Columns

What if I told you that every year the U.S. government holds a national immigration ‘lottery’ by which 50,000 individuals become legal permanent residents of the U.S. purely at random and that since 1995 nearly one million visas have been handed out through this program. Most of my constituents are shocked to learn that such a program exists.

    Every now and then, in this space, I like to take a little time off from the weighty battles of American political life and just have some fun.

    Fun, that is, with a subject that’s not political at all, but don’t worry, I’ll find a way to take some jabs at conservatives. I wouldn’t want to let anyone down.

    In an effort to show its appreciation for their service, the U.S. has granted certain benefits to help with the costs of laying our veterans to rest.

    The burial benefits available for eligible veterans include burial allowance, plot or internment allowance, headstones or markers, a U.S. flag, a presidential memorial certificate and military funeral honors, including an honor guard and playing of “Taps”.

For months now the Leadership in the Congress and the Administration have been negotiating the amount of money that the federal government is allowed to borrow. Unfortunately, because of continued out-of-control spending, Congress was yet again asked to increase the debt ceiling – not to create new spending, but to pay for what Congress has already obligated.