What does it all mean? Reassurance anyone?

[Bethers]

My in-laws came from Italy and while they loved the US, they still flew the Italian flag. And lived in an Italian neighborhood. We can accept the south wanting to fly the Confederate flag, but not understand immigrants who, while glad to be here, still feel affiliation with their homeland?

Most immigrants are almost forced into their own neighborhoods. It's how all the major cities had such distinct neighborhoods. And it's usually the 2nd and 3rd generations that become assimilated and out of the neighborhood.

Right now, we all need to work together harder than ever before.

[ypsi56]

Beth, could you please delete my membership to this forum.

[Acadianmom]

I imagine that a lot of people that voted for Trump weren't crazy about him but enough people were fed up with what goes on in Washington to try anything. I have a lot of faith in our country. We will survive this.

Martha

[MelissaD]

Anyone one who immigrates legally to this country with the intent to become an American citizen and live by our laws and customs, I great with open arms.

But if you wish to come here to establish Sariah Law or to reclaim lands you feel were stolen from your country, I have an issue.

I myself am a European mutt and was married to a Porto Rican. I am Gay. I served 6+ years in the US Navy. Have a culinary degree and driven semi for 20+ years. I have traveled 48 contiguous states, 9 European countries, Canada and the Panama Canal Zone that I can remember. Now you know a little of who I am.

As a gay woman I have NO DESIRE to live under Sariah Law or to practice Islam. It would be a death sentence for me. http://pamelageller.com/category/gay-under-islamic-law-sharia/ Islam is not only a religion but a political and a legal system. That is what separates from the other major religions. Personally the more I read about it, the less I want to be around it.

As for my comment about Hispanics while traveling around the southwest, I was awed when I would hear the comment that the land was really stolen from Mexico and that they should be allowed to freely cross the borders of their own lands. Mentally I went huhh? Seems many Mexicans feel we stole the land from Mexico as they were gaining their independence from Spain back in 1821. That's why some individuals felt it was correct to fly the Mexican flag over a public school in California (March 27, 2006 Montebello high school) . It was not about pride in thier heritage but about a political statement on immigration. Land they felt was theirs and they had every right to be on.

http://www.wnd.com/2002/06/14221/
https://thetruthisfreedom.wordpress.com/2010/06/30/the-us-southwest-was-stolen-from-mexicans/


I do not paint everyone with the same wide brush. Please, do not assume I do. I hope we can discuses and share different views and perspectives, as life has blessed us all with different experiences.

[Redetotry]

We seemed to be straying a bit from helping with Cudedogs original question. I appreciated Melissa's post as I think times have changed so much it is hard to compare today's world to the past, not only for immigration but for many other things that are happening in our country. For me, reading the news from other countries is important as our media so often gives a different portrayal of situations.

With all that is happening right now our minds just need to rest. May I suggest those breathing exercises I posted awhile back and to count our blessings.

[MelissaD]

I apologize, back to the original question of Social Security

SS is used as a scare tactic by politicians for votes. It would be political suicide for any politician to make drastic changes to SS. Especially anyone near the financial bottom. Cutting or reducing SS to someone of a higher income bracket may happen, a later retirement age or a higher tax rate are possible in my opinion.

This is one conservative plan to shore up Social Security. Basically stating that the middle and upper class should rely more on their 401k's than an increased SS benefit (which they receive now) to ensure the poor are better provided for. Does not sound so evil to me.

http://www.nationalreview.com/article/426546/social-security-reform-conservative-plan-andrew-g-biggs

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/aarp-conservative-social-security_us_57fbe10be4b068ecb5e0d0f3

[SoCalGalcas]

I've enjoyed these posts. We have all been civil to one another. This forum is great for that aspect. Thanks to everyone who has posted, and, keep up the interesting opinions coming. lyn

[JudyJB]

I worked and socialized in Dearborn for many years. Sharia law is very similar to Canon law that the Catholic church abides by. No one in government has suggested that the U.S. adopt Sharia or Canon law, even in Dearborn where there are 300,000 Middle Easterners. (I use that term because there are people from many parts of that part of the country and not all speak Arabic. Many, including my son's father-in-law speak Persian, and there are also middle-eastern Christians from places like Iran and Iraq.) Not even the chief of police or the town council, many of whom are Muslim or Middle Eastern Christian has ever tried to pass any laws that support the adoption of Sharia law. Sharia law is a religious concept for personal behavior not a governing concept in this country and in many others, just as is Canon law.

And when you get down to it, the dress for many conservative religions is very similar--and that includes very religious Muslims, Ultra-Orthodox Jews, and a few Christian groups. In addition, food rules for observant Jews and religious Muslims are also almost identical: kosher for Jews and halal for Muslims. You can buy both in most areas of metro Detroit.

And if you want some of the best ethnic food in the country, come to Detroit! It is one of the things I miss most while I am traveling--from kosher pastrami and real polish sausage to baba ghanoush to kabobs to shawarma and even shish towook! Also, wonderful bakeries in Dearborn with a French accent because so much of the Middle East was once part of France. Yum. Detroit has ethnic festivals on the river every weekend during the summer with wonderful food and music.

[Azusateach]

Judy, as I'm sitting in my RV at Rancho Jurupa I so very much appreciate your perspective on this.

This week in school I've had some incredibly serious, thoughtful conversations with my sixth graders concerning all the "what-ifs". And the thing I keep coming back to is the fact that the sun will set every night, rise in the morning, and we will continue to move ahead. That gives me comfort, and it gives my young charges comfort, too.

We are truly a melting pot of cultures, beliefs, and traditions in this country. Probably 30 years ago I remember reading an article (or maybe even a book -- can't remember) about the "browning" of America. And that is precisely what makes us great. No one tradition, culture, or belief has a stronghold and never will. We're just to doggone big for that to happen. Yes, there are enclaves of nationalities throughout many parts of our country, especially in major cities. LIttle Italy, Little Korea, the Fairfax District (largely Jewish), and in my neck of the woods, the largest Armenian community outside of Eastern Europe.

My prayer for this country is that we can remember that, simply put, divided we fall, but united we stand.

And as far as social security is concerned, even though I paid into it for the requisite 40 quarters, I'll probably only see 40% of what I'm entitled to because my retirement will come from California's State Teacher's Retirement System. It's a very good retirement plan, but I'm not happy that all those years I contributed to SS aren't being recognized. The teachers' lobby is working to correct this, so I'm still hopeful ... a little.

[Rufflesgurl]

Melissa - Thank you for your posts and for your service to our great country. Happy Venteran's Day to all who have served.

We need to have a peaceful transfer of power - the people have spoken through our democratic vote. Peace is so much
better than all this other stuff. If we all had hateful feelings whenever a new President comes into the White House, this country would always be in a chaotic mess. It's OK to have different opinions and the media needs to be less biased in order not to incite hateful behavior.

Linda

[Redetotry]

I did not mean to be critical in my comment as I thought the information Melissa gave was very good. I'm really sorry if it came out the wrong way.

Those of us in Illinois along with I think it is 14 other states have our SS pensions cut almost in half if we also get a pension from the state. That is another thing to be aware of if you paid into both.

[gingerK]

Regarding pensions, please be aware that pensions can be underfunded. My DH's pension will only be solvent through 2025 which is one more reason why we began taking it as soon as he could. We are still working, so we are banking his pension for the future. Although the government can and probably will take over his pension fund when it becomes insolvent, it is my understanding that we will only receive a small portion and not the amount we are now getting.

[monik7]

Regarding pensions, please be aware that pensions can be underfunded. My DH's pension will only be solvent through 2025 which is one more reason why we began taking it as soon as he could. We are still working, so we are banking his pension for the future. Although the government can and probably will take over his pension fund when it becomes insolvent, it is my understanding that we will only receive a small portion and not the amount we are now getting.

That's what happened to me when United Airlines went bankrupt in the 90s and the pension plan was taken over. My pension is from my years as a flight attendant for United to see the world after graduating from college and is paid by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC). I'm not sure how much it was reduced, but it's definitely considerably less than I would have gotten.
Sandi

[Cudedog]

We need to have a peaceful transfer of power - the people have spoken through our democratic vote. Peace is so much better than all this other stuff. If we all had hateful feelings whenever a new President comes into the White House, this country would always be in a chaotic mess. It's OK to have different opinions and the media needs to be less biased in order not to incite hateful behavior.

Linda

The candidate of one party won the electoral vote. The candidate of the opposing party won the popular vote - i.e., won the most votes overall.

Yes, the people have spoken.

The peaceful transfer of power is of paramount importance for our republic. However, the free exercise of our Constitutional rights, particularly of those granted by the First Amendment, is critically important also.

"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." - Edmund Burke

Anne

[carolb]

I agree that these types of national policies will work themselves out through consideration, study, negotiation & voting among the governing powers. Also, I have faith that we do take care of each other while the government takes it's time hashing these things out. So I hope that offers some reassurance re pensions,ss, etc.

But, at the risk of sounding like a "fear monger," what worries me is that he has consistently exhibited a retaliatory/vengeful temperament. Without speech writers/teleprompter, his language is inflammatory when his ego is threatened. One misspoken word to or toward a foreign leader in a time of crisis or critical negotiation could throw us into major world conflict. And war these days is instantaneous with the "push of a button," suicide bombers...you all know this. Can we take a "wait & see" attitude with this?

Like it or not--do something about it or not--this is part of our "new reality."