John Stossel recently reported on the failure of federally subsidized job-training programs in Minnesota. Using federal stimulus dollars, the Summit Academy stated that it would use stimulus funds to create "results-oriented programs" that allow adults to "become educated, contributing member of their community." What sort of training did the Summit Academy provide? It trained 130 people how to weatherize buildings.

Republicans in Congress, especially in the House of Representatives, are working to curtail federal funding to nonprofit organizations that more or less promote the liberal agenda. For example, GOP lawmakers in the House were able to pass an amendment in February to end federal funding for Planned Parenthood, the nation's largest abortion provider. However, on March 9, the Senate voted to reject the spending package that included the provision to defund Planned Parenthood.

The Reign of the Czars, at least in the executive branch of the U.S. government, may be near an end. Congressman Steve Scalise (R-La.) offered an amendment that would block funding for the various "czars" — policy advisers appointed by the President who did not have to face formal confirmation by the U.S. Senate, and who cannot be impeached by the House of Representatives. The amendment (to the continuing resolution which keeps the federal government operating) passed the House February 17 by a vote of 249 to 171.

The American people, according to a January 11 Reuters poll, strongly oppose raising the debt ceiling of the federal government. The poll shows that 71 percent of respondents are against raising the limit on federal borrowing authority, while only 18 percent support such a move.

Our nation's ability to defend its borders against the ongoing onslaught of illegal immigrants has been severely compromised by our government's granting of "do not deport" status to illegal aliens based upon their country of origin.

As one of her first official acts, New Mexico's new Republican Governor Susana Martinez issued an executive order rescinding illegal immigrants' sanctuary from investigation of their legal status when they commit crimes in the state — a sanctuary that her predecessor, Governor Bill Richardson, had created, also by an executive order.

The federal government filed suit on August 30 against the State of Arizona because of alleged discrimination by Maricopa County Community Colleges requiring that non-citizen job applicants fill out documents to prove that they were eligible to work in the country. About 250 non-citizens were affected by the college hiring requirement.

John Stossel believes in free markets. The best result, in almost any situation, is individual liberty — government should stay out of the business of regulating human interactions. There is no doubt that in most cases we have far too much government and far too little freedom of choice. Does that apply to national borders as well? Are immigration laws another form of government regulation of free choices? Stossel is not sure.

John Morton, Director of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has urged other states and local governments not to pass new immigration laws like Arizona has recently done. What is his rationale? “I don’t think that fifty different immigration laws is the answer to our immigration troubles. I understand the frustration that many communities feel over the question of illegal immigration, but having a patchwork of state laws, I don’t think is the right way to do.”

On May 17, four young immigrant students staged a sit-in at Senator John McCain’s Tucson Office. The students were demanding that McCain support federal legislation to allow illegal immigrants who had been brought to America as children to have a path to citizenship. The New York Times championed these four young adults for risking criminal sanctions and deportation, citing the new law in Arizona which requires that federal immigration laws be enforced.