New Illinois Law Opens State Financial Aid to Undocumented Residents
"Illinois Law Expands State Financial Aid to All Residents, Regardless of Immigration Status
On August 15, 2025, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker signed House Bill 460 into law, effectively removing immigration status as a barrier to state-administered financial aid for higher education. The law, which takes effect on January 1, 2026, ensures that all Illinois residents, regardless of their immigration status, are eligible for state financial aid programs."
'Our state is drowning in debt, yet JB Pritzker is determined to drain even more taxpayer dollars to reward illegals,' commented Rep. Mary Miller, R-Ill.
Governor J.B. Pritzker has signed legislation expanding access to state financial aid for higher education. The law removes immigration-based restrictions, making aid available to any Illinois resident who cannot qualify for federal assistance.
Previously, state aid was restricted in ways that excluded many undocumented residents. Under the new law, eligibility extends beyond students with DACA status to include any resident who is otherwise barred from federal financial aid, such as those without legal immigration status or those ineligible for other reasons, like failing to register for the selective service.
Supporters of the law argue that it ensures equal opportunity for students who live in Illinois, regardless of their immigration background. They contend that access to education benefits the state as a whole by creating a better-prepared workforce and giving more young people a chance to contribute productively to society.
Opponents, however, argue that the change places additional strain on an already debt-burdened state budget. They believe taxpayer-funded financial aid should be prioritized for citizens and legal residents, and they question whether expanding benefits to undocumented residents could encourage further migration to Illinois.
The law represents a significant shift in the state’s approach, putting residency at the center of eligibility for aid rather than immigration status, and it is likely to remain a subject of political and public debate.
Does this make any sense at all?
What problems could occur due to this new law?
Will this law have migrants flocking to this sanctuary state?
Will this new law affect Illinois' finances?
As of the end of Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25), Illinois reported a $211 million general fund surplus, with revenues of $53.281 billion exceeding expenditures of $53.070 billion. This marked the state's sixth consecutive balanced budget. Additionally, FY25 closed with a record $54 billion in revenue, surpassing the enacted budget's projections.
budget.illinois.gov
However, projections for FY26 indicate a potential $3.2 billion deficit, primarily due to the end of federal pandemic aid and a slowing economy. To address this, Governor J.B. Pritzker's proposed FY26 budget includes measures such as a $550 million supplemental appropriations package, $100 million in fund transfers, and a $218 million projected surplus.
I can sum up my view in a few words: this is all kinds of crazy.It is truly rare, but I have to agree with your position here.
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However, the new law has also been met with criticism. Some lawmakers have argued that it represents a misallocation of taxpayer funds and prioritizes non-citizens over Illinois families facing other financial challenges.
I have problems making such provisions for people that are here illegally.Cred, I’ve looked at this issue from several angles. Initially, I felt that, given the high poverty levels in Illinois, I would rather see these funds go to residents here. Education today is extremely expensive, and many struggle to afford it. But then I considered the practical side, migrants awaiting asylum hearings could receive these benefits, only to be midway through college and then deported. In that case, investing in their education with the hope they’ll stay, work, and contribute to Illinois becomes moot. In the end, I feel strongly that Americans should be first in line for these funds, especially since so many don’t even dare to dream of going to college.
Then I thought about several other problems that could occur. One of the main concerns about extending financial aid to undocumented immigrants is that it could crowd out citizens and legal residents from receiving already limited funds. The state’s Monetary Award Program (MAP) is presently not fully funded and operates on a first-come, first-served basis, so opening eligibility to more students may mean fewer awards for citizens who are struggling to pay for college.
Also, will it be a financial strain that could be placed on Illinois, with estimates suggesting the change could cost taxpayers around $9 million annually if all newly eligible students apply? Beyond the budget, one could argue that using taxpayer dollars to fund education for undocumented individuals raises questions of fairness, particularly when so many Illinois families face poverty and rising costs themselves. It also seems in some measure to reward those who are in the country without legal authorization, which in the end undermines respect for immigration law.
I then did a look-see at the overall poverty rate: Approximately 11.6% of Illinois residents live below the poverty line, according to 2023 data.
By age group: About 15% of children under 18 and 11% of adults 65 and over are living in poverty.
By race/ethnicity: The poverty rate varies significantly:
All residents: 11.6%
Non-Hispanic Whites: 8.3%
Asians: 10.4%
Hispanics (any race): 14.1%
Black residents: a notably higher 23.0%"It also seems in some measure to reward those who are in the country without legal authorization, which in the end undermines respect for immigration law."
I see nowhere in the notes on this program that you can be here illegally and obtain funds... Have I missed something?You've missed quite a bit.
That is the main issue.
People here illegally and getting funding for college just the same as American citizens.
That is actually the theme of the thread.
I do struggle to take the left serious.What are you talking about "illegally"? What have I missed?
Source your statement.This is the entire topic of this thread.
Wow.
The Left today doesn't believe in borders
They don't believe in citizen privileges
The don't believe in meritocracy
They don't believe in Law
When you accept their beliefs... Open (border) Society... Destroy the Patriarchy... DEI (racism and sexism)... Then you can understand why they support the things they do.
The Left is a hodge podge collection of hate and insanity... That is why the youth that aren't indoctrinated in the Universities (social justice) want no part of them.
Only the the older Democrats that are fighting old demons that don't recognize what their Party has truly become... and those who support the extreme beliefs of the Left remain.Ken, I think you nailed it, and I’d add, in my view, a lot of what we’re seeing from the extreme Left really does tie back to psychological issues that have been allowed to fester and then get validated as “ideologies.” When you look at movements like radical gender theory, the obsession with tearing down institutions, or the push to frame victimhood as virtue, it often stems from unresolved resentment, identity confusion, or a deep sense of inadequacy that gets projected outward. Instead of dealing with those internal struggles in a healthy way, they channel them into anti-social movements that seek to dismantle everything that represents order, tradition, or stability.
I have come to believe that is why their positions so often contradict themselves. They demand “equity” but end up enforcing division. They preach “tolerance” but show nothing but hostility toward anyone who disagrees. That inconsistency makes sense when you realize these are not rational, balanced viewpoints; they’re emotional outlets for people struggling with resentment, envy, or anger at the world.
And you’re right about the generational divide. Younger people who aren’t swallowed up by university indoctrination see the hypocrisy and want no part of it. The older Democrats who still think they’re voting for the party of JFK or even Bill Clinton haven’t realized that today’s Left has mutated into something unrecognizable, powered less by reason and more by grievance-fueled psychology.The key has been free speech...
They arrest those that speak out in the UK ...
They make politicians that are giving voice to the people's grievance illegal/incapable of running in France...
They almost succeeded in America... They almost put Trump in jail on fraudulent NY charges... They almost got away with removing him from the ballots... They almost put a bullet in his brain.
They were able to get him out of office and do irreparable harm to America. Get us deep into WWIII anger half the world enough to have them standing in line to join BRICS...
If they hadn't hitched their wagons to dementia Joe and salad-sentence Harris... they just might have been able to pull it off.
If their leadership wasn't out of touch incompetents ...when the best they have right now is Newsom or some true anti-American types like AOC who is great at talking...but not answering questions with any depth or logic...
...but that's just it. All they have left is greedy sellouts, lunatics, and haters of America...it's past, it's nationhood, it's patriotism, it's people.
They can't win with that ...and buying all the talk show hosts and hollyweird stars can't help hide that truth from the majority of Americans.
And what has the Republican Party become? It is certainly not the party of either Bush or even Reagan or Nixon, but has since descended into a bottomless fascist rabbit hole, that would have been unrecognizable by any of the deceased Presidents, while GW Bush wants nothing to do with it.
I would say that the increase popularity and major shift of American citizens toward the Republican party is based on
Republicans believe in borders
Republicans believe in citizenship privileges
Republicans believe in meritocracy
Republicans believe in the law
This is the reason for the huge loss of voter registration for the democrats the the significant increase in voter registration for Republicans.Yes, the Trump Republican movement...
America first ... American Citizens first...
After more than a decade of Woke, DEI, LGTBQ+, Open Borders, Crimeless crimes, Defund the Police... now the Pendulum will swing...
I think that swing has only begun... what took a decade and culminated in the wonderful Biden years... we will now have a decade of pushing back on all of that, it may get more extreme than anyone imagines right now... the Pendulum has a lot of force behind it, more than a decade's worth.Maga has become either a fascist or a Marxist movement... Can't decide which one, it's really still unfolding.
So you say, but I do know that. When more reasonable people come out from the fog, they will discover the GOP for what it really is.
They have also become the party of the revival of racism and misogyny in American politics and culture, and with that I will not abide.
The Republican Party... like the Democratic Party... are not what they were either.
My big concern is that there are some really brilliant... I mean brilliant... people behind the scenes that know what they are doing all too well.
For well over a decade now we have had White Man evil messaging... if you are a white CIS man STFU and let us crap all over you and your country's history... no matter what you do, you are racist, you are evil, you were born that way.
That messaging has been going on... in our Movies... in our Universities... in a great many of our public schools. Its not just about racism... the drums of LGBTQ+ and Feminism (Marxist Feminism) have been beaten on as well as if they were performing the song "Bang the Drum All Day".
You know I am a big proponent of the Pendulum swinging... the more force put into pushing it one way means that, eventually, it is going to swing back equally hard (if not harder) the other way.
Now lets throw into that mix the fact that during the Biden years they made it very clear they were letting (flying) in millions of migrants. According to news sources many from prisons, others from 'gang' controlled 'hell holes' ... they were putting them up in five star hotels... they were firing American workers so that illegal migrants could fill those jobs at the behest of government tax breaks and federal funding... they were putting them on Social Security and handing out 10k credit cards.
What was the purpose of all this?
Was it to make Trump the most popular person in America?
Probably not.
Was it to make Americans... White Men in particular, though I feel a lot of non-white-CIS men regardless of race feel the same things... as if they were under attack? As if their lives, families, freedoms were under assault?
If you kick a bee's nest what happens?And the continued drum beat of debunked misinformation...
What white man evil messaging, for heavens sake, Ken, do you give me credit for having some knowledge of how it all works? Whites have the preponderance of wealth in this society far in excess of what would be anticipated even allowing for their current plurality. So, what do you all really whine about?
Trump and YOUR white men, have been trying to erase non-white men and women from history as to their participation in creating this nation and questioning the competence of those holding responsible positions today. If this is the prevailing message and attitude, yes, I am against those of that sort.
So do we go back to the lies of the “Man” in regards as to how he wants history written oblivious to the truth. I wont be fooled and I tell the “youngbloods” at the weekly barber shop not to be deceived either and to recognize the enemy for who he or she is.
I grew up with cowboys and Indians, John Wayne and George Washington cuts down the cherry tree. How long did it take for revisionist media of the late 1960’s and early 1970’s to start to tell a different story? Only white/conservatives relish the time when somehow the people who had their land stolen were savages and the aggressors/settlers were the heroes.
The pendulum will become a guillotine in its swing to either side, so you can expect a “hard” left response and I am proud to be part of it.
You continue to blame Biden for a problem experienced by many administrations before him. I see Trump as a gangster not in the bit restrained by either the law or decorum in his current position. I don’t trust Trump implicitly nor any of his so called solutions to anything.
The fact that you always need to delineate white man as the victim here proves that this is still a race sensitive society. Once minorities find out that Trumps so call economic miracle is phony all that would be left is the white mans resentment regarding any progress for non-whites and that will not prove advantageous for the Trump regime nor the Republican Party.
Again, nothing personal, but who would dare “poke the bear:?Cred, I hear your points, but I see it differently. Claiming “white men are erasing history” oversimplifies things. History has often been told through a filtered lens, yes, but today’s debate isn’t about erasing; it’s about telling the full story, including contributions of all Americans, without swinging to extremes.
About wealth and “white grievance”: many working-class whites don’t feel wealthy at all; they see disappearing jobs and crumbling communities, and more.. Dismissing their concerns as whining risks deepening division rather than addressing real struggles.
On Trump, I agree he’s brash and unconventional, but his agenda has offered tangible results in some cases. To call it “phony” ignores that impact.
Could framing everything as racial conflict keep us stuck? Recognizing injustice is so very crucial, but focusing only on race risks turning the pendulum into a guillotine—cutting down dialogue instead of building understanding.
I’m not excusing bad actors or policies, but painting one side as villainous and the other heroic oversimplifies a complex society we all live in.Cred, I hear your points, but I see it differently. Claiming “white men are erasing history” oversimplifies things. History has often been told through a filtered lens, yes, but today’s debate isn’t about erasing; it’s about telling the full story, including contributions of all Americans, without swinging to extremes.
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https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/his … rcna197336
How can you expunge diversity, equity and inclusion from the American story and tell it accurately? Any man or administration that does this deliberately cannot be considered any ally of mine. There is nothing extreme about that, Sharlee.
The results are tangible only to white conservative types. A yes, no one can consider Oprah poor or representative of the economic fortunes of black folks here in America. But she is obviously the exception rather than the rule. I speak of statistical averages showing the data, do I need to gather it for your perusal? I am speaking directly regarding Kens comment that somehow whites are being put upon relative to minority groups, that is the point of my comment. Who would believe that?
His approach is tangible to a select group and with what he is doing it certainly is neither me nor the ethnic group that I am identified with.
My opinion is that the racial divide is the very construct that impedes American progress and threatens its ultimate survival. It is quite real and brought front and center as part of the Trump administration.
Accepting truth and not denying unpleasant aspects is part of the healing process. There can be no progress, if the problem is whitewashed in denial. That does not work for me.
Often times, conservatives take the obvious and try to create nuances to confuse and complicate an issue that is clear as a bell for all that wants to look.I don’t disagree with you that you can’t tell the full American story without including diversity, equity, and inclusion. Those elements are part of what shaped this country, for better and for worse, and ignoring them would make the history incomplete. Where I would push back slightly is in the idea that only one side “whitewashes” or tries to deny unpleasant truths. Both sides of the political spectrum have been guilty of shaping narratives that suit their own interests, and that’s why so many Americans feel frustrated and divided.
I agree that Oprah isn’t representative of the average Black experience in America; she’s an outlier, and using outliers to define a whole group doesn’t make sense. But at the same time, it’s also worth recognizing that many minority families today are making real gains, building businesses, and moving into the middle and upper classes. That doesn’t erase systemic disparities, but it shows progress is possible and shouldn’t be ignored or overshadowed. To do so, especially when politicians or activists deliberately downplay progress, only serves the agenda of those like Rhediric who seek to create and maintain political division.
On your point about whites being “put upon,” I think that’s where perspective matters. Statistically, white households do still hold a disproportionate share of wealth, so claims of victimhood at the group level aren’t backed by the data. But many working-class whites do feel left behind, not because they are systematically oppressed, but because the political and economic shifts of the last few decades have hit them hard as well. Sometimes those grievances get lumped into racial debates when in reality, they’re rooted in class and opportunity.
I think you’re right that racial division is a threat to America’s future. But I would also argue that constantly framing everything through race can worsen that division. We need to be honest about inequities, yes, but we also need to find common ground that brings people together instead of driving them further apart. Healing requires truth, but it also requires balance, and a willingness to acknowledge progress as well as setbacks.“I don’t disagree with you that you can’t tell the full American story without including diversity, equity, and inclusion’
You have acknowledged this, then why is Trump and his administration attacking it? Have you ever seen some of the so called “balance” Trump wants to replace PBS with, Preager University? There is a prevalent historical view of events that are reaffirmed by the vast majority of scholars in the field, only Trump with no background in the subject challenges this.
———
Yes, progress is possible, but when Trump disparages those examples of note from the Blacks, expunging their contributions and their very existence through efforts from the Pentagon and the Smithsonian museum, what is he really telling us about “progress”?(you did read the article) If the political and economic shifts had hit the white working class hard, how much more so for black working class, who has always had higher unemployment rates? Why are we, as Ken alludes to, the blame for the misfortune of the white working class?
Ignoring the place that race has always had in America, as America’s cardinal sin and which I predict will be its Achilles heel, denying the past as documented by scholars in favor of the unsophisticated and uneducated view of one man(Trump)is fomenting that division right here and now.
"Whites have the preponderance of wealth in this society far in excess of what would be anticipated even allowing for their current plurality."
I think you might want to look into how wealth in the United States among the different races.
The Asian population is the wealthiest demographic in the United States. People who were put in internment camps, exclusion acts written into law to intentionally keep them from becoming citizens, and more.
Yet, today, they are the wealthiest demographic in the United States.
Here is the wealth by race breakdown.
1. Asian Americans
2. White
3. Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander
4. Non-White Hispanic
5. American Indian and Alaska Native
6. Black American
Hispanics and American Indians are wealthier than black Americans.
I wonder why.
Why is every other demographic in the United States wealthier than black Americans?Do you have the website from where you get your info
It's from the Office of Management and Budget, but Wikepedia features the graphic of it. It's from 2021.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_e … old_incomeFor once I can’t argue with your sources.
With black household income on the bottom of the totem pole, why the anti-black schtick and resentment as Ken referred to in his comment?Cred,
You have to ask yourself the question of why this has happened.
I know many blacks are just as good of business people, just as smart of anyone of any color.
My one friend is a black man who grew up in the projects in Philadelphia. He has two other brothers. My friend is extremely financially successful. His brothers are not. Do his brothers and family celebrate his success? No. He has been told by "friends" and some family members he is successful because he is acting white. He has been told he is successful because kisses white A**. There is actual resentment toward him by some members of the black community.
Some applaud what he has done and a few have asked for his advice in starting similar businesses.
When he tells me what he has experienced, I'm stunned.
If you succeed in the business world do members of the black community get angry about it?You have described one of the biggest causes of Black poverty. We have seen 200 years of examples of how to gain wealth, at least to the point of a reasonable standard of living, and we are very, very close to eliminating all of the discriminatory acts preventing one race from following the blueprint.
Problem is all too many people don't WANT that blueprint. Instead they want to make their own, which requires that someone ELSE provide the work, the education, the lifestyle that produces wealth...and then hand the wealth to those that don't provide it for themselves.
So we see things like DEI, where anyone the wrong color (meaning white or sometimes Asian) is now discriminated against because they ARE willing to follow the plan. And the Blacks remain where they are; at the bottom of the totem pole because far too many refuse to live the lifestyle that produces the wealth they demand.Yes, Wilderness, with 150 of those years having many of those avenues closed to Black people, I am glad you think that we have evolved to the point where all discriminatory acts prevent any one race from following the “blueprint”. With the rise of Trump, excuse me if I am not quite as confident.
Many black people still do not trust your “blueprint”. But, we will have to learn to shelve our distrust and test the waters and see if they are in fact potable. The athletes, entertainers and such do not have to live by your blueprint, such is why this is so attractive to our young men.
I am going to be honest with you, Mike. Every family including my own has its “white sheep”. I can only hope that your example is not the norm. But, yes, there was an attitude that success was associated with “acting white”. It was reflected in academics in public schools particularly among young black male students. I can only surmise that it reflected a hopelessness and deep distrust of the system, much of that attitude was unwarranted. Black masculinity for these teens meant disregarding studies and becoming disciplinary problems, this became a uniform of sorts. those black male students that did not comply were subject to ridicule both verbal and physical, this I know from experience. I don’t blame any of you all for that. This rap phenomenon and such was popular much as entertainment and sports personalities, as success came without having to compromise their identity and working within the terms of a system that would subject them to sabotage as it always had it out for them. Testing the waters or making sure that the “coast was clear” was always a risk. For me, cleaning bathrooms at the Denver airport in the midsts of my college years during summer recess, was all I needed to remind me why I had to make the best of the opportunity. I don’t like cleaning my own toilet, I was not going to spend a lifetime cleaning them for others. I clung to the military and public sector as the most likely place where I could succeed based on a historically more fair evaluation of my work and earned merit.
One younger brother, also not a white sheep, said that “the system” placed barriers, regarding loans, obtaining credit, etc. By shrouding his identity as a black business owner using white people employed as merely the face of it, he said, worked better. Much the same principle of white owned businesses selling black hair care products to black people. So, It is not ALL the “Man’s” fault as to why things are the way they are, but neither is the system as it has been designed and used to our detriment for so long exactly innocent either.
You see in my comments what is not there...
I am trying to point out the messaging young people are getting...
People who did NOT live through the 60s, 70s, 80s...
People who grew up seeing Michael Jordan and Micheal Jackson as loved by all races, people who grew up seeing Obama as President.
Only those indoctrinated or looking for an excuse for their own failures could blame 'the white man' today... and sadly a great many, including white women who today have more advantages than any CIS man... are more than happy to climb on that band wagon.
Kinda like when everyone in Germany blamed the Jews... problem seems to be we have too many white men, hard to round them up and take everything from them... so there has to be some other reason they have pushed the MSNBC and CNN narrative... there must be a reason why Biden got up there and called anyone who supported Trump a Domestic Terrorist and traitor to America...
Was it because they wanted to get Trump re-elected?
Was it so they could start deploying the Military to clean up the chaos and criminal migrants (literally criminals - from foreign jails) spread all over the country during Biden's years?
What was the game plan? Why allow in millions of migrants putting them on Social Security, putting them up in Five star hotels and not holding them accountable when they broke the law (robbery, assaults, etc)?
This stuff doesn't just happen... the Biden Administration flew in over 400,000 migrants during his time... that wasn't an accident.
Pushing Transgender BS down everyone's throats... painting city streets with LGTBQ+ flags ... there is going to be blowback for that... so why shove it in America's face?
Cred,
I recognize that from your perspective, someone who lived through the 60s, that DEI and other efforts may seem justified.
But by the 21st century, the course had been corrected, from EO to grants and scholarships for people based solely on being black or being a woman were prevalent, as were SBA loans and federal regulations that required you give preferential consideration to women/minority owned businesses putting forth a bid on any government contract.
So this new effort by our media, our movies, and the Biden Administration to vilify "CIS men" and white men in particular is a fabricated attack based on a false narrative that our system or the people are inherently racist.
There are racists, but the system is not rigged for white men... the current nonsense of DEI... of hiring people not based on merit but quotas... not equality but equity, will do nothing but bring the destruction of whatever it touches... be it a business or government agency.
So yes, today's Democratic Party is Anti-American... it is racist... it is sexist... it is anti-National, pro-open Borders, it is anti-family... it is a shade away from being the definition of evil in my book.
The question should be... why are people in America, white, black, hispanic, resisting this and choosing Trump?
Instead you choose to label everyone not supporting the insanity you do as racist... well I guess there are a lot of black racists out there... uncle Toms you would call them.
Central Bankers CONFESS: MASS IMMIGRATION IS THEIR FINAL SOLUTION
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIH9t2l2XmY
Go looking for answers somewhere other than Salon... perhaps answers other than fascist or racist will become apparent.Trump and his policies have turned the 21st century into the 19th. I administered much these grants and contracts under SBA, the minority and women setasides were a pittance relative to number and dollar value of contracts that I administered.
Your speaking of attack on white men is still unsubstantiated. This system WAS inherently racist, and I wonder how much that has really disappeared with the imposition of Trump, that is the real tragedy, today.
Say what you want about the democrats, but their fear of encroaching fascism, authoritarianism and tyranny is not unfounded in my opinion. From my perch, I find that a grave danger and far more Anti-American.
trump wins because the Democrats have been weak. We need to change that and we are working on it. Racism is part and parcel of trump and his allure, we all know that as much as your folks like to deny it. How else can a half-wit TV star with a record longer than my arm managed to become president?
So, getting to the main point, if there is so much progress why is Trump expunging the names of black achievers of note from the pentagon records and the Smithsonian? No one has answered that for me yet. You can’t shoot the messenger this time, Ken, this information has been corroborated across the web. So, what are your sources, are they the same as the ones that claim that Trump is America’s greatest president?Again...you get your information from Leftwing and far Left sources ...
You see the world thru the eyes of the 60s...
You don't see... Or even recognize what is going on in the media and movies:
https://youtu.be/Sm8B0zybBwg?si=5C0B9ho1WRqXXgxa
https://youtu.be/iislU2uhKrs?si=D7veApH0Xkr1XxVZ
Just as an example... A small slice of what hollyweird and media in general has been shoveling... Listen to their opinions...they are speaking on behalf of a lot of people.
Whether it is Hollywood or CNN or the Democrats the messaging has been the same... and that has brought you Trump... And the more you "fight" ...the more you push ...the more support there is for Trump and his deployment of Armed forces to DC to the border to wherever next.
The more the extreme Left (and hollyweird and the Democrats are now on the extreme) gets violent and more irrational in their response to Trump the more you empower him the more support you garner him.
You guys are literally fueling his engines.As we are paying more and more for absolutely everything in our lives and have turned into a fascist country, I don't think Disney is on anyone's radar.
You still have not answered my question, you really don’t believe that you are being clever with these irrelevant diversions. Why should I give that silly video any credibility while you attack Salon? Who cares about Disney’s male image problems?
Can you answer this or not, putting aside your fiddle faddle about sources? You don’t answer because it would reveal the true goal of Trump, Trumpism and its supporters, would it not?
“So, getting to the main point, if there is so much progress why is Trump expunging the names of black achievers of note from the pentagon records and the Smithsonian? No one has answered that for me yet”
https://www.salon.com/2025/08/26/trumps … -violence/
Then, the more we will push even to the extent of destroying the country, better that then be relegated to slavery under the hands of brain damaged tyrant. So expect that fight and even if we lose, both the Right and America both physically and in concept will cease to exist as it was as a result.
An unfortunate consolation prize, but I will take it.You are correct, I am not answering it, because it is a very small issue in the bigger picture... you see that because Salon or who-ever focuses you on that, and they put their bias on it.
I focus on the much larger attack on Society.... which ten years of Disney movies destroying the "Boy's Heroes" journey of Star Wars or Marvel... you know the stuff boys used to watch before it became all about Social Justice messaging and LGTBQ+ positive reinforcement...
Disney took Prince Charming and turned him into a Frog.... took Snow White and turned her into a Feminazi... took the Star Wars characters and crapped all over them, making the story about Ray and how great and powerful she was, etc. etc.
So all that messaging got thru loud and clear... and now boys and men are avoiding Disney products and their films are bombing.
Its a great example of what is going on throughout society, not just Disney, in Sports where women bitch about not getting paid like men... but the men bring in billions and the women have empty seats and no revenue... or during Biden's reign when Women's sports were dominated by men pretending to be women.... causing even women formerly supportive of all this BS to start to question the insanity occurring around them.
So you can stick your head in the sand to the Marxist Feminist march that has been going on... ignore the LGTBQ+ month and Transgenders invading women's spaces... but a large chunk of America is not ignoring these assaults on their lives and culture... and the Democrats whether you like it or not... are in full support of all this BS along with Open Borders and not prosecuting criminals (they are victims) ... and the longer they continue to support and push these issues, the more Americans will turn away from them.“You are correct, I am not answering it, because it is a very small issue in the bigger picture.”
Therein lies the problem, your small problem is my LARGE one, of course from your position, you would not see that.Yes, you have always been able to focus on the smaller issue as the whole system crumbles down around your ears.
You support the Party that pushes buttons on your special interests... while they fleece trillions and start world wars and attack all moral values... you, and so many like you, are why we have Trump.
Because nothing else worked... the government and media continued to do what they wanted to do, all the while admonishing Americans for not liking being fed their crap... to the point where the last President called them traitors and domestic terrorists for wanting to defend their country and their culture and their economy... which the Biden Administration was tearing down and giving away in haste.
So now you have Trump and the 70 or 80 or 90 million of Americans that are all too happy with what he is doing and probably feel that he isn't going far enough... they just aren't voicing it... why put a target on their back... we saw how quickly the lunatic left can go on the attack, like when innocent people driving Tesla cars were attacked... because the Leftwing media stirred the lunatics to attack them.
Millions of Americans don't support that BS... they want it stopped, they want Law and Order and Safety on their streets... and they are to the point where they are fine with it being enforced by the military...
If we end up with Martial Law its the lunacy that the Democrats have supported in their city streets and the media that has egged its watchers into acting out for it.
You made Trump, you gave him the power... he is just the reaction... the Pendulum swinging back.
Everybody know that I simply don’t have the xenophobic attitude associated with Conservatives. But in spite of that, I say that charity should begin at home. We have so many problems with poverty and want in underserved communities particularly in Chicago, involving taxpaying citizens. My problem is with the undocumented and those here illegally. There are people ,who while not citizens, are here legally, that is not the same as an illegal migrant.
I feel that most states have plenty of young people who could benefit from tax dollars. I have no problem with anyone who migrates and becomes a citizen; I think they should be treated as citizens and go through the same requirements as anyone else to be accepted at a college. My concern is that so many of our own young people cannot afford college and have limited access to financial aid. I do feel that underprivileged students should be given priority.
Regarding those who are not citizens, whether here legally or otherwise, my understanding is that the majority of recent entrants did not cross at legal border points to claim asylum; they simply walked in and were released to await their claims. I feel that anyone entering this way has disregarded our laws that require presenting at a legal border crossing. While I generally avoid using the term “illegal,” in some contexts it is appropriate depending on the conversation.
I am not sure many realize that when we see perhaps 20 million migrants awaiting hearings, it is bound to be a problem regarding their needs.
Thank you Credence, you are catching on to the utter insanity which is the new liberalism.
Not so fast, this may be amongst the approximately 5 percent of the issues out there where I can have sympathy with the conservative viewpoint. My other 95 percent is pure blue blood, progressive.
It is Anti-American...
Anti-Citizen...
It calls for the destruction of Nation... the destruction of Citizen's Rights...
What made America unique, and as successful as any nation of the West since Rome itself at its heights... was not the separation of powers... it was the belief in Citizenship... something not doled out to just anyone... like being a stock holder in a company, you had a share in America, you were taught about civic duty, pledge of allegiance, men were expected to serve their country when asked... all that has been attacked and eroded for decades now... never more clearly so than during Biden's Administration.Ken, I completely agree with your points. What made America strong was the sense of shared responsibility and respect for civic duty, not just the structures on paper. Citizenship wasn’t just a label; it came with expectations, education, and a personal stake in the success of the nation. At one point, not so long ago, the majority was behind our great experiment. We now see a minority that clearly hopes to not only stop our great experiment but also destroy what we have built so far. Over the decades, many of these principles have been weakened, and it feels like the erosion has accelerated in recent years. It’s not just about policies, but about the culture of participation and commitment to the country, which used to unite us in a common purpose.
It was a unified society based loosely on an accepted collective (collection) of beliefs (Christianity).
There was always internal strife, Catholics vs. Protestants, English vs. Dutch, but there was also an entire Continent of wilderness and unbelievers to conquer.
And that truth... that we built this country... this nation... is the story of EVERY civilization and every nation... Invasion, Colonization and when necessary brutal conquest. Fact. Somewhere in the past decades we went from being proud of this fact... to villainizing this simple truth.
We created a Nation from sea to shining sea... where everyone spoke the language and followed the same laws, we tamed the wild animals and the lawless pirates, we farmed and fed, we built cities and created technologies that were unimaginable to people alive 250 years ago when America's journey began.
And now, instead of heaping praise on the Founding Fathers we denigrate them for being products of their time, for owning slaves or warring against the native tribes. We teach our children to hate their past, hate their race (if they are white) and all the other nonsense that leads to civilization's decay and destruction... this is NOT enlightenment the Left is leading us to, it is not greater freedom or liberty... it is our doom.I really appreciate the depth of your reflection. I think it’s important to recognize that building a nation is never neat or morally perfect, it’s messy, often brutal, and deeply human. What’s remarkable about America is not that it was flawless, but that from that mess, a system was created that allowed for self-correction, innovation, and growth over time. The Founding Fathers weren’t saints; they were men trying to craft something extraordinary with the tools, knowledge, and perspectives they had.
What strikes me is how fragile a civilization can be when it loses its sense of shared purpose or pride in its achievements. When history is presented solely as shameful, it risks eroding the very sense of identity and ambition that enabled America to flourish. But we can acknowledge past wrongs while still celebrating the genius and courage it took to turn wilderness into a unified nation, build an economy, develop laws, and create technologies that reshaped the world. That balance, honest reflection without surrendering pride, is what sustains a society over the long term.
I wonder: how can we teach the next generation to understand history fully, its triumphs and its failures, without fostering contempt for their own civilization?"wonder: how can we teach the next generation to understand history fully, its triumphs and its failures, without fostering contempt for their own civilization?
Who says anyone is fostering contempt? That's maga SPIN
I thoroughly second your sentiment. This is totally beyond inane into the realms of utter asininity.
So, many American citizens slip through the cracks when it comes to the true need for help. For example, the mentally ill who get virtually no help. Many hard-working folks who really can't even seek health care when needed. I think worrying about migrants, who may even be refused asylum, and the right to stay, should not be getting cash to attend college
And this Administration gives a shit about mental health, with all the cuts it's enacted? LAUGHABLE
So an individual gaining an education, a vocational skill adds nothing to the community they live in?
I think most Americans agree that American tax money should be spent on Americans.
This is one of those 80 - 20 issues where democrats represent the 20%.
It's a losing issue for democrats.I think it's up to individual states to decide how they are spending their tax dollars.... Maybe red states should think about spending more on educating their citizens.... Like I said there scraping the bottom of the barrel in terms of proficiency and educational attainment.
American citizens and legal immigrants should come before people in the United States illegally.
If this is how the state of Illinois wants to use their tax dollars, maybe the federal government should withhold federal education tax dollars to this state to make certain that it is only Illinois tax dollars being used to fund the education of American citizens and those in the country illegally and not illegal immigrants.Again, where does it say in the program language that someone here ILLEGALLY qualifies???
I can agree that states should spend more on education for American citizens. WE lag behind many nations when it comes to education. Do you feel tax dollars should be spent on non-citizens? I should stipulate that people are legally deemed citizens by our laws and are allowed to stay permanently, without the chance of deportation due to their status.
These are people who are in the process of becoming citizens. Money is not being given to people who are in the country illegally to attend college. So yes, I have no problem with helping any individual, even if it is in a very meager way such as this, improve their skills and education. It benefits everyone.
"These are people who are in the process of becoming citizens." Willow
Nowhere in the bill does it repeat what you have shared.
Key Point – Legal Presence vs. Citizenship. Here, I have listed the ways migrants can come to work and temporarily live in America
All of the above categories are lawful ways TO BE IN the U.S. under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).
These migrants are protected by law, but:
They cannot vote in federal elections.
They cannot obtain U.S. passports.
They are subject to the conditions of their status.
Only naturalization (INA § 316, § 319) makes someone a U.S. citizen.
Migrants are in the country under several laws that permit them to stay for different reasons,
AI research
1. Temporary Visitors (Nonimmigrant Visas)
Migrants can enter for a limited time under various visas.
Tourist/Business (B-1/B-2 Visa) – For short visits.
Student (F-1, M-1 Visas) – For education.
Temporary Workers (H-1B, H-2A, H-2B, L-1, etc.) – For employment in specific fields or seasons.
Exchange Visitors (J-1 Visa) – For cultural/educational exchanges.
Transit or Crew (C, D Visas) – For airline/ship crew members.
Law: Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) § 101(a)(15).
➡️ These migrants are legally present but remain citizens of their home countries.
2. Immigrant Visas (Lawful Permanent Residents / Green Cards)
Migrants who intend to stay permanently may apply for an immigrant visa.
Family-Sponsored Immigration – U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents can sponsor relatives. (INA § 201, § 203).
Employment-Based Immigration – Employers can sponsor workers with needed skills.
Diversity Visa Lottery – For migrants from underrepresented countries.
Special Immigrant Categories – Religious workers, translators for the U.S. military, etc.
Law: INA § 201–203.
➡️ Once granted a green card, they are lawful permanent residents (LPRs), but not citizens. Citizenship requires naturalization under INA § 316.
3. Refugees & Asylum Seekers
Refugees – Apply outside the U.S., screened before entry. (INA § 207).
Asylum Seekers – Apply inside the U.S. or at a port of entry, claiming persecution. (INA § 208).
➡️ Refugees and asylees may live and work legally and later apply for a green card. They are protected by law but not citizens.
4. Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
For migrants already in the U.S. when their home country is unsafe due to war, natural disaster, or extraordinary conditions.
Law: INA § 244.
➡️ Provides protection from deportation and work authorization, but no citizenship rights.
5. Parole (Humanitarian or Public Benefit)
Allows entry on a case-by-case basis for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit.
Law: INA § 212(d)(5).
➡️ Migrants are legally allowed in temporarily but are not permanent residents or citizens.
6. Special Programs
DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) – Executive action, not written into INA, but grants protection from deportation and work permits.
Temporary Humanitarian Parole Programs – For certain nationalities (e.g., Cubans, Haitians, Venezuelans, Ukrainians).
None of the people in the above categories are citizens, but guests in America.
THE BILL WHAT ITB DOES
State Financial Aid Expansion — House Bill 460
What it does: HB 460, part of the Retention of Illinois Students and Equity (RISE) Act, was passed by the General Assembly and signed into law by Governor J.B. Pritzker in mid-June 2025
LegiScan
Illinois Senate Democrats
.
Key provisions:
Ensures that any student who is an Illinois resident—including those not eligible for federal financial aid (e.g., undocumented students or transgender students ineligible due to Selective Service registration)—can apply for and receive state, local, or public-university-administered financial aid Source Illinois Senate Democrats
.
It requires that eligibility requirements be interpreted to promote the broadest possible inclusion of Illinois residents
LegiScan
In summary: If you live in Illinois and are pursuing higher education, this law ensures you are eligible for state-funded educational aid programs NOTE ---- regardless of immigration status or other federal eligibility criteria."In summary: If you live in Illinois and are pursuing higher education, this law ensures you are eligible for state-funded educational aid programs NOTE ---- regardless of immigration status or other federal eligibility criteria.
No. You've left out a lot...like the actual eligibility requirements of the program.... You have previously stated that they are giving money for college to "illegals" that is not true.
To be eligible for the Illinois MAP (Monetary Award Program) grant, students must be Illinois residents, demonstrate financial need, be enrolled in an approved Illinois college or university, and not be in default on any student loans. Additionally, they must be U.S. citizens or eligible noncitizens, and must not have exceeded 135 semester credit hours of MAP benefits.
Those who are currently undocumented must meet the requirements of The Rise Act...
RISE Act/Alternative Application https://share.google/luQCDCbz0hdbsWqoK
https://www.isac.org/isac-gift-assistan … uirements/
Do you really believe that money for college is being given to people who are in the country illegally??HB 460 isn’t a brand-new idea—it builds on and expands the RISE Act, which was passed back in 2019. That’s why people are comparing the two. Here’s the difference in plain terms:
The 2019 RISE Act
What it did: Allowed undocumented students (including DACA recipients) and transgender students who didn’t register for Selective Service to be eligible for state financial aid (like the Monetary Award Program, or MAP grants).
Before this, those groups could attend college in Illinois but couldn’t access state-funded aid.
The new BILL and the difference --- The 2025 HB 460
What it does differently, as the bill states openly
Expands eligibility much further—instead of naming certain groups, it now says all Illinois residents are eligible for state, local, or university-administered aid.
It requires that the rules for aid be interpreted to maximize inclusion, not exclusion.
In effect, this means ANYONE who can prove Illinois residency—regardless of federal immigration status or Selective Service issues—can now access ANY of RISE programs.
Main focus: Broader, more sweeping inclusion—moving from “these groups are eligible” to “all residents are eligible.”
I don't intend to have a back-and-forth with you on this subject. I read the actual bill. And quoted the new bill, and now have offered links to the bill.
I quoted the bill here, it is once again
" (a) A student who is an Illinois resident and who is not
10 otherwise eligible for federal financial aid, including, but
11 not limited to, a transgender student who is disqualified for
12 failure to register for selective service or a noncitizen
13 student who has not obtained lawful permanent residence, shall
14 be eligible for State financial aid and benefits as described
15 in subsection (b).
16 (b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the
17 contrary, a student who is an Illinois resident (i) is
18 eligible to apply or receive consideration for any student aid
19 or benefit funded or administered by the State or , any State
20 agency, offered by a unit of local government, or administered
21 by any public institution of higher learning, including, but
22 not limited to, scholarships, grants, awards, stipends, room
23 and board assistance, tuition waivers, or other financial or"
If interested, read on
https://legiscan.com/IL/text/HB0460/id/ … hatgpt.com
https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/billst … p;Session=This appears to be AI regurgitation that totally misses the point... You haven't made your point at all, actually you've made the contrary.
The Rise Act clearly states eligibility requirements.... INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE IN THE COUNTRY ILLEGALLY ARE NOT ELIGIBLE
Continuing to claim that aid money is being given to "illegals". Doesn't make it true. The claim is false. I think anyone that has read the Rise Act can easily understand that this is not the case.I’m not sure, but I don’t believe anyone actually used the word “illegal” when discussing who benefits from the new bill, nor did anyone claim that it provides money to “illegals.” If I used that word myself, it was a mistake. I laid out the different ways people can enter the U.S. with legal status, along with the stipulations that apply to each. All have a form of legal status to be in the country.
I offered you the bill. You may want to read it at the link I provided. This bill has
I am not sure you understand. While the RISE Act of 2019 itself hasn't changed, Illinois has passed a new law in August 2025 significantly expanding eligibility for state financial aid to all Illinois residents, regardless of immigration status. This marks a development beyond the RISE Act’s original scope. The wording in the NEW BILL, as you will see, does not stipulate anything using the words illegal or legal. To quote the bill again --
") A student who is an Illinois resident and who is not
10 otherwise eligible for federal financial aid, including, but
11 not limited to, a transgender student who is disqualified for
12 failure to register for selective service or a noncitizen
13 student who has not obtained lawful permanent residence, shall
14 be eligible for State financial aid and benefits as described
15 in subsection (b)."
The RISE Act has been what is being called improved.
"One of the bill’s sponsors, state Sen. Celina Villanueva, a Democrat, celebrated Pritzker signing the bill by saying in a statement that “this law is about making sure no student is left behind because of where they were born.” A statement by Villanueva’s office said that the measure “eliminates the patchwork of confusing and sometimes conflicting requirements that have excluded undocumented, DACAmented, and mixed-status students from critical aid.”
The law pertains to any student residing in Illinois, making him or her eligible for financial aid programs funded or administered by the state, local governments, or public universities, according to the statement.
The statement said that the law “builds upon Villanueva’s long-standing advocacy for immigrant and first-generation students by creating a more consistent and inclusive pathway to accessing support.”
https://nypost.com/2025/08/19/us-news/i … hatgpt.com
RISE Act (2019): What It Did
Allowed undocumented students—including DACA recipients and those without lawful permanent residency—to apply for state-administered financial aid, such as MAP grants and institutional support via the Alternative Application.
This was a major step in providing access to financial aid regardless of federal eligibility status—notably limited to state-run aid programs.
What the New 2025 Law (HB 460) ADDS
Expands aid access beyond state programs to include local government financial aid and public colleges and universities administered programs.
In effect, any student who resides in Illinois and is ineligible for federal aid can now receive financial assistance from a broader array of sources, not just state-run programs.
The Epoch Times
New York Post
Under the 2019 RISE Act
Students who could not access federal aid (such as undocumented immigrants, DACA recipients, or some transgender students barred by selective service rules) had to meet specific RISE eligibility requirements to qualify for state-funded aid like MAP grants.
These included things like:
Being an Illinois resident,
Attending an approved Illinois college,
Meeting academic progress rules,
Falling into a group ineligible for federal aid but covered under RISE.
Under the 2025 Expansion (HB 460)
The new law does not erase the RISE Act; instead, it broadens the scope of who can get aid.
Now, any Illinois resident who is ineligible for federal aid can receive state, local, or public-college-administered aid.
The key shift is that aid is no longer limited to programs defined under the RISE Act.
Institutions and local governments must apply the same eligibility standard across the board, meaning undocumented residents, DACA recipients, and others ineligible for FAFSA can apply without having to prove the narrower categories defined under RISE.
So, Do Students Still Need to Meet RISE Requirements?
For programs created under the RISE Act (like the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid) → Yes, students still need to meet those original requirements.
For aid covered by the new 2025 law → No, the requirements are broader. The law extends eligibility to all Illinois residents ineligible for federal aid, not just those categories spelled out in RISE.
✅ Bottom line:
The RISE Act requirements still apply when you’re applying through RISE-specific programs, but the new law makes additional aid available without those exact limits. It’s an expansion, not a replacement.
AGAIN
To be eligible for the Illinois MAP (Monetary Award Program) grant, students must be Illinois residents, demonstrate financial need, be enrolled in an approved Illinois college or university, and not be in default on any student loans. Additionally, they must be U.S. citizens or eligible noncitizens, and must not have exceeded 135 semester credit hours of MAP benefits.Eligible Noncitizens
The definition of “eligible noncitizen” for ISAC gift assistance programs was expanded to include criteria from the RISE Act. Illinois residents who do not meet the federal definition of eligible noncitizen, but who meet the state criteria, as defined in ISAC’s Administrative Rules, are eligible to apply for state financial aid.
From ISAC Administrative Rules, General Provisions, Section 2700.20, Definitions:
“Eligible Noncitizen” – A noncitizen who is eligible for federal student assistance pursuant to section 484 of the HEA (20 USC 1091); or a noncitizen or person who is not a permanent resident of the United States, who does not meet the eligibility criteria for federal student assistance pursuant to section 484 of the HEA but who meets all of the following criteria:
the individual resided with his or her parent or guardian while attending a public or private high school in this State;
the individual graduated from a public or private high school or received the equivalent of a high school diploma in this State;
the individual attended school in this State for at least 3 years as of the date the individual graduated from high school or received the equivalent of a high school diploma in this State;
the individual provides an affidavit stating that the individual has or will file an application to become a permanent resident of the United States at the earliest opportunity the individual is eligible to do so; and
the individual has not established a residence outside of this State....
It's time to stop the "illegals" are being given financial aid nonsense...."The definition of “eligible noncitizen” for ISAC gift assistance programs was expanded to include criteria from the RISE Act. Illinois residents who do not meet the federal definition of eligible noncitizen, but who meet the state criteria, as defined in ISAC’s Administrative Rules, are eligible to apply for state financial aid." Willow
All amendments due to The 2025 HB 460 Bill .
Does HB 460 Override RISE Act Requirements?
Not exactly. HB 460 expands eligibility for financial aid, but it does not override or eliminate the RISE Act requirements. Instead, it builds on and broadens the framework established under RISE.
What HB 460 Does:
It amends the RISE Act to explicitly state that any Illinois resident who is not eligible for federal aid—including undocumented students and others in similar positions—“shall be eligible” for financial aid and benefits offered by the state, as well as by local governments and public higher-education institutions
LegiScan
senatorvillanueva.com
Importantly, it mandates that eligibility requirements for such aid be interpreted in the broadest possible way, consistent with state law or policy
LegiScan
Illinois Senate Democrats
.
What RISE Act Still Requires:
The original RISE Act set specific eligibility criteria under ISAC programs and the Alternative Application—for instance, certain residency or education-related conditions (e.g., Illinois high school attendance, graduation, or affidavit of intent to pursue legal status)
open.illinois.edu
dream.uic.edu
HB 460 does not rescind those established rules. Instead, it ensures that all forms of government-funded aid—including those administered by local entities or public institutions—use inclusive standards for Illinois residents ineligible for federal aid.I've already given the links to both programs.... This state financial aid program is not giving money to so-called illegals as you have claimed. It clearly states the eligibility and requirements to even apply for the program. I have quoted directly from the state's website concerning the map program and the requirements under the rise Act. It's could not be stated or written any more clearly
If I used the word illegal, I think it’s important to understand my perspective. I’m one of those people who believes that if someone enters the country at any place other than an official border crossing, then no matter if they are later released into the country to await an asylum hearing, they are here illegally. For decades, the vast majority of migrants have crossed the border this way, without presenting themselves at a legal port of entry. That’s why I hold the view that these individuals are here illegally.
Unauthorized entry is generally illegal – Under federal law (8 U.S. Code § 1325), entering the U.S. at a point other than a designated port of entry without authorization is considered illegal entry. So technically, anyone crossing outside an official border crossing has committed a violation.
I also realize that Many migrants released into the country pending an asylum hearing are in a sort of legal limbo: they’re physically present but not yet “authorized” residents. From a strict legal standpoint, their initial entry was illegal, but U.S. law explicitly allows for the asylum process."If I used the word illegal,"
It was used. That's what started the this discourse.
The program eligibility requirements clearly state that the individual must be currently involved in actual application for citizenship... Along with several other requirements.Yes, I went back over my comments this AM --- used, and will be used when I find it appropriate. I will use free speech when I deem it important. The requirement you mention has changed due to the new bill. It's unfortunate you don't seem to understand what the new bill offers and totally sidesteps any previous Acts. Nothing more to say on the subject.
The requirement has not changed. The program has never allowed "illegals" to apply, as you have clearly claimed. What state requirement has changed in order to allow eligibility to people who are here illegally??
HB 460... Directly from AI...
Builds on Existing Laws: This law builds upon the framework established by the RISE Act, which already made undocumented (NOT ILLEGAL) students who are Illinois residents eligible for state financial aid and benefits at public institutions in Illinois....It's unfortunate you don't seem to understand what the new bill offers and totally sidesteps any previous Acts. Nothing more to say on the subject.
What's more unfortunate is that this statement is false . The bill is in conjunction with the rise act..."What's more unfortunate is that this statement is false . The bill is in conjunction with the rise act..." Willow
This is what I have shared, and I did so by adding a link and wording from the bill. Through my many posts on the subject, I have posted links to offer the exact words from the bill. I used words such as the new bill amends RISE. As AI has provided. Perhaps you have a different conception of what ammunition means? Here is just one permalink where I used the word amend. I have used it over and over. And this new Bill did, by all definitions, amend RISE. Do not do away with it, but the bill is a very clear step up from RISE.
https://hubpages.com/politics/forum/369 … ost4380164
I hope you don’t mind me saying this, but I’ve decided to step back from our conversations. I sometimes find our discussions a bit repetitive, and it seems we approach facts differently. I think we simply have different ways of thinking, and I’m currently more drawn to conversations that move in new directions. I truly wish you all the best.How about you post the current eligibility requirements under RISE.... You keep leaving that out
The problem is the corruption...the wasted money.
For example NY state spends more on funding pensions of former/current school employees than it does on education for current students.
These pensions are based on the last 3 years of employment... they are worth more than some current teachers get paid.
School taxes in NY exceed property taxes...
I put over 20k a year back in my own pocket that used to be taken out in taxes by moving to FL.
The State Income Tax, Property and School tax is close to the worst if not the worst in the nation.
And they waste that money...whether using it to put up migrants in 5 star hotels or paying a retiree from the school system $150k a year...and then while collecting that pension they go back to work for the school system collecting another paycheck.
NY State needs to fail... It's too corrupt not to....hard working people don't deserve to be abused by such a criminal government.
Same for Illinois corrupt lunatics are running that State into the ground...it needs to fail. Only then will sane people be put back in charge.
Until then the insane will continue to turn those states into literal asylums."or paying a retiree from the school system $150k a year...
No, Ken.
The average pension for New York State Teachers' Retirement System (NYSTRS) retirees varies depending on years of service and other factors, but generally, retirees with 30-35 years of service receive an average of $63,333 annually. For those retiring with 20 years of service, the benefit is typically 50% of their final average salary,
Eligibility, the Benefit and Filing – Coordinated Plan For ERS Tier 3 and 4 Members | Office of the New York State Comptroller https://share.google/oNZ17ZvvrHtX9EnfWI agree with what you're saying, and I think you're pointing to a much larger pattern that’s hard to ignore. States like New York and Illinois keep raising taxes, but the money rarely seems to go toward improving schools, infrastructure, or helping the average family. The poor get poorer, the rich, richer.
Take California as another example, it’s a state with some of the highest taxes in the country, yet it struggles with homelessness, crumbling infrastructure, and a mass influx of migrants, which the taxpayers are footing the bill for. Just as they do in Ill.
People are fleeing in record numbers, and many of them are heading to states like Florida, Texas, and Tennessee where they can actually keep more of what they earn and enjoy a lower cost of living.
Even in Illinois, just look at Chicago, skyrocketing property taxes, crime that drives people out of neighborhoods, and yet the city finds the money to provide hotel stays and benefits now to attend college for migrants. While long-time residents foot the bill. And their kids are at the back of the line for admission to college, due to DEI.
Add in the exodus of businesses leaving for friendlier states, and it becomes clear that corruption and bad leadership have real consequences.
What you describe about New York pensions is spot on, too. Double-dipping, where retirees collect a six-figure pension and then return to a government job to collect another salary, is rampant in multiple states. It’s hard-working taxpayers who end up funding this while struggling themselves to pay bills.
That’s why people are voting with their feet. They’re leaving high-tax, high-waste states and moving to places where they feel their money isn’t being stolen from them just to prop up a corrupt system. And honestly, until those broken states finally collapse under their own mismanagement, the political class has no reason to change."States like New York and Illinois keep raising taxes, but the money rarely seems to go toward improving schools, infrastructure, or helping the average family. The poor get poorer, the rich, richer.
Interesting, how do the schools/ overall achievement scores in those States compare to some of our favorite red States?? WHO needs improving"?
And poverty rates, how do they compare?Ken and I were discussing skyrocketing property taxes, people fleeing states due to high taxes, and double-dipping pensioners.
It would seem odd that you would feel Ill has a good record regarding education.
1. K–12 Academic Performance (NAEP)
Fourth Grade
Reading: Only 30% of students reached proficiency—below both the national average and where Illinois stood pre-pandemic. Illinois ranks 29th in the nation for 4th-grade reading and 30th for math proficiency.
Illinois Policy
+1
Math: About 38% achieved proficiency, just under the national average. Improvement since 2019 has been limited.
Illinois Policy
Capitol News Illinois
Eighth Grade
Reading: Illinois performed a bit better—its average score (262) was slightly above the national average (257). Roughly 33% of students were proficient, ranking Illinois 7th nationally in 8th-grade reading.
Illinois Policy
+1
Capitol News Illinois
The State Journal-Register
Prairie State Wire
Math: Significant improvement from 2022—with nearly 32% of students proficient. Illinois scored 277, higher than the national average of 272, and ranked 9th nationally.
Illinois Policy
+1
Capitol News Illinois
The State Journal-Register
Prairie State Wire
Bottom line: Illinois compares below average in early grades but shows notable strength in 8th grade, especially in math.
2. Overall Education Rankings
According to U.S. News & World Report:
Pre-K–12 Education: Illinois ranks 4th best in the nation.
Overall Education Category (which may also weigh factors like higher ed and attainment): Ranked 14th.
Axios
However, the state’s overall performance in the “Best States” index is 36th out of 50, battered by poor fiscal stability ratings.
I believe in another conversation, I agreed that many red states were doing poorly regarding education. I think that this may have been throughout our history.You claimed that these states should work on improving their education.... They're doing much better than the majority of red States.
I quoted in bold, the portion of your post I was responding to.Ken and I were discussing Illinois and California in broader terms. However, the fact is, both states are falling short when it comes to pre-K through 12 education. The context of our discussion was blue states, and that was clear. Any comparison with red states would have been up to either of us to bring into the conversation, but as you’ll notice, neither Ken nor I did. I am not up for the compare game.
"They contend that access to education benefits the state as a whole by creating a better-prepared workforce and giving more young people a chance to contribute productively to society."
And they have a budget surplus. There are worse things they could do with it.Oh wow...they closed fiscal year 2025 with record $54 billion in revenue. AND Illinois generally ranks among the top 15 most educated....go figure!
"As of the end of Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25), Illinois reported a $211 million general fund surplus, with revenues of $53.281 billion exceeding expenditures of $53.070 billion. This marked the state's sixth consecutive balanced budget. Additionally, FY25 closed with a record $54 billion in revenue, surpassing the enacted budget's projections.
budget.illinois.gov" From my opening
Yes, I took special care to add that. I am a big believer in trying to show the other side of the coin. As I did here. Thanks for noting that fact and your comment. I hope you will take the time and answer a question I posed.
And I'm certain that those on the right are just as concerned with the poverty rate of places like Louisiana and Mississippi hovering near 20% and educational outcomes scraping the very bottom of the barrel...the "concern" for Blue State folk is probably misplaced
Here we go....AI.
"Does HB 460 change financial aid eligibility under the rise act".
House Bill 460 (HB 460) does not fundamentally change the existing eligibility requirements for undocumented students under the RISE Act. Instead, it expands the scope of financial aid programs that are required to adhere to the RISE Act's eligibility criteria. ...
Yes, to be eligible for state-funded financial aid in Illinois under the RISE Act and the expanded provisions of House Bill 460, undocumented students must provide an affidavit stating their intention to apply for permanent residency in the United States at the earliest opportunity they are eligible to do"Does HB 460 change financial aid eligibility under the rise act".Willow
Same question word do word... https://chatgpt.com/c/68a7627e-170c-832 … 7fac36b601
Yes, Illinois House Bill 460 (HB 460) amends the Retention of Illinois Students and Equity (RISE) Act to expand financial aid eligibility to all Illinois residents, regardless of immigration status. This legislation, signed into law by Governor JB Pritzker on August 15, 2025, takes effect on January 1, 2026.
WSIU
+10
The Epoch Times
+10
UIC Dream Resource Center
+10
Key Changes Under HB 460
Expanded Eligibility: The law broadens access to state-funded financial aid programs—including the Monetary Award Program (MAP), scholarships, grants, and tuition waivers—to all Illinois residents who meet in-state tuition criteria, irrespective of their citizenship or immigration status.
LegiScan
+1
Local and Public Institution Aid: HB 460 extends this eligibility to financial aid offered by local governments and public colleges and universities, ensuring consistent access across various funding sources.
The Epoch Times
+2
ISAC
+2
Uniform Standards: The law requires that eligibility criteria for these aid programs be interpreted to promote the broadest eligibility for Illinois residents, aligning standards across state and local agencies and public institutions.
The Epoch Times
+4
LegiScan
+4
Illinois General Assembly
+4
No Impact on Academic or Financial Criteria: The legislation does not alter existing requirements related to academic standing or household income for financial aid programs.
LegiScan
Context and Implementation
HB 460 builds upon the original RISE Act, signed in 2019, which allowed certain undocumented students to apply for state financial aid. The new law further removes barriers by ensuring that all Illinois residents, regardless of immigration status, have access to financial aid opportunities.
Yahoo
+4
UIC Dream Resource Center
+4
ISAC
+4
1340 WJOL
The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) is expected to provide updated guidance on how these changes will be implemented for the 2026–27 academic year. Students interested in applying for financial aid under the expanded criteria should monitor ISAC's official communications for detailed instructions.
Illinois Senate Democrats
+4
Facebook
+4
Facebook
+4
In summary, HB 460 significantly enhances financial aid accessibility for all Illinois residents by eliminating immigration status as a barrier to receiving state, local, and public institution aid, effective January 1, 2026.
WSIU
+2
Facebook
+2
What is your problem? You are just not correct. I offered you the bill in full to read, where it openly discusses how the bill affects RISE.You can't be serious, Epoch times?
But regardless you continue to miss the fact that people who are in the country illegally are not eligible...
I have quoted directly from the rise act what the eligibility requirements are..... IT CLEARLY STATES THAT THE APPLICANT MUST BE IN THE PROCESS OF OBTAINING CITIZENSHIP
Due to differing information, I did some research regarding the new bill, how it differs from RISE.
Here’s a state government source confirming the details:
The official Illinois House Bill 460 (HB 460) text—now part of Public Act 104-0164—explicitly amends the Retention of Illinois Students and Equity (RISE) Act to clarify that:
Any student who is an Illinois resident, including those not eligible for federal financial aid—like noncitizens WHO LACK lawful permanent residence—is eligible for state financial aid and benefits
LegiScan
The law ensures this applies not only to state-funded programs but also to those offered by local governments and public institutions of higher education
LegiScan
Furthermore, the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) confirms that the RISE Act enables undocumented students who are considered Illinois residents for tuition purposes to apply for state aid—including the Monetary Award Program (MAP)—via the Alternative Application
ISAC
Office of Student Financial Aid
The marked difference ---
RISE Act (2019):
Opened the door for some undocumented students (like DACA recipients, those with TPS, or others who met certain criteria) to get state financial aid in Illinois, as long as they were considered Illinois residents for tuition purposes.
https://osfa.illinois.edu/types-of-aid/ … hatgpt.com
HB 460 (2025):
Removes the extra limitations. Now all Illinois residents—no matter their immigration status—can qualify for state, local, and public university financial aid if they meet residency rules.NOTE --- Due to differing information, I did some research regarding the new bill, how it differs from RISE.
RISE stipulated did stiulate to apply, one must be working on citizenship. The new bill states that no more need to be a citizen or prove one is in the process of becoming a citizen --- Period.
Link to bill in full -- https://legiscan.com/IL/text/HB0460/id/ … hatgpt.com
The new bill totally amends anything about working on becoming a citizen. The bill is simply written.
Here’s a state government source confirming the details between RISE and the 460 bill.
The official Illinois House Bill 460 (HB 460) text—now part of Public Act 104-0164—explicitly amends the Retention of Illinois Students and Equity (RISE) Act to clarify that:
Any student who is an Illinois resident, including those not eligible for federal financial aid—like noncitizens WHO LACK lawful permanent residence—is eligible for state financial aid and benefits
LegiScan
The law ensures this applies not only to state-funded programs but also to those offered by local governments and public institutions of higher education
LegiScan
Furthermore, the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) confirms that the RISE Act enables undocumented students who are considered Illinois residents for tuition purposes to apply for state aid—including the Monetary Award Program (MAP)—via the Alternative Application
ISAC
Office of Student Financial Aid
The marked difference ---
RISE Act (2019):
Opened the door for some undocumented students (like DACA recipients, those with TPS, or others who met certain criteria) to get state financial aid in Illinois, as long as they were considered Illinois residents for tuition purposes.
https://osfa.illinois.edu/types-of-aid/ … hatgpt.com
HB 460 (2025):
Removes the extra limitations. Now all Illinois residents—no matter their immigration status—can qualify for state, local, and public university financial aid if they meet residency rules.Thank you, Governor Pritzker, for continuing to fight fire with fire….
https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/tru … 42480.htmlYou really hit a nerve here. Do you know the crime rate in Chicago? Let’s just take a look at what happened over the weekend, most of it in predominantly Black communities. Do Black citizens deserve to live in neighborhoods where they’re afraid to step outside after dark, where many feel forced to carry guns just to protect themselves and their children?
Now, do a little research and see where Governor Pritzker lives. I guarantee you he feels very safe. He couldn’t care less about the Black families in his own city. He’s the perfect example of a hypocrite. Just this weekend alone, six people were killed, including a 5-year-old boy, and 27 more were injured in shootings across Chicago.
So when you choose someone to admire, maybe start by looking at their record. Trump was right when he said Chicago is a killing field. And let’s be honest about who is paying the price; the majority of those being killed are citizens of color.
Rank City Homicides (Jan–Aug 2025)
1 Chicago, IL 264
Want the stats for 2024? Pritzker says they have come down in 2025... I can't imagine they were worse than the months that have been reported for 2025. (264)
Black Chicagoans comprised approximately 77% of homicide victims where the victim’s race was known.
Illinois Policy
Combined, Black and Hispanic Chicagoans made up about 95% of all homicide victims during that same period.
Thank God Trump is brave enough to say, "It stops now." I would venture to say the citizens of the poor areas will welcome feeling safe with the guard protecting them. Because their Governor couldn't care less about them, how they live, or the crime they put up with. As a rule, many will vote Democrat anyway --- Go figure. Oh, forgot the party represents their needs, has their backs.Is crime up or down over last year for example?? And what of the places that the crime rates are much higher? And the legality of deploying troops to a city?
As I said in my comment, the Governor claims "crime rates are down"... My concerns were with homosides.
"In 2024, Chicago reported 573 homicides, marking the first time in five years that the city recorded fewer than 600 murders." And now it is obvious the rates are not in for a full year, if one can call 264 killing in 8 months good, and still the number one murder capital has at it.
To answer your question, I am fully on board with putting the National Guard in any city where crime is out of control, which it is in all the cities you mentioned. The homoside rate speaks loudly... But the media lumps it all into crime-- sort of masks MURDER. But that's all good, because it serves a narrative.
In my view, nothing’s worse than ending up dead because of out-of-control crime. LOL. I’m definitely all for taking steps to reduce it. Honestly, some people should check out how low crime rates are in other countries and then tell me we don’t need serious action, yes, even troops, to get crime under control here. I get that some can’t see the point in putting in the effort, but I do. Bringing in the troops? I stand by it. No citizen should have to live in a city dominated by crime.
According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the estimated number of homicide victimizations in the U.S. and the corresponding rates per 100,000 persons were:
Bureau of Justice Statistics
2013: 16,121 victimizations (5.1 per 100,000)
2014: 15,883 (5.0 per 100,000)
2015: 16,122 (5.1 per 100,000)
2016: 16,234 (5.1 per 100,000)
2017: 16,274 (5.1 per 100,000)
2018: 16,374 (5.2 per 100,000)
2019: 16,474 (5.2 per 100,000)
2020: 20,960 (6.9 per 100,000)
2021: 20,975 (6.9 per 100,000)
2022: 22,240 (6.7 per 100,000)
2023: 19,800 (5.9 per 100,000)
2024: Data not yet available;
Gosh, it would seem even a decrease in homicides would leave us with historic numbers of people killed.how would this authoritarian action meet the posse comitatus act?
And as far as the claim of bringing in the military to bring order to out of control cities, you do realize the National Guard is standing around en mass in front of Krispy Kreme donut shops in Dupont circle and high end restaurants...
It's a show. A show costing taxpayers about a million dollars a day.
Trump could not care less about crime in Chicago, if he did he would focus his attention on other large cities in red states with higher crime rates. Let’s see how much zeal he has for going after Memphis or St. Louis with higher homicide rates than Chicago?
Every political action that he has made or been responsible for indicates his loathing of black people and their contributions both in the past and in the present. There are plenty of reasons to see this current overture as a political ploy and not trust Trump. I certainly do not.
As always, Trump uses a crooked interpretation of an 1807 Insurrection Act, which was never intended to be used in this fashion, the bend is toward insurrection and rebellion against the Laws of the United States. I don’t see this issue rising to this level. He is being presumptuous going around the state governors to invade their respective states with the National Guard.
This is just another form of intimidation of blue cities, blue states and blue governors and I want them to fight Trump tooth and nail resisting his usurping their authority while manufacturing a phony crisis. Trump’s storm troopers will simply create more problems than they solve, just watch and see.
When you look closely, the opinion of the black community remain mixed as to whether Trump’s National Guard incursion is appreciated or not.
Cities that have a higher crime rate than Chicago
Cleveland, Ohio
Detroit, Michigan
Houston, Texas
Indianapolis, Indiana
Kansas City, Missouri
Memphis, TennesseeYou once again diverted. I did not use the word the crime. My comment was directly about killings, Homosides. Context matters
Homicide Totals (2025) – Estimated Ranking
Rank City Homicides (2025)
Based on the verified January–August 2025 homicide totals, here’s your list ranked from most homicides to least:
Rank City Homicides (Jan–Aug 2025)
1 Chicago, IL 264
2 Detroit, MI 203 (2024 total; 2025 not yet available)
3 Houston, TX 129
4 Kansas City, MO 105
5 Memphis, TN 97
6 Indianapolis, IN 57
7 Cleveland, OH 46
Chicago is the big winner.Funny I don't find one list anywhere that lists Chicago as number one...
Eight of the top 10 cities with the highest murder rates and populations of at least 100,000 were in red states — Mississippi, Alabama, Missouri, Tennessee, Ohio and Louisiana, Axios found..... According to the latest FBI data...
Jackson, Miss., had the nation's highest homicide rate— nearly 78 per 100,000 residents, more than 15 times the national average.
Birmingham, Ala., was second with a homicide rate of almost 59 per 100,000 residents — more than 11 times the national average.
St. Louis was third, followed by Memphis, Tenn.... The list includes cleveland, Newark and Chicago as number 10....
Another source...
St. Louis, Missouri (69.4 per 100,000 people)
Baltimore, Maryland (51.1 per 100,000 people)
New Orleans, Louisiana (40.6 per 100,000 people)
Detroit, Michigan (39.7 per 100,000 people)
Cleveland, Ohio (33.7 per 100,000 people)
Las Vegas, Nevada (31.4 per 100,000 people)
Kansas City, Missouri (31.2 per 100,000 people)
Memphis, Tennessee (27.1 per 100,000 people)
Newark, New Jersey (25.6 per 100,000 people)
Chicago, Illinois (24.0 per 100,000 people)
Map Shows US Cities Where Homicide Rates Are Highest - Newsweek https://share.google/24SH0ZKG2RlfLDGDh
Where homicide rates are highest: Blue cities in red states https://share.google/Rzd5XdObCOhph7s73These are not presented per capita though? Raw numbers of homicides are misleading. A city with a very large population will almost always have a higher total number of homicides than a smaller city, regardless of the relative danger
Monroe Louisiana 2023 murder rate was 38.45 homicides per 100,000 people...compared to Chicago's 21.6 per 100,000...
Birmingham, Alabama, had a homicide rate of approximately 76 (WHAT THE ACTUAL HELL) per 100,000 residents, which was more than three and a half times higher than Chicago's rate of 21.6 per 100,000.
In 2024, the homicide rate for Jackson, Mississippi, was estimated to be between 77.2 and 78 per 100,000 residents. GOOD LORD AN ACTUAL HELLSCAPE
Tell me more about a killing field
According to analysis of 2024 FBI data and local police reports, these cities have some of the highest homicide rates per 100,000 people among cities with at least 100,000 residents:
Jackson, Mississippi: Roughly 77 homicides per 100,000 residents.
St. Louis, Missouri: 69.4 homicides per 100,000 people.
Baltimore, Maryland: 51.1 homicides per 100,000 people.
New Orleans, Louisiana: 40.6 homicides per 100,000 people.
Detroit, Michigan: 39.7 homicides per 100,000 people.
Cleveland, Ohio: 33.7 homicides per 100,000 people.
Las Vegas, Nevada: 31.4 per 100,000 people.
Kansas City, Missouri: 31.2 homicides per 100,000 people.
Memphis, Tennessee: 27.1 homicides per 100,000 people.
Newark, New Jersey: 25.6 homicides per 100,000 people.If Trump gave a shit about crime, in reality, troops would be all over Mississippi and Louisiana. This has nothing to do with crime.
The administration's "crime emergency" narrative conveniently ignores its own U.S. Attorney's report from Jan 2025 calling violent crime the "lowest it has been in over 30 years." On the very day of the takeover, MPD data showed homicides had dropped 32% from 2023. Chicago homicides dropped 30% since 2024. They're obviously doing something right. The facts were inconvenient, so they were declared fake.
This isn't about D.C.'s safety or any other blue city's safety. It's a playbook for dismantling local democracy, one manufactured crisis at a time.Federalizing the National Guard to fulfill a civilian law enforcement function is a violation of the Posse Comitatus Act.
Trump is relying on the Insurrection Act of 1807 to justify sending the National Guard to cities like Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles. This law allows the president to deploy federal troops or the National Guard to suppress insurrections, rebellions, or domestic violence when state authorities are unable or unwilling to maintain order. Normally, the National Guard operates under state control, but the Insurrection Act permits temporary federal authority to override that control in certain circumstances. The administration claims the deployments are intended to support local law enforcement and address civil unrest.
I am aware critics argue that the situations cited may not meet the legal threshold for an insurrection, making the use of the Act legally questionable. California Governor Gavin Newsom filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration. D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb has filed a lawsuit challenging the federal takeover of the D.C. police department and the installation of an emergency police commissioner.
It will be interesting to see the outcomes.
America's Murder Capitals: A 2025 Ranking of the Deadliest Cities https://share.google/MDoe9Flw7lcGKpaUfThe one thing all these cities have in common is that they're run by democrats.
So, what I understand is that the left is saying
Chicago is not the only democrat run city overwhelmed by failed democrat policies that have out-of-control crime. There are other democrat run cities that have failed democrat policies with even worse out-of-control crime than democrat run Chicago.
Good point.The point was, if this was about crime he would be choosing the locations that had the most crime, now wouldn't he???
He appears to pick his location to bully based upon the. Color of their mayor....BLACK .... EXTRA IRE IF IT'S A WOMAN
THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH CRIME.
The crime rates in Memphis TN, St Louis Mo, Cleveland Ohio, Alexandria La are much higher than DC, Chicago, New York. Guess he feels that high crime in those cities is OK since they are in red states....'He appears to pick his location to bully based upon the. Color of their mayor....BLACK .... EXTRA IRE IF IT'S A WOMAN"
Whoa...que the theme from the twilight zone.
You keep going with that one and promote it heavily for the midterms.
democrats need to double down on such ideas.
It is serving them well.The district that speaker Mike Johnson represents in Louisiana is among the absolute highest in the country in terms of homicide rates....why bully DC and Chicago?
This bunch has National Guard picking up trash on the streets of DC.... Standing in front of Krispy Kreme.. to the tune of $1 million in taxpayer money per day as he has CUT funding for local policing...."This bunch has National Guard picking up trash on the streets of DC.... Standing in front of Krispy Kreme.. to the tune of $1 million in taxpayer money per day "
Yes, and crime in DC is significantly lower. The DC police are now able to reallocate their resources to high crime areas.
"he has CUT funding for local policing"
Proof?
What? 6 out of 8 of the cities you offered are black. And these cities are all run by Democrats.
Out of all the comments, yours really highlights the high crime rates in some Democratic-run cities. It does make me wonder why Trump chose to deploy forces first to DC and LA to restore order in Democratic cities. He has his job cut out for him.So, where is any major city that is run by a GOP mayor? The diverse nature of a major city is contrary to the very nature of the Republican Party.
https://ballotpedia.org/Party_affiliati … est_citiesGood question. I don't know. I was just surprised that she posted those cities. In my view, I think ot comes down to big cities generally have higher crime than small towns or rural areas, no matter who runs them. Since most big U.S. cities are blue, people often associate urban crime with Democrats, but when you look at Republican-led big cities or red states overall, crime levels are also high.
Well, there is Miami, Florida. Fort Worth, Texas as well as Omaha, Nebraska to name a few.
None of them have crime rates even close to the cities run by democrats.You know, I think that the concern would be better directed toward the real shit holes of the country...
Louisiana ranks near the bottom in key areas per 2025 data (US News, WalletHub):
- Economy: 50th
- Education: 46th
- Poverty rate: 17.4% (2nd highest)
- Social mobility: Among lowest (e.g., 49th in 2023 Archbridge index)
- Safety nets: Moderate, but high federal dependence.
Pretty sure that Louisiana wouldn't exist if it weren't for the grace and money of the blue States...Trump's "law and order" doctrine operates like a spotlight... blindingly bright on stages he builds, utterly dark where actual blood flows.
Alabama's, Mississippi, Tennessee and Louisiana's violence epidemic? Left in the shadows.
They all have homicide rates that tower above national averages while DC saw federal troops make 465 arrests in 12 days...fewer than local cops handled daily pre-intervention.
The admin deployed Marines to LA protests & seized DC police despite falling crime, yet ignores 404 violent crimes/100k Alabamians. Priorities: spectacle over substance.
Authoritarianism wears a MAGA hat in DC, turns blind eye to Birmingham.A little more “weird science”, Mike?
You haven’t really enough GOP mayors in charge of any major cities to make the obviously unsupported statement you make. At least, Sharlee was honest about the reality of any such ridiculous comparison. Your suggested comparison is specious at best. Who the hell wouild want any stodgy Republican type as a mayor in a fast moving urban environment? Dallas/Ft.Worth and Miami may qualify, but, Omaha, NE?Those people that appreciate low crime rates, low taxes, well kept, clean cities that are riot free? Others will appreciate dynamic Democrats that will take their money and encourage crime, drug usage, racial discrimination and homelessness, but talk a good schtick while they are doing it.
And the other 90 or so cities do not want low crime rates, low taxes and well kept, clean environments? What sort of reasoning is that, you have added nothing to support your position? Conservatives are such irritating and obtuse people.
Regardless of what conservatives try to sell you, 0+0 is still 0.If it were a priority to them they would live in such a city. Even if it has a Republican mayor.
But they do not. Conclusion: while they may wish such things but being liberal and encouraging drug use, homelessness, etc. (particularly the "feel good" part of being dynamic and liberal) takes precedence.
I would have to say it is you, not conservatives, being obtuse, for this is as plain and obvious as the nose in the middle of your face. You don't like it so will pretend it isn't so, but we both know it IS so.Of course every city wants low crime, low taxes, and a good quality of life; the real debate is over how to achieve it. Conservative-led cities often prioritize strict law enforcement, fiscal restraint, and pro-business policies as a way to maintain order and economic growth. Liberal-led cities may take a different approach, relying more on higher taxes and expanded social programs. The results speak for themselves in many cases: numerous conservative-led areas do, in fact, have lower crime, more manageable tax burdens, and cleaner environments. To dismiss that outright without evidence doesn’t strengthen the argument; it weakens it. Resorting to insults like “obtuse” or “irritating” doesn’t replace the need for facts. If one side wants to claim superior results, they should back it up with data, not caricatures.
'If one side wants to claim superior results, they should back it up with data, not caricatures....
As of 2023, Shreveport, Louisiana's homicide rate was 41.07 homicides per 100,000 people. This represented a significant increase of over 37% from 2022... SO GOING UP ... THEY ARE UNDER REPUBLICAN RULE ALSO
chicago....21.4.... AND DECREASING.
We can do the same comparisons with cities like Monroe louisiana, baton rouge louisiana, Hattiesburg mississippi, Birmingham Alabama and on and on and on and on....This morning I made a list of people I will no longer be communicating with. To put it politely, I don’t feel it’s worth my time or energy to engage in back-and-forths with those whose mindsets are so deeply divided from my own. I always respect others’ right to share their views, but I also respect my right to step back. There’s no purpose in dwelling on disagreements that lead nowhere.
Yeah, I hung in too long. I mean, there’s just no middle ground to be had, and so few people are actually dropping in. I’m really looking for a different kind of political conversation, something beyond constantly defending a man who, frankly, needs no defending. With so much going on that I consider interesting regarding the current administration’s accomplishments, I want to engage in meaningful political discussions. The threads that post interesting topics get drowned out by the same old, same old.
Well, of course they are going to take everything out on Trump; they defend crime, place mental illness on a pedestal, and hate America!
Good luck, I hope you can find some meaningful engagement elsewhere!!""Well, of course they are going to take everything out on Trump; they defend crime, place mental illness on a pedestal, and hate America!"
Literally no one does that... Defend crime? Do you mean like Republicans shoving their cities in their states in a dark corner, pretending they don't have some of the worst homicide rates in this country while trying to shine a light on others who are doing so much better than them... Is that what you mean?
Yep. Much easier to retreat than defend a position.
Where is your evidence that in the minuscule example of a republican mayor of any decent size Metropolis in American can you prove that they have lower crime rates merely because the mayor is Republican? So, Wilderness’ argument and yours, as well, could be considered as absurd as neither of you can factually associated a Republican mayor with less crime in a large citiy as you have no sample size to make any sensible comparison. You speak of partisan bias generalities without evidence.
So, I am asking you, where is the data from either Wilderness or yourself? Without evidence, I will usually dismiss rightwing diatribe, what else can be done? My BS meter is sounding off like an air raid siren, this time, Sharlee.Cred, Republican mayors have had success in controlling crime. I don't think any major cities have a Republican mayor. That's why I used the word "areas" in my comment.
I think there’s a bit of a misunderstanding here. My point wasn’t about any single city or example; it was about "areas" where leadership prioritizes certain policies. Conservative-led "areas" often focus on strict law enforcement, fiscal discipline, and pro-business strategies, and these approaches can produce real results. I should have offered some examples. However, I was just sharing an opinion. Here are a few For example, Mesa, Arizona, under Republican Mayor John Giles, has emphasized public safety initiatives and neighborhood policing, keeping violent crime rates lower than other metro areas of similar size. Gilbert, Arizona, with Republican Mayor Jenn Daniels, is known for low crime rates, strong public safety standards, and a business-friendly environment. Even Naperville, Illinois, led by Republican Mayor Steve Chirico, consistently ranks among the safest cities in the U.S., with low violent crime and solid economic metrics. These examples show that when areas adopt disciplined, strategic approaches, often associated with conservative leadership, they can achieve measurable improvements in public safety and quality of life. It’s about policy choices and priorities, not just party labels. I have several more examples, but I think I have helped make my point."Cred, Republican mayors have had success in controlling crime. I don't think any major cities have a Republican mayor."
I think Miami, Florida qualifies as a major city.The point is being missed. The issue being clouded. The fact is, there are locations with higher homicide rates per capita, per 100,000 that have higher rates than Washington DC or Chicago..... BUT ARE NOT RECEIVING THE SAME SCRUTINY AND ATTENTION.
AGAIN... Look no further than shit holes located within speaker Mike Johnson's own district.
Take a listen to one of the most pathetic figures in politics today...
https://x.com/GovPressOffice/status/1961443219184783549Washington DC is the nation's capital. It is not part of a state. It is a district. It had the worst crime of any capital of a major country in the world Something had to be done. democrats said they would do something and President Donald Trump did it.
Chicago is the nation's third largest city. The Chicago Board of Trade and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange are two of the largest trading exchanges in the world. People come from all over the world to trade on these exchanges. There is quite a bit of money involved.
It makes sense to want to protect those involved with trading farm futures, commodities, etc. as they impact the nation in a big way. A safer Chicago will get people from around the world to want and trade on these exchanges and invest more capital in the United States.
It's not always as simple as murder rates. There are many reasons for wanting to lower the crime in Chicago the left doesn't comprehend.
Yes, Miami is a good example, the crime rate is low, and in the last months has shown great decreases in pretty much all forms of crime. I did find a few more examples that have republican Mayors when checking out Miami, Fort Worth, Oklahoma City, and Charleston, SC.
All of these cities are doing better then democrat run cities.
As far as size by population, Fort Worth is the 11th largest city in the United and Oklahoma City is 20th.Continuing to miss the point...Dear Leader is not targeting crime. If that were the case, he could target cities other than the ones he has turned his ire toward who have higher homicide rates... The man doesn't give a shit about crime.. anywhere. This is revenge and retribution from a small petty man.
And what of all the previous BS and blathering from the Maga crowd about how important states rights are LOL... All that bloviating goes out the window when trump needs to exact some vindictiveness though doesn't it?
Oh, really, Mike? This chart does not indicate that GOP mayors are any more successful in controlling crime in their municipality than the Democrat controlled cities, particularly when they are considerably larger.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_U … crime_rate
`Sharlee, I refer you back to your earlier comment that the reality or the situation is that all large cities have crime problems regardless of whether a Republican or Democrat happens to be mayor. Smaller towns and cities present smaller problems in this area regardless of the party affiliation of the mayor.
I really don’t believe that anything definitive can be said about GOP mayors in truly large metropolises as there are too few to fairly evaluate. Out of the topic 36 cities with populations over 500K, only 5 have GOP mayors, is there any definitive evidence that any of these 5 have reduced crime rates compared to the others? Let’s check that out.
Miami, FT
Worth/Dallas is on the list, but that is just two. Has Miami or FT Worth show exemplary progress on controlling crime statistics in their respective areas? I have no indication of that.I appreciate that you understood my point. Larger cities often experience higher crime rates, certainly not all, but many do, and most of these cities are led by Democratic mayors. In contrast, smaller cities ( as I referred to as "areas) with lower populations are often led by Republican mayors, and while not all have lower crime rates, many do. Republican-led cities tend to emphasize strict law enforcement, fiscal discipline, and pro-business strategies, while liberal-led cities may focus on higher taxes and expanded social programs to address community needs. Both approaches have their strengths and challenges, depending on the circumstances. But after checking stats, it is clear that larger cities do have bigger problems. I took the time to attempt to get a better understanding of the issue. Here is a bit of info on stats.
Larger cities with Republican Mayors
Homicide Rates in 2024:
Jacksonville, FL: 12.3 per 100,000 residents
Fort Worth, TX: 10.8 per 100,000 residents
Indianapolis, IN: 17.2 per 100,000 residents
Charlotte, NC: 13.5 per 100,000 residents
Columbus, OH: 11.0 per 100,000 residents
Miami, In the first quarter of 2025, Miami-Dade County experienced a 39% decrease in homicides compared to the same period in 2024, with 19 murders reported in early 2025 compared to 23 in early 2024 .
Large Cities with Democratic Mayors
Here’s the list of 2025 for the first half of the year. Homicide rates for Democratic-led large U.S. cities, sorted from highest to lowest:
Baltimore, MD: 35.0 per 100,000
St. Louis, MO: 31.2 per 100,000
Washington, D.C.: 27.3 per 100,000
New Orleans, LA: 25.0 per 100,000
Chicago, IL: 24.5 per 100,000
Los Angeles, CA: 7.0 per 100,000
Portland, OR: 6.5 per 100,000
San Francisco, CA: 5.0 per 100,000
New York, NY: 4.3 per 100,000
Seattle, WA: 4.0 per 100,000
Minnesota's, 3.6 per 100,000
Denver, 2.7 per 100,000
In my view, there are a lot of reasons why some big cities have low homicide rates while others have much higher rates. I think socioeconomic conditions play a big part; cities with more poverty or unemployment seem to struggle more with violent crime, while areas with more resources often see less. Population density, access to guns, and gang activity also seem to make a difference. Local leadership and policies play a role, too, depending on how they handle crime. From what I can see, cities like Baltimore or St. Louis continue to have very high rates, likely because of long-standing social and economic problems. Overall, it just seems to me that crime rates come from a mix of many factors, not just one. I think it is a very complicated issue."liberal-led cities may focus on higher taxes and expanded social programs to address community needs"
IMO, liberal cities do not concentrate on "community needs". If they did we would not see cities with failing bridges, water treatment plants that are in desperate need of replacement/repair, road that are nothing but potholes. We would not see inner cities without grocery stores because shoplifting overcame any possible profits. We would not see whole neighborhoods inundated with either drugs or gangs.
Instead, liberal cities concentrate on sharing the wealth, giving away what working people earned to those that do not produce much, if anything, of value. It is a catch-22 for them, for the action that they take in giving people what they need to support themselves encourages more to come and request the same thing. It is a growth cycle that can only be ended by stopping what is being done to encourage it.
I would also comment on your crime stats. While I presume they are accurate (you are not known for grabbing false numbers or "facts"), they do NOT tell the whole story. They don't even begin to.
Crime is not limited to homicides, rape and car jackings. It includes shoplifting and other petty theft. It includes simple vandalism and it includes destruction of public property by the homeless that don't care what happens to our parks and other public spaces. It includes drug usage and it includes simple defecation and urination in the streets.
Such things are becoming so common place that they are no longer "crimes" and are thus not counted in the statistics but they are a huge part of what makes large cities virtually unlivable. They are a stepping stone to bigger things (like murder and rape)...but we don't count them so we can pretend that crime is down.
"There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics". What is being done with our "crime reporting" falls under the third; facts are being manipulated to intentionally show a false picture of reality.I completely agree with your perspective. Liberal cities often fail to focus on the core needs of their communities, which is why we see crumbling infrastructure like failing bridges, decaying water treatment plants, and roads full of potholes. Grocery deserts in inner cities, neighborhoods overrun by gangs or drugs, and public spaces left to decay all highlight the consequences of mismanaged priorities. Instead of fostering self-reliance and productive communities, many liberal policies prioritize wealth redistribution, giving away resources earned by hardworking Americans to those who contribute little. This cycle only encourages more dependency and makes it harder to break the pattern.
Crime statistics, while they may be accurate for major offenses like homicide or carjackings, fail to capture the daily realities that make cities unlivable: petty theft, vandalism, public drug use, and even open defecation and urination. Liberal policies, combined with failing city management, attract more homeless populations and migrants, adding to an already overwhelming set of challenges these cities face. These behaviors, often ignored or decriminalized, are stepping stones to more serious crimes, yet they are conveniently left out of official reporting to create a misleading sense of safety. As a conservative, I see the importance of accountability, enforcement, and policies that encourage personal responsibility rather than dependency, because without addressing the root causes, no amount of statistics or “feel-good” programs will restore safe, thriving communities.
Ultimately, the only way to fix some of these problems is for voters to wake up and take a hard look at what kind of cities they are truly responsible for. In the end, it is their mindsets that allow so much of the horrific conditions they are forced to live with.And when all of these happen in places like the district Mike Johnson represents, like Shreveport, what is it attributed to?
Trump has a huge problem... for decades politicians sold out and allowed foreign nations, none worse than China, infiltrate our institutions and destroy our pillars of society, especially our education system where we once taught civic duty and pride for our country and today our teachings denigrate it.
Watch this, or listen to it, from the 48:46 mark to the 1:04:00 mark... some great insight into our current issues... and how far down a dangerous road we have gone:
https://youtu.be/PvD_vwImGNs?list=TLPQM … amp;t=2919Yeah, Nietzsche is problematic... that IS the problem with limited intelligence and the inability to grasp the greater meanings, the cosmos, etc.
And I admit for whatever insights I have into the machinations of men, of why or what is going on, when it comes to the greater meaning... I am as much at a loss as anyone else.
Those who have no doubts, those who no longer question, well, I doubt they have any greater insight than you or I... which means they have deluded themselves and others into believing... in something that cannot ever be based on a wholly factual foundation.
And this is the problem with Post-Modernity... with the West's self evaluation and self-loathing... when nothing is factual... and faith is not accepted as the foundation upon which we build our civilization... then there is nothing that is true, and we are just waiting on the next civilization to come along and force their beliefs and will upon us.
This is where we are now... and without the faith... without the belief that allowed 'the West' or if you want to isolate it to America... to force its beliefs and faith upon all that crossed its path or stood in its way, we are doomed to succumb to those who will.
Trump’s “safety theater” reveals his script.... federal troops enter stage left as police budgets exit right. Nothing says “law and order” like defunding cops while deploying soldiers to cities where crime’s already falling.
The administration deployed National Guard units to DC on 8/26 despite violent crime hitting 30-year lows pre-intervention, while slashing $1B from CA police budgets in June...
TRUMP DEFUNDS THE POLICE
No president in modern history has defunded the police more than Donald Trump.
And no....marching around Georgetown isn't the way to fight "crime."
He’s gutted $800M in anti-violence programs, cut FBI & ATF jobs, and slashed women’s safety programs.
He's a fraud.
Trump.signed the Republican budget that slashed billions from community policing across the country.
Now there are fewer cops on the street....so don’t tell me Donald Trump gives a damn about reducing crime.
https://x.com/TheTNHoller/status/1958170775464051115If fighting crime is the goal and not just a display of power, why is every city Trump is targeting for national guard deployment for a "crime emergency" in a state with a Democratic governor?
Because the two things democrats love more than anything else are criminals and illegal aliens. Their soft on crime policies coupled with their sanctuary state policies have resulted in crime being a real issue in these states.
Law-abiding citizens and legal immigrants are ignored and shunned by the democrat party.Mike. I agree with you completely. We’ve seen over and over how Democrat policies put criminals and illegal aliens ahead of law-abiding citizens. Take California, for example, under Prop 47, they reduced penalties for theft, which led to massive spikes in organized retail crime and everyday shoplifting that store owners and citizens are left to deal with. Another example is New York, where their “bail reform” laws let violent offenders walk free within hours, only to re-offend again and again. On top of that, sanctuary city policies in places like Chicago and New York are draining resources from citizens, with billions going to house and care for illegal immigrants while veterans and homeless Americans are left behind.
I don't think the right understands how bail reform actually works...
The reality is mixed: while many people do well under no-bail systems, there are repeat offenders who take advantage of them, and it’s the public that bears the consequences. To say critics “don’t understand how bail reform works” overlooks the fact that they often do, they’re simply emphasizing the risks, the repeat cases, and the real safety concerns that reform advocates tend to minimize. Personally, I wouldn’t want to be the victim of a repeat offender who was released without bail. Even if the percentage of reoffense is statistically low, that’s cold comfort to those who end up in that “small percentage” of victims. I don’t believe public safety should be gambled away as part of an experiment in political ideology.
How does bail reform work? Maybe you could give an example of how it is used in any particular State and what the problem is??
Turn the criminals loose to repeat the crime on someone else.
It's the liberal way, after all - protect the criminals while punishing the innocent.Could you provide a description of bail reform from a state that uses it, maybe from there State website that describes how it works...
Some of the states with the cities experiencing the very highest rates of violent crime are headed by Republican governors....
The "crime emergency" in Washington DC is so bad, they have our National Guard troops collecting trash and whacking weeds.
Cost to taxpayers: $1 million per day.
What an absolute FARCE.
This meme is an example of a total and complete lack of knowledge of serving in the US Army.
Does anyone believe that soldiers train with weapons and march 24 hours a day seven days a week? Guess what? Today, the majority of US Soldiers are not deployed to war zones.
Who do you think mows the grass at US Army bases? Soldiers. When I was an enlisted guy I cleaned toilets and showers, washed trucks, painted buildings, shoveled snow, worked in the mess hall, moved furniture, and on and on and on. During this time, I also knew how to operate some of the most lethal weapons known to man. It's part of military service.
So, anyone who has served in the Army won't be upset by this meme but shrug their shoulders and say, "I know which group got duty that day."Sorry, under no circumstance do we need gardeners in DC at the cost of $1,000,000 per day.... THIS IS SHEER STUPIDITY
These soldiers would be getting paid the same if they were in DC or at their base or overseas in a combat zone.
No matter what they're doing, the US Taxpayer is paying them.
It doesn't matter.
While it might sound ridiculous to see National Guard troops cutting weeds or hauling trash in D.C., the reality is that their service comes with significant structure, value, and benefits that go far beyond the task at hand. A typical National Guard member doesn’t earn a large base salary; unless on active duty, they average under $7,000 per year for their monthly drills. But when they are deployed full-time, they switch to active-duty pay — an E-4, for example, earns about $2,500 a month.
It’s true that the current use of the National Guard in Washington D.C. — collecting trash and trimming weeds, looks like a misuse of a highly trained force, especially at a cost of $1 million a day. But it’s worth remembering that the Guard isn’t just “labor for hire”; every dollar spent goes toward strengthening a trained, ready force that serves both the community and the nation. When a young man or woman enlists in the Guard, taxpayers aren’t just paying them for weekend drills or occasional deployment; they’re funding an investment in education through tuition assistance and the GI Bill, affordable healthcare coverage, life insurance, and retirement benefits. Guardsmen also receive top-tier job training, earning certifications that they can carry into the civilian workforce, making them more productive members of society. In addition, Guard service builds leadership, discipline, and readiness for natural disasters, riots, or national defense. So while $1 million a day in this particular situation may sound like waste, the broader picture is that taxpayers are contributing to a well-trained, well-supported citizen-soldier force that’s always on standby when true emergencies strike.
I feel when I see them deployed, I am getting a return on money spent. Plus, the DC Mayor has had a change of heart and now sees that the Guard has helped to cut crime drastically.
Mayor Muriel Bowser says Trump's surge of federal law enforcement has lowered crime in D.C.
WASHINGTON — D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser on Wednesday credited President Donald Trump's directed surge of federal law enforcement with lowering crime in the nation's capital but made it clear that the presence of immigration agents and National Guard troops is "not working."
Carjackings, she said, were the "most troubling" crime that plagued D.C. in 2023, and they have decreased in recent years. Bowser said that in the 20 days since the federal takeover, there has been an 87% drop in carjackings compared with the same period last year. The data cited also showed a 15% fall in crime overall in the district during the same period last year.
"We know that when carjackings go down, when use of guns goes down, when homicide or robbery go down, neighborhoods feel safer and are safer, so this surge has been important to us," said Bowser, who added that she has been personally engaged with Attorney General Pam Bondi and White House chief of staff Susie Wiles.
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politi … rcna227582This is no lasting way in which crime is addressed. But again, why no attention to actual shit hole cities in red states? Why are they being ignored? Are Mike Johnson's constituents in Shreveport Louisiana just happy that the libs are being owned on DC while they live in actual killing fields, an actual cesspool of filth, crime, poverty, lack of education... The crime really never was the point at all, was it...lol
Trump has defunded the police. His budget defunds the police by $2 BILLION. Give the cities back their funding and they can continue to do the job that they've been doing which is decrease crime.So when Trump sends the \National Guard into Shreveport you are go to be on here posting about what a great thing it is?
Trump keeps saying that local officials should be asking him in.... Why isn't a hellscape like Shreveport begging for help??? They actually need it much more than DC or Chicago does. Trump has the guard trimming the bushes in DC....
I know... a disgrace...
He should have the guard rounding up all the homeless from the tent camps throughout DC and forcing them to do it... and shoot them dead on the spot if they try to refuse... human waste like that needs to be put to work.It’s been reported that individuals displaced by the recent 50 homeless encampment clearings in Washington, D.C., were indeed offered shelter and services. The White House confirmed that homeless individuals were given the option to leave the area, go to a shelter, or receive addiction and mental health support. However, some refused these offers for various reasons, including mistrust of the system or concerns about shelter conditions.
I mean, Trump makes it all look very simple, as I knew he would, and this really rubs some people the wrong way. Frankly, those who were able could have been asked to help with the cleanup. Once again, we see some on the left highlighting this issue in a way that seems to prefer keeping people on the streets, with all the associated problems, instead of supporting a practical solution that gets people off the streets and into safe housing. Hopefully, other cities take note and take action to address their homeless populations responsibly.And what kind of mental health supports would he be shuttling these people to? Can you report back on the cuts that have occurred just in the short amount of time under this regime to mental health? And substance abuse?
Reports out of DC are they at these people are just being shuffled around, no real help, only temporary displacement. No solutions whatsoever...
“I’ve seen people literally just go across the street or to the next street down,” said Alex Visotzky, senior California policy fellow at the National Alliance to End Homelessness....
What happened after Trump ordered D.C. homeless encampments cleared - The Washington Post https://share.google/bOvBgxmSo3FzPFozl
I noticed that you did not answer the question.
The guard is to be sent in for emergency situations.. yes I support rescuing Shreveport from their emergency. It's baffling that the Republican mayor of that City isn't requesting guard units isn't it? His crime rate has been increasing... This is also speaker Mike Johnson's district.. can't understand why he's ignoring such a hellscape.
Speaker Speechless: In an epic moment, Speaker Johnson has no answer when Fox News shows a clip of Gov. Newsom exposing Louisiana as having a murder rate 4 times higher than California's.
If crime is the issue, why aren't National Guard in red states?....
BECAUSE IT ISN'T ABOUT CRIME
Here's he is WAFFLING
https://x.com/ReallyAmerican1/status/19 … 6417776027
Crime crackdowns that avoid actual crime hotspots? Only Trump’s admin could stage such lethal irony. A political safari in blue cities while red states hemorrhage...WELKER: Should Trump dispatch the National Guard to Oklahoma where the crime rate is higher than New York and California?
LANKFORD (R OKLAHOMA): The people of Oklahoma would welcome any help we can get to deal with crime issues...
LOL BUDDY YOU AIN'T GOING TO GET IT. BECAUSE THIS ISN'T ABOUT CRIMETrump's "crime emergency" is a stunning piece of political theater. The only thing being cleaned up is the CURB, not the crime that isn't there. Welcome to the world's most expensive sanitation service.
This performance costs taxpayers over $1M daily to "fight" a crime rate at a 30-year low. Trump's justification is so thin that an Aug 25 Washington Post poll found 79% of D.C. residents oppose the deployment. This isn't governance.... it's an occupation against the will of the governed, funded by their own money.DC has the second-highest murder rate. With 103 killed before Trump sent in the Guard. In the past days, they have been on duty there has been one murder. It will be interesting to see what he plans to follow up with in DC to keep crime down once the troops have left. He is determined to curb crime. I do know plans have been announced.
How can they follow up with anything when they're funding has been cut? You see, Trump creates a problem and then goes in and pretends to solve it but there is no real solution here.... THEIR FUNDING IS STILL GONE.
Again, you're quoting a crime statistic in an absolute number rather than per capita.... That's really disingenuous.
Based on 2024 data, the per capita homicide rate for Washington, D.C. was 26.6 per 100,000 people....
In contrast....for context
Baton Rouge, Louisiana, with a 2024 homicide rate of 29.1 per 100,000This is a very complicated subject. D.C. has the third-highest taxes in the U.S., and they collect plenty of revenue, yet the city consistently fails to show results from the money it collects. For example, education takes up nearly 40% of the budget, but test scores and graduation rates still lag behind the national average. Public safety gets 20–25%, yet violent crime remains high. Healthcare and human services receive 15–20%, but homelessness and access to quality healthcare remain major challenges. Transportation and infrastructure take about 10%, yet roads, traffic, and public transit are still problematic. Even debt service and pensions take a large portion, leaving less room for effective programs. And the remaining funds for housing, parks, and economic development often fail to produce noticeable improvements in residents’ quality of life. I’m with Trump. Why pour more money into D.C. when they misallocate funds and are essentially failing their citizens across the board?
Per capita data is especially important when we can analyze it over a full year, particularly for homicides, since daily numbers fluctuate significantly. The numbers shift almost monthly between the cities that have large numbers of homicides yearly.Their crime stats have been steadily decreasing.. they're doing something right. And we all know the National Guard is not a solution to anything. It was a disingenuous theatrical move by Trump that has absolutely nothing to do with crime.
Again, if it were really about crime, the focus would be elsewhere... Baton rouge is running slightly ahead of DC in the per capita homicide rate but no attention there huh?Perhaps Trump looks at ALL crime (including those that are no longer listed as "criminal") and chooses where to attack. You know, murder, rape, shoplifting, car jacking, rioting, muggings, etc. etc. etc.
There is far, far more to crime that just homicides, and it includes much of what is no longer considered a "crime" and included in crime stats. Even graffiti contributes - it provides an environment encouraging further, and worse, behavior.Perhaps this isn't about crime at all. Perhaps it is just the revenge theater from the mind of a narcissistic, petty man.
But you want to look at violent crime rates?
On the list we have the repeated offenders.. Memphis, Detroit, Cleveland, St Louis, Birmingham Alabama and baton rouge Louisiana...No, I want to look at ALL crime rates, just as I said (did you read the post, or just imagine what you wanted it to say?).
I do know that many cities are de-criminalizing crimes at a high rate...making their stats look so much better. I'm sure you have seen the same - the difference is you will use that action to complain about Trump while I will question what the true figures are as I hear crime is down and my eyes and ears tell the opposite."No, I want to look at ALL crime rates,"
Do it then..It's a bigger effort... a Soros funded ...China funded ... who-ever wants to see America's demise pushing for Open-Borders ... Sanctuary-City effort.
A society cannot survive when it is over-run. A civilization fails to be such when it has no Law and Order.
You can call it racism... but wiser people realize that to maintain ones culture and society at the very least you need to enforce assimilation on those you allow into your nation... to do otherwise is to be replaced by the beliefs and culture that you allow in.
I watched this video that is not very coherent IMO, it tries to cover a variety of matters relating to race and borders... however there is a very interesting part about how ancient Egypt enforced its borders centuries ago... it is not something new. If you want to ensure your standards of living, your society, your safety, you need to be able to enforce your borders and choose who is allowed into your country...
The video is timestamped to 10:53 discussing Egypt border enforcement:
https://youtu.be/ONcPYYlBpb8?t=653I agree, a society cannot survive when it is overrun. The reality is that many of the migrants pouring in are not well educated, and the majority do not speak English. We already have too many citizens who struggle to find opportunity, too many poor who lack proper healthcare, and far too many living homeless on our streets. Crime is already a challenge, and our schools are already burdened trying to help students who fall behind. Adding a massive influx of people only deepens these problems. This is not about race, it’s about protecting Americans first, no matter their background or skin color. Every citizen, whether Black, White, Hispanic, or Asian, deserves safety, opportunity, and stability before we take on the struggles of millions more from outside our borders.
Shar,
The mayor of DC said that carjackings are down 87% since the federalization and that she is happy with it. Violent crime in DC is down 30% and overall crime is down 19%.
It's important to note that law will only permit this federalization to last for 30 days.
Again, the democrats don't get it. President Donald Trump is showing that he is someone who is willing to do something about crime. democrats are once again appearing to take the side of criminals. They just don't get it.
‘This can be replicated’: White House touts 30% drop in DC crime as mayor says federal surge is helping.
President Donald Trump’s law enforcement surge is helping combat crime in D.C., as recent White House figures indicate a notable drop.
Numbers released by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on Thursday indicate that total crime in the nation’s capital is down by 19%, as violent crimes saw a 30% decline.
When it came to carjacking incidents and homicides, she added that both plummeted by 67% and 57%, respectively. “This can be replicated in other crime-ridden cities across the nation,” Leavitt said.
he District’s crimecards.dc.gov/ shows that crime overall has been trending down in August.
According to DC police data, there were 2,304 total violent crimes in 2024. So far, in 2025, there have been 1,680, which is down 27%.
While D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said the city has reported fewer gun crimes, fewer homicides and an “extreme reduction in carjackings” since the federal assistance started, she also noted that it’s causing fear and anxiety in some communities.
As a result of extra law enforcement, Bowser said there’s “tremendous anxiety in the District. When I look and I see residents putting things on social media or neighborhood chats, I know that there is a lot of anxiety.”
...Trump’s invocation of the Home Rule Act is scheduled to end after 30 days, and he would need congressional approval to extend it. However, it’s unclear whether the additional federal law enforcement officers and National Guard troops will remain.
“We will be prepared to take advantage of additional federal officers, to focus on the beautification, to support the federal task force, when that time period expires,” Bowser said. “We will be prepared as a city.”
https://wtop.com/dc/2025/08/bowser-says … residents/If you line any City street in this nation with troops, of course crime will go down. Everything else will go down with it though also such as small businesses.
How is this a solution to addressing the long-term issues of crime, everywhere? I think people keep forgetting that Republicans slashed DC's budget... Money that was to be used for policing. He has cut or terminated federal grants that supported local public safety efforts, even while calling for tougher policing measures.... so how do you expect crime to be addressed?
He is setting these cities up to fail.What really stands out to me is how quickly order was restored once the federal surge began. It proves what many of us already knew: criminals respond to strength, not weakness. One thing that doesn’t get mentioned enough is how these efforts ripple outward. When the streets are safer, businesses feel more confident staying open, families feel safe walking outside, and tourism starts to pick back up. That’s the kind of long-term impact cities like Chicago desperately need.
Instead of wringing their hands about “anxiety,” Democrats should be asking why it took Trump stepping in for residents to finally get relief. And this holiday weekend makes it painfully clear, reports out of Chicago show multiple deaths and at least 35 people injured by gunfire. That’s exactly why the same federal action needs to be taken there.
I truly appreciate all that President Trump is doing. He refuses to turn a blind eye to horrific crime and is taking real action to bring peace back to the streets of crime-ridden cities. No one can stop him from tackling the problems others have ignored, and that determination is something we simply haven’t seen in a president before.
I can see why the Democrats are completely freaked out. Deep down, they know they’re finished, and that has to be not only shocking for them but downright embarrassing. Their constant anger gives it away; instead of confidence, they lash out because they realize the ground is shifting under their feet. It’s not strength we’re seeing, it’s panic dressed up as outrage.
Hey, let's see what Trump can do with Chicago.What measures are proven to have an impact on reducing crime?
"DC has the second-highest murder rate. With 103 killed before Trump sent in the Guard
This just isn't true...
Again let me fall back on AI...
"the city with the second highest per capita homicide rate in the country was St. Louis, Missouri, with a rate of 69.4 homicides per 100,000 people. It was second only to Jackson, Mississippi, which had the highest rate at 78 per 100,000 residents."
Whatever happened to the Republican party's stance on limiting federal power in favor of state authority???
LAUGHABLEThis woman has some sort of mental illness...
NANCY MACE. Representing the first congressional district of South Carolina... A shithole that includes North charleston, a city with a SIGNIFICANTLY higher crime rate compared to both the state and national averages....
Fox News: Would you welcome federal resources going into a part of South Carolina with a high crime rate?
Mace: I look forward to watching the videos of soldiers entering Chicago....
WHY ISN'T SHE REACHING OUT ASKING FOR HELP FOR THE BELEAGUERED AREAS SHE REPRESENTS???
MAGA... You've lost the ability to claim it's all about crime...
But let's be honest, sending the National Guard to pick up a city's trash to the tune of $1 million per day is it doing absolutely nothing for crime...At 1 million a day for National Guard to do landscaping and sanitation work, imagine what kind of programs could actually be put in place to address crime with that money
What a lost opportunity. Trump truly is a demented man.Dan, you can start with this, another horrific weekend in Chicago ---
Chicago sees 5 killed, 35 wounded over Labor Day weekend!
As Trump warns of Guard intervention: report. Mayor Johnson and Governor Pritzker reject federal military deployment as an 'unconstitutional power grab' despite the city being gripped by violence. This is every weekend -- it never lets up. Why argue with those who can ignore that many of our major cities are unsafe to live in? This line of conversation has become a waste of time.Baton Rouge: Violent Sunday with seven separate shootings | Multiple victims including woman
killed
Baton Rouge: Violent Sunday with seven separate shootings | Multiple victims including woman killed https://share.google/PJdgVTFvlKbeJC2hz
And I went to AI....
Bessemer, Alabama: 4 men were shot and killed at a gas station.
Burnsville, Minnesota: Five people were wounded in a shooting at Red Oak Park.
Dallas, Texas: A police officer was killed and 5 others were wounded in a targeted attack.
Des Moines, Iowa: Four people were injured in a restaurant parking lot shooting.
Honolulu, Hawaii: Four people were killed and two were wounded.
Novi, Michigan: A 14-year-old was killed and others wounded in a shooting at the Michigan State Fair.
St. Louis, Missouri: Six people were shot and wounded in a downtown incident.What happened to conservatives supposed believe in States rights?
Does deploying the National Guard within a city have any long-term impacts on reducing crime?
ASKED AI...
Experts do not consider deploying the National Guard to have a long-lasting impact on reducing crime in cities. While it may provide a short-term deterrent in specific areas, sustained crime reduction is achieved through long-term strategies that address root causes, such as community engagement and social services....
THIS IS NOTHING BUT POLITICAL THEATER."The DOJ in April canceled $820 million in grants supporting more than 550 organizations across 48 states and territories working on issues such as violence prevention, victims’ services, and criminal justice research. These cuts were unexpected and unprecedented, marking a shocking break from the department’s long-standing support for state and local criminal justice work. Many of the cuts set back work on bipartisan policy priorities, such as assisting victims of crime, enhancing treatment for substance use and mental health, and improving reentry outcomes. These consequences are difficult to reconcile with the administration’s claim that it is prioritizing public safety.*
So how does this make sense? Am I to believe that the national guard, picking up trash and landscaping cities to the tune of $1 million dollars per day is preferable over the money that was cut to cities???
Tell me more about Trump and his "solutions"... Please elaborate on how canceling funds for crime prevention is a good thing??
Crime-Prevention Efforts Face Setbacks After Federal Cuts | Brennan Center for Justice https://share.google/QR4FIaxVcMFdI0qJ6"Please elaborate on how canceling funds for crime prevention is a good thing??"
Please elaborate on how continually throwing money at our problems, without ever even trying to address them, is a good thing? Please elaborate on how paying drug users to continue their illegal drug use is a good thing? Please elaborate how aiding and abetting criminals crossing our border is a good thing?
I could go on and on, but you get the idea; those millions of dollars are not helping; on the contrary they very often contribute to the crime problem we are facing. Time to try something else.How does deployment of the National Guard at $1 million per day to pick up trash and mulch bushes address the issue of crime long-term? How does it address the factors, that we know, impact crime rates?
What will be the impact on the crime rate when there is less money for programs that have proven to have a positive impact???
Let's get the facts straight before jumping to conclusions. The DOJ didn't just "slash" $820 million to hurt crime prevention, those grants were tied to the Crime Victims Fund (CVF), which is funded by fines and penalties from federal criminal cases, not tax dollars. The CVF balance has been fluctuating due to varying annual receipts, with a notable decrease from a peak of $13 billion in fiscal 2017 to an estimated $1.5 billion in 2024 . In response to declining deposits, the VOCA Fix to Sustain the Crime Victims Fund Act of 2021 was enacted to stabilize the fund by requiring certain funds from deferred prosecution and non-prosecution agreements to be deposited into the CVF.
https://rollcall.com/2024/07/26/senator … hatgpt.com
The Trump administration's DOJ made a tough budgetary decision, prioritizing the sustainability of the fund instead of writing checks that couldn't be backed up. This decision was not made in isolation; it was part of a broader strategy to focus on federal law enforcement priorities, such as combating violent crime and human trafficking .
On top of that, Trump has repeatedly pushed for stronger law-and-order measures at the federal level, expanded Operation Legend to reduce violent crime in major cities, and directed billions toward law enforcement, border security, and ending sanctuary city policies that allow repeat offenders back on the streets. For instance, in August 2025, President Trump signed an executive order ending federal funding for cashless bail programs, reversing years of government support for pretrial release systems across the U.S.
https://www.timesunion.com/capitol/arti … hatgpt.com
So no, this isn't about "choosing landscaping over crime prevention"—it's about fixing broken systems that throw money at failing programs without accountability. If we want real solutions, it starts with holding cities responsible for how they spend their budgets and demanding they put citizens' safety first, not blaming Trump for a structural funding issue he didn't create. It's about keeping promises to cut wasteful spending and working on cutting crime. I appreciate that I have a president who is not turning away from wasteful spending but stopping it.How does deploying trash pickers and landscapers help address issues that impact crime? Particularly in the long term when these people are gone?
And I will defer to AI...
"Yes, the Trump Department of Justice (DOJ) cut hundreds of millions of dollars in grants for crime-related programs in 2025. In April 2025, the DOJ terminated 373 grants from the Office of Justice Programs (OJP), a decision that affected a wide range of public safety initiatives nationwide."
"Total value of terminated grants: The rescinded grants were initially valued at approximately $820 million. Analysis from the Council on Criminal Justice estimated the loss of remaining funding to be about $500 million.
Impacted areas: The cuts affected numerous aspects of the criminal justice system and violence prevention, including:
Gun violence prevention and community intervention
Victim services, including those for sexual assault and human trafficking survivors
Juvenile justice and child protection programs
Mental health and substance use disorder treatment.
Reentry programs for formerly incarcerated individuals
These are programs that have been linked to being responsible for the decreases in crime over the past years in our cities.. so where are we now?The Crime Victims Fund (CVF) was established in 1984 through the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA), signed into law by President Ronald Reagan. The CVF was designed to support state and local programs that assist victims of crime, including services like counseling, legal assistance, and emergency shelter. Funding for the CVF comes from fines and penalties collected from federal criminal convictions, not taxpayer dollars. This model was intended to provide a sustainable source of funding for victim services without relying on general revenue.
https://www.ojp.gov/archives/safe-commu … hatgpt.com
Biden Administration's Impact on the CVF
During President Joe Biden's administration, the CVF faced significant financial challenges. In Fiscal Year 2024, the annual cap on CVF withdrawals was set at $1.2 billion, a substantial decrease from previous years. This reduction was due to lower-than-expected deposits into the fund, primarily because of a decline in federal criminal fines and penalties. In response, President Biden signed the VOCA Fix to Sustain the Crime Victims Fund Act of 2021 into law on July 22, 2021, aiming to stabilize the fund by redirecting certain deferred prosecution and non-prosecution agreement revenues into the CVF. Despite this effort, the fund's balance continued to decline, leading to reduced allocations for victim services.
Trump Administration's Actions and Reasons for Funding Cuts
Upon taking office, Trump's administration implemented significant changes to the CVF. In April 2025, the Department of Justice canceled over $800 million in grants supporting more than 550 organizations across 48 states and territories. These cuts affected programs related to violence prevention, victims' services, and criminal justice research. The administration justified these actions by citing a lack of sufficient funds in the CVF to cover all promised grants.
The Crime Victims Fund (CVF) had an unobligated balance of over $4.6 billion left in it. However, the Department of Justice (DOJ), under the Trump administration, imposed new conditions on the distribution of these funds. Specifically, states were required to comply with federal immigration enforcement policies, such as providing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) with access to facilities and advance notice of detainee release dates. Failure to meet these conditions would result in the withholding of nearly $1.4 billion in CVF allocations for the federal fiscal year 2025.
AB Pam Bondi has defended the Trump administration's decision to withhold Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) funding from states that do not comply with federal immigration enforcement policies. In a letter to state and local officials, Bondi argued that such "sanctuary" policies undermine cooperation between federal and local law enforcement, potentially allowing undocumented immigrants to evade deportation and, in her view, enabling them to commit crimes.
What I see, and this is my view --- Bondi’s defense of withholding Crime Victims Fund (CVF) allocations demonstrates her alignment with the Trump administration’s policies, particularly its strict approach to immigration enforcement. By supporting the decision to condition grant funding on state and local cooperation with federal immigration authorities, Bondi reinforced the administration’s strategy of using federal funds as leverage to ensure compliance. While the CVF was originally intended to provide victim services regardless of immigration status, her stance prioritized federal policy objectives, reflecting consistency with Trump’s broader political and administrative goals.So yes, at the end of the day, some very useful programs were defunded... Programs that were likely the reasons many cities have seen decreasing crime during the past several years.
But again, what happens when the trash pickers and lawn rakers leave? And the programs are still defunded? Where are the real solutions...I’ve shared research on this, and I fully support withholding funds from any city that refuses to comply with ICE carrying out its job. At the end of the day, people in those cities need to recognize that ICE is law enforcement, and the funding cuts are a direct result of their leaders choosing not to comply. Unfortunately, it won’t be the leaders or the migrants that are scheduled to be legally deported who bear the brunt of this; it will be the citizens themselves who end up suffering.
Can I ask what happened to the conservative priority of states rights?
I will defer again to AI on this...
States and local police are not required to assist Federal immigration agents unless a specific agreement, like the 287(g) program, is in place that formally delegates immigration enforcement authority to them. While states cannot interfere with federal enforcement, they are not legally obligated to participate or comply with requests from Federal immigration authorities, and some state laws actively prohibit such cooperation.While it is true that states and localities are not strictly required to enforce federal immigration law, one could argue for cooperation. Immigration enforcement is primarily a federal responsibility, and some argue that when local authorities refuse to assist, it can create “safe havens” for individuals who may pose criminal risks, potentially undermining public safety.
Cooperation can help ensure that dangerous individuals are identified and removed. Additionally, the federal government can tie certain grants to law enforcement cooperation, and the threat of losing funding can encourage voluntary participation. Non-cooperation can also hinder investigations into crimes such as human trafficking, gang activity, or drug smuggling, as federal authorities often rely on local police records or detainer information. Finally, while sanctuary policies may foster trust within immigrant communities, critics argue that refusing to cooperate with federal law can create tension with law-abiding citizens who expect local authorities to enforce all laws equally, potentially undermining respect for the law overall.
In my view, active cooperation with federal immigration enforcement can enhance public safety, strengthen criminal investigations, and ensure that federal laws are applied consistently.
"I’ve shared research on this, and I fully support withholding funds from any city that refuses to comply with ICE carrying out its job.
Well.... According to artificial intelligence...
"The Trump administration's cuts to Department of Justice (DOJ) grants, estimated at over $800 million, were not limited to Democratic states or cities. The terminations affected grantees in at least 38 states, impacting jurisdictions with varying political affiliations, including both "red and blue states" and urban, suburban, and rural areas.
That includes a whole lot of states and cities that fully comply with ice.
AI also gives me a multitude of examples of programs that were cut in republican-led areas...
Also AI...
"Stated reason ( FOR THE CUTS): The DOJ stated the cuts were because the grants "no longer align with the administration's funding priorities". The administration did not explicitly link these cuts to jurisdictions' sanctuary policies,"
AND
Outcome: The courts have consistently ruled that the administration's attempts to use federal grants as leverage against sanctuary policies are unconstitutional.... HE LOST THAT BATTLE DURING HIS FIRST TERM.
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