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Votedrkevin

2 days ago

International Criminals Coming to Your Neighborhood

With Proposition 47 and 57 raising the threshold for a felony to $950 and re-classifying some felonies into misdemeanors, our neighborhoods have seen crime activity increase. But there is a new breed of criminal coming to your neighborhood – international burglary teams from Chile.

Sanctuary City Law (SB 54) which forbids local police from communicating with ICE plus quick bail set within 48 hours, international crime teams see an opportunity in California to commit crime and go unpunished.

The Chilean burglary teams rent a vehicle of similar style as those in the targeted neighborhood. The team pulls into the home’s driveway and knocks on the door. If no answer, the team members walk into the back yard searching for an easy entrance to the home. They burglarize it and leave with thousands of dollars of your valuables.

No neighborhood is exempt. The city considered one of the safest in the country, Thousand Oaks, has been hit by the Chilean burglary teams.

Police in the West Valley of Los Angeles arrested burglary suspects with dog bites. Upon further investigation, the men had been involved earlier in a Palmdale/Lancaster burglary and subsequent car chase. When the Chilean men ran from the vehicle, they were eventually captured with the help of K-9 who left bite marks on the suspects.

The Chilean burglary teams see California as an easy target to do crime and get away with it. If caught, bail is posted within 48 hours and released. Because of SB54 (California Values Act), ICE is not notified and cannot detain these international criminals from fleeing the country.

The international criminals know that SB54 (California Values Act) protects them from an ICE detainer. Bail set and posted within 48 hours allows the Chilean buglers to be released back into your community to continue the crime spree or go to the local airport and take the next flight home to Chile undetected because airport security do not communicate with the courts to flag the passports of those out on bail and waiting trial.

The Chilean burglary team replaced the one sent home with a new member to continue their work.

An example of public policy having unintended consequences that negatively impacts our quality of life. ... See MoreSee Less

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Votedrkevin

4 days ago

Thank Washington for Increased Student Loan Debt

As a “thank you” for their military service, veterans returning from World War II were offered a GI Bill which provided many benefits including paid education to acquire skills to begin a new life.

Compared to the boy who left for battle, the experiences of combat forged him into a very different man when he returned. Whether it be in a fox hole, cockpit of a fighter plane, the ship’s engine room, the military taught these men how to establish a goal, create a plan, and execute the plan. They learned that, at the end of the day, one has a better chance reaching the goal through hard work and teamwork. These qualities were ingrained daily into their very being.

The returning soldier, sailor and airmen, were a disciplined bunch who saw death close-up and realized the opportunity presented to them by simply surviving. They knew each had a second chance in life and took advantage of it. They were a different breed and yes, “The Greatest Generation.”

The education opportunities the GI Bill provided allowed veterans to being new careers, open businesses and raise a family.

Washington politicians saw these benefits and extended this to those seeking a college education through a Federally subsidize student loan program. If it is good for the veterans, it should be good for the high school graduate.

By most measures, the student loan program was initially successful. For many, a college education was now financially within reach for those who did not come from affluence. Students graduated college, began a career and paid back the loan over time.

Politicians said “If a little student loan money is good, then a lot of money must be better” and they increased the student loan’s maximum borrowing limit.

Typical of government policies, there are often unintended consequences. The colleges and universities raised the fees and tuition because the student can borrow more money. Professors received pay increases and pension contributions. Buildings were constructed. College presidents and chancellors received pay a professional athlete enjoys. Dorm food was no longer peanut butter and jelly but became gourmet to include sushi and other exotic foods.

Washington opened the faucet to more money by increasing the amount students can borrow and the colleges spent it. Spend they did.

The unintended consequence of a generous policy change is the student’s job prospects, if they get a job, does not pay enough to repay the loan.

Typical of Washington politicians, their policies made the mess, so the tax payers are to bail them out. Senator Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton floated the idea that student loan debt be forgiven at tax payer expense.

Perhaps the solution to the student loan debt problem is to look at the cause and then fix it.

Washington must lower the maximum amount a student can borrow. Lower it to the level when loans could be paid back relative to what a college graduate can earn. Less money a student can borrow limits the college’s and university’s fees and tuition. Less money forces the education administration to make cuts. No more sushi in the dorm cafeteria. The student gym construction is on hold. Faculty salaries and pensions are reduced. ... See MoreSee Less

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Votedrkevin

1 week ago

A Conversation With a 20 Something Year Old Woman Stuck In A Minimum Wage Job

After I finished my lunch, I sat in the restaurant and began reading my book. An employee, waiting for her shift to start, sat at a nearby table. She asked.....

Woman: What is the book you are reading.

Me: It is a book written by economist Thomas Sowell. It explains how the Housing Meltdown occurred. What college are you attending?

Woman: I am not in college. I dropped out of high school in the 11th grade. My father was in and out of jail. My mother moved us many times while in high school. Eventually she left with a boyfriend leaving my brother and me with our aunt.

Me: Have you taken your GED test to get your degree?

Woman: Not yet but it is on my list.

Me: When are you taking the GED? What are you doing to get ready for the test?

Woman: I am studying for it.

Me: Why not take the GED test now. Two things will happen. You may surprise yourself and pass it because you have attended the school of hard knocks. The other possibility is not passing but it gives you an indication about where you are weak and need to do further study.

Woman: I don’t know.

Me: Now is the time to do all the study for your career so you are not stuck in a minimum wage job. Live with your aunt and go to school to get your degree and out of this minimum wage, dead end job.

Woman: I am not living with my aunt. I am living with my boyfriend. We have a three year old child.

Me: Well, perhaps he can watch your child while you are at the community college obtaining a degree in the area you want to have a career?

Woman: He is good with our child. I am not sure about the GED exam.

Me: Next week, will stop in to check on you to see if you took the GED exam between now and then. Get it done.

Woman: No please don’t. (She begins to laugh)

By my promising to stop in to get an update, I am holding her accountable to take the GED exam. Unfortunately, she is one of the many 20 something year olds who blame their life situation on everyone else but themselves. She can change the situation but refuses to do so.

I will stop in next week and check on her progress. Perhaps it will motivate her to take the GED test - just to keep me from asking. ... See MoreSee Less

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