Obama Wants More Refugees
The Obama Administration is planning to dramatically increase the number of refugees admitted to the United States next year. Last year, the U.S. took in nearly 70,000 refugees. Next year, Obama is proposing to bring in 110,000 refugees -- a 57% increase.
Americans are a generous and welcoming people -- especially to those truly in need. However, the problem with Obama's refugee policy is the manner in which it has been administered.
As I noted recently, Obama committed to bringing in 10,000 Syrian refugees even though top security officials expressed concerns that we could not fully vet them. That is one reason why only 36% of Americans supported Obama's plan.
Moreover, the vast majority of the refugees turned out to be Muslims. But it's Christians and other minorities who are facing genocide in the Middle East. And U.S. law specifically states that religious minorities are to be granted preference in our refugee policy.
Another reason to be concerned is the cost. According to one analysis, it costs taxpayers about 12 times more to resettle a Syrian refugee in the United States than it does to help relocate them in another Middle Eastern country.
As the Center for Immigration Studies put it, "For what it costs to resettle one Middle Eastern refugee in the United States for five years, about 12 refugees can be helped in the Middle East for five years, or 61 refugees can be helped for one year."
In other words, resettling refugees here is not the most cost-effective way to help the most people in need.
Kudos To Those Standing
While Colin Kaepernick and other pampered professional athletes are making headlines for disrespecting our National Anthem and the police, there are others who are proudly standing up for our country.
For example, Monday night at FedEx field, the Washington Redskins and Pittsburgh Steelers all stood for the National Anthem as members of the military held an enormous American flag that covered the almost entire football field.
But they did more than just stand. Each player joined our men and women in uniform in holding the flag. See it here.
Asked about the moving tribute, Redskins head coach Jay Gruden said, "For three minutes, for us to take our helmet off and stand up and give respect is how we treat [the National Anthem] here with the Washington Redskins.
Mike Tomlin, coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, noted that his players wanted to honor one of their own. "I know all of our players will be standing out of respect for their teammate, Alejandro Villanueva," Tomlin said. Villanueva is a decorated former U.S. Army Ranger who served three tours in Afghanistan.
Then there was the "Battle At Bristol." If you missed Jennifer Nettles' rendition of the National Anthem and the celebration of America that took place at the world's biggest football game last weekend, my friends you have to see it.
Last but not least, there's Logan Wilson, a nine year-old boy who loves football. Unfortunately, Logan has cerebral palsy. Like many children afflicted with this condition, Logan cannot walk and struggles to control his limbs. However, Logan put his hand over his heart and tried his best recently to stand for the National Anthem.
His mother, Rebecca, said, "He always takes off his hat, but until yesterday I never really saw him try to stand. He just knew that is what we do to show respect to our country and everyone who fights so hard for us. He is truly just an amazing kid just doing what he loves."
Mrs. Wilson posted a video of Logan standing for the National Anthem and wrote, "Even my 9 year old with CP (who can't walk) knows you're supposed to stand up during the national anthem. . . He loves it!" (Watch Logan here.) God bless you, Logan!
I share these items with you because they are evidence of a brewing backlash against the radical fringe. Colin Kaepernick and other leftists may be good at making headlines, but they DO NOT represent the great majority of Americans who love this country.