Arguing that one doesn’t want to eject felons first is not only excruciatingly stupid on its face, even by GOP standards, but it is self-contradictory for the party of “they are just sending rapists and drug dealers”.
This is a great illustration of the Dems not even knowing that there is this thing called “controlling the narrative”. It should be all over the news at local, state, and national levels that the GOP doesn’t want the government to deport illegal immigrants who are felons as a too priority.
Well, Robert, you fully understand the role of checks and balances in our society. Republicans have exploited Americans' inherent dislike of authoritative bureaucrats who issue illogical demands that are costly and time consuming to meet. Reagan succeeded in making the country hate the government. So now, an unchecked business world has unbalanced our very democracy. Power corrupts, whether a bureaucrat or a CEO.
However, I’d like to scream at the unjust immigration laws that punish people who are forced to come here to escape onerous or even dangerous conditions in their home countries—conditions usually caused or contributed to by the CIA of the good ol’ U. S. of A. It’s terribly difficult to come here legally, anyway, and they’re treated like criminals. They can fear going to the doctor for serious illness or to the police to report a crime because they might get reported. I would even look closely at the immigrants with convictions of felony. Those crimes might have been long ago and they’re rehabilitated, or they could have been wrongly convicted. The U. S. in its zeal to support its greedy corporations that will cruelly exploit the people of those countries or steal their natural resources, will do all it can to unseat good, caring leaders and replace them with despots who serve the Land of So-Called Liberty, the USA. Thousands die in the process.
I want to yell at the bigots who intone about “the illegals” and our “open borders.” They treat immigrants like rats bringing disease and drugs. I wish I could force them to see what’s really going on, with those crying, starving babies and haggard parents. Not to mention those who die of thirst trying to cross the desert. And other ways people die. Guess what: Our borders should be open. Period. Melt ICE like one of those glaciers up north.
Well, duh! As much as we need the rule of law, if we do not bring wisdom, perspective, flexibility and most of all, our full humanity, to enforcing the law, the law rules us in an authoritarian way, rather than serves us in our efforts to live together justly and harmoniously. Then the government, as enforcer, shoots itself in the foot and deserves the disrespect that comes with that unfortunate stupidity.
Dec 9, 2022·edited Dec 9, 2022Liked by Robert Reich
Than you Professor Reich for an excellent piece. Your analogy is spot on. The sad thing is what fuels Texas is not the common good but the hatred of foreigners masked behind “following the law” to justify expressing it. We will see whether our courts see though this charade.
I fear this runs deeper than political games. The message Texas sends here is clear to me: their harsh new abortion law will also be prosecuted broadly, strictly, and without reasonable exceptions. A fascist government cannot succeed without every citizen equally fearing punishment.
As a prosecutor I made daily charging decisions and did not file every crime of technicality. In addition to limited resources, we declined cases lacking prosecutorial merit in order to avoid pissing off the juries and protect the integrity of the office. We were taught to use discretion with our power.
The age old question is whether God is a merciful ruler or whether all sins are truly equal. Texas would apparently fall into the latter category and I am daily growing more concerned. #UnderHisEye
Bravo! A great story, illustrating the value of common sense and common decency, which in fact are not nearly as common as they should be. Now let's see the same qualities applied to our penal system and stop locking up people, often for long times, for marijuana possession instead of people who commit real and serious offences, e.g. plotting insurrection against the government.
It’s good to know that little Tommy got his job back. At least some people make sense. My God! Have we always been this insane or is it that trump has brought out the insanity? We have lost our moral compass! Common sense, come to think of it, was never common. I guess this situation points up our need for leadership. Providing a positive role model is important for adults as well as children. Either I am becoming more off balance or our country is coming unglued. Our glue was never superglue. The states rights klan is weakening our joints even further. If we thought our national coalition was weak then I submit the seems are no longer holding. If the right succeeds in fracturing our society any further then we may breakup into infighting so severe that we cannot govern this nation effectively. We are nearly there now. We should have neutered Newt. Kicked Kantor and racked Ronnie.
As the saying goes, common sense isn't that common anymore. But it's also jerks in Texas trying to score political points at the expense of the Biden admin just to try to get back at Biden.
Beautiful story Robert. I applaud your excellent judgment and use of your power and influence to make things go right. The fact that you looked at the actual intentions, whether there was harm or no harm done, greatest good, etc....shows your sensitivity to the details and to what is actually important in making decisions, applying or not applying laws, and so on. You were definitely in the right place to make a difference and continue to contribute your insight and good judgement to the world. We are fortunate to have someone with such a high level of sensitivity and awareness in our lives.
You might get elected. Imagine if we started setting national and international priorities! We might actually do something instead of laurching from emergency to emergency! Lol
Then again Congress would never go along. They would always be something that got Trumped up?
As happens too often these days, this lawsuit by Texas is disingenuous. Greg Abbott wants to outdo Ron DeSantis so he has a chance at the Republican nomination when you know who flames out or (please, please) goes to jail. I suspect that Texas is like my home state of California. If they ever actually deported all undocumented people, the state would collapse. But, of couse, Trumpists who live outside the Southwest don't see that, so this bovine excrement plays well with them.
I like the idea of using common sense in government. It's not likely to catch on though.
Arguing that one doesn’t want to eject felons first is not only excruciatingly stupid on its face, even by GOP standards, but it is self-contradictory for the party of “they are just sending rapists and drug dealers”.
This is a great illustration of the Dems not even knowing that there is this thing called “controlling the narrative”. It should be all over the news at local, state, and national levels that the GOP doesn’t want the government to deport illegal immigrants who are felons as a too priority.
Well, Robert, you fully understand the role of checks and balances in our society. Republicans have exploited Americans' inherent dislike of authoritative bureaucrats who issue illogical demands that are costly and time consuming to meet. Reagan succeeded in making the country hate the government. So now, an unchecked business world has unbalanced our very democracy. Power corrupts, whether a bureaucrat or a CEO.
I’m glad you were able to prevail.
However, I’d like to scream at the unjust immigration laws that punish people who are forced to come here to escape onerous or even dangerous conditions in their home countries—conditions usually caused or contributed to by the CIA of the good ol’ U. S. of A. It’s terribly difficult to come here legally, anyway, and they’re treated like criminals. They can fear going to the doctor for serious illness or to the police to report a crime because they might get reported. I would even look closely at the immigrants with convictions of felony. Those crimes might have been long ago and they’re rehabilitated, or they could have been wrongly convicted. The U. S. in its zeal to support its greedy corporations that will cruelly exploit the people of those countries or steal their natural resources, will do all it can to unseat good, caring leaders and replace them with despots who serve the Land of So-Called Liberty, the USA. Thousands die in the process.
I want to yell at the bigots who intone about “the illegals” and our “open borders.” They treat immigrants like rats bringing disease and drugs. I wish I could force them to see what’s really going on, with those crying, starving babies and haggard parents. Not to mention those who die of thirst trying to cross the desert. And other ways people die. Guess what: Our borders should be open. Period. Melt ICE like one of those glaciers up north.
Well, duh! As much as we need the rule of law, if we do not bring wisdom, perspective, flexibility and most of all, our full humanity, to enforcing the law, the law rules us in an authoritarian way, rather than serves us in our efforts to live together justly and harmoniously. Then the government, as enforcer, shoots itself in the foot and deserves the disrespect that comes with that unfortunate stupidity.
Than you Professor Reich for an excellent piece. Your analogy is spot on. The sad thing is what fuels Texas is not the common good but the hatred of foreigners masked behind “following the law” to justify expressing it. We will see whether our courts see though this charade.
Brilliant analogy. So much gratitude for your heart Robert.
I fear this runs deeper than political games. The message Texas sends here is clear to me: their harsh new abortion law will also be prosecuted broadly, strictly, and without reasonable exceptions. A fascist government cannot succeed without every citizen equally fearing punishment.
As a prosecutor I made daily charging decisions and did not file every crime of technicality. In addition to limited resources, we declined cases lacking prosecutorial merit in order to avoid pissing off the juries and protect the integrity of the office. We were taught to use discretion with our power.
The age old question is whether God is a merciful ruler or whether all sins are truly equal. Texas would apparently fall into the latter category and I am daily growing more concerned. #UnderHisEye
Bravo! A great story, illustrating the value of common sense and common decency, which in fact are not nearly as common as they should be. Now let's see the same qualities applied to our penal system and stop locking up people, often for long times, for marijuana possession instead of people who commit real and serious offences, e.g. plotting insurrection against the government.
In both cases, the primary goal was to embarrass the government, not enforce the law. Would judges not understand this?
It’s good to know that little Tommy got his job back. At least some people make sense. My God! Have we always been this insane or is it that trump has brought out the insanity? We have lost our moral compass! Common sense, come to think of it, was never common. I guess this situation points up our need for leadership. Providing a positive role model is important for adults as well as children. Either I am becoming more off balance or our country is coming unglued. Our glue was never superglue. The states rights klan is weakening our joints even further. If we thought our national coalition was weak then I submit the seems are no longer holding. If the right succeeds in fracturing our society any further then we may breakup into infighting so severe that we cannot govern this nation effectively. We are nearly there now. We should have neutered Newt. Kicked Kantor and racked Ronnie.
Perfect response! Thanks, Professor!!
As the saying goes, common sense isn't that common anymore. But it's also jerks in Texas trying to score political points at the expense of the Biden admin just to try to get back at Biden.
Beautiful story Robert. I applaud your excellent judgment and use of your power and influence to make things go right. The fact that you looked at the actual intentions, whether there was harm or no harm done, greatest good, etc....shows your sensitivity to the details and to what is actually important in making decisions, applying or not applying laws, and so on. You were definitely in the right place to make a difference and continue to contribute your insight and good judgement to the world. We are fortunate to have someone with such a high level of sensitivity and awareness in our lives.
Whatever you do? Do not run for president!
You might get elected. Imagine if we started setting national and international priorities! We might actually do something instead of laurching from emergency to emergency! Lol
Then again Congress would never go along. They would always be something that got Trumped up?
As happens too often these days, this lawsuit by Texas is disingenuous. Greg Abbott wants to outdo Ron DeSantis so he has a chance at the Republican nomination when you know who flames out or (please, please) goes to jail. I suspect that Texas is like my home state of California. If they ever actually deported all undocumented people, the state would collapse. But, of couse, Trumpists who live outside the Southwest don't see that, so this bovine excrement plays well with them.