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Immigration fraud snares state representativeFriday, August 10, 2007A New Zealand trucker. A letter from the office of Nathan Cooper. And a skeptical federal border guard. Those were the ingredients that eventually led to the political and professional demise of a state representative Thursday when a federal prosecutor announced that Cooper pleaded guilty to two federal felonies. Cooper's scheme was uncovered when the trucker tried crossing the Canadian border. The trucker had in his possession a letter on Cooper's legal office stationery that claimed he was waiting for a visa renewal to work for another firm. The letter was noticed by a federal border guard, assistant federal prosecutor Jim Crowe said. "It seemed odd to him," Crowe said of the guard's response. "It probably would have worked real well with a state patrol person if they had seen it." Now Cooper, a Cape Girardeau Republican who serves the 158th district, faces 30 to 37 months in prison. He said he will resign his House seat. He will also lose his license to practice law. While the maximum penalty for the two crimes is 15 years, he is cooperating with prosecutors to catch others involved in immigration fraud schemes and will be given more lenient treatment for his cooperation and because he has no criminal record. In an interview with the Southeast Missourian Thursday afternoon following his court appearance, Cooper said the complexity of federal immigration law "has a tremendous number of regulations and requirements, and they need to be followed." But when asked about the specific actions he took, Cooper said: "I am not trying to evade any responsibility. I was trying to help clients, and I went further than I should have gone." Cooper's attorney, Joel Schwartz of St. Louis, said many of Cooper's actions are open to interpretation under federal law. But too much of what Cooper did crosses the line into criminal activity, Schwartz said. "On the big portion, there is no argument, there is no debate. It is very clear, for lack of a better term, that Nathan Cooper had committed illegal acts, and on those points there is no debate." Cooper appeared Thursday morning before U.S. District Judge Jean C. Hamilton and waived his right to be charged by a grand jury indictment and pleaded guilty to two felonies. He will be sentenced Oct. 19. In addition to the prison term, Cooper must forfeit $50,000 paid by his legal clients for his help in obtaining the fraudulent visas. Cooper's cooperation is already helping in other cases, Crowe said. In Seattle, Omega "Meg" Paulite, a Philippine-born U.S. citizen, was arrested. She was charged with selling Cooper more than 100 visa approvals designated for the hospitality and temporary service industries, Crowe said. Cooper provided those visas to truck drivers. "Cooper developed a scheme to convince the government to issue improper visas and otherwise to impede the lawful operation of the H2B visa program in a number of ways," a news release issued by the federal prosecutor's office in St. Louis said. The release also stated that Cooper: * admitted to the fraudulent creation of shell companies, * used those shell companies to apply for visas to be used for other companies, * and deceived law enforcement about the immigration status of his client's workers, and about the purchase of visas from other contracts that were illegally transferred to his client's workers. Cooper built his law practice on immigration law. He had a large number of clients who owned trucking companies, including Pullen Bros. Inc. of Sikeston, Mo., and CalArk Trucking of Mabelvale, Ark. The companies faced shortages of qualified drivers. To fill the need, Cooper formed Retail Trucking LLC and Speedy Express LLC and obtained visas for drivers he claimed he intended to employ. He allowed the truckers to remain on the payroll of their original employers. Neither of Cooper's companies owned or leased trucks or paid the drivers directly, Crowe said. Crowe would not say whether the investigation would include charges against the trucking firms. "The people he was representing are very savvy business people, particularly in their industry, and make heavy use of foreign truckers." Their likely defense, Crowe said, is that they relied on Cooper's advice and guidance. "These people have been involved in using foreign drivers a lot longer than Nathan Cooper has been a lawyer." Dispatchers at Pullen Bros. Inc. and CalArk trucking said Thursday night the owners were out of the office and unavailable for comment. The visas Cooper sought for the drivers indicated they were seasonal workers to be used for a limited time to complete a surge of work. But the companies that used the drivers have a year-round need for employees that does not slacken significantly in any season, Crowe said. The companies Cooper created were complete frauds, Crowe added. "Those entities have no existence beyond the piece of paper that reflects their existence." Crowe would not say exactly when the investigation began, but he said it dated from "before the beginning of the year." Cooper announced after the court hearing that he would resign his House seat, which he won in 2004. In an interview with the Southeast Missourian, he said he hadn't decided the timing of his resignation. In the plea agreement, Cooper also admitted to lying to Missouri officials as part of the scheme. Cape Girardeau County Prosecuting Attorney Morley Swingle said he likely would not pursue state charges against Cooper for those actions. "When a person is going to prison for 30 to 37 months in federal prison, there is no sense for state taxpayers to take care of them," Swingle said. "There would be no prosecution purpose in trying to tack on more time than a person is going to be serving." Reporters Mark Bliss and Matt Sanders contributed to this report. 335-6611, extension 126 Comments  Note: The nature of the Internet makes it impractical for our staff to review every comment. If you feel that a comment is offensive, please Login or Create an account first, and then you will be able to flag a comment as objectionable. Please also note that those who post comments on semissourian.com may do so using a screen name, which may or may not reflect a website user's actual name. Readers should be careful not to assign comments to real people who may have names similar to screen names. Refrain from obscenity in your comments, and to keep discussions civil, don't say anything in a way your grandmother would be ashamed to read.
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So Morley is not going to prosecute Nathan Cooper for his criminal activity. Perhaps if he were a Democrat that would be different. Swingle wanted to prosecute a young girl whose young and fooloish actions behind the wheel cost the life of her sister YET he will let a grown MAN (a fellow attorney) WALK for criminal activity which undermines our national security. What the HELL is wrong with him? I am outraged!
Jays what are you talking about? It's a federal case that in most cases States butt out. Nathan Cooper will most likely not walk because it is a Federal Case, while any state charges would be drawn out almost indefinately and because of the laxity in State sentencing laws Cooper would have a much better chance of getting a proverbial slap on the wrist. He's going to prison regardless and would probably not have incriminated himself in the plea if he thought he would also face state charges. It'd be a large waste of State taxpayer money that would have little or nothing to show for it for a man who is already going to be serving time. Please leave all personal vendettas at the door. I really have no idea what you are trying to address with your comments??? This story really has nothing to do with Morley Swingle.
Cap_Anson: A public official violated our trust and put our national security at risk and Morley Swingle says "There would be no prosecution purpose in trying to tack on more time than a person is going to be serving." 37 months in a federal prison for undermining our national security? Not enough. Besides, why should Cooper be allowed to serve out his sentence in a cushy federal facility. Put his butt in a maximum security state prison where is time would be a lot less cushy. If we (the state) can tack on additional time for Cooper then we should do so, regardless of cost to the taxpayers. I'm a Missouri taxpayer and if it costs me a little more to make an example of Nathan Cooper, I will gladly write the check. In my opinion, the fact that he is a Republican and a fellow lawyer certainly has played a role in Cooper not having to face state criminal charges. I'm not so naive as to believe otherwise (and for the most part I accept that that's how things ARE), but it really ****** me off when you pee on my leg and tell me that it's raining.
Cap Anson: And if you believe that Nathan Cooper will receive any significant time in federal prison, you had better check and see if YOUR leg is wet. In fact, I tell you what I will do, if Nathan Cooper actually serves 3 years or more of the maximum sentence of 15 years, I will buy your dinner at a Cape Girardeau restaraunt of your choice (excluding the one down by KFVS---Im not THAT wealthy)
Wasn't there a big scare about terrorists getting licenses and using trucks as weapons. Shouldn't Cooper be investigated related to that as well? What if one of those guys he got a job was a terrorist?
Doo Doo will continue to fall on people all around him. Just what Republicans need. More s.....
Isn't it ironic that bringing people willing to work into the country is such a crime while we have countless of people who feel they deserve handouts because they were born here ?
Frankly I think the real crime is the way the system encourages people who don't want to work to continue to do so and discourages someone from helping those who do want to work.
JaysFan_20: While you are talking about shady Republican lawyers and their willingness to let elected officials off the hook, you should know that Cooper was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's office for the Eastern District of Missouri which is run by U.S. Attorney Catherine Hanaway. Yes, the same Catherine Hanaway who was the REPUBLICAN Speaker of the Missouri House of Representatives in the Missouri General Assembly. She is a Repulican and fellow lawyer and is sending Cooper away for 30-37 months. Cooper has already been discredited and will be going to jail for a long time. Any time he might get for lying to state officials would not be anywhere near the 30-37 month in the federal pen. It would be a waste of county resources and the time would be best used prosecuting other low-lifes.
What concerns me more about this is that our Governor, a Republican lawmaker himself, who enjoys a huge Republican majority in both houses of the legislature, now wants absolute power over selecting judges to the Supreme Court as well. Thank God this is a federal case, and not under Blunt's jurisdiction.
It is absurd that local Republicans should pretend this is a surprise. I worked during the 2006 election at a local campaign HQ and it was well-known then that Cooper was about to take a fall for immigration violations. Clearly the Republicans ran him knowing he was about to be indicted. This is further evidence that corruption for personal gain is the essence of Republicanism - from the Dick Cheney in the White House down to Nathan Cooper in Cape Girardeau.
How can anyone defend these criminals?
My daughter, now 8, thought this guys was awesome when he came and read to them last year at Franklin Elementary. When I told her this morning when this idiot did, she was devestated. She is personally going to write him a letter asking him why he would do this? I'm looking forward to reading his response to this one.....
What an embarrassment to this region, hsi alma mater (SEMO) and the Republican party.....
Jays I understand where you're coming from and your perspective and I guess I am more optimistic that the system will work in this case and a good meal always sounds good LOL! If Hannaway really wants to run for State AG I just can't see her letting some one of her own party off the hook, it'd set a very bad precident and image going into a campaign. He will not get the full 15 years I agree, but he will serve the 30-37 months atleast. Here's the way I see it from the state side, if the State felt it had a case as solid as the Feds, both Morley and the State Attorney General would be all over this. Being known as a guy that helped take down a corrupt politician sounds like a great spring board to help... let's say a run for governor for Nixon.
STOP ELECTING CRIMINALS!!!!
Regarding Dan Becker's comment, don't be so naive. They have only scratched the surface w/Cooper. And don't look at this as just being political. Open your eyes & dig deeper if you care about our national security. I provided information about Cooper & his middle eastern cohorts & their corporations & activities to the Feds 4 years ago. And that was because I couldn't get MoAGO interested. I was shocked as hell that Cooper became a State Rep after that! It's about time someone caught up w/him. I'm just concerned that they won't follow this to the end. Yomama is closer to the right track.
Once a crook always a crook!Isn't it funny how this area is a Republican mecca full of corrupt idiots who are self serving politicians who have NO REGARD for the office they are elected to serve.Lets let our votes speak loud and clear next election.
Crowell,Jetton,Blunt and Swingle all need to
go.Just wait and see folks,there will be more to come on this issue.Journey is absolutely correct in his statement.Time for a change around here folks and the sooner the better.The Republican machine in Cape looks a whole lot different today then it did
yesterday.But then today is only yesterdays tomorrow when it come to idiots like Cooper and the rest of the money hungry Republicans.No wonder they seem to have all the money and pay the least taxes,there mostly crooks and self serving blood suckers.
Go ahead folks argue with that.
Cap Anson and res adjudicata. Hanaway is more dirty than Cooper. She helped cover the perjury of a Deputy Juvenile office in Federal Court. Type in Heartland Christian Academy v. Michael Waddell. (Make sure you read the Judge Weber Opinion for the Federal Court in St. Louis) Waddell was found to have perjured himself at least 20 times in Federal Civil Court and State Civil Court. Hanaway was very aware of the situation but refused to prosecute. The Federal Court awarded the biggest civil court damages against a Deputy Juvenile officer (Waddell) in its history. Hanaway refused to prosecute Waddell after the civil judgment for perjury. In addition, she operates in an environment of secrecy where she refuses to answer any questions for her refusal to prosecute. She refused interviews with many Christian Media Outlets as to her reasoning. She is as dirty as the rest of them. Quess who paid the judgment of $800,000. for the discrimination and malicious going after of Christians? You and I, the taxpayer. Waddell meanwhile was promoted in his court position after abusing Christians. Hanaway refused to prosecute and make and example of Waddell and the abuse of Christian families continues state wide. So if you think Hanaway is any way going to protect the interests of the people over big government and corruption. You need to educate yourself. Hannaway is a hypocrit of the highest order and is as dirty as the rest of them. Her refusal to prosecute Waddell is something that is being discussed by The Christian Right on a daily basis. Hannaway betrayed the Constitution and the American people. If you want I can pull up some of the blogs. They have her image superimposed on the Heartland Raid video. Judge Weber discribed the Heartland Christian Academy abuse as "a Nazi Style Raid in a totalitarian society." It is a very good read of the abuse of the people by DFS and the democrats and the refusal of the Republicans to protect the people and their rights to freedom of religion. Hannaway needs the boot Cooper is a fluke Look at her record It speaks volumes.
Aw, c'mon, y'all, get real. Dishonesty and criminal activity is not party-oriented.
Ask yourselves what your comments be if this had been a Democratic politician?
Dear journey:
I sure would like to know who you are because you surely are a liar. Anytime I would be glad to trade email addresses and phone numbers.
@ journey
You fall prey to fear. How secure is a nation full of cowards ?
As far as what Mr. Cooper did it is illegal and he admitted it. I do believe 3 years for helping a man willing to work in getting that job is a bit steep.
Society must be doing quite well when we can put a man behind bars for getting another man a job because he didn't follow the proper steps in getting that job. Guess its safe to send your kids to play on Good Hope now.
Guess we're gonna have to build three fences now.
One for Mexico
One for Mounds, Ill
One for Canada
Wonder if PCL will get the contract for that one and put up ten thousand miles worth of picket fence?
Cape Place wrote what an embarrassment to his alma mater (SEMO) and the Republican party....
SEMO while they are not good neighbors does not deserve this kind of thrashing. The republican party we are seeing the shoe fits.
It is tough on children when role models disappoint. I hope the judge takes that into consideration during sentencing.
Mosely, What do you bet Haliburton will win a no bid contract for the fence? You can also count on holes large enough to drive a team of elephants through.
Dan Becker sounds like you are trying to defend the indefensible act of this maggot. There is only one word that can be used for the betrayal of your countrymen and your country. It is TRAITOR. Cooper is a TRAITOR of the highest order and your defense of his actions is repulsive.
As I read some of the comments made on this site I am truly amazed that even though Cape Girardea has an excellent school and university system, it seems to get very little use. What's the old saying - you can't make a silk purse out of a pigs ear. How true this is in the case of many who would be better served to think before engaging in subjects they know little or nothing about. Intelligence can be quickly measured when uninformed comments are made.
One has to wonder if any of the immigrant truck drivers that were "clients" of Cooper's were Muslim.
The story is eerily similar to a story that made national news in March , 2006. Information obtained from Debbie Schlussel{.Com} via the Free Republic website states that...
"The latest, as reported by Kansas City media, is the South Central Career Center Truck Training Program in West Plains, Missouri, in South Central Missouri. A whopping 60% (SIXTY PERCENT!) of those who took a CDL test there from May 2004 to December 2005 had Mid-East names. Hello? . . .
And, as usual, your tax dollars probably paid the bill. That particular truck driver's school is run by Missouri's West Plains public school district, as part of vocational training. Watch the well-done, frightening video news report."
Fortunately, the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force (a fancy name for a group that hasn't done much) raided the school, and the Missouri Highway Patrol has blocked the school from testing new students or issuing further licenses"
It would also explain why a "Conservative" Republican like Cooper, as a member of the Special Committee on Urban Issues , voted "do pass" to send HCR-26, (a bill that would have required Missouri to apologize for slavery)to the House floor.
Is it is a coincidence that the Special Committee on Urban Issues included St. Louis Muslim representatives Talibin El-Amin (the bill's sponsor) and Jamilah Nasheed?
I would like to see the Southeast Missourian dig deeper into this story to see if there is a Muslim connection.
Why do Pullen Brothers and other trucking companies hire an attorney to get truck drivers from other countries to come to work here? Why aren't there enough truck drivers willing to work here? There are many Bosnians in the St. Louis area working as truck drivers who work like crazy for 6 months and then go home. What is wrong with unemployed people here? Can't they learn to drive a truck? Is it just that this country is lazy and that trucking companies would rather pay a lawyer to get foreigners to come to work here cheaper and harder than we are willing to work. Or maybe trucking companies are so greedy that they don't want to pay drivers in this country a decent wage.
COWBOY Did you read the article before you opened your own yap? COOPER PLEAD QUILTY! Your private school education must have been lacking in reading comprehension. Please try thinking it is a wonderful concept.
Cooper is a leach and a traitor. He used his position to manipulate and betray his countrymen. He admitted it. If he plead innocent you would have to give him the benefit of the doubt. He admitted his crime and is turning over the evidence on the other traitors. They need to all be shot for treason for bringing the maggots into the country to undercut the middle class and wages of working people.
So cowboy please take your own advice and read and think before you speak!
Dixie There are plenty of American workers. In fact there are truck driving schools all over the USA that have American Graduates waiting and standing by to work. However, the scab owners do not want to pay a living wage and want slave labor. Scum Like Cooper are enabling these scab owners to continue doing business and undercut the standard of living or our countrymen. Unfortunately those who get the most from the USA want to give back the least. All we can hope for is Cooper is put in a jail cell with a good old teamster for guaranteed cumupits!
Dixie Watch Lou Dobbs on Channel 51. They just did a story on the invasion of foreign workers and the undercutting of the American standard of living and real wages. I am emailing this story about Traitor Cooper to Lou Dobbs. Dobbs should run for President at least we would have a politician who loves Americans and not foreigners!
LLLC I never said that Hannaway wasn't as corrupt as any other politician. Really in retrospect I guess I said quite the opposite. She has very good self serving reasons to prosecute Cooper with out showing leaniency. A very firm stance and a long sentence against a former corrupt fellow legislator of her same party would do wonders for Her potential bid for State AG. A stance seen as too soft by the public could cripple any hopes she has for being elected. Although her reasons may be self serving, I hope she pushes for a fair sentence for the crime committed by Mr. Cooper. Justice is quite twisted now days isn't it?
You are right Capt Anson. Did you read the Waddle case. The federal judge in the opinion even chastised Waddle finding he perjured himself REPEATEDLY and referred the case to Hannaway for prosecution. Christians Conservatives believe Hannaway's refusal to prosecute Waddle for crimes against them has left them open to attacks by DFS and other government workers who want to push their own liberal agenda by conspiring against them because the disagree with their fundamental Christian Beliefs. Some of the issues Waddle disagreed with and cited for his persecution of the Christian School was their teaching that homosexuality was an abomination, premarital sex was a sin and that children should be spanked. Waddle retailiated against the school by ordering a mass seizure of the students in the school based on outright lies in affidavits to the court. The Presiding Judge in the State Court also a democrat promoted Waddle even after the Federal Court finding of his perjury and violation of the civil rights of the Christians. All this happened right here in Missouri and under Hannaways nose. While no religion should be endorsed by our government. The government and their employees should not be allowed to persecute Christians whose religions they disagree with. Hannaway let Waddle get away with zero punishment since the State of Missouri paid the civil judgment. Injustice is the norm as long as Hannaway is at its helm. However, Evangelical Christians are very influential group of voters in Missouri. Hannaway has lots of enemies and she will no more be the AG than my door knob. She will be lucky to be elected dog catcher from what I have seen. I will do everything in my power to insure she is never elected again including sending my money to her opponent whomever it might be.
To Dan Becker & goodguy - Good grief! My comment had nothing to do with politics, the circumstance that got Nathan in trouble, or what Nathan was supposedly doing or not doing that you all are arguing about. I am not knowledgable about those things. My comment was based on what I discovered after a cursory investigation of my own following a meeting with Nathan and one of his Muslim middle eastern cohorts. Whether Nathan knows it or not, he is closely associated with extremely shady characters. I happen to think it's naive to think Nathan is naive, but I honestly don't know. I do know that the info I provided to the Feds was requested by a Federal investigator. I know that I was told by the DC group that investigates people & organizations that raise money for terrorism that the information was important, helpful, & being followed up on.
I am not paranoid or fearful. Neither do I have my head up my rear end. I am not going to ignore something shady if I become aware of it. There is a great deal of information available to citizens if they just take the time to look for it. There is even more available if you work around law enforcement, which I do. But most of us are too lazy or time crunched or uninterested to do that.
Since I contacted DC, all 4 of the primary players I wrote them about have either been declared guilty of some crime or have settled out of court for some violation. [You are probably aware that much of the time criminals are prosecuted for lesser crimes, the more serious ones being harder & more time consuming, & thus more expensive, to prove. How many criminals go to jail or pay fines for tax evasion or mail fraud, getting off for the more serious crimes? It's the easier route for overloaded enforcement & justice systems, but that's another topic.] Back to my story, Nathan had close ties to those primary players (one was a trucker). Also since my DC contact, the FBI conducted 2 raids on a so-called Islamic charity in Columbia, Missouri, which was then shut down by the Feds. Well, "those primary players" had ties to "those organizations." You do the math. Whether Nathan is guilty of more or just stupid I don't know. That's for someone else to decide. Maybe he just chooses really poor friends & business partners. I can't share everything I know about this entire situation. But I did know since January that Nathan was going down for something.
Each of us needs to ask ourselves, "Will I be someone who watches a crime or suspicious activity & says nothing, not wanting to get involved, telling myself it's not my job, I must be paranoid to think there's something wrong, or just plain being scared of reprisal?" I am not a suspicious person by nature, but I had to ask myself those questions. And I'm certainly glad I made the decision I did, whether you think I'm paranoid, lying, or whatever. I stand before my judge with a clear conscience. All I know about you is that by stating truth I got your goat. As a friend of mine says, "if someone gets your goat, it just proves you have one." Baaaahh....
cape place--I can relate to your concern about what your 8 year old child now thinks about this "role model." He has signed letters and proclamations for my child, also. But we need to place the blame where it lies, with Mr. Cooper himself and not with this region, SEMO or the Republican party. The judicial system will work and he will receive the proper punishment he deserves. Hopefully, the political parties will nominate someone with impeccable character and ability to give Cape Girardeau the representation in Jeff City it deserves.
Tom what do you mean it has nothing to do with Nathans party affiliation. Screwing the American People is the gold standard of the republican party. Look at Bush and Cheney. They are the head of the party and they have lied about everything from reasons to go war to ag firings. The republican party is a culture of corruption and dishonesy for self benefit. You are blind so put on your glasses. From the President to Cooper they are all trash. Democrats are no better. They just have a different way of screwing the people. But at least they tell you up front how much it will cost you to screw you. Republicans are dishonest hypocrits using God like a pedaphile priest to distract the people and then selling the nation down the road for a quick buck. I still hope Nathan is put in a cell with a teamster for the whippin he deserves after betraying his country and his countrymen for the benefit of foreigners and the almighty dollar. In our political correct society people like Cooper are protected from trials for treason but he sure deserves one. There is no lower life form than one who betrays their country. Especially a country like the USA. My family has fought in every war since the Revolution. This man was trying to sell what they sacrificed in life and blood. He stole what my family and others like them built for his own self benefit and for a few SCAB trucking companies. Our forfathers and families sacrificed to build the right to live and be free in this great nation. Your screwed up Tom if you do not see Cooper and the republicas as one in the same. Traitors against everything that is good in America. Republicans hate America and the people who built it. They love foreigners and want to make America a third world primitive nation where there are three classes. The corrupt elite, the dethrowned and dying middle class and the third world foreigners to be used as slaves. We need to give all of them the boot and make people run as independents. Cooper is a traitor and any who still support the Republican party after what they have done to our country are traitors as well. Just look at the immigration invasion, look at the debt, look at the collapsing middle class, look athe declining wages for real Americans. Look at teh paperless voting machines. We need American people to represent America for Americans. There is a minister in town who is still trying to shovel the lies of the republican party. Half the congregation has woalked out because no thinking person believes the lies and the rip offs of the republican party anymore. TOM please try thinking it is a wonderful concept. When you do stand up and try to save the nation from the irreperatble damage low lifes like Cooper and the republican Party have done to her.
Have Mike Ballou and Hatin'life been rubbin' noses?
I love my life but I know a liar and no good when I see one. This guy has been on the take for years and everyone knew it. From the local grapevine they even covered up due to a cash kickback for themselves in the repuke party. When the shoe fits nut wear it. Typical repuke attack the poster with some smear instead of an intelligent repsonse. All repukes know how to do is spout the party propoganda line.
The GREAT NEWS IS THAT THE REPUBLICAN PARTIES DAYS OF DESTROYING AMERICA AND AMERICANS ARE NEARING THE END! HOLD ON THE CHANGE IS COMING! BUSH AND CHENEY WILL HAVE TO RELOCATE TO ONE OF THE COUNTRIES THEY REPRESENT. THE ONLY ISSUE IS WHETHER IT IS IRAQ AND IRAQIS OR MEXICO AND MEXICANS! THE SOONER THE BETTER> LOOK UP OBERMANS DEMAND THEY RESIGN IT IS THE BEST!
I am a person who went from kindergarten through graduation with Nathan Cooper. I am well-traveled within the United States as well as abroad. I have been on the government side of the country (Active Duty Air Force, 10yrs), as well as the blue collar worker side of things. I am currently an everyday maintenance mechanic at a large stainless steel products manufacturing plant. I have lived and worked in several of our states. That will do for my background.
As for Nathan Cooper, here is a little history on him. He grew up the son of a school teacher. His father is a very conservative man, not taking any political inclinations into account. I cannot speak as to how the elder Mr. Cooper votes. Nathan was an excellent student. His grades were impeccable. He was a normal child, a normal adolescent, and a normal person for the time that I had known him. We haven't seen one another since graduation from high school. I knew of his aspirations to be a servant of the people in the government. He even entertained the idea of using the military to help pay for his education. So, what happened to Nathan?
Our great country has been in decline for many, many years. I'm certain it has been so since long before we (Nathan and I) were born. Our society is a mess. We don't know what to think, what to believe, who to vote for, who to believe..... No one seems to tell us the truth about anything. Society as a whole has become a self-serving hypocrit. We don't talk to our neighbors. We don't trust anyone with our children. Nothing seems safe and comfortable anymore.
I do remember when you could leave doors unlocked and windows open. Not anymore. Now, if you were to do that, not only would someone have broken into your home, but they may literally be sleeping in your bed. And you can do nothing about it without being the defendant in a court case about violating the criminals rights! You can't defend yourself or your family withouth being sued.
Having lived in California, I will say that illegal immigration is a huge, uncontrollable problem. The government will not spend the money or grow the courage to just pick them up and throw them out. We have perfectly good laws on the books that deal with the problems we are facing, but our officials want to create more laws to complicate things. We'll put money into securing the border, but you have to give me money to buy the illegals new cars! Of course, that is an exaggeration, but the meaning is it's a mess, and there is nothing we can do about it. Vote them out you say? And replace them with whom? A new crook? People get into government today to get rich from lobbyists. Not to serve their country or protect the well-being of their own families.
Anyway, Nathan Cooper started his journey with a wild-eyed passion for law and servitude to his country, yes country. He had much larger aspirations than mere State Representative. And he had a head filled with the ability to learn and do a very good job. So, what happened to Nathan? Nothing that hasn't happened to any of us. He's grown up in a society that says, "It's illegal to enter this country to work and stay unless you follow the proper channels to obtain citizenship." Then in the same breath we say, "How dare you keep that man from making a living for his family and endeavoring to give them a better life away from Mexico!" Ok folks, it's time to decide which way to go. As for me, I'm 33 years old, as is Nathan, and we've been beaten with confusion since the day we were born. As have us all. What do we do? Is it legal? Do we care?
I am not defending Nathan's actions. What he did is illegal, and I am for him receiving his punishment as per the law. I like Nathan, I really do. But he's been caught up in the society that our grandfather's, father's, and, yes, ourselves have created for him. I won't go into politics because I think all politicians are crooks, my friend being an example. It's just a shame that we don't take Guantanamo Bay after it's shut down and fill it with our entire governing staff, Republicans and Democrats alike, and start anew! And, yes, I know it doesn't work like that, so save your blasts for someone else wiseguys.
As for me, I'll continue to work my tail off for crap wages and be told over and over again that I'm really getting great pay. Yeah, right. And I will also continue to do what my worthless government tells me because I'm an American dammit!!!
Great point Lovinlifeincape!
Haliburton and PCL would probably allow more illegals into this country with a poorly constructed fence than Nathan Cooper would have ever fantasized about.