Alright, let’s talk about those detention centers, the ones some insist on calling “concentration camps.” I suppose, in a way, that’s technically correct, since people are “concentrated” in a certain area. But whatever you call them, let’s talk.

First, for years, a decade at least, people have been coming to our borders to seek asylum, refugee status. Many others come for different reasons. The point is that we’ve known, we’ve experienced this, for a very long time and so should be freakin’ prepared in spite of increasing numbers.

But that’s the problem with government—it’s one fat, bloated bureaucracy that does not a damn thing except pay people, except, of course, when the government shuts down. Then it’s pretty much every man for himself. Think Haiti. Puerto Rico. Katrina. Supplies were available, the government wouldn’t allow anyone to help. Or, alternatively, items were stockpiled, sold, disappeared, whatever. Yeah, tell me the government has a handle on this. Ha.

I saw a post from the Episcopal Church—they have people and supplies ready to go. Hello, Washington? Get your heads out of your asses!

Now, yes, a lot of people blame POTUS—they could also be blaming the last three or four of them, Congress, all eleventy billion government agencies, or anyone else. Truly. The president, however, is kind of overall in charge of everything and I think the very title connotes responsibility. That doesn’t, however, mean that he actually did or didn’t do whatever you think he was supposed to do. Even if he’d appointed the heads of whatever department or bureau, it still doesn’t mean he did or didn’t do something. So shut up already. We’re all tired of hearing you bitch.

We’ve also all seen the “how you can help” stuff on Facebook. Sure, you could do those things—and bless you, if you do. Most people aren’t able (or willing) to do it. Policy is the heart of this issue.

1. Allow private citizens and non-profits—or anyone at all—to volunteer, to provide supplies, manpower, whatever. Stay out their way, stop regulating every damn thing, and end the government red tape/bullshit.
2. These centers or camps or whatever you want to call them are supposed to be “temporary” but we’ve run out of room because of sheer numbers. The government has had plenty of time—and likely resources—to fix this. Hell, rent a few Motel 6s or something, it’s not like the border is a hot vacation spot or anything, there have to be vacancies within a couple hours. Or, novel idea, BUILD SOMETHING. You can’t house people in warehouse settings for more than, say, a week.
3. While you’re doing these two things, get these folks some basic items, like, Idk, beds, blankets, personal items. WTF?? And speaking of, Wayfair wanted to sell the government some beds and everyone lost their flippin’ minds. WHY? Because they’d make a profit? Hellooo, capitalism? The government pays everyone else, why not Wayfair? And the employees boohooed and pitched a fit—where do they think the money to pay THEM is coming from? Yes, the correct answer is “sales.”
4. Put the kids back with the parents. Period. If you can’t find the parents—‘cause we all know the government is good at losing things—put them in a decent place with adults to watch over them.
5. If anyone has a sponsoring family, or relatives in the US, send them there. Definitely one way to ease overcrowding and not even spend government money. Presto

Some people are advocating protests. Yeah, that’ll work. RELEASE THEM ALL! To where? And how? And THEN what will these refugees do? No one seems to know—they just want them out. If you get them out, you need to have a plan and a method in place FIRST.  Think about it…

One final thought: let’s not forget personal responsibility and personal choice. I know it’s popular to have the government mandate and control every little thing, and for everyone to run around screaming about how their “feelings” are so damn important and dictate all their choices, but sheesh, just stop already. If you’re a grown-ass adult, YOU are responsible for controlling your feelings and making the best, rational choice available.

For instance, I hope, since many of you are crying yourselves to sleep at night over the deaths of immigrant children, seven in seven months, are ALSO crying over the many, many more children living with their families in the US who have also died during that time period—I guarantee, there are a lot more than seven. And please remember, while the death of any child is certainly tragic, parents often share some of the blame by their own decisions. Most of those immigrant children were ill when they began their trek to the US, and as soon as officials were notified, the children did receive medical care. Saying “It’s Trump’s fault” is just plain ridiculous.

The most recent situation, the man and his toddler who drowned, is also heartbreaking. These folks came to the US, made an appointment to be seen for admittance, and were told it would take two months—given the general US court silliness and backlog, that, too, is SO MUCH BS—but they got tired of waiting. I don’t blame them one bit for that.

However, they decided to cross anyway, as many do. The man LEFT HIS TODDLER on the bank of a running river to go back for the others. Naturally, she came after him, he tried to save her, they both lost their lives. You can blame US policy for their long wait, but you CANNOT blame the US for this parenting decision.

So let’s add this:

6. MOVE THE LINES ALREADY. Why the hell does it take two months to see a judge? Why does it take longer than maybe ten minutes for that judge to say, “Yes, come on in” or “Nope, go back to where you came from?”

I’ll tell you why—because it’s government, and bloated, and bureaucratic, and bullshit. Period.