Blog @ MoreWhat.com

The Darth Vader of information technology has been very active this year. Precisely when the United States is in the midst of a national debate on critical issues, Bill Gates stands as the poster boy for what is wrong with corporate America. While spewing pleasant sounding descriptions on his version of American history mixed with less than subtle promotion of his corporate agenda, Gates again used the influence of his obscene wealth to ‘encourage’ Congress to do as he says. Here is the first excerpt from his testimony before a Senate hearing in March of this year.

Unfortunately, America’s immigration policies are driving away the world’s best and brightest precisely when we need them most. I appreciate the vital national security goals that motivate many of these policies. I am convinced, however, that we can protect our national security in ways that do less damage to our competitiveness and prosperity.

Moreover, the terrible shortfall in our visa supply for the highly skilled stems not from security concerns, but from visa policies that have not been updated in over a decade and a half. We live in a different economy now. Simply put: It makes no sense to tell well-trained, highly skilled individuals – many of whom are educated at our top colleges and
universities – that the United States does not welcome or value them.

Are you convinced that Bill Gates only has our best interests at heart? You will notice he did not mention why he prefers imported labor rather than the home grown variety. This early in the testimony Mr Gates declined to insult Americans about their abilities to compete for jobs in the tech sector. Later he expresses a ‘concern’ that Americans educated in American schools are 2nd rate but has just stated foreign-born individuals taught at the same schools are the best and the brightest. This is the less than subtle promotion Mr. Gates uses to express his desire for cheaper, more obedient and submissive foreign talent over American candidates.

You are encouraged to read the entire testimony at the link provided. Mr Gates lobbies for American business to be able to educate all the world in our schools and immediately allow the rest of the world to live and work here or else, as he warns, American business will continue to sidestep their responsibility by moving jobs offshore. Here is the most recent evidence of his lack of patience and intent to use whatever means necessary to reach his objective.

Toronto Mayor and Microsoft Canada open digital arts and technology skills centre in Jamestown, Rexdale

Rexdale Pro Tech Media Centre to offer community members skills
development through access to technology and education

MISSISSAUGA, ON, July 3 /CNW/ - Together with Toronto Mayor David Miller,
Microsoft Canada today launched the Rexdale Pro Tech Media Centre in Jamestown
- one of 13 priority neighbourhood areas identified by the City of Toronto for
focused support and investment. The Centre will provide free access to
state-of-the-art technology including digital arts and Microsoft curricula to
introduce Jamestown and Rexdale youth to potential careers in new media while
providing computer literacy skills. The Centre was made possible through joint
collaboration with community partners and by a Microsoft Community Technology
Skills (CTS) grant which includes a cash donation, software, hardware and
technical support valued at over $400,000 CDN.

The story above is one of many examples of Bill Gates and Microsoft bribing officials and communities who are quite willing to accept a deal with the devil to achieve their goals, right or wrong. The country where Gates amassed his wealth receives no ‘give back’ sentiment from the world’s wealthiest individual. His apparent true philosophy is what have you done for me lately.

Canada’s cities shortchanged and tapped out

Don Cayo, Vancouver Sun
Published: Friday, July 06, 2007
If big cities are to fulfil their potential as the principal drivers of Canada’s economy, they must go far beyond their original role as simple providers of property-related services such as street-building and repair, police and fire services, garbage collection, water and sewer services.

They also need to make themselves attractive to the new generation of knowledge-based revenue generators — those highly skilled people who can live anywhere they choose.

Thursday’s announcement that Microsoft’s first Canadian software development centre will be located in Vancouver underlines the importance of civic amenities that tip the balance when a company can locate wherever it wants.

That’s right. Cave to the power and influence of corporate greed. Nothing helps sustain the repeated use of unethical business practices more than public officials willing to abandon principle to achieve short term gains. Engaging in long term alliances that will require continued disregard for proper public policy runs counter to good government.

The latest indication of Microsoft/Bill Gates’ disinterest in the public good is featured in news related to the GPLv3 licensing and the software giant’s entrance into matters of open source. Currently this blog has no opinion on MS’s responsibility under law, if any, on matters of open source. The only point to be made is whether anyone sincerely expected Microsoft to be truly concerned about advancing the promise of open source? Offering the swamp land in Florida or the Brooklyn Bridge for sale to those who believe that is another scam that would succeed with that mentality.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Microsoft tries evading new GPL grasp

By Stephen Shankland
Fri Jul 06, 2007
Microsoft on Thursday took steps to avoid entanglement with a new version of the General Public License, the most widely used license in the free and open-source software domain.

Microsoft: ‘Your Puny GPLv3 Can’t Hold Us!’

By Terrence Russell
July 06, 2007 | 2:00:52 PM
Steve_ballmer Strange things are afoot over in Redmond. With the release of the GPLv3 last week, it’s already been suspiciously quiet over at Microsoft. Even more perplexing was the software giant’s statement yesterday regarding the GPLv3:

Linux official lines up with Microsoft against GPLv3

‘Too many owners of Linux’ to change basis of free software license
By Paul Krill
The new GNU General Public License (GPL) version 3 is not a fit for Linux because switching would require permission from the kernel’s thousands of de-facto owners, a maintainer of the SCSI portion of the kernel said on Thursday.

At the same time Microsoft released a statement that the company has no obligations under GPLv3.

Trackposted to Outside the Beltway, Perri Nelson’s Website, The Virtuous Republic, Rosemary’s Thoughts, DeMediacratic Nation, Big Dog’s Weblog, Webloggin, Stuck On Stupid, Leaning Straight Up, The Amboy Times, Cao’s Blog, Conservative Thoughts, Diary of the Mad Pigeon, third world county, Planck’s Constant, The Pink Flamingo, Dumb Ox Daily News, Right Voices, and Public Eye, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.

Opponents of Current U.S. Immigration Policies Debate the Effects of a Massive Population Surge

NEW YORK, June 22 /PRNewswire/ — According to opponents of the U.S.
immigration policy, the nation’s population could surge anywhere from 100
to 200 million people by 2050. The U.S. Census also indicates immigration
is the number one factor driving U.S. population growth, along with
fertility (births).
(See video from F.A.I.R. at:
http://media.medialink.com/WebNR.aspx?story=33560)
Under current policy, legal immigrants are allowed to sponsor relatives
for admission, who in turn can sponsor their relatives in what has been
termed “chain migration.” Many opponents of the current policies believe
Congress has not thoroughly studied the implications of massive population
growth on this scale.
For example, labor experts believe the economic impact of a population
boom on this scale would hit the lower income, working class the hardest by
resulting in an oversupply of low wage, low skilled workers. This could
potentially drive down U.S. working class wages and sometimes even displace
U.S. workers.
Many critics of current U.S. policy fear the greatest strain could be
on the healthcare system. The Federation for American Immigration Reform
estimates that half of all immigrants either don’t have insurance or
receive coverage at taxpayers’ expense. And, the Heritage Foundation
estimates that the retirement costs of granting legal status to illegal
immigrants would be $2.4 trillion dollars a year or more.
Registered journalists can access video, audio, text, graphics and
photos for free and unrestricted use at http://media.medialink.com.
06DC07-0027

SOURCE Medialink and F.A.I.R.

Making Offshore Outsourcing ‘Irrelevant’ is Goal of New Ascent Technology Center

Company’s New Approach Saves Clients Up To 70% Off Their IT Costs

PITTSBURGH, June 14 /PRNewswire/ — Ascent Systems, a leading regional
professional services firm providing business process and information
technology solutions that elevate business performance, announced today the
launch of its “Ascent Technology Center(TM) (ATC)” that cuts the total cost
of information technology projects by up to 70%. Ascent Systems is ranked
14th on the Pittsburgh Business Times’ 2006 Pittsburgh 100 list of
fastest-growing companies.
The Ascent Technology Center will provide full-spectrum technology
services to its clients and is expected to employ nearly 300 local
technology professionals when fully staffed. Ascent offers technology
consulting, custom software development, CRM/ERP/PLM systems integration,
web content management, and IT project outsourcing to clients in the
Pittsburgh region.
“We believe that, throughout the last decade and a half, the U.S. IT
services industry has not mounted an effective campaign to reduce the cost
of IT projects and has sent the work offshore rather than do it here. One
result is that the Bangalore region of India has grown their technology
industry by billions of dollars and 170,000 workers over the last few
years. So, we are launching such a campaign in Pittsburgh today,” said John
Twigg, Chief Executive Officer of Ascent. Twigg has spoken on the
detrimental effects of offshore outsourcing on radio and television
programs as well as at numerous technical and business events. He also
represents the interests of U.S. members of the Institute for Electrical
and Electronics Engineers in meetings with legislators in Washington D.C.
Jim Trotta, VP of Business Development for Ascent and previously an
alumnus of Tier-1 providers IBM, EDS, Deloitte & Touche, and Ernst & Young
added, “The goal of the Ascent Technology Center is to provide rapid and
affordable local solutions to solve our clients’ critical business issues
such as increasing sales, improving customer satisfaction, reducing costs,
and maximizing profits. Ascent has perfected its model over the last three
years and already has a 7-0 record vs. offshore firms of keeping work here
in Pittsburgh. Why not make offshore outsourcing irrelevant while
increasing the career opportunities for our local technology professionals
and students? We’ve already proven that our globally-competitive business
model works and we’ve been recognized for it by both the Pittsburgh City
Council and the Pennsylvania Senate.”
Ultimately, Twigg foresees a trend where his lower IT costs will enable
clients of any size to increase their use of technology to be more
competitive. “A 2004 Deloitte Consulting study showed that Pennsylvania
manufacturing firms lag the U.S. national average in productivity by 11%.
As many of these firms experience increasing competitive pressures over
time, they realize that information technology and process improvement are
the two important growth engines that they must have to compete — and that
only a local partner like Ascent makes these engines affordable,” he
concludes. “What we do is identify, prioritize, and execute those
improvements that bring the largest business value. Our clients are kept
close to their projects and intellectual property.
“But where the rubber really hits the road,” Twigg suggested, “is in
cost reduction. As of today, our existing clients will get an immediate
drop of 30% or more in programming costs if they aren’t on the lower rates
already. And, our consulting rates for enterprise resource planning (ERP)
systems will be close to 70% below traditional ERP providers, lowering the
total cost of implementation of such systems dramatically. So now, for
example, a small manufacturing client can have the ERP system they really
need instead of settling for just an accounting system.”
About Ascent Systems, Inc.
Ascent Systems provides strategy-driven capabilities, process
improvements, and technologies that are critical to the growth and
prosperity of its clients. By focusing on smaller, achievable technology
milestones, Ascent Systems can field new capabilities much faster and can
make the acquisition process less costly, thereby achieving expected
results on schedule and within cost. Ascent Systems proudly employs a 100%
U.S. resident work force.

For further information:
Jim Trotta
Public Relations
Ascent Systems, Inc.
412.795.4444
info@ascent-systems.com
http://www.ascent-systems.com

SOURCE Ascent Systems, Inc.

Senator John McCain’s constituents shed some light on why he favors amnesty. Maybe he is aware that he has little or no chance to be President so pandering to Arizona illegals and the greed behind them suits his political ambition.

And some are still trying to convince us that there is something noble in being an illegal immigrant. You really should read this article. If this doesn’t convince you that illegal immigration has nothing to do with altruism then you do not want to face facts.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Businesses say immigrants crucial to state’s economy

Business leaders say immigrant workers are crucial to the state’s economic viability. The hotel, restaurant, construction and agriculture industries, among other business sectors, depend on them. But no one has any reasonable idea of how many illegal immigrants are in the shadow work force.

“Most employers in the state of Arizona unknowingly are hiring people who are not legal,” said Jason LeVecke, CEO of LeVecke and Co., a Guadalupe-based family business that operates dozens of Carl’s Jr. and Pizza Patron restaurants, and two Bill’s Ghost and Spirits convenience stores, statewide

Trackposted to The Pink Flamingo, , Webloggin, Faultline USA, Jo’s Cafe, Maggie’s Notebook, and Adeline and Hazel, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.

The extreme peaceniks and others expressing less venomous opposition to the Iraq war often begin their arguments with reference to inherent characteristics of war as their central theme. Aside from the obvious death and destruction that accompanies armed conflict, they stress the loss of troops and civilians as their largest concern. But they will never accept the fact that this same expression of opposition has prolonged the war in Iraq by strengthening the determination of the enemy. In other words, opposition prolonging the war shares responsibility for the death toll that the anti-war crowd views with such disdain. How’s that for irony?

Each day that politicians seek political cover on the war in Iraq from these same anti-war critics also causes more loss of life. A prudent and practical human being regardless of ideology would sacrifice their own selfish interest in favor of the valiant contributions by those actually at risk of death. To express the realities of politics is simply more rhetoric and of little consolation to those who shoulder the real burden. If you are not now nor have ever been in Iraq, shut the hell up and get this thing done so those who are can satisfy the demands of both sides of the issue by achieving victory in Iraq and coming home that much sooner.

To a much less dramatic issue but with equal potential for serious injury to the United States is illegal immigration. The reason for addressing it at the same time as the Iraq war is the focus afforded these two issues will distract from attending to other matters until resolved. The sympathy argument for illegals is another ploy that compels politicians to seek political cover rather than face the reality that this is simply an economic or financial issue.

The open borders crowd claims that illegals are merely seeking a better life is really describing a better income. The business community’s scare tactics about economic disaster without illegals is really describing lower costs and higher profits by exploiting artificial wage competition. Trying to solve the world’s problems by eliminating border and immigration control only exacerbates the symtoms.

Not securing the borders or controlling immigration is a national security risk we cannot afford. Allowing amnesty for lawbreakers only encourages its continuation. Not enforcing existing laws is a violation of the oath of office of all or most elected and appointed officials in the executive branch. Both sides of the issue, again, can be satisfied by effective control and management of the flow of people in and out of this country. Conceding to the demands of selfish special interest is not an option. Common sense demands this issue be solved now. The guiding force should be the rule of law not the whim of personal preference.

As a personal note, if you truly believe open borders are a good thing, I suggest this. Leave all your locks unlocked 24/7 from now on. Then let us know how long it takes before you experience something really bad. It is nice to think the best of people but that does not suggest ignoring the worst. They invented security because both exist.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Congressional Democrats Negotiate With Bush Aides on Iraq

Congressional Democrats and President Bush’s aides meet again Thursday to negotiate on funding for the Iraq war.

Senators Work With White House to Craft Immigration Deal

Bipartisan group of senators and White House officials work to craft an immigration agreement.

As a result of our contacting all 100 members of the United States Senate this weekend, this post on immigration is offered. We expressed our ‘encouragement’ for Congress to do the right thing on immigration. If you cannot guess what items we urged them to properly address and solve, then there would be no point is us telling you now. That is because you would probably not agree or understand the need to protect this country by proper national defense, security, guarding of the borders and immigration control and corrective action. The following is part of our take on the privilege rather than any right to enter the United States.

Why do some people believe that every person who enters this country illegally has this country’s best interests in mind? How stupid is that? It is equally stupid to think that this is not what open borders proponents think. Why? For all the wailing and gnashing of teeth over the assumed plight of illegal immigrants, those who favor amnesty and other perks for illegals continue to claim they are only looking for a better life. And how did they come to that conclusion?

Did anyone from the open borders crowd interview all the millions of illegals in this country? Even if that had happened, how would one draw a valid conclusion on the intentions of an illegal immigrant? If a person has violated this country’s federal laws to enter this country, how do you know they won’t continue to violate this country’s laws? If a person is here illegally, they have already proven their willingness to violate the law to accomplish their objectives.

The proponents of open and uncontrolled borders continue to describe this country as a nation of immigrants as a central argument for their position. Does that mean those who immigrated here before, legally, and those who were born here from legal immigrants, are required to surrender the protection and welfare of this nation to uncontrolled borders and immigration?

If people are unable to achieve their goals as citizens of another country, does that mean the United States is responsible for solving their problems? If a citizen of another country decides to enter the US because they find their own country unsuitable, how does that show that they will be a valuable asset to this country? If they make no attempt to correct the problems in their native country, how does that translate into a criteria to admit them to this country? There is no guarantee that immigrants will be worthy citizens when they come here legally. How does the open borders crowd determine that those here illegally equal or surpass the integrity of a person worthy of the privilege? They can’t. There in lies the danger.

Slow, methodical, managed and controlled immigration is necessary for protecting and securing this country while honoring the time tested tradition of an immigrant nation. Abandoning those safeguards because some criticize the time required to enter this country legally, is all the evidence you should need to understand the fallacy of the open borders crowd. Protecting this country trumps the interest of anyone wanting to enter this country. Saying immigrants have rights greater than the need to protect this country is more evidence to deny entry. Entering this country is a privilege not a right. To demand entry as a right is the strongest reason to deny entry because the entrant or applicant has put their own interests above that of this country.

The current immigration problem needs to be corrected as well as returning this country to the condition it enjoyed before millions of illegal immigrants were allowed to enter. Then it will be necessary to manage and control immigration, as well as national defense, security and border control to accommodate the safe, fair and responsible flow of persons in and out of the country. The process requires an approach defined by the privilege of coming to the US rather than an imagined right to come here. The protection of this country and its citizens trumps all or the entire discussion is moot as it would precipitate the end of this nation. And end to this nation is NOT something a responsible citizen would recommend.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Trackposted to Perri Nelson’s Website, third world county, The Random Yak, Right Truth, stikNstein… has no mercy, The World According to Carl, DragonLady’s World, Pirate’s Cove, The Pink Flamingo, The Bullwinkle Blog, Dumb Ox Daily News, High Desert Wanderer, and Conservative Cat, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.

crossposted at Maggie’s Notebook | Conservative Blog

This is not the time to rely on elected officials to protect this country or enforce the rule of law. Congress will again take up the issue of illegal immigration. Recent reports indicate failure of Congress to pass HR4437 in 2005 was the result of a plan to appear concerned about illegal immigration while knowing the House bill would never pass in the Senate. Again, the Senate is the focal point of deciding this nation’s course on illegal immigration. This chapter on illegal immigration comes complete with typical back room deals as shown in the following article.

Senators are Working Quietly on An Immigration Reform Bill Likely to Feature a Guest Worker Program
By Michael Coleman
Albuquerque Journal
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
WASHINGTON— A bipartisan group of a dozen senators— including Pete Domenici of New Mexico— is working behind closed doors to craft a new immigration reform proposal that could have an expanded guest worker program as its centerpiece.

Senator Kyl is among a small group of Senators who would have you believe he is in favor of strict immigration enforcement. If Kyl is ‘working’ with the White House and Edward Kennedy on immigration, what are the chances that again, the results from Congress will do nothing to stop the flow of illegal immigration? This may highlight the the reluctance of Congress to admit that sanctions against employers would deport illegals by attrition.

Sen. Kyl guiding immigration reforms
DANIEL GONZALEZ AND MIKE MADDEN
The Arizona Republic
Sen. Jon Kyl is leading the Republican charge in Washington to broker a passable bipartisan immigration bill.
It is a role that would have seemed almost unfathomable a year ago, when Arizona’s other Republican senator, John McCain, was controlling the reins and Kyl was backing a rigid approach to reform.
But, for the past few months, Kyl has been working closely with the White House and Sen. Edward Kennedy, the Democrats’ main point man on immigration reform, to come up with a bill that will pass muster with immigration hard-liners and those who favor a temporary-worker program and a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants.
Kyl’s emergence as the key Republican negotiator on immigration reform at a time when Democrats control Congress seems out of step with the enforcement-first approach he took last year. But his clout among conservatives is precisely why he is leading the charge.

Another example of a contradiction in support of immigration enforcement comes from Senator Jeff Sessions. Requiring illegals to return home before re-entering the US legally can be circumvented by a guest worker program as is part of the problem with illegal immigration now. If you do not enforce laws, having them is of little significance. Perhaps Ms Sessions is relying on the public’s short memory. He may think if they pass something that sounds tough and is rendered useless over time, political success will be in hand. It is not like that hasn’t worked before. Immigration laws passed in 1986 and later, as well as all immigration laws, have been ignored for years.

Sessions supports immigration plan
Friday, May 11, 2007
By SEAN REILLY
WASHINGTON — With lawmakers again squaring off over changes to the nation’s immigration laws, U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions on Thursday tentatively backed a blueprint that calls for millions of illegal immigrants to return home while urging creation of a tightly structured temporary worker program.

To those who believe in open borders or allowing illegal immigrants to remain in this country, the following article will probably fall on deaf ears. For the reality impaired, a reminder that not all who cross the border are innocent and without effective control of immigration, reducing the number of threats crossing the border along with the honest immigrants is futile.

Senate Urged to Rethink Immigration Bill After NJ Arrests
By Susan Jones
CNSNews.com Senior Editor
May 09, 2007
(CNSNews.com) - The arrest of six foreign-born Muslims accused of plotting to attack Fort Dix, N.J., should stop the Senate from producing an immigration bill that includes a “pathway to citizenship” or any other let-them-stay-here program, said a group that strongly opposes “amnesty” for illegal aliens.

Another reminder of the practical side for all in favor of uncontrolled immigration is displayed in the following link. Most of what immigration is about is not the altruistic motive of freedom and democracy. The United States and the lax enforcement of law or liberal policies on immigration provide financial opportunity for all involved. While life long citizens continue to take things in stride and for granted, newer arrivals are actively supporting agendas that will affect this country’s future in alarming ways. As at risk as this country is from lack of national security, those alarming changes are already here.

Coveted Hispanic vote is state’s sleeping giant
Ray Hagar (RHAGAR@RGJ.COM)
RENO GAZETTE-JOURNAL
May 9, 2007
Elvira Diaz, owner of the Sierra Bakery in Carson City, admires the spirit of the people who marched for immigration reform on May 1 for the past two years.
Yet Diaz, who actively supports Democratic U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton for president, is clear in her message for other Hispanics: If the Hispanic community wants to be a force in Nevada politics, they can’t just march, they also must vote.
“Many of the Hispanics who are here have come from Mexico or other Latin American countries,” Diaz said. “There, the (political) system doesn’t work as good as it does here. It is really important to register to vote and participate in the system. They need to see that the system works, and that will motivate them.”

The Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), the Coalition Against Illegal Immigration, Blogs for Borders, Americans for Legal Immigration (ALIPAC) are a few of the organizations formed to oppose the problems of illegal immigration and a return to sensible legal immigration. And there are representatives at all levels of government who express their concerns over the danger of illegal immigration as shown below.

Enforcement of law, not amnesty, needed for illegal immigration
May. 10, 2007 01:49 PM
I am disgusted by Congressman Jeff Flake and Luis Gutierrez’s betrayal to America and their constituents by proposing the Security Through Regularized and a Vibrant Economy Act - in other words, “cheap labor.”

Will the voices opposed to illegal immigration and lax security and enforcement be enough to protect this country? Most arguments in favor of open borders, increased visa quotas, guest worker programs are centered around the proponents’ economic ambitions. Money is central to this issue as it is in most others. Corporate interests increase their profits with cheaper labor. Illegal immigrants increase their options for generating income, legal and illegal. Businesses see profit in a new market of illegals. Politicians see votes and lobbyist money. Taxpayers see another drain on public money. The cost of illegal immigration is shouldered by the public while the profits of illegal immigration are distributed among its proponents.

Taking open borders to its extreme would imply that this country, or any country, has the ability to absorb an unlimited number of immigrants without any adverse effects. Taking immigration control to its extreme would imply closed borders are the solution. Neither case is sensible and the solution remains in between the extremes. It is however possible to return to where the country was before allowing illegal immigration to advance to its present condition. Secured borders, effective immigration control, no amnesty or visa increase or guest worker program with severe employer sanctions for violations would restore this country’s national security. At that point, sensible adjustments to address any deficiencies in the system could be considered. To do anything less is irresponsible. The demand for immigration should not dictate security policy for this nation.

Lax immigration enforcement only makes this country a bigger target. Ignoring security for financial gain implies that once again, this country is for sale. We can recover from errors to the side of caution. We may not recover from errors in the opposite direction.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

How long have we been saying this? The Dems touted their big deal agenda and how fast they would complete it. There is still only the one single 100 hour agenda item that has been enacted into law. Although that exceeds the success on all the others, if nothing improves with the House Page Board it is meaningless also.

The 9/11 Recommendations, Minimum Wage, Prescription Drug Pricing, Student Loan Relief, Energy Alternatives are all languishing in committee. There answer to expedite the end of the Iraq war is surrender. The only noticeable part of their agenda is ratcheting up the frenzy of their left fringe. Divisive and polarizing political stunts are all they came equipped with. They placed all their eggs in one basket banking on a larger majority and the White House in 2008. I wouldn’t start placing bets right now.

C Harris
MoreWhat.com

Democrats’ Momentum Is Stalling

In the heady opening weeks of the 110th Congress, the Democrats’ domestic agenda appeared to be flying through the Capitol: Homeland security upgrades, a higher minimum wage and student loan interest rate cuts all passed with overwhelming bipartisan support.

There is much talk of how illegal immigrants violate immigration law. There is not much talk about how others help them other than employers hiring illegal aliens. Not long ago there was a report on how Bank America was extending credit to illegals by issuing credit cards. The new President of Mexico recently reported he has relatives who are in the United States illegally. But the story below from about two years ago, indicates that the major support for illegal immigration comes from American business. As if that would be a big surprise.

It is not about altruism, looking for a better life or anyone yearning to be free. It is simply the pursuit of the almighty dollar whether you are an illegal immigrant or anyone who has no problem with the national security risk or economic burden it may place on others. Never mind the poor bastards waiting their turn to enter legally. Somehow moral, legal or fair no longer matters to a large number of people residing in the United States of America.

C. Harris
MoreWhat.com

Embracing Illegals

Companies are getting hooked on the buying power of 11 million undocumented immigrants
Business Week Online
JULY 18, 2005
….Inez and Antonio aren’t your typical American consumers. They’re undocumented immigrants who live and work in the U.S. illegally. When the couple, along with Esmeralda, crossed the Mexican border five years ago, they had little money, no jobs, and lacked basic documents such as Social Security numbers. Guided by friends and family, the couple soon discovered how to navigate the increasingly above-ground world of illegal residency.

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Welcome to Blog @ MoreWhat.com’s Open Trackback

Secure the Borders Linkfest

This is an open trackback linkfest. The Secure the Borders theme is held over another day. We have no reason to think it is necessary to provide any disclaimers, warranties, discounts or warnings. If you have any suggestions, criticisms, questions or just feel the need to communicate, trackback or let us know in the comments. Please donate a minute of your time for the QotD, you can answer the question of the day in the comments section.

Stanford Matthews and C. Harris
MoreWhat.com

JIHAD stands for Jesus I Have A Deathwish.
.
.

Question of the Day:Who complained to a Federal District Judge about deportee treatment in two Texas locations leading to the UN getting involved?

(you can post your answer in comments)

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As the second report on our latest collection on posts at The Hill’s Congress Blog, freshman Congressman Gus Bilirakis emerges as a bit of a mystery. This is going to take more than one look to draw any reasonable conclusions about this Congressman.

Besides being an attorney and having a degree in political science, he was elected in the last midterm election which is when the Dems became the current majority party in Congress. He followed a common path to the US Congress through county and state government positions and was the chair of a county campaign of Dole for President in 1996, so he can’t be all bad. Before being a staff member for a Congressman, he was an intern for President Reagan.

He seems well connected to his cultural heritage as well as being involved in politics over a long period of time. One could make the argument that it is a resume’ of a career politician but an equally legitimate argument could describe a dedicated public servant. That is why more digging will be necessary to find the answers.

In terms of his recent post at Congress Blog, how could anyone fault giving those in military service a modest increase in pay? But the more important question asks if this is the best way to resolve inequities in military pay and other desperately needed solutions to many matters and concerns regarding those who serve their country through military service?

Giving the Military a Much Deserved Raise

(Rep. Gus Bilirakis)
April 27th, 2007

Since 1971, when our nation’s military became an all volunteer force, a law was enacted that required military pay rates to be “reasonably comparable” to those in the private sector with similar skills, education, and experience. Unfortunately, due to budgetary constraints over the years, the military’s pay increase has not always met this criteria and a “pay gap” was created. This gap is not only unfair to our brave men and women in uniform, it also has raised retention and readiness concerns.

Rep Bilirakis has other measures introduced to address problems faced by military service members and veterans. That seems to indicate his concern is not a fluke or attempt to buy a positive public image. These measures could easily die in committee or just quietly fade away. And his brief voting record only serves to raise more questions that need to be answered. Opposing stem cell research is not a big leap for a Republican. But raising the minimum wage and accepting the 9/11 Commission recommendations might raise more questions.

At least for now, GOP Rep Gus Bilirakis gives the impression he may be one of the good guys. More on this later after collecting more data.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Mexicans Doubtful of U.S. Immigration Bill

Angus Reid Global Monitor : Polls & Research
April 18, 2007
In May 2006, Bush addressed the nation to discuss his immigration proposals. Bush outlined five clear objectives: securing the borders, creating a temporary worker program, holding employers to account for the workers they hire, allowing illegal immigrants “who have roots” in the country to apply for citizenship, and helping newcomers assimilate into American society.

Another problem with immigration enforcement presents the same difficulty in other matters of national security. President Bush’s obvious intent to protect corporate interests by maintaining access to foreign labor directly impacts the American labor force. And it makes a farce of the argument for higher skilled labor in contrast with the trends of hiring illegal immigrants. You can’t have it both ways and make a compelling argument for his position.

Employers claim they need illegal immigrants because they can’t afford American workers and still compete. Few can survive on the wages offered by businesses that claim illegals are needed to do the jobs Americans won’t. To that claim should be said a flawed business model may be the real culprit. If you cannot make a go of it without paying substandard wages, it could be your business plan is junk. Other businesses echo the proposal made by the richest man in the world, Bill Gates, that they need higher skilled workers to have an edge (and bigger profit) in the high tech sector. If American education is so outstanding then why is there a shortage of high skilled workers?

How can you argue that you need higher skilled workers on the one hand, and on the other claim illegal immigrants are doing the jobs Americans won’t do. If American workers can’t do the high skilled jobs or the low skilled jobs then from what do they generate an income? Does anyone remember when there were massive layoffs at NASA and an incredible number of people with graduate degrees AND highly skilled resumes were operating taxicabs or waiting on tables rather than the scientific and other technical jobs for which they were educated and trained? Ya, keep trying to convince us that there are jobs Americans won’t do.

C. Harris
MoreWhat.com

test unrelated to this post 

Amid all the statements from the open borders crowd about jobs Americans won’t do is this post highlighting an example of what jobs corporate America won’t let Americans do. One of the reports from below, of course, from a news source for India, indicates Citi Group may move 9500 jobs to India. If true, will they be changing the company name to Dehli Group? They are not the first or only corporation to move American jobs offshore. And part of the reason for this post is to help all those who ran the page hits up on our other Citi Group layoff posts. I must say it seems a little peculiar to stop here for your Citi Group news, but hey, it’s fine by us.

Maybe the second report below is how the whole layoff rumor got started. The last time we posted on this story a visit to the corporate website found no press releases on layoffs. But there was a vast amount of PR items on all the things Citi Group is doing for their offshore employees and how well their offshore customers like them. That just warms our hearts. But the source for the second report caused a few chuckles here (World Socialist Web Site).

But if Newsday is publishing a report on how hard NYC is being hit by this news, someone should call Hillary Rodham Clinton so she can change into her cape and tights before coming to the rescue. She’ll save us. No big bad corporation will get away with this if Hillary Rodham Clinton finds out. Well unless they are contributing to her campaign. I suppose that would be bad manners to take money from a corporation and then turn around and give them grief over a few lousy jobs. Besides, those laid off can get hired for one of those new high skilled jobs they were talking about. Ya, that’s the ticket.

But the last report below has to take the cake. Who was the bright one at Bank Net that came up with that headline. If the employees are still in the dark about the layoffs then how come the quote in the excerpt has an employee stating seeing it in the news but heard nothing from the company? That’s not being in the dark. That is either being stiffed by the employer or they are not required to state their intentions yet. Or perhaps no layoffs but we doubt it.

Well there you are folks. Our little contribution to informing the public with information that is widely available on the internet and elsewhere. But because the traffic log shows this topic as popular, we can’t resist posting again on a slow day. As a bonus it provides an excuse to harrass American-based corporations (soon to be relocated) and one of our favorite targets Hillary Rodham Clinton who will save us all.

C. Harris
MoreWhat.com

Massive job cuts at Citigroup

Jamaica Observer, Jamaica - Apr 12, 2007
“Ultimately these changes will streamline Citi and make us leaner, more efficient, and better able to take advantage of high revenue opportunities,” said …

Banking giant Citigroup to cut 17000 jobs

World Socialist Web Site

Citi may shift 9500 jobs to India

Daily News & Analysis

Citi job cuts to hit NYC hard

Newsday

Citigroup Employees Still in Dark on Layoffs

BankNet 360, NY - Apr 12, 2007
“I haven’t heard anything so far, just seen the news,” said a banker in the Manhattan office of Citi’s asset-backed securities department, who added he was …

Another disturbing employment report regarding the plans of Citigroup. It is disturbing in light of people like Bill Gates trying to make the case for large or unlimited increases in visa quotas to a Congress all to eager to listen. All the financial news that speaks to economic growth and job creation must be forgetting headlines like the following. While Citigroup hosts bring your children to work day in Pakistan they may be telling kids in America to bring their parents to the unemployment line. All the while publishing business specific press releases on expansion all over the world.

Citigroup To Layoff Thousands Of Employees

03/26/2007 07:34pm
HAGERSTOWN, MD - Citigroup announced Monday it’s planning to lay off thousands of people around the world; it’s also one of the largest employers in the region.
The financial services company plans to get rid of as many as 15,000 high cost jobs. It’s part of a plan to change the focus outside of the United States.

Citigroup to speed up China expansion

March 28 2007: 9:23 PM EDT
After winning permission to incorporate as a local bank in China, CEO Prince predicts 30 outlets by year-end; declines to confirm layoff rumors, possible ABN AMRO bid.
BEIJING (Reuters) — Citigroup Inc. plans to double its number of outlets in China this year to more than 30, Chairman and Chief Executive Charles Prince said on Thursday.

On March 26th NBC 25 reports a Citigroup announcement to layoff 15,000 around the world. Two days later Citigroup is denying the ‘rumor’ that NBC reported. Either NBC 25 got it wrong or Citigroup’s right hand doesn’t know what the left hand is doing. Yet there are big expansion plans for China and elsewhere outside the US. So, do you suppose those 15,000 ‘high cost’ jobs are here or overseas?

It is any wonder why people get very annoyed over immigration, visas and outsourcing? It is really rather simple. What is the easiest way to lower costs? Overpay top executives if they are willing to slash jobs for American workers and replace them with cheaper offshore or imported workers who are less likely to complain based on the tentative nature of their employment. Politicians, lobbyists and corporate executives are not your best friend. That is of course, unless you belong to the corrupt trio.

C. Harris
MoreWhat.com

Yes, we need more visas for the really high skilled workers from other countries. Yes, the economy is still expanding. Yes, the economy is creating jobs. Yes, yes, yes goes the spin. This nation spends massive amounts on education. The performance measure for those expenditures are pathetic. This nation spends massive amounts on healthcare. There are nearly 50 million uninsured citizens. In every facet of American life the spin doctors author optimistic evaluations. Hard to put more lipstick on this pig while you collect your 26 weeks of unemployment.
It is not a matter of what jobs Americans won’t do, but what jobs Americans are not allowed to do.

C. Harris
MoreWhat.com

Circuit City to Cut More Than 3,500 Jobs

NEW YORK (AP) — A new plan for layoffs at Circuit City is openly targeting better-paid workers, risking a public backlash by implying that its wages are as subject to discounts as its flat-screen TVs….