Strict immigration control in return for strict gun laws; the needed compromise

To The Daily Sun,

So Cohen has spoken and the debate over the southern wall goes on. Common sense leads me to believe we need the wall, even though I know it is not the total solution. I did not arrive at this decision by listening to the talking heads in Washington on the major news networks; people far from the border who only seem to have a political agenda. Instead, I listened to C-span and read print media where they interviewed the head of Homeland Security, the people living on the border, and the border patrol agents; people who actually know what's going on and are responsible for border security. These are the people we need to be listening to.

The wall, of course, is just one small example of the dysfunction, not only in Washington but throughout the entire country. While valid points can be made on both sides of any issue, the real problem is that both the left and the right remain mired in the past, clinging to old historical, religious, and constitutional doctrines that in this day and age defy common sense. Until we all stand back and recognize and accept this, the left and the right will continue to tear each other down, the dysfunction will continue, there will be no "winners" and this country will continue to deteriorate on all levels. What was that famous quote? "A house divided cannot stand." I'm sure Russia and China are interested in seeing how far each side is willing to go to advance their beliefs.

So what is the remedy for this sad state of affairs? In my opinion, it has to be major compromise. Both sides have to be willing to concede major principles that drive the division and that will only happen when each side re-examines their values. So I will throw out a proposal as an example. Let President Trump and the right have everything they want on immigration — that includes the wall, how to deal with the dreamers and the current illegals in the country (because last I knew we did have immigration laws) and deportation criteria. In return, the right needs to concede to a total ban on all semi-automatic and automatic assault weapons and on a 10-round capacity clip limit. When the wall is built, the ban goes into effect. This major compromise would meet my No. 1 criteria for the future of this country which is a heavy dose of common sense in today's reality.

In my opinion, those who would take legal steps to halt either action would favor gridlock and would do so because their agenda takes priority over the welfare of the country. Similar sweeping compromises might be possible regarding the debt, health care, and the environment, among others. The extremists on each side of each issue need to have their say and then be relegated to their proper place: the minority.

And finally, a few words about President Trump and the character of a leader. I am a Vietnam vet and have a question for other Vietnam vets who fully support the president: How do you reconcile your sacrifice and others you knew who never made it back with a documented five-time draft evader? How do you "look the other way" on that?

At this point, there's an obvious reason why the President will never willingly release his tax returns. He dreads you seeing them. If you actually pay taxes and fully support Trump, how do you reconcile that?

Cohen said that, when Trump stated he could walk down 5th Avenue, shoot somebody, and get away with it, he meant it. Cohen is no saint, but I heard the president say it and I watched him while he said it. There was not even a hint of sarcasm in his delivery or his demeanor. As preposterous as it sounds, I have to agree with Cohen. I think he meant it and he believes it. Character matters.

2016 came down to Clinton or Trump or (in my opinion) no choice at all. Let's move past extremism gridlock from both sides and hope for better in 2020. By then, we should be a few trillion dollars more in debt, according to the latest proposed budget.

Doug Wolff

Holderness