Why Not Deportation?!

The Yakima Herald Republic ran an article on Joseph Anderson Evans Sr., aka Roman Ceniceros-Mora, stating this Mexican national had been lying and cheating our system for 20 years and finally been caught and convicted.  But what is the punishment?  Eight years in prison, three years probation, and $155,000 restitution payment.

But nowhere is there any mention of this illegal alien being deported.  Why?!

For me, the key here is 'probation'.  A deported person couldn't be on probation.  We are going to allow an illegal alien... not just an illegal alien, but a illegal alien with additional convictions of fraud, stay after his sentence to be on probation?

And what were the exact crimes? 

• Social Security fraud
• 20 counts of Food Stamp fraud
• Illegally receiving $128,000 in disability assistance
• Illegally receiving $27,000 in state medical aid and food assistance.
• False claims of U.S. Citizenship
• Making a false statement on a Passport application.

But it gets better.  Roman had been previously convicted for sneaking into the U.S. and committing other immigration violations throughout the 70s and 80s.  This guy applied for a Social Security card just one week after federal authorities had deported him in 1990.

And the icing on the cake:  He claimed to be a disabled Marine who saw combat in Vietnam and was awarded a Purple Heart.

So maybe a future deportation was just overlooked and/or omitted from the article.  Let's hope so!

But another item that should really concern people is the amount of abuse this illegal alien piled on our social services system.  THIS is a PROBLEM!  This is why we need to stop illegal immigration AND require proof of citizenship before allowing ANYONE to receive a social service.

U.S. Postal Service - Example of How to Run a Business Into the Ground

The Postal Service's current plan is to slow down the delivery time of mail in order to save money.  I guess the idea is that with fewer processing centers and post offices, it will take longer to get mail from point A to point B. 

Wow, what a BAD idea!

In this day and age of improving processes and quicker communication systems, publicly stating you are going to be doing things (delivering mail) badly, is hardly a way to entice customers.

Yes, the amount of mail (letters and other flat pieces) being sent is down with the advent of e-mail, social media, texting and etc.  But while this type of mail may be waining, more and more people are using the internet for buying, which means a lot of delivering of packages is going on.  More now than ever.

But the U.S. Postal Service isn't necessarily benefiting from this.  It's amazing how many packages I received from UPS and Federal Express.  Now, when I mail packages, I know that typically, the U.S. Postal Service is usually cheapest, or about the same as UPS.  So why do other businesses bypass the Postal Service when they mail?  Obviously the overall process of dealing with UPS or Federal Express is better for them.

So the U.S. Postal Service is headed in the wrong direction.  Eliminating Saturday mail delivery... another plan in the works... along with slowing delivery times down... is only going to further send customers to other sources.  (I expect UPS and Federal Express to gain business from this action.)

My suggestion?  Improve efficiencies, deal with the labor unions, and make modest increases in postal rates.  (They can raise rates some and still be under the competition.  And a rate increase is in the future anyway, but it is only a penny on First Class mail.)

In the end, this is just another example of why governments should not be in business.  With more than a 100 year head start, the U.S. Postal Service is losing ground to the likes of UPS and Federal Express.  Why?  Because the private sector has to succeed or go out of business.  The government can keep a failing business going for years by infusing money or other benefits.  (Note the U.S. Postal Service hasn't received taxpayer money in many years, but also note they are nearly bankrupt and can't meet their pension commitments.)

Christmas Lights - Just Because You Can Doesn't Mean You Should

I like a festive light display.  In fact, I aspire to some of the fantastic displays posted on YouTube and ones I've seen on HGTV specials. 

When we lived in New Hampshire, I put together a pretty nice display.  It grew more each year.  When we moved to Selah, I started out small again, but each year it grew.  We then moved again in Selah, and it is taking me awhile to get back in the groove, but again, I'm building some each year.  (Electrical capacity and receptacle location are important and slowing me down...)

But as I drive around, I see some real disasters when it comes to Christmas light displays.

Take a little pride!

First, if you live in the country and people can see your house from all sides, you should be lighting all sides.  Yes, it is more work, but looks so much nicer!  (I have to go all the way around our house for that reason.)

Second, string your lights in such a way that you don't have areas unlit (that should be lit) or a tail of lights a few feet long that are just hanging there (as you reach towards a receptacle).  A little bit of planning can fix these issues and makes the display look so much more professional.  (Versus that LAZY look!)  A couple of tricks I use is to either splice in part of a second line to make the reach, or to remove bulbs if the line is too long.  (Due to built in fuses and the need for a certain amount of resistance in the line, these mods may require some trial and error.)  You can also cover small bulbs with electrical tape, especially the new LED bulbs that don't get hot.

I like LOTS of lights.  But just because you own a 100,000 twinkle lights doesn't mean you should put them all up.  Check out 'Christmas Vacation', a Chevy Chase classic, for how NOT to light your house.  But if you can add lights tastefully, like to outline roof angles, or windows, or fences, or trees, or whatever, then by all means, do it!

Lawn ornaments have become popular in recent years.  Whether it is white lighted reindeer or blow-up Santas, a person needs to be reasonable.  Too much and your yard looks like a junkyard during the day when the lights aren't on.  And keep themes in mind.  Santa shouldn't be sitting next to your Nativity scene.  (And honestly, the blow-up stuff... most is pretty hideous... probably ought to be skipped altogether!)

And for cryin' out loud, don't turn on your lights before Thanksgiving, or leave them on past January 1st.  Let's keep the season reasonable!

P.S.  Weather can dictate when you put your lights up and take them down.  Just because they are up, doesn't mean they should be on.  And don't be one of those guys who leaves them up year around, with lights hanging askew.  (People who know me might call me out on leaving the lights up since I did this past year.  I had extenuating circumstances and it won't happen again!)