to be the “King of Crystal”. And that he supplied drugs to Pistache for his own profit (or did not PDI or federal agents not know this?). It is well known in Bosques de la Loma that they are protected by those who patrol the zone, the Bancaria police We have every right to work honorably. We don’t snitch. (unintelligible) it affects our merchants. So the clients stopped coming around. We only ask for what’s right. Otherwise we will have to defend ourselves. So far we have avoided problems. Even putting up with illegal activities. But enough is enough! Act accordingly or everything will go to shit. In this regard, the Attorney General of the capital informed that a folder of investigation was initiated and its origin is investigated, as well as to the persons indicated in the message. "An investigation was started, Public Security made it available, we are doing content analysis, there are no graphic elements because it is a printed text, we are already checking the data that appears it is by Metro merchants. This is how it is stated in the blanket. "The content says that merchants from the center and from Tepito are the ones who put that text. We are checking the people, the names that appear, we do not have two of them in the database, but it has nothing to do with the facts related to the topic regarding a criminal group ". Boxer Jorge El Pilon Lara near death after being gunned down in Guadalajara Posted: 03 Nov 2018 01:39 AM PDT Chivis Martinez Borderland Beat Ironic statement by Lara in a September 2015 interview ..“I am talented with the desire to be a world champion,” says Lara, 24, who turned pro five years ago. “But if I hadn’t started boxing, I don’t know if I was going to die in the streets or someone would kill me.” Boxer Jorge “El Pilón", Lara is fighting for his life in a Guadalajara hospital, after being attacked and receiving at least four bullets to the body. The attack occurred on Joaquín Amaro Street at the intersection with Hacienda La Calera in the Oblate neighborhood of Guadalajara. "El Pilón", was attacked by at least two individuals who followed him for several blocks until they caught up with him. Paramedics said that he suffered a respiratory arrest on the way to the aid station, however was resuscitated, but his life is hanging by a thread. Lara, 27, with a professional record of 29 wins, one loss and two draws, lost his unbeaten record on April 28 in El Paso, Texas, when he was decked in one round by Claudio Marrero. After that fight, the Mexican fighter himself reported through the social networks about the death of his only brother, and this week he announced that it had been three months of his loss. More from the Premier Boxing Champions 2015 interview Starting at the age of 15, Lara was jailed several times for street fighting in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, where, he says, “I grew up poor in a ghetto.” “I would fight with my hands. No guns, knives or weapons. Just my hands,” Lara says. “I lived with my older brother and my mother. She worked long hours at a furniture store to provide for us. My grandmother would cook our meals, but I was always in the streets.” After his final trip to jail, Lara—who does not acknowledge the existence or know the name of his father—found a local gym. “I was almost 18 years old,” says Lara, a southpaw. “I was boxing well against professional fighters as a rookie. I had about seven amateur fights before I turned pro.” Lara debuted as a pro in July 2010 with an 18-second stoppage of Adrian Soto Morales, the first of four consecutive knockouts to start his career. Lara credits his family—including his four young children, who live with their mother in Guadalajara—for inspiring him to greatness. “My children, my mom and my brother, they’re my motivation,” says Lara. “They’re why I’m here training hard to give them a better life.” The arrest one of the mariachi killers "El Rata" of La Union, attack target was two women Posted: 02 Nov 2018 09:41 AM PDT Chivis Martinez for Borderland Beat Reforma Authorities say the attack was against two women of the " anti La Union cell" The local Attorney General's Office (PGJ) arrested a man accused of being one of the three assassins who participated in the shooting in Plaza Garibaldi, on September 14, in which six people died and seven more were injured. Fernando Aguilar "El Rata" belonging to the criminal group of “La Union”, who would have participated in the attack against women related to the rival Anti-Union cell. "In the investigation it is established that on the day of the attack, the defendant and two other individuals dressed in mariachi went to an establishment located on the street República de Honduras and with firearms and opened fire. "During their flight, the assailants wounded other people and, later on, boarded the motorcycles on which they continued their escape." As a result of the attack, three men died at the scene, while two women and one male died when they received hospital care, "said Edmundo Garrido, head of the PGJ, at a press conference. The official added that, derived from interviews, he came across the testimony of a person who observed two of the murderers, moments before they perpetrated the attack. Finally, a control judge issued an arrest warrant against him and elements of the PDI managed to capture "El Rat" near the address indicated in the Center. "With these data, elements of the Investigative Police carried out intelligence, cabinet and field work, in the indicated place where they located the accused, as part of the proceedings to know their probable participation in the crime, several witnesses, one survivor of the attack, they identified him fully as one of the victimizers ", he added. According to the PGJ database, Aguilar has two previous admissions to the prison in 2003 and 2013 for the crime of qualified robbery. The same day as the apprehension, a control judge imposed a preventive detention on "El Rata". Mty: Sicarios record themselves shooting victims in a drive by Posted: 03 Nov 2018 01:43 AM PDT Chivis Martinez Borderland Beat This video circulated on social media, where hitmen recorded them shooting a couple of young men, in the Colonia Unidad Pedreras, Monterrey. Note: Below is the report from one outlet, others report 2 shot 1 killed. Others say "group of men 2 shot" Vanguardia reports this video was from Thursday of last week at a memorial service and a man of 50 years and a teen of 14 were shot while in their parked car. Below is narrative from the report in video translated by Sol Driver sicario: These are the ones Abel. Newscaster: On social media a video is circulating in which gunmen record the moment where they attacked a group of young men. According to a source the attack happened in the neighborhood of Fomerrey 106 or Unidad Pedreras in Monterey. The end result of that attack is 1 person dead and 2 injured. In the video it is observed that a passenger sicario prepares and fires against 2 men and a minor. That are leaning against a wall at a residence. According to a police report the attack happened on October 25th on Orlon Street in said neighborhood. The victims were returning from a wake. For Noticel.mx Rudolf Garcia - by Sol Prendido Four activists murdered after being chased at a fake checkpoint in Veracruz Posted: 02 Nov 2018 09:01 AM PDT Chivis Martinez Borderland Beat -thank you BB follower-from Tribuna and La silla Rota Mexico City.- Four members of a vigilante group in Veracruz were killed in an assault on the Orizaba-Tehuacán highway . A false checkpoint mounted so that alleged assailants could assault drivers, on Saturday, October 27. The victims were identified as Jaime Méndez and Guadalupe Sosa, and two others who are unnamed, originally from Tehuacán, Puebla, who were part of the Facebook platform ‘Vigilantes Orizaba' , a forum dedicated to alerting situations of risk and acts of violence in the central area of ​​Veracruz, particularly in the region known as Las Altas Montañas [The High Mountains]. The activists traveled in their white Toyota van, with license plates from the State of Puebla, along the federal highway 150 D Orizaba-Tehuacán, of the municipality of Puebla de Chapulco, in the town known as ' La Curva del Moño ' , on the summits of Acultzingo. The gunmen would have ordered the vehicle to stop, however, realizing that it was a false checkpoint, they tried to accelerate to flee; the men then began to shooting, killing the four. Relatives confirmed to La Silla Rota that Jaime and Guadalupe an two others were killed in the attack

Perhaps the Biggest Political Lie: The Number Of Illegal Aliens in America...?

THE BIGGEST POLITICAL LIE: THE NUMBER OF ILLEGAL ALIENS IN AMERICA There is no doubt in my mind that the “caravan” of potential illegal aliens is nothing less than an expeditionary invasion of America’s sovereignty. Should these so-called migrants arrive in the border area, there is likewise, little or no doubt that they will be admitted to the United States – having been coached on what to say to obtain asylum in America. With the number of illegal aliens coming over the border year after year, it is a bald-faced political lie that the illegal alien population in America has been steady at 11-12 million for the past decade… While nobody knows the real numbers, and the government refuses to publicly track the numbers, researchers at the Yale University School of Management, professors Jonathan S. Feinstein and Edward H. Kaplan and postdoctoral associate Mohammad Fazel-Zarandi, have attempted to quantify the number of illegal aliens in the United States. Published on September 21, 2018, the study titled, “The Number of Undocumented Immigrants in the United States: Estimates Based on Demographic Modeling with Data from 1990 to 2016,” the study concludes: “Our results lead us to the conclusion that the widely accepted estimate of 11.3 million undocumented immigrants in the United States is too small. Our model estimates indicate that the true number is likely to be larger, with an estimated ninety-five percent probability interval ranging from 16.2 to 29.5 million undocumented immigrants.” The study, unlike many of the studies related to global climate change, makes its data publicly available for replication or falsification by any qualified researcher… The Number of Undocumented Immigrants in the United States: Estimates Based on Demographic Modeling with Data from 1990 to 2016 Abstract We apply standard demographic principles of inflows and outflows to estimate the number of undocumented immigrants in the United States, using the best available data, including some that have only recently become available. Our analysis covers the years 1990 to 2016. We develop an estimate of the number of undocumented immigrants based on parameter values that tend to underestimate undocumented immigrant inflows and overstate outflows; we also show the probability distribution for the number of undocumented immigrants based on simulating our model over parameter value ranges. Our conservative estimate is 16.7 million for 2016, nearly fifty percent higher than the most prominent current estimate of 11.3 million, which is based on survey data and thus different sources and methods. The mean estimate based on our simulation analysis is 22.1 million, essentially double the current widely accepted estimate. Our model predicts a similar trajectory of growth in the number of undocumented immigrants over the years of our analysis, but at a higher level. While our analysis delivers different results, we note that it is based on many assumptions. The most critical of these concern border apprehension rates and voluntary emigration rates of undocumented immigrants in the U.S. These rates are uncertain, especially in the 1990’s and early 2000’s, which is when—both based on our modeling and the very different survey data approach—the number of undocumented immigrants increases most significantly. Our results, while based on a number of assumptions and uncertainties, could help frame debates about policies whose consequences depend on the number of undocumented immigrants in the United States. Supporting material. Contains the mathematical model, parameter values, and data sources underlying the model. S1 File. Supporting material. Contains the mathematical model, parameter values, and data sources underlying the model. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0201193.s001 S2 File. Excel file. The spreadsheet used to calculate the conservative estimate. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0201193.s002 Bottom line… One party looks at these “migrants” as a way to further their revolution, destroying America from within by compromising our traditional institutions and placing unsustainable pressure on our social safety networks. While the number of individuals does not look like a large number when compared with those already here, it could just be the straw that broke the camel’s back – or as the climate researchers are wont to say, the tipping point that turns into a national catastrophe. And, the other party looks at these “migrants” as a cheap source of labor. We are screwed no matter which party wins. At least, with President Trump, we have a fighting chance to stem the invasion – possibly even legislating a respite to allow those already here to self-identify and assimilate. It is time to vote. The choices are clear. Nation-destroying progressive socialist democrats or holding the line with Republicans. sanity -- steve

Before You Vote for a Progressive (Socialist) Politician....consider this!

BEFORE YOU CAST THAT VOTE FOR A PROGRESSIVE POLITICIAN ... Like celebrities, you think you know a politician until the day they do something unthinkable and you realize you never did know them at all … TRUMP-2016 It is now time to decide who YOU are… Are you indifferent and ill-informed about the politicians and their agendas? Are you content to give up a portion of your individualism and allow the government to dictate the important things in your life like your healthcare, your housing, your employment, and how you live your daily life? Are you willing to work hard and then see the government give a portion of your earnings to another country or your neighbor who simply relaxes and goes with the flow? Are you awed by celebrity and believe most of what the mainstream media tells you? Politicians may hide behind words, but they can’t keep up the charade for long. Sooner or later the truth comes out, and all is revealed. Over the years, socialism and communism as a political ideology have been gross failures, ending up in totalitarian states run by virtual dictators and their cronies. They sell the utopian dream, talk about justice and equality, while they convince you that you are a victim and only they can redress your historical or current grievance in return for political power. But the real truth is, they need to change how they label their ideology, lest they reveal the ugly truth. Marxism became communism, communism became socialists, socialists became liberals, liberals became progressives, and now progressives became social democrats. It’s a shell game because if you take any one of these ideologies are extend it to its logical end; you have totalitarianism under a dictator and his cronies. Where the only equality is the equality found in death, suffering, and having justice meted out by petty bureaucrats who wield their power with a vengeance. Whereas, if you extend capitalism to its logical end, you have more freedom and capitalism. So when Bernie Sanders (the man who honeymooned in Russia), Hillary Clinton (studied Saul Alinsky), and the other Social Democrats tell you that their way is best – listen to them. They are telling you who they are and giving you a glimpse of your future. Higher taxes, more regulations, less personal freedom, and you and your children will never see the impossible utopia they promise. You may not like President Donald Trump or the GOP, but it is better than the alternative… He may be crude, but he is the first President in decades to keep his campaign promises or attempting to push his agenda through a corrupt Congress who favors big government and big spending. Trump reduced taxes, reduced restrictive administrative rules and regulations, promoted public policies that gave us a robust economy, and brought back a measure of respect from foreign governments. All while being smeared by the opposition party, the establishment members of his own party, and a progressive mainstream media that is an echo chamber of anti-Trump rhetoric. And, it does not seem to bother him as he fights back against those that attack him – sometimes his appointees and employees. Bottom line… You have a choice to make. Do you want to cede your freedom and control over your life to the progressive socialist democrats? Do you want to enable the progressive socialist democrats to politicize all of America’s institutions and weaponize petty laws and regulations to be used against ordinary citizens? Do you want progressive socialist democrats to be above the law and to escape being held responsible for their corruption and criminality? Sometimes the choices are hard. Like in California where you must cast a vote for the despicable Senator Dianne Feinstein, who attempted to smear a nominee for the Supreme Court with decades-old allegations, little more than hearsay, about something that may have happened when the candidate was in high school 35 years ago and kept a Chinese spy on staff for at least 20 years – or Kevin de Leon who appears to be a socialist with allegiance to illegal aliens, open borders, and the Mexican government. Damned if you do or damned if you don’t. At least a vote for de Leon will remove the corrupt Feinstein from her committee assignments and prevent further damage to our country. It is amazing how many progressive socialist democrats are actually un-American and believe the U.S. Constitution is outdated. It is up to you and your neighbors to decide the course of history. Freedom or high-tech slavery. The choice is yours. -- steve

Are We Having Fun Yet?

Are We Having Fun Yet?
by Jm Moran

October 31, 2018 at 08:03AM
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BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIPS OF CHILDREN OF ILLEGAL ALIENS...

BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP OF CHILDREN OF ILLEGAL ALIENS Most of those pontificating on whether President Trump has the right to reverse conveying birthright citizenship on children of illegal aliens are ignorant of the Constitution and are simply engaging in a form of political pandering. Believe it or not, it may be possible for President Trump to restrict the citizenship of children born to foreigners and aliens by an Executive Order which would simply reverse a bureaucratic interpretation that was created sometime in the 1960s. There is no provision in the Constitution to confer citizenship on the children of illegal aliens and it appears that this provision was created sometime in the 1960s by a bureaucratic interpretation of the INS which has never been voted on by Congress nor examined by the United States Supreme Court. Furthermore, if one wanted to examine the writings of Senator Jacob Howard, the author of the citizenship clause in the Fourteenth Amendment, they could easily read his explanation in the U.S. Congressional Documents and Debates, 1774 - 1875 from the Congressional Globe, Senate, 39th Congress, 1st Session - Page 2890 for May 30, Senator Howard explained in clear English -- remember it is our national language that unites us -- who would fall within the jurisdiction of the Amendment. "...[E]very person born within the limits of the United State, and subject to their jurisdiction, is by virtue of natural law and national law a citizen of the United States. This will not, of course, include persons born in the United States who are foreigners, aliens, who belong to the families of ambassadors or foreign ministers accredited to the government of the United States, but will include every other class of person. Here is proof positive… sh-1 sh-2 Read the Senate debate over provisions involving the 14th Amendment from the government archives for yourself. Bottom line… The idea that the Speaker of the House, Paul Ryan, can simply say “You can’t end birthright citizenship with an executive order. You obviously cannot do that. As a conservative, I'm a believer in following the plain text of the Constitution and I think in this case the 14th Amendment is pretty clear. Where we obviously totally agree with the President is getting at the root issue here, which is unchecked illegal immigration.” Perhaps Ryan should review "consent of the governed" and the definition of sovereignty. The progressive pundits who point out that there is no precedent and no legal authority, do not understand that it was an Executive Branch agency who interpreted the Constitution and implemented public policy. And, that the President of the United States has the plenary power to reverse any rule or regulation promulgated by an Executive Branch agency. As for Ryan noting that he is a conservative, this is pure bullpucky. This is one of those issues that will clearly demonstrate that the progressive socialist democrats and their RINO (Republican In Name Only) cohorts are engaging in self-serving political pandering and do give a rat’s ass about how much harm this unconstitutional process is harming the United States nor do they care to follow the U.S. Constitution when it puts their political agenda or candidacy at risk. They are not Americans – they are cowards. President Trump is not trying to change the Constitution, he is trying to change bureaucratic excess and return to the original meaning of the 14th Amendment. We are so screwed. -- steve

Greece: Another Democratic Socialists Failure! It’s Never Worked, Never Will! Check Venezuela...

Greece and the Grim Consequences of Democratic Socialism by Dan Mitchell My left-leaning friends periodically tell me that there's a big difference between their benign policies of democratic socialism and the wretched track records of Marxist socialism, national socialism, and other forms of totalitarianism. I agree. Living in a European welfare state, after all, is much better than living in a hellhole like Cuba, North Korea, Zimbabwe, or Venezuela. Not only do you enjoy the rule of law (no Khmer Rouge-style concentration camps!), but you also enjoy considerable prosperity compared to the rest of the world. But there are two things to understand about that prosperity. First, it's largely a legacy of the strong growth that occurred before welfare states were enacted. Second, statist policies eventually and inevitably will reduce a nation's prosperity. Let's consider the case of Greece. I've written many times about the debilitating impact of high tax rates and wasteful spending in that nation. It has the least economic freedom of all nations in Western Europe, so it's no surprise that it is falling further behind. But sometimes a compelling example is the best way of helping people understand the harmful impact of big government. We were on Filis Street — a warren of alleyways and dingy two-story houses — which has been home to Athenian brothels for most of the past century. The trade is more desperate now because of Greece’s lost decade since the 2008 financial crisis, which has left no profession unscathed. The collapsed economy and the arrival of tens of thousands of migrants have pushed even more women into prostitution — even as prices have fallen through the floor. ...“I had a flower shop for 18 years — and now I’m here out of necessity, not out of joy,” said Dimitra, a middle-aged woman who lost her shop in the crisis and now works as a madam...the number of prostitutes in the city had increased by 7 percent since 2012, yet prices have dropped drastically, both for women working on the streets and in brothels. “In 2012, it would require an average of 39 euros” for a client to hire a prostitute in a brothel, Mr. Lazos said, “while in 2017 just €17 — a 56 percent decrease.” The saddest part of the story is the commentary of the prostitutes. "I hate sex,” Elena said. “I like the money, not the job.” Anastasia...has worked as a prostitute since she was 14. She’s now 33, and says the work is harder than ever. “People don’t have money anymore,” she said... Monica, a 30-year-old Albanian prostitute...spends six to eight hours a day trying to entice clients, but most do not stay. “They don’t have money,” she said. “They haven’t had money for the past seven years.” ...Many Greek men are simply too poor to pay anymore. I support legal prostitution, in part because the alternative of pushing these unfortunate women even further into the underground economy would be worse. But that doesn't change the fact that these women don't have good lives. And the misery of democratic socialism in Greece is making their lives even sadder. The bottom line is that I now have three awful anecdotes from Greece to help illustrate the wretched impact of big government. In addition to the price-cutting prostitutes we discussed today, let's not forget that Greece subsidizes pedophiles and requires stool samples to set up online companies. Needless to say, I hope we never go that far in the wrong direction. The moral of the story is that socialism (however defined) has never worked in any form at any time in history