Franks: Democrats ignore crisis they contribute to at southern border – Boston Herald
America has a lot of free stuff. Get to the United States and you will be able to have nearly everything taken care of by the U.S. government. That seems to be the prevailing wisdom held by many migrants who make the journey from Central America through Mexico to our southern border, and eventually, with our lax immigration policies, into America.
It should be noted that two of the many reasons why the Roman Empire failed is because they were unable to protect their borders and the lavish spending of its Emperor Nero, which brought on an economic recession.
Countries have borders, which they control for their own protection. Most countries allow new people to enter only systematically, legally. We forget this point, or the Biden administration is not able to manage this situation.
Forget about the risk of spreading COVID-19 and the possible encroachment of drug cartels and the drug trade, the impact of which play an integral role in the carnage on our streets, many of these people could be seeking to do us harm in other ways.
Vice President Kamala Harris, the border czar, was seeking the root cause. That is as clear as asking why birds fly to get from one point to another. Answer: America gives free stuff!
Let us start with food, shelter, education and health care, including Medicaid. The Democrats, if they get their way with their Build Back Better $3.5 trillion package, would be able to hand out free community college, as well as free universal pre-K, free family leave, free child care. There would be little the U.S. government would not provide even for someone forcing their way into America. So, why not make the journey?
Who pays?
By law, some entitlements have established the means/resources to always be able to pay its recipients, at least theoretically, such as Social Security and Medicare. Other entitlements like food nutrition programs and housing assistance are far more unruly and pay out to recipients from tax revenues or tax increases from the rest of society. The latter are considered a safety net for deserving and needy Americans.
The Democrats want to increase the latter group, plus expand Medicare benefits, which could be fatal to our fiscal stability. Already we spend 62% of our budget on entitlements, 8% on servicing our nearly $29 trillion debt, and 15% on our national defense. This leaves only three nickels for all discretionary spending. Going beyond adds to the $29 trillion debt.
To say that the new programs filled with FREE STUFF will be paid for at least for X number of years is being disingenuous. It is not like Social Security or Medicare. In those programs we all contribute via our FICA and through Medicare deductions from our paychecks. Those dollars are placed in a trust account within the federal government. Those of working age help fund the respective trust accounts so those who are retired rightfully have those promised benefits.
Primary and secondary education is provided for every American as we pay for it in state and local taxes, mainly property taxes. The extension of free education for all pre-K children must also have a permanent revenue stream or else it will be added to our $29 trillion national debt.
All new programs must have a permanent source of revenue as there has never been a social entitlement program that has not become permanent.
So, the breachable border and getting FREE STUFF is where we stand today in Congress. Democrats refuse to see or address one of Americas biggest crises.
Gary Franks served three terms as U.S. representative for Connecticuts 5th District. He was the first Black Republican elected to the House in nearly 60 years and New Englands first Black member of the House. He is the host of the podcast We Speak Frankly and author of With God, For God, and For Country.
Go here to read the rest:
Franks: Democrats ignore crisis they contribute to at southern border - Boston Herald
- While Trump lashes out at Spain, US Democrats join a progressive rally in Barcelona - AP News - April 19th, 2026 [April 19th, 2026]
- Opinion | Why Democrats are failing to reach young voters like me - The Washington Post - April 19th, 2026 [April 19th, 2026]
- New Jersey election 2026: Meet the Democrats looking to flip a longtime GOP seat in Congress - WHYY - April 19th, 2026 [April 19th, 2026]
- Democrats want the full 2024 election autopsy released no matter the findings - NBC News - April 19th, 2026 [April 19th, 2026]
- Georgia Democrats try to make their move in a jumbled, low-dollar primary for governor - WABE - April 19th, 2026 [April 19th, 2026]
- Opinion | Its the 1970s Again. Democrats Should Study Up on Reagan. - The New York Times - April 19th, 2026 [April 19th, 2026]
- California Democrats are clamoring to tax the wealthy why their proposals could backfire - Local News Matters - April 19th, 2026 [April 19th, 2026]
- Democrats file articles of impeachment against Hegseth for high crimes and misdemeanors - The Guardian - April 19th, 2026 [April 19th, 2026]
- Meet the 2 Democrats running for Memphis school board election in District 8 - Daily Memphian - April 19th, 2026 [April 19th, 2026]
- Whitmer outlines plans for end of term in farewell address to Michigan Democrats - MLive.com - April 19th, 2026 [April 19th, 2026]
- Senate Democrats raise alarm over Kevin Warshs $100mn of undisclosed assets - Financial Times - April 19th, 2026 [April 19th, 2026]
- Democrats Warned Not to Upset Multi-Million Dollar AI Lobbyists, Even Though It'd Be a Slam Dunk With Voters - Futurism - April 19th, 2026 [April 19th, 2026]
- While Trump lashes out at Spain, US Democrats join a progressive rally in Barcelona - The Killeen Daily Herald - April 19th, 2026 [April 19th, 2026]
- While Trump lashes out at Spain, US Democrats join a progressive rally in Barcelona - The Bakersfield Californian - April 19th, 2026 [April 19th, 2026]
- The GOP has a transgender fixation, and Democrats arent helping - Baptist News Global - April 10th, 2026 [April 10th, 2026]
- "That's not the fight right now": Democrats shut down talk of impeaching Trump this year - Axios - April 10th, 2026 [April 10th, 2026]
- Democrats tackle outside groups flooding their primaries with campaign cash - Boston Herald - April 10th, 2026 [April 10th, 2026]
- Democrats in US slam Pam Bondi for refusing to appear for Epstein hearing - Al Jazeera - April 10th, 2026 [April 10th, 2026]
- Pa. election 2026: Meet Bob Harvie and Lucia Simonelli, the Democrats fighting to unseat Brian Fitzpatrick in Congress - WHYY - April 10th, 2026 [April 10th, 2026]
- Just How Big Could Democrats Win In 2026? - The Nation - April 10th, 2026 [April 10th, 2026]
- Oversight Democrats call for Melania Trump to testify on Epstein - The Hill - April 10th, 2026 [April 10th, 2026]
- Democrats Are Obsessed With the Wrong Senate Races - Politico - April 10th, 2026 [April 10th, 2026]
- Democrats push War Powers Resolution, but are they actually pro-peace? - People's World - April 10th, 2026 [April 10th, 2026]
- Democrats seek to pause Texas social studies revamp over $70K grant from conservative think tank - The Texas Tribune - April 10th, 2026 [April 10th, 2026]
- Harris, top Democrats gather in NYC for Al Sharptons annual convention - NewsNation - April 10th, 2026 [April 10th, 2026]
- Rep. Clyburn: Democrats are excited about the upcoming elections and they are engaged - MS NOW - April 10th, 2026 [April 10th, 2026]
- Leggat-Barr 28: The right has co-opted patriotism. Democrats need to reclaim it. - The Brown Daily Herald - April 10th, 2026 [April 10th, 2026]
- Democrats Call for Trumps Removal Over Threat to End Whole Civilization - The New York Times - April 10th, 2026 [April 10th, 2026]
- The People Braying for Democrats to Do Something to Stop Trumps War Have All of This Completely Backward - Slate Magazine - April 10th, 2026 [April 10th, 2026]
- Democrats ask congress to reign in military action - KTVB - April 10th, 2026 [April 10th, 2026]
- Democrats are Sticking with Embattled ActBlue But Exploring Other Fundraising Options - NOTUS - April 10th, 2026 [April 10th, 2026]
- Democrats tackle outside groups flooding their primaries with campaign cash - AP News - April 10th, 2026 [April 10th, 2026]
- Democrats grow bolder on talk about removing Trump from office after his Iran threats - AP News - April 10th, 2026 [April 10th, 2026]
- What It Would Take for Democrats to Win the Senate - Bloomberg - April 10th, 2026 [April 10th, 2026]
- Denvers mayor, Rep. Jason Crow head to New Orleans to pitch Democrats on city as 2028 convention host - The Denver Post - April 10th, 2026 [April 10th, 2026]
- Unity tested: Democrats face off over Israel and AIPAC dark money during DNC meeting - Fox News - April 10th, 2026 [April 10th, 2026]
- House Republicans quash Democrats' long-shot attempt to hamstring Trump on Iran - Axios - April 10th, 2026 [April 10th, 2026]
- HARSANYI: Everyone knows what the Democrats AIPAC obsession is really about - The North State Journal - April 10th, 2026 [April 10th, 2026]
- Democrats Hold Back on Impeachment Against Trump: This Is Not the Moment - La Voce di New York - April 10th, 2026 [April 10th, 2026]
- Democrats Have Found Their Answer to the Way Trump Posts Online. Its Slightly Mortifying. - Slate Magazine - April 10th, 2026 [April 10th, 2026]
- Analysis | Some voters are fleeing Trump. Will Democrats welcome them? - The Washington Post - April 10th, 2026 [April 10th, 2026]
- Democrats to try limiting Trump Iran war powers during House pro forma session - The Hill - April 10th, 2026 [April 10th, 2026]
- Elissa Slotkin is testing whether winning in Trump country is a winning message for Democrats - CNN - April 10th, 2026 [April 10th, 2026]
- Republicans win but Democrats also claim victory with ballot box surge in Trump territory - Fox News - April 8th, 2026 [April 8th, 2026]
- Democrats lost in Marjorie Taylor Greenes old district. They still had one of their best election nights in recent memory - CNN - April 8th, 2026 [April 8th, 2026]
- Democrats keep doing better in elections since Trump returned to office - NPR - April 8th, 2026 [April 8th, 2026]
- Analysis | Democrats are using the I-word again - The Washington Post - April 8th, 2026 [April 8th, 2026]
- If Virginia votes yes, Democrats will take the lead in the national redistricting battle - Cardinal News - April 8th, 2026 [April 8th, 2026]
- Democrats just locked down control of one of the most important courts in America - vox.com - April 8th, 2026 [April 8th, 2026]
- Democrats 'lost the plot.' Now they're losing voters. | Opinion - USA Today - April 8th, 2026 [April 8th, 2026]
- Dozens of Democrats call for Trump's removal after his Iran threats - NBC News - April 8th, 2026 [April 8th, 2026]
- Democrats just posted their biggest swings of the 2026 cycle in WI and GA - Strength In Numbers | G. Elliott Morris - April 8th, 2026 [April 8th, 2026]
- At L.A. 'shadow hearing' on elections, House Democrats join experts to defend voting systems - Los Angeles Times - April 8th, 2026 [April 8th, 2026]
- Over 50 Democrats push 25th Amendment as Trump threatens to kill a whole civilization - ms.now - April 8th, 2026 [April 8th, 2026]
- Democrats to deliver response to Gov. Sanders State of the State address - KARK - April 8th, 2026 [April 8th, 2026]
- Republicans silent as Democrats call on US cabinet to oust Trump over Iran - The Guardian - April 8th, 2026 [April 8th, 2026]
- How big of a tent do Democrats want? Hasan Piker is testing the limits in Michigan's Senate primary - AP News - April 8th, 2026 [April 8th, 2026]
- Democrats Threaten Pam Bondi With Contempt After She Backs Out Of Epstein Testimony - Forbes - April 8th, 2026 [April 8th, 2026]
- Maryland Democrats cant agree on how to save you $150 a year on energy bills - thebanner.com - April 8th, 2026 [April 8th, 2026]
- Opinion: Corporate Democrats Who Refuse to Tax the Rich Are Protecting Their Donors. Vote Them Out. - citylimits.org - April 8th, 2026 [April 8th, 2026]
- Democrats accuse ICE of creating disappearances on US soil - The Guardian - April 8th, 2026 [April 8th, 2026]
- House Democrats in West Virginia call for special session to pause state's gas tax - WCHS - April 8th, 2026 [April 8th, 2026]
- Democrats build on overperformance streak in Wisconsin, Georgia elections - The Hill - April 8th, 2026 [April 8th, 2026]
- Tax cuts are the hot new idea for Democrats - NBC News - April 7th, 2026 [April 7th, 2026]
- Why California Democrats are sweating the race to replace Newsom - CNN - April 7th, 2026 [April 7th, 2026]
- Arab Americans in Michigan warn centrist Democrats attacking Hasan Piker: They havent learned from 2024 - theguardian.com - April 7th, 2026 [April 7th, 2026]
- Democrats are giddy about flipping this GOP House seat. But its harder than it looks - CalMatters - April 7th, 2026 [April 7th, 2026]
- House Democrats demand end to cruel US energy blockade after visit to Cuba - theguardian.com - April 7th, 2026 [April 7th, 2026]
- Democrats Cast the Shutdown Fight as a Win. But What Did They Actually Get? - Time Magazine - April 7th, 2026 [April 7th, 2026]
- Two Democrats file to challenge Bill G. Schuette in 95th House District race - Midland Daily News - April 7th, 2026 [April 7th, 2026]
- Democrats face an identity crisis over taxes: From the Politics Desk - NBC News - April 7th, 2026 [April 7th, 2026]
- Opinion | Enough With the Nepo Candidates, Democrats - The New York Times - April 7th, 2026 [April 7th, 2026]
- Idaho's 2026 legislative session ended and Democrats are unhappy with significant budget cuts - KTVB - April 7th, 2026 [April 7th, 2026]
- Democrats Already Have an Affordability Agenda In the Midterms - foreignpolicy.com - April 7th, 2026 [April 7th, 2026]
- Maryland Democrats hope to cut red tape and attract more businesses - wamu.org - April 7th, 2026 [April 7th, 2026]
- Opinion | For Democrats, the Era of the Girl Dad and Male Ally Is Over - The New York Times - April 7th, 2026 [April 7th, 2026]
- Democrats, Republicans Clash Over Iran War in Week 6 - The New York Times - April 7th, 2026 [April 7th, 2026]
- Two Democrats running for Ohio AG's race in the May primary - The Columbus Dispatch - April 7th, 2026 [April 7th, 2026]
- How Democrats Can Avoid Disaster in the California Governors Race - New York Magazine - April 7th, 2026 [April 7th, 2026]
- 84% of Democrats and 55% of Independents Support Impeaching Trump a Third Time - Common Dreams - April 7th, 2026 [April 7th, 2026]