# Can I be the only person stunned at just how badly President Joe Biden is doing? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [August 31, 2021, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-be-the-only-person-stunned-at-just-how-badly-president-joe-biden-is-doing/949851 "2021-08-31T19:33:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 55
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2023, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-be-the-only-person-stunned-at-just-how-badly-president-joe-biden-is-doing/949851/1095 "2023-10-07T20:37:26Z")
I apologize. Not pretending. ---
**Author:** ![Chingon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chingon/32/17645_2.png) [@Chingon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chingon)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2023, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-be-the-only-person-stunned-at-just-how-badly-president-joe-biden-is-doing/949851/1096 "2023-10-07T20:45:15Z")
Don’t worry you can pretend to apologize again after you “accidentally” spread bad information next time. ---
**Author:** ![Buck\_Godot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/buck_godot/32/6573_2.png) [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2023, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-be-the-only-person-stunned-at-just-how-badly-president-joe-biden-is-doing/949851/1097 "2023-10-08T00:20:11Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > Is there any evidence linking the Hamas attacks to Iran? Yes, the Iranians are even taking credit of this. > **[Iran’s support for Hamas fans suspicion it’s wrecking Israel-Saudi deal](https://www.politico.eu/article/iran-hamas-attacks-against-israel-palestine-jerusalem/)** > > Tehran’s remarks will feed speculation Iran is whipping up conflict to prevent a US-brokered normalization of Saudi-Israeli ties. But as posted above their support predated Biden releasing the funds. On the other hand I suspect that Hamas was probably told to hold off on the attack until after the deal was finalized. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2023, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-be-the-only-person-stunned-at-just-how-badly-president-joe-biden-is-doing/949851/1098 "2023-10-09T15:42:00Z")
The POTUS has no authority not to spend funds which Congress has directed should be spent for a particular purpose. The Impoundment Control Act of 1974 prohibits such actions unless Congress authorizes the executive branch to exercise discretion, which it often does (but not here). ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2023, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-be-the-only-person-stunned-at-just-how-badly-president-joe-biden-is-doing/949851/1099 "2023-10-09T15:59:20Z")
Isn’t it accurate to say that Biden isn’t building a wall, but Congress is? ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2023, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-be-the-only-person-stunned-at-just-how-badly-president-joe-biden-is-doing/949851/1100 "2023-10-09T16:10:52Z")
Accurate–schmaccurate. The important thing is that whatever the Pubbies don’t like is Biden’s fault. Does that mean stuff is no longer Hillary’s or Obama’s fault?? ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2023, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-be-the-only-person-stunned-at-just-how-badly-president-joe-biden-is-doing/949851/1101 "2023-10-09T16:20:03Z")
Naw, it’s all three of them, funded by Soros, obeying the dictates of the Deep State. ---
**Author:** ![CaptMurdock](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/captmurdock/32/11736_2.png) [@CaptMurdock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaptMurdock)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2023, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-be-the-only-person-stunned-at-just-how-badly-president-joe-biden-is-doing/949851/1102 "2023-10-09T16:33:41Z")
Okay. So which Democratic mayors called the President to complain about this, and on what dates and times? I mean, you’re so dead certain on this, you must have some evidence. Let’s see it. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2023, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-be-the-only-person-stunned-at-just-how-badly-president-joe-biden-is-doing/949851/1103 "2023-10-09T16:38:57Z")
> [@SuntanLotion](#): > > I apologize. > Not pretending. Nor am I pretending: if your apology is sincere, it will be accompanied by a change in behavior. For example: the next time you plan to criticize Biden, you will demonstrate that you double-checked your source for accuracy. If you demonstrate this repeatedly, it’ll be a sign that you’re not pretending with your apology. If you don’t, then it’ll be a sign that your apology was pretend. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2023, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-be-the-only-person-stunned-at-just-how-badly-president-joe-biden-is-doing/949851/1104 "2023-10-09T16:40:06Z")
Eric Adams (NYC) recently announced that the city is unable to deal with the number of migrants arriving and requested federal help. But he was asking for funding and expedited work permit processing, not for a border wall. ---
**Author:** ![Folly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folly/32/3219_2.png) [@Folly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folly)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2023, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-be-the-only-person-stunned-at-just-how-badly-president-joe-biden-is-doing/949851/1105 "2023-10-09T16:41:49Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > Nor am I pretending: if your apology is sincere, it will be accompanied by a change in behavior. I tell this to my kids all the time. Apologies are a 3 step on-going process. 1. Saying the words, e.g., “I’m sorry” 2. Promising to change whatever behavior you are apologizing for 3. Actually following through ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2023, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-be-the-only-person-stunned-at-just-how-badly-president-joe-biden-is-doing/949851/1106 "2023-10-09T16:43:05Z")
Governors are complaining too. > **[Border debate shifts as Biden is confronted with anger — from Democrats](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/joe-biden/border-biden-anger-democrats-migrants-blue-cities-states-pritzker-rcna118690)** > > The Biden administration has approved border wall construction as an influx of migrants in left-leaning states brings fresh criticism from Democrats. ---
**Author:** ![CaptMurdock](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/captmurdock/32/11736_2.png) [@CaptMurdock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaptMurdock)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2023, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-be-the-only-person-stunned-at-just-how-badly-president-joe-biden-is-doing/949851/1107 "2023-10-09T16:54:26Z")
Huh. Okay. How the hell are these people getting here? There’s a picture in that article of a guy from Venezuela. That’s not exactly walking distance from there to Texas. And if the number of immigrants in that article is anywhere near accurate, does anybody think that a wall is going to do anything more than slow them down? They’ll be standing on each other’s shoulders getting over. It’ll look like _World War Z_. And once again, I ask the question: what is President Biden doing that is encouraging people to come here in record numbers? And spare the John Wayne-esque “Not shooting them like rabid lemmings” answers. ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2023, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-be-the-only-person-stunned-at-just-how-badly-president-joe-biden-is-doing/949851/1108 "2023-10-09T17:02:21Z")
Others have already answered. Do you live under a rock? Eric Adams has been complaining about migrants since they started arriving in New York. Governor Hochul as well, along with a number of mayors from other cities, almost all Democrats. > **[Gov. Hochul says border ‘is too open’ and demands ‘limit’ on crossings as NY...](https://nypost.com/2023/10/01/gov-hochul-concedes-border-is-too-open-and-that-a-limit-needed-on-who-can-cross/)** > > The migrant crisis in New York is so bad that even Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul is ramping up her attacks on US border policies, demanding “a limit on who can come across’’ and more agents to nab i… > **[In Escalation, Adams Says Migrant Crisis ‘Will Destroy New York City’](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/07/nyregion/adams-migrants-destroy-nyc.html)** > > In provocative remarks at a town hall meeting, Mayor Eric Adams said that he did not “see an ending” to the migrant crisis and renewed his push for federal help. > **[Democrat Texas mayor slams Biden for silence on border crisis: 'We're here...](https://www.foxnews.com/politics/texas-mayor-slams-biden-silence-border-crisis-abandoned)** > > Mayor Rolando Salinas of Eagle Pass, Texas, said President Biden bears some responsibility for the migrant crisis overwhelming his city and called for the government to enforce the law. > **[Sanctuary cities complain about ‘onslaught’ of illegal migrants — will they...](https://nypost.com/2023/01/04/sanctuary-cities-complain-about-onslaught-of-illegal-migrants-will-they-force-biden-to-do-something/)** > > Mayors and governors are being forced into a game of hot potato with the thousands of illegal immigrants President Biden has invited into the country. [https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-01-20/mayors-implore-biden-congress-for-help-on-migrant-influx](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-01-20/mayors-implore-biden-congress-for-help-on-migrant-influx) Again, first page of a Google search. It’s not hard. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2023, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-be-the-only-person-stunned-at-just-how-badly-president-joe-biden-is-doing/949851/1109 "2023-10-09T17:20:10Z")
And Republicans want to cut funding for the border and everything else. It was the same during Trump, except when COVID shut down nearly all commerce and travel across the body. This is just how it is, lots of desperate people will try and cross the border, and a ridiculous wall isn’t going to change anything. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2023, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-be-the-only-person-stunned-at-just-how-badly-president-joe-biden-is-doing/949851/1110 "2023-10-09T17:21:47Z")
Yet, the amount of immigrants being bused to sanctuary cities is relatively small. > **[What's behind the influx of migrants crossing the U.S. southern border?](https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/whats-behind-the-influx-of-migrants-crossing-the-u-s-southern-border)** > > Migrants have always come to the U.S., but the immigration system now seems strained nationwide more than ever. The U.S. has had immigration surges before so what's different now, and why? > The numbers are relatively small compared to the overall migrant flow. For example, since the spring of 2022, New York says it has counted 113,000 newly arrived migrants compared to the 8,200 Texas said it bused there. Just in that little statistic there, the amount of immigrants being transported by bus to New York from Texas accounts for about 7%. That’s not enough to create a crisis and shows that the idea that sending immigrants to break the backs of sanctuary cities is working is total bullshit. Why are more immigrants coming? It is directly tied to the easing of border enforcement as one of the pandemic measures. That’s not a secret. From the same article: > The numbers dropped earlier this summer after pandemic-era migration rules ended and tougher enforcement measures kicked in. But the numbers are climbing again. Another issue is that we used to see migrants coming as individuals to make money and send back home. But more often, entire families are coming. > In the late 1990s and early 2000s, there were more single adults coming to the U.S. Now, families with children are increasingly arriving, and they have different needs. While a single adult traveling by himself may be OK crashing on a friend’s couch, families often expect more for their children and may be more likely to need government services to protect them. Kids need to go to school. Part of the blame can be laid at Biden’s feet, sure. Now, it’s arguable whether or not those policy changes were the right decision. As always, it’s complicated, and you have to make choices and decide on priorities. The right and left always disagree on priorities, which is the main cause for the division. (Well, that and intentional tribalism caused by each side demonizing the other.) But there is no question that border policies are to blame for at least some of the influx of people. But the decision for families to come up together can’t be blamed on Biden. Things south of the US have been getting worse, and the old paradigms don’t work anymore. It used to be that your family could live back in your home country, where costs were low, and you could come to the US and expect a much higher wage than you’d get back home for the same work. You could send money back, and your family would do fine between their low cost of living and relatively high income you provide. And maybe you’d consider bringing your family up with you to the US after you are established. But now, staying in those home countries doesn’t work. Central America has been going through a crisis in recent years. Civil wars are tearing apart multiple nations, and the drug trade and corruption are worse than ever. Add in climate change making things disproportionately worse for that part of the world, and people are fleeing a sinking ship. > **[A Persistent Crisis in Central America](https://www.worldpoliticsreview.com/why-the-central-america-crisis-is-so-persistent/)** > > For years, violence and corruption in Central America, particularly in the Northern Triangle countries, has been causing a wave of outward migration. > **[WMO issues report State of Climate in Latin America and Caribbean | CEPAL](https://www.cepal.org/en/news/wmo-issues-report-state-climate-latin-america-and-caribbean)** > > Mega-drought, glacier melt, extreme rainfall and deforestation have major impacts. > **[Central America’s Turbulent Northern Triangle](https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/central-americas-turbulent-northern-triangle)** > > The United States continues to seek strategies for responding to the growing number of migrants fleeing poverty, violence, and other challenges in the Central American region. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2023, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-be-the-only-person-stunned-at-just-how-badly-president-joe-biden-is-doing/949851/1111 "2023-10-09T17:26:48Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > The important thing is that whatever the Pubbies don’t like is Biden’s fault. I’m confused. Shouldn’t Pubbies be happy that they are getting more wall? ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2023, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-be-the-only-person-stunned-at-just-how-badly-president-joe-biden-is-doing/949851/1112 "2023-10-09T17:30:45Z")
2 things. 1. Trump isn’t building it so that means it’s bad. 2. Any attempt to make it look like Biden lied about something should be repeated. ---
**Author:** ![CaptMurdock](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/captmurdock/32/11736_2.png) [@CaptMurdock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaptMurdock)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2023, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-be-the-only-person-stunned-at-just-how-badly-president-joe-biden-is-doing/949851/1113 "2023-10-09T17:37:47Z")
> [@Sam\_Stone](#): > > Do you live under a rock? No, some Canadian tRumpist schmuck rented the last one. ---
**Author:** ![Ann\_Hedonia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ann_hedonia/32/319_2.png) [@Ann\_Hedonia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Hedonia)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2023, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-be-the-only-person-stunned-at-just-how-badly-president-joe-biden-is-doing/949851/1114 "2023-10-09T17:50:27Z")
But I’m betting that the bulk of the 113,000 newly arrived immigrants since the spring of 2022 had resources in New York City lined up before moving there……family and/ or friends that provided a place to live and possibly even work opportunities, or a work permit and employer sponsor. These immigrants are not a problem for the city, because immigrants, per se, are not a problem. This is different that tricking 8300 immigrants into thinking you’ll provide them with housing and food if they get on your bus, then unceremoniously dumping them out on a city sidewalk and leaving them there. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-be-the-only-person-stunned-at-just-how-badly-president-joe-biden-is-doing/949851.md?page=54) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-be-the-only-person-stunned-at-just-how-badly-president-joe-biden-is-doing/949851.md?page=56)