I’ve heard his program on the radio, and actually caught it on TV a couple times Sorry, but when I listen to him, I laugh my ass off. People hear him once, and call in to attack him, not realizing they are putting their heads on a chopping block. If you listen to his show, and try not to think about the politics you will be entertained, but if you just focus on the opinions, too often people get upset. These people just turn into his “meat”.
Now as far as his politics:
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I remember a little quote; “I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” Affirmative action judges you based upon the color of you skin, so I disagree with this policy. This does not promote a color blind society, and in fact gets in the way of such a society.
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Closing the borders? No, this is not a great idea. I am not sure how far Savage really wants something like this to go though, because he keeps saying he is the son of an immigrant. If it is closing the borders to illegal immigrants, that is different. But blocking legal immigration is a very bad idea. Especially since this country actually makes a lot of money on foreign tourism. Not to mention how many countries pay to send their kids to American schools. Another big part of the economy. We also need to keep the different ides entering our country. It is one of the things that make America great.
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Illegal immigration is bad not only for America, but for the immigrants. Many work for illegal wages, are afraid to go to doctors because they are afraid they will be deported, and afraid to go to police for the same reason. Too often these people become nothing more then slaves. Others might be able to get fake social security cards, and get real jobs, but even then they work scared. They are not able to achieve as easily as a legal immigrants. (If anyone cares, legal immigrants tend to be more successful then natural born Americans.)
On the other side, at this time America cannot support unlimited immigration. It would be great if we could, but it just is not possible. Some people try to say that the American economy is sitting on the backs of illegals, but actually they are a drag on the economy. The only people benefiting are the people taking advantage of them.
Here are some facts I found online:
Newly released statistics from the Department of Homeland Security show:
- In 2002, the federal government located 1,062,279 deportable aliens, of whom:
97 percent had entered the country illegally;
93 percent were from Mexico;
90 percent were apprehended by the Border Patrol;
88 percent were apprehended along the southern border.
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- In 2002, 1,082,174 aliens were expelled from the U.S.;
86 percent submitted to removal without a legal battle;
14 percent were removed after a formal procedure.
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- Of those who were removed by a formal procedure:
37 percent had entered illegally;
28 percent had attempted fraudulent entry into the United States;
25 percent were criminals;
8 percent had previously been removed and were ineligible for re-entry.
New data from the federal Bureau of Prisons show that 29 percent of the federal prisoner population (or 47,570) are immigrants. This is a slight increase from 1995, when the figure was 25 percent.
(The figure would be much higher if state prisoners were counted, but current data are not available on the nativity status of those additional inmates. Less than eight percent of the country?s prison population are in federal prisons.) - End Quote.
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I believe the bilingual education does not refer to teaching of more then one language, but actually the lack of teaching English to some students because they are from another country. Many Immigrants are actually upset by this policy because not knowing English is a major block to success in this country. People are so “worried” about some students having trouble with the language they just want to make things easier. Interestingly children have the easiest time leaning any language. What should happen is to have an extra class, and/or assistance with the language and still go to the regular classes, even if it means at a slower pace, or even later date.
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A health test. Not a bad idea. Just because we would want to keep certain diseases from coming to this country. Then again I don’t see a problem with having Americans do the same thing when returning from a visit to other countries. I know what kind of inconvenience (i.e. pain in the ass,) this might be, but having blocks to a potential pandemic is a good idea.
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Tax cuts. Too many people don’t understand economics, and taxes effect on an economy. Too often people just look at tax increases as a way to punish the rich for being rich, not realizing that the biggest reason most people are rich is because they saved their way into it, not because they make a lot of money. Most millionaires live modestly. Many of the affluent you see are actually living paycheck to paycheck. Too often people think of the rich, and think of BMW’s and big houses. But most often this is more a sign of a lot of credit then a high income. (Hilton family exempt from this statement.)
Another thing to consider is that taxes are paid by the middle class and the poor. The guy who owns 10 of the restaurants in town looks at an increase in taxes, and sees an expense. No worry because all expenses are covered by the profit column. Now your hamburger is up by a nickel, and so are the fries and the shakes.
Can’t raise prices? “Hey bob, I have to cut you down to part time.”, “Wow, this machine lets one person do the work of three, couldn’t afford it before, but now I can’t afford not to get it.” And now job hours are cut. Raises might suffer. Who is paying this tax?
- What? You are only transferred 12 times instead of thirteen? The government needs to be more efficient, and more effective. This might just be a way to say smaller government, but it’s not the only way. This should not be the focus actually, but it will be part of the effects of a smaller government. I do think that the government should try to make sure these employees have a chance at other government jobs that come available. Maybe searching through displaced government workers first. (I don’t know if they do this or not.) The biggest problem with our ever-growing government is the piss pore use of funds. If the government was not wasting money, there would be more money available for everything that really matters.
Can anyone disagree with the idea that it is bad to live on credit cards? Why should the government do it? And yes I believe Bush is doing a terrible job with the budget. I will say that if he is trying to spend his way out of a deficit, that is not such a bad thing, if done temporarily. (And technically the deficit ended a couple of years ago, but the recovery has taken forever.)
- Torts, too much sugar. Ok seriously this is an issue that needs to be addressed, but very carefully. While I agree with a reform, I don’t think that there is anyone in the government smart enough to do it right. Politics would have to be left out completely. And with how government is currently positioned, that is not possible.
Now Savage’s shtick involves talking in a way that annoys liberals. He is obviously over the top, and that has more to do with his success then anything. He is a polarizing figure, which is great for ratings, but bad for politics.
Now the single worst thing I have ever heard him say is that too much protein is bad for the kidneys.
I usually listen to something else, but often there is nothing else on. (Sorry, but I find sports that don’t involve girls in wet shirts, or tight clothing, boring.)