E-VERIFY VS MASS DEPORTATION: SHIFTING THE BLAME TO THE REAL PROBLEM -CORPORATE GREED

E-VERIFY VS MASS DEPORTATION

SHIFTING THE BLAME TO THE REAL PROBLEM

CORPORATE GREED

Ah, America. The land of opportunity, the home of the brave, and apparently, the world's most competitive game of "Guess Who?" when it comes to verifying employment eligibility. It's no secret that immigration has been a hot-button issue for years, and former President Donald Trump certainly made it one of his soapbox specials. One of his most controversial policies—mass deportation—was a major talking point during his reelection campaign. But amidst all the drama, one question has quietly loitered in the background like an uninvited guest at a party: Why isn't E-Verify being mandated for all industries that employ more than 250,000 immigrants? 

For those of you scratching your heads and wondering if "E-Verify" is the name of some new app designed to ruin your social life, let me clarify. E-Verify is a nifty little system already in place in the U.S., designed to confirm whether someone is legally eligible to work. It's free, it's quick, and frankly, it's the superhero Gotham deserves but keeps ignoring. So why isn't it being used universally? Let's dive into this bureaucratic Bermuda Triangle with a touch of wit and a dash of common sense.

What Exactly is E-Verify?

E-Verify is like the bouncer at America’s employment nightclub. It checks IDs (or, in this case, work authorization documents) to make sure everyone on the payroll is allowed to be there. Employers input information from an employee's I-9 form into the system, and voilà! E-Verify cross-references it with government records. If everything checks out, the employee gets the green light. If not, well, someone’s got some explaining to do.

The best part? It’s free. Yes, you heard that right—FREE. In a world where you can’t even get guac at Chipotle without paying extra, E-Verify costs employers absolutely nothing. It’s also almost instantaneous, which means no waiting around for weeks like you're trying to get approved for a mortgage. So why hasn’t this system been rolled out across all industries? Good question.

The Elephant in the Room: Employers

Let’s be real for a moment. Employers are not exactly tripping over themselves to adopt E-Verify. Why? Because some of them are playing a game of “don’t ask, don’t tell” when it comes to their workforce. Hiring undocumented immigrants often means cheaper labor and fewer complaints about working conditions. For these employers, using E-Verify would be like voluntarily installing a security camera in your house when you’ve been sneaking cookies from the jar at midnight.

Here’s the kicker: If we criminalized employers who fail to use E-Verify—complete with hefty fines and penalties—it might actually make a dent in illegal immigration. Think about it: If there were no jobs available for undocumented workers, many wouldn’t risk the perilous journey to come here in the first place. No jobs, no incentive. It’s Economics 101 with a side of common sense.

But Wait—Won’t That Hurt Immigrants?

Let’s address the inevitable counterargument: “People just want to work!” And you know what? That’s true. Most immigrants—documented or otherwise—aren’t coming to the U.S. to start underground fight clubs or steal your Netflix password. They’re coming here to work hard and build better lives for themselves and their families. But here’s the thing: If we really want to address illegal immigration, we have to tackle it at its root cause—opportunity.

By mandating E-Verify across industries, we’re not targeting immigrants; we’re targeting employers who exploit them. It’s like putting out a “No Vacancy” sign at a hotel. If there’s no room at the inn (or in this case, no job opportunities), fewer people will show up looking for one. It’s not about punishing hardworking individuals; it’s about holding employers accountable.

The Politics of Procrastination

Of course, implementing E-Verify on a national scale isn’t as simple as flipping a switch. There’s red tape, political gridlock, and plenty of finger-pointing to go around. Some argue that mandating E-Verify would be too burdensome for small businesses or that it could lead to discrimination during the hiring process. Others claim that the system isn’t foolproof and could result in false negatives for eligible workers.

But let’s not throw the baby out with the bathwater here. No system is perfect—just ask anyone who’s ever tried to use self-checkout at Walmart. The key is to improve and refine E-Verify, not abandon it altogether. If we can send people to space and create AI that writes mediocre poetry (looking at you, ChatGPT), surely we can figure out how to make E-Verify work for everyone.

 The Bigger Picture

At the end of the day, immigration is a complex issue with no easy solutions. But one thing is clear: We can’t keep kicking this can down the road forever. Mandating E-Verify for all industries that employ more than 250,000 immigrants would be a step in the right direction—a way to ensure that employers are playing by the rules and that job opportunities are reserved for those who are legally eligible to work.

It’s time for America to stop treating immigration like a political football and start addressing it with practical solutions. E-Verify might not be a silver bullet, but it’s certainly better than doing nothing while we argue about walls and deportations.

So here’s my challenge to lawmakers: Stop procrastinating and start mandating. Because if we can’t even agree on something as straightforward as using a free system to verify employment eligibility, how are we ever going to tackle the bigger issues? It’s time to put E-Verify in the spotlight where it belongs—before we all end up on an episode of “America’s Got Problems.”

Which US industries employ the most immigrant workers? https://usafacts.org/articles/which-industries-employ-the-most-immigrant-workers/#:~:text=native%2Dborn%20workers.-,Which%20industries%20employ%20the%20most%20immigrant%20workers?,%2Dborn%20workers%20(0.36%25).

 E-Verify https://www.e-verify.gov/ 

Understanding E-Verify | Study in the States https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/students/work/understanding-e-verify 

What is E-Verify and How Does It Work? https://www.techtarget.com/whatis/definition/E-Verify via @EyeOnTech_TT. 

THE ART OF SAY THE RIGHT THING: PETE HEGSETH'S MOMENT OF TRUTH (OR NOT)

THE ART OF SAY THE RIGHT THING

PETE HEGSETH'S MOMENT OF TRUTH (OR NOT)

Ah, politics. That delightful realm where words are weapons, truth is optional, and consistency is a quaint relic of a bygone era. Enter Pete Hegseth, Trump’s Defense Secretary nominee, who recently delivered a statement so perfectly crafted for the moment that you could almost hear the applause from political strategists everywhere. “Women are great in the military and in combat,” he declared, with the confidence of someone who had never, ever said anything remotely contradictory before. Spoiler alert: there’s a video.

Yes, there exists a clip of Hegseth saying, with all the subtlety of a bullhorn at a silent retreat, that women “suck” in the military and don’t contribute to the overall lethality of our forces. But hey, why let a little thing like recorded evidence stand in the way of a good soundbite? After all, in politics, what you say today matters far more than what you said yesterday—or even five minutes ago.  

This is the age of political gymnastics, where flipping, twisting, and contorting one’s stance is not only accepted but celebrated as a form of performance art. And let’s be honest: nobody does it better than the MAGA crowd. They’ve turned lying into a full-blown art form, complete with sequins and jazz hands.  

Take Republican Supreme Court nominees, for instance. Remember when they all solemnly swore during their confirmation hearings that Roe v. Wade was “settled law”? They said it with such conviction that you could almost believe they meant it—until they got their robes and promptly yeeted Roe into the legal abyss. It’s like promising to babysit your neighbor’s goldfish and then frying it up for dinner.  

And then there’s the maestro himself: Donald J. Trump. The man lies so frequently and with such gusto that fact-checkers have developed carpal tunnel syndrome trying to keep up. You practically need a timestamp to figure out where he stands on any given issue. One moment he’s calling for the prosecution of the January 6th Committee; the next, he’s shrugging it off with an “Oh, well, maybe not.” He says he wants a border deal but then torpedoes it in Congress faster than you can say “Build the Wall.”  

Heather Cox Richardson—a historian who has become something of a decoder ring for modern America—recently dissected Trump’s *Meet the Press* interview on her Substack *Letters from an American*. It’s worth a read if you enjoy peeling back layers of obfuscation to find… more obfuscation. Trump managed to give answers that were simultaneously on both sides of the truth, like some kind of Schrödinger's politician. If you’re not a news junkie, you might miss the lies entirely. And if you’re a MAGA supporter? Well, chances are you’ll just ignore them or chalk them up to “Trump being Trump.”  

This brings us to the million-dollar question: what happens to democracy when its foundation is built on lies? Can a government survive when its leaders treat truth like an optional upgrade? It’s a sobering thought, but let’s not get too serious—we’re here for wit, after all.  

So let’s circle back to Pete Hegseth and his magical transformation from “women suck in combat” to “women are great in combat.” Maybe he had an epiphany. Maybe he watched 'Mulan' and was inspired. Or maybe—just maybe—he said what he needed to say to get confirmed. Call me cynical, but I’m betting on door number three. 

In the end, politics is like improv comedy: you say whatever you need to keep the audience engaged, even if it doesn’t make sense in retrospect. And if you’re really good at it, people will laugh—or cheer—even as they forget what you said five minutes ago.  

So here’s to Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump, and all the other political performers out there. May your words be as flexible as your principles and your careers as long as your list of contradictions. And may we, the audience, never stop watching the show—even if we occasionally cringe at the plot twists.

Letters from an American Heather Cox Richardson  December 9, 2024  https://open.substack.com/pub/heathercoxrichardson/p/december-9-2024?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web

 Key Republican senator reports ‘good discussions’ with Pete Hegseth  https://wapo.st/4g4mFG9 

THE HEINOUS MURDER OF THE UNITED HEALTHCARE CEO: A PRESCRIPTION OF AMERICA'S AILMENTS

 THE HEINOUS MURDER OF THE UNITED HEALTHCARE CEO

A PRESCRIPTION OF AMERICA'S AILMENTS

In a plot twist that seems ripped straight from the pages of a noir thriller, the shocking murder of the United Healthcare CEO has sent ripples through the nation. But before we dive headfirst into the abyss of conspiracy theories involving disgruntled policyholders or a rogue band of overworked nurses, let’s take a moment to examine the broader issues this tragic event underscores. Spoiler alert: it’s less about whodunit and more about what’s been brewing in the collective psyche of America.

Gun Violence: A National Epidemic with No Copay

First, let’s address the elephant in the room—or rather, the AR-15 in the room. Gun violence in the United States has reached levels that even the most dystopian sci-fi writers would deem “a bit much.” The murder of any individual, let alone a high-profile CEO, serves as yet another grim reminder that America’s gun culture is less “Second Amendment” and more “Wild West reboot.” 

We’ve got more guns than people, and while some folks are stockpiling them like they’re preparing for an alien invasion, others are left wondering if they should start wearing Kevlar to their morning coffee runs. The tragic irony? The healthcare CEO was likely more familiar with the term “copay” than “Colt .45,” yet he became another statistic in a nation grappling with its addiction to firearms.

The Healthcare System: Where Equity Goes to Die

Now, let’s pivot to the second act of this tragedy: the U.S. healthcare system. It’s no secret that our healthcare system is about as equitable as a rigged carnival game. For every patient who manages to navigate the labyrinthine maze of premiums, deductibles, and out-of-pocket costs, there are countless others left clutching their medical bills like they’re holding a losing lottery ticket.

And here’s where it gets spicy: the late CEO was at the helm of one of the largest healthcare providers in the country—a system that many argue prioritizes profits over patients. While his death is undeniably tragic, it forces us to confront an uncomfortable truth: America’s healthcare model is less about healthcare and more about wealth care. When people are choosing between insulin and rent, something’s gone terribly awry.

CEO Compensation: A Tale of Two Paychecks

Speaking of wealth, let’s talk about CEO compensation. In 2022, the average S&P 500 CEO earned 324 times more than their median employee. That’s not a typo—it’s a mathematical slap in the face to anyone earning an hourly wage. The United Healthcare CEO was no exception, pulling in tens of millions annually while many of his company’s customers struggled to afford basic medical care.

The stark disparity between executive pay and worker compensation isn’t just a numbers game; it’s a powder keg waiting to explode. When workers see their bosses raking in astronomical sums while they’re left pinching pennies, it breeds resentment. And when that resentment festers unchecked, well... let’s just say bad things happen. 

The People’s Anger: A Boiling Pot with No Lid

If there’s one thing Americans excel at, it’s getting angry. Whether it’s over gas prices, avocado toast, or the latest TikTok trend, we’re a nation perpetually on edge. But in recent years, that anger has morphed into something more potent—a simmering rage fueled by systemic inequities, political polarization, and a general sense that the deck is stacked against the average Joe (or Jane).

The murder of the United Healthcare CEO may have been an isolated act of violence, but it’s emblematic of a larger societal issue: people are fed up. They’re tired of working harder for less, tired of being ignored by those in power, and tired of feeling like pawns in a game they didn’t sign up to play. This isn’t just anger; it’s desperation dressed as fury.

Fear: The Unwanted Side Effect

And finally, we arrive at fear—the uninvited guest at America’s dinner table. Fear of gun violence. Fear of financial ruin due to medical bills. Fear of losing one’s job to automation or outsourcing. Fear that no matter how hard you try, you’ll never get ahead.

Fear is a powerful motivator, but it’s also a terrible master. It clouds judgment, fuels division, and makes us forget that we’re all in this mess together. The murder of the United Healthcare CEO has undoubtedly stoked fear among executives and employees alike, but it should also serve as a wake-up call: we can’t keep ignoring the underlying issues that drive such tragedies.

So What Now?

The heinous murder of the United Healthcare CEO is a tragedy on many levels—personal, corporate, and societal. But if we’re willing to look beyond the headlines and examine the root causes, it could also be a catalyst for change.

We need sensible gun laws that prioritize public safety over political posturing. We need a healthcare system that values human lives more than profit margins. We need fairer compensation structures that don’t make workers feel like modern-day serfs. And most importantly, we need to address the anger and fear that have become as American as apple pie.

Will any of this happen overnight? Of course not. But if there’s one thing we know about America, it’s that we have an uncanny ability to rise from our own ashes—preferably with a witty one-liner and a cup of overpriced coffee in hand.

So here’s hoping this tragic event serves as more than just fodder for true crime podcasts. Let it be a reminder that we’ve got some serious work to do—and that maybe, just maybe, we’re capable of doing it. After all, if we can put a man on the moon and invent deep-fried Oreos, surely we can fix this mess. Right?

WHERE ARE THEY NOW? GONE WITH THE ALGORITHMIC WIND

 
WHERE ARE THEY NOW? GONE WITH THE ALGORITHMIC WIND 

Ah, social media. Remember when it was the digital Wild West, a place where anyone with a keyboard and Wi-Fi could share their thoughts, dreams, and questionable cat memes? It was a time when the internet felt like a democracy of ideas—a chaotic, messy, beautiful democracy. But now? It feels more like an oligarchy with algorithms as the ruling class, picking winners and losers based on what suits their billionaire overlords. Spoiler alert: it’s not you.

Take, for example, the plight of Steven Singer, the voice behind *The Gadfly on the Wall Blog*. Once upon a time, this blog was a beacon for those who wanted to challenge the status quo. It was read by millions—yes, millions—of people who were hungry for thoughtful commentary on education and society. But today? Well, let’s just say that even the tumbleweeds have stopped rolling through. 

In its heyday, *The Gadfly on the Wall* was pulling in at least half a million readers annually. That’s not just a blog; that’s a movement. But as social media platforms evolved—or devolved, depending on how you look at it—Steven’s readership took a nosedive. In 2021, he had 222,414 hits. By 2022, that number dropped to 124,984. And this year? A paltry 73,121. To put it in perspective, that’s fewer people than the number who willingly watch infomercials about revolutionary kitchen gadgets at 3 AM.

So, what happened? Did people suddenly stop caring about education and societal issues? Did Steven lose his touch? Hardly. The culprit is the algorithm—a shadowy force that determines what you see and what gets buried under a digital mountain of avocado toast photos and TikTok dance challenges.

When social media first burst onto the scene, it was a meritocracy of ideas. The best content rose to the top because people liked it, shared it, and talked about it. But then came the algorithms. Around 2013, these mathematical gatekeepers started deciding what content deserved your attention. And guess what? They weren’t exactly impartial judges. They were programmed to prioritize whatever aligned with the financial and ideological interests of their creators—aka the tech billionaires who own these platforms.

Suddenly, your feed wasn’t filled with the diverse voices of everyday Americans. Instead, it became a curated echo chamber designed to keep you scrolling—and clicking on ads. Thoughtful blogs like *The Gadfly on the Wall* got buried because they didn’t generate enough “engagement,” which is tech-speak for “controversy and outrage.” 

And let’s not forget the Supreme Court rulings that have essentially handed over control of our communications systems to a handful of corporations. These decisions have allowed tech giants to consolidate power, making it nearly impossible for independent voices to break through the noise. It’s like trying to shout your message across a canyon while a billionaire stands next to you with a megaphone yelling about his latest rocket launch.

But wait, there’s more! Not only are algorithms suppressing thoughtful content, but they’re also amplifying hateful and divisive ideas. Why? Because fear and outrage are profitable. Nothing keeps people glued to their screens like a good old-fashioned internet brawl. So instead of fostering understanding and unity, social media has become a breeding ground for division and distrust. It’s like a digital Hunger Games, except instead of fighting for survival, we’re fighting over who gets to be right on Twitter.

The irony is almost too much to bear. Social media was supposed to connect us, to democratize information, to give everyone a voice. Instead, it has become a tool for control—a way for the powerful to shape narratives and manipulate public opinion. And blogs like *The Gadfly on the Wall* are paying the price.

Steven Singer was faced with a tough decision: Should he keep fighting the good fight, or should he hang up his keyboard and call it quits? It’s a question that many independent content creators are grappling with in this algorithm-dominated era. How do you keep going when the system seems rigged against you?

The decline of *The Gadfly on the Wall* isn’t just about one blog or one blogger. It’s a microcosm of what’s happening to independent voices everywhere. The internet was supposed to be a place where anyone could share their ideas with the world. Instead, it has become yet another arena where money and power dictate who gets heard.

So where are they now, those independent bloggers and thinkers who once thrived online? Many have been silenced by algorithms that favor clickbait over substance. Others have given up entirely, disillusioned by a system that seems designed to suppress their voices. And some are still hanging on—barely—hoping that maybe, just maybe, things will change.

Will they? Who knows? But one thing is clear: If we want to reclaim the internet as a space for genuine dialogue and diverse perspectives, we need to rethink how it’s governed. Because right now, the algorithms are winning—and we’re all losing.

So here’s to Steven Singer and all the other gadflies out there who refuse to be silenced. Keep buzzing. Keep stinging. The world needs you now more than ever—even if the algorithms don’t agree.

Could This Be Gadfly’s End? Top 12 Articles From 2023 Read By Fewer Than Ever | gadflyonthewallblog https://gadflyonthewallblog.com/2023/12/22/could-this-be-gadflys-end-top-12-articles-from-2023-read-by-fewer-than-ever/ 

MEMES THAT MADE ME LAUGH TODAY 12-8

 

MEMES THAT MADE ME LAUGH TODAY 12-8

Big Education Ape: THE FREE PRESS IS NO LONGER FREE: A TALE OF BILLIONAIRES, PAYWALLS AND ALGORITHMIC PUPPETEERS https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2024/12/the-free-press-is-no-longer-free-tale.html 

Big Education Ape: THE DOUBLE STANDARD OLYMPICS: THE HUNTER BIDEN PARDON https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2024/12/the-double-standard-olympics-hunter.html 

Big Education Ape: KASH PATEL: HE HAS RASPUTIN EYES https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2024/12/kash-patel-he-has-rasputin-eyes.html 

Big Education Ape: THE WHITE HOUSE APPRENTICE: SEASON 5, EPISODE 1 - THE TRANSITION PERIOD https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2024/12/the-white-house-apprentice-season-5.html 

Big Education Ape: ELON MUSK: THE GRINCH THAT STOLE TWITTER https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2024/12/elon-musk-grinch-that-stole-twitter.html 

Big Education Ape: ELON, WHY DID YOU KILL THE BIRD PART 2 #EDUSKY https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2024/12/elon-why-did-you-kill-bird-part-2.html 

Big Education Ape: ELON, WHY DID YOU KILL THE BIRD PART 1 https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2024/11/elon-why-did-you-kill-bird.html 

Big Education Ape: THE NEW GENERATION GAP: WIDER THAN THE OCEAN, HIGHER THAN A MOUNTAIN https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2024/11/the-new-generation-gap-wider-than-ocean.html 

Big Education Ape: WHY JOE BIDEN SHOULD ISSUE A BLANKET PARDON FOR HIS ADMINISTRATION https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2024/11/why-joe-biden-should-issue-blanket.html 

Big Education Ape: THANKSGIVING AND COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AGRICULTURE - A CORNUCOPIA OF GRATITUDE AND GREENS #EDUSKY https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2024/11/thanksgiving-and-community-supported.html 

Big Education Ape: WHY BILLIONAIRES SHOULDN'T BE IN CHARGE OF ANYTHING - EXCEPT MAYBE YACHT CLUBS #EDUSKY https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2024/11/why-billionaires-shouldnt-be-in-charge.html 

Big Education Ape: TRUMP, MCMAHON AND THE GREAT BODY SLAM OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION #EDUSKY https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2024/11/trump-mcmahon-and-great-body-slam-of-us.html