Obama Does It Again, The Left's Priorities, Defunding The U.N., Fighting Christian Persecution

Gary Bauer

by Gary Bauer, Contributing Author:  Obama Does It Again - With just one week left before he leaves office, Barack Obama is still attempting to "fundamentally transform" America. Last night, the White House announced another major change to American foreign policy by terminating the "wet foot-dry foot" policy toward Cubans fleeing the repressive Castro communist regime.

For many years, our policy has been that Cubans who make it to America are permitted to stay. Those caught at sea are returned. Now Obama is planning to deport all Cuban refugees no matter where we find them. Now he gets tough on deportations?

Whatever one thinks of the policy itself, I am struck by the many contradictions of the president's actions.

Since Obama began "normalizing" relations with the Castro regime, tens of thousands of Cubans have fled the island: 40,000 left in 2015 and 56,000 left last year. That speaks volumes about Castro's "workers' paradise."

But Obama and the left are big advocates of open borders. Obama has broken our immigration system with his quasi-amnesty orders. He has handcuffed our Border Patrol agents. He has tolerated and encouraged sanctuary cities, where American citizens are murdered by illegal immigrants who shouldn't be here.

But suddenly, just as he is walking out the door, Obama slams the door on Cubans who want to escape tyranny.

There was bi-partisan condemnation for Obama's action. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL) said, "This last act of diminishing lifelines to Cubans languishing in totalitarianism is one final despicable betrayal of a people who deserve better from an American president."

Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) blasted Obama, saying his policies would "tighten the noose the Castro regime continues to have around the neck of its own people." Menendez added that Obama was "ignoring the present state of torture and oppression" in Cuba.

But the Castro regime is happy. Once again, Obama has given a major concession to an enemy without getting anything in return.

Conditions in Cuba have not improved since Obama began appeasing Havana. A human rights activist was arrested just this week.

Of course, it's exactly the same with Obama's Iranian nuclear deal. Obama gave the ayatollah virtually everything he demanded. We lifted sanctions. We sent Iran billions in gold and cash.

Nothing good has come of it. Nothing has changed in Tehran. Iran still chants "Death to America." Iran still promises a second Holocaust of the Jews. And Iran is still the world's leading state-sponsor of terrorism.

January 20th can't come fast enough!

The Left's Priorities - Rep. Mike Pompeo (R-KS), President-elect Trump's nominee to lead the CIA, was testifying before the Senate Intelligence Committee yesterday as part of his confirmation process. Needless to say, this is a unique opportunity for senators to ask important questions about the most critical national security threats facing our country.

What might you ask the future CIA director? His plan to defeat ISIS? How to stop radical Islam in America? The threats we face from China or North Korea? How about protecting our electrical grid from hacking? Those would be great questions.

But none of that was on the mind of the left coast's newest senator, freshman Kamala Harris of California. Instead she quizzed Pompeo about same-sex marriage, bigotry against Muslims and global warming.

Defunding The U.N. - As you know, the U.N. Security Council approved a measure last month that labeled East Jerusalem and parts of Judea and Samaria as "occupied territories." Instead of blaming Palestinian terrorism for the lack of peace, the U.N. blamed Jews living in areas where Jews have lived for thousands of years. The Obama Administration had previously vetoed a similar resolution. But last month Obama betrayed Israel and allowed it to pass.

Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) have joined forces to punish the United Nations. They have introduced legislation defunding the United Nations until Security Council Resolution 2334 is repealed.

Speaking on MSNBC yesterday, Sen. Cruz said, "Congress must hold the U.N. accountable and use our leverage as its largest contributor to push for the repeal of this resolution, making it clear to the world that Congress stands unequivocally against efforts to undermine Israel."

"Twenty-two percent of the money to fund the U.N. comes from the American taxpayer," Sen. Graham added. "I don't think it's a good investment for the American taxpayer to give money to an organization that condemns the only democracy in the Middle East."

I couldn't agree more! We will keep you posted as this legislation begins to move on Capitol Hill.

Fighting Christian Persecution - Kudos to Rep. Chris Smith of New Jersey. He is once again introducing legislation designed to provide emergency relief to Christians facing genocide and persecution in the Middle East.

As we have noted repeatedly, Christians have been relegated to the end of the line when it comes to Obama's Syrian refugee policies. According to CNSNews, "Christians only accounted for 0.8 percent of the refugees resettled in 2016" -- a fact Rep. Smith has denounced as "unconscionable."

Rep. Smith traveled to Iraq last month and spoke with Christians there. "These genocide survivors told me the United States and global community had abandoned them," he said. "They are at-risk from freezing winter temperatures and require emergency help."

His legislation would provide emergency aid to organizations assisting persecuted religious minorities in Iraq and Syria, as well as those investigating allegations of genocide. In addition, Smith's legislation amends refugee policies to make it easier for members of persecuted religious groups in Iraq and Syria to apply for asylum.
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Gary Bauer is a conservative family values advocate and serves as president of American Values and chairman of the Campaign for Working Families

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