🗣️ Congressman Ciscomani Celebrates Border Cruelty: "'Remain in Mexico' is About Sending a Message"
The Arizona Republican, born in Mexico but who did not remain, praises deterrence policies without addressing humanitarian concerns
This is based on Wake Up Live with Chris DeSimone, a MAGA-conservative podcast in Southern Arizona, which was broadcast by Live The Dream Media on 4/30/25.
😽 Keepin’ It Simple Summary for Younger Readers
👧🏾✊🏾👦🏾
This podcast featured people talking about government programs and services. 🎙️💬 One guest thought programs that help older people should be changed so people with lots of money wouldn't need them. 👴💵❌ Another guest, who came to America from Mexico when he was young, talked about stopping people from crossing the border. 🧒🇲🇽➡️🇺🇸🛑 They also talked about mail delivery and whether it needs to happen six days a week. 📬📆❓ The host seemed to think different cities around Tucson shouldn't work together on business projects. 🏙️🤝🚫
🗝️ Takeaways
🏛️ Libertarian economist Murray Sabrin called Social Security and Medicare "welfare programs" and proposed eliminating taxes on investment income to push wealthy people off these programs
📮 The show portrayed postal workers and their unions as wasteful bureaucrats, suggesting mail delivery be cut to just two days per week
🛂 Congressman Ciscomani, a Mexican immigrant, celebrated a 94% decrease in border crossings without addressing the humanitarian impact of these policies
🏥 Discussion of VA healthcare focused on administrative bloat rather than service quality for veterans
🤝 The host discouraged regional economic cooperation, telling suburban communities to reject Tucson's economic development initiatives
👮 Crime discussions focused on enforcement rather than addressing root causes of violence
Postal Pains, Financial Fantasies, and Border Banter on DeSimone's Podcast
Wednesday’s "Wake Up Live with Chris DeSimone" podcast delivered its usual blend of conservative commentary and spirited debate, featuring guests Murray Sabrin from the libertarian Mises Institute and our district's own Congressman Juan Ciscomani.
From postal service politics to border security, the broadcast bubbled with bold claims deserving deeper dissection. Let's dive into the desert discourse and see what prickly perspectives emerged from this conservative cactus of conversation.
Special Delivery of Criticism: The Postal Service Saga
The podcast began with a caller named Bill sharing his grievances about the U.S. Postal Service and its unionized workforce. "I've been an unfan of public sector unions," Bill declared, lamenting the existence of seven different postal unions with nine collective bargaining agreements.
"Can you imagine trying to negotiate with this pile of rats?" Bill asked, his frustration practically postmarked on each syllable.
Host Chris DeSimone enthusiastically stamped his approval: "It really is the ultimate model, William, right? Of everything that you could do wrong in government is happening at the U.S. Postal Service. At times two, at least."
Hold on to your mailbags, folks! The irony of criticizing an agency that delivers to every address in America six days a week without taxpayer dollars seems to have gotten lost in the mail.
What our postal critics conveniently sorted out of their discussion is how the USPS connects even the most remote communities in Arizona to vital communications, medications, and civic participation. When Bill suggested reducing mail delivery to just two days per week, adding, "If we did go to two days a week... would the employees take up, get a pay cut? I don't think so," there was no discussion about how this would impact rural communities, small businesses, or elderly Arizonans who still rely on physical mail.
DeSimone mentioned that 99% of social security benefits are now paid via direct deposit, to which Bill responded with a dismissive comment about people receiving medications: "They're not going to get their medicine and they're going to die."
Special delivery of truth: For many rural Arizonans, particularly on tribal lands, postal service isn't just convenient—it's a lifeline. Perhaps our friends should consider what happens when that service gets returned to sender.
Money Talks: Murray Sabrin's Financial Forecast
The show's first interview featured Murray Sabrin, a retired finance professor from Ramapo College and Mises Institute affiliate, sporting a hat emblazoned with "MAFI" (Make Americans Financially Independent). Sabron's economic perspectives offered listeners a libertarian letter of intent for America's financial future.
"Social Security and Medicare are welfare programs for the elderly," Sabrin declared, dismissing programs that have kept millions of seniors from poverty's mailbox. "The big myth is that Social Security is your own money."
Sabrin's solution? "Getting rid of taxes on interest, dividends, and capital gains. This way, people who are on social security and have a lot of income from these income streams can get off social security and Medicare."
Return to sender, address unknown! The notion that average Tucsonans could somehow amass sufficient investment portfolios to fund their retirements if only the government would stop taxing wealthy people's passive income seems addressed to an alternate reality.
When asked about the threshold for who would lose benefits under his plan, Sabrin suggested, "Well, I think you could start with a million dollars of income. If you have a million dollars of income, or let's say several hundred thousand dollars of dividends, interest, and capital gains, you're off of Social Security and Medicare."
Sabrin's financial forecast fails to account for the fact that before Social Security, approximately half of American seniors lived in poverty. Today, that number hovers around 9%—a remarkable achievement that deserves more than cancellation.
Sabrin was equally direct about the Federal Reserve: "The Federal Reserve is the end of inflation," he claimed, asserting that America essentially declared bankruptcy in 1971 when Nixon closed the gold window. This oversimplified view of monetary policy provides insufficient postage for the complex economic terrain we're actually navigating.
Border Perspectives: Congressman Ciscomani's Crossing Commentary
Congressman Juan Ciscomani joined the show for its second half, bringing his unique perspective as both an immigrant from Mexico and a Republican representative. Ciscomani, who came to America as a child and has lived the immigrant experience firsthand, offered insights on border security and immigration policy that reflect the complexity of his position.
Over the past seven days, Banks said, Border Patrol agents have apprehended an average of 285 migrants per day along the entire southern border, compared to roughly 4,800 during the same time last year.
via Illegal crossings at U.S.-Mexico border down 94% from last year, Border Patrol chief says
The congressman praised the Trump administration's border policies, claiming crossings have decreased by 94% in the first hundred days. "There was busting at the seams over capacity. Now you didn't find one single soul there. It was empty," Ciscomani noted.
It's worth addressing the letter between the lines here: As someone who has personally navigated the immigration journey, Ciscomani's support for stricter border policies highlights the complicated intersections of personal experience and political affiliation.
While celebrating enforcement successes, the person who did not remain in Mexico, Ciscomani explained, "The main thing of ‘Remain in Mexico’ is the message that you're sending," acknowledging the policy's focus on deterrence. This candid assessment raises questions about whether we're addressing immigration with compassion or simply redirecting the human challenges elsewhere.
When DeSimone asked about Mexico's cooperation, Ciscomani offered a nuanced response about the diplomatic dance between countries: "She [President Sheinbaum] goes on and has a press conference and just kind of like, you know, craps all over the conversation in the US or something. But I got to tell you that there has been some progress in there that we've seen early on."
The conversation then shifted to Veterans Affairs healthcare, where Ciscomani highlighted concerns about bureaucracy: "You're talking about designers. You're talking about administrative jobs," he said, questioning the growing VA workforce of 470,000 employees.
While administrative bloat deserves scrutiny, it's important to remember this workforce serves approximately 9 million veterans with complex healthcare needs. Sometimes the devil's in the details—or in this case, the designer's office?
The Local Landscape: Economic Development Debates
DeSimone concluded with commentary on Pima County leadership and regional chambers of commerce, expressing skepticism about local economic development efforts. His suggestion that Marana and Oro Valley should isolate themselves from Tucson's economic planning delivered a special sort of desert wisdom.
"If Joe Snell, Michael Geiman, or Zach Yentzer come knocking on your door, say hello, please leave," DeSimone advised leaders in surrounding communities, seemingly preferring economic isolationism to regional cooperation.
Return to sender: History shows that metropolitan regions thrive through cooperation, not fragmentation. Our economic fate is more connected than separated, much like our desert watershed.
The show also featured Janet Wittenbraker's letter to the editor about Tucson's violence problem, which stated: "Our goal should be to foster an environment where safety is recognized not just as a privilege for the few, but as an inherent right for all residents."
While this sentiment rings true, addressing safety requires looking beyond enforcement to the underlying issues of poverty, mental health, and community resources that contribute to violence in our community.
What This Means for Tucsonans: The Local Impact
The perspectives shared on this podcast represent more than abstract political positions—they reflect approaches that would directly affect our desert community:
If Sabrin's vision for reimagining Social Security and Medicare were implemented, thousands of Tucson seniors would face uncertain financial futures. Our local hospitals might see increased demands from patients without adequate coverage, and families would feel the pressure of supporting aging relatives.
The critique of postal workers represents broader questions about public service and labor rights that affect working Arizonans across sectors. When we devalue public service, we risk weakening the infrastructure that connects our sprawling desert communities.
Ciscomani's border security discussion, while informed by his own immigration experience, raises questions about how we balance enforcement with humanitarian concerns. As a border community with deep binational ties, Tucson feels these policies personally and economically.
The dismissal of regional economic cooperation challenges Southern Arizona's ability to develop cohesive strategies for growth and prosperity, potentially limiting opportunities for all residents.
A Desert Bloom of Hope: Building Bridges in the Community
Despite the conservative currents that flowed through this podcast, Tucson remains a vibrant, diverse community where multiple perspectives contribute to our unique borderlands identity. Our city's cultural richness and tradition of civic engagement provide fertile ground for constructive dialogue across political differences.
Remember that the loudest voices don't always represent the full spectrum of perspectives. As we navigate the challenging political landscape of 2025, we can seek ways to build bridges rather than walls—both metaphorically in our community and literally at our border.
What can you do today to contribute to this dialogue?
Engage with diverse local perspectives, even those you disagree with
Support local initiatives that bring different communities together
Advocate for policies that address the needs of vulnerable Tucsonans
Participate in community forums on issues like border relations, public services, and economic development
Support Three Sonorans by subscribing to our Substack – your financial support keeps independent journalism blooming in our desert community!
Remember, the most resilient plants in the desert put down deep roots and adapt to challenging conditions. Our community's strength comes from similar adaptability and interconnection, not isolation.
What's your experience with these issues in Tucson? Have postal service changes, Social Security, or border policies directly affected your life or business? Share your story in the comments below!
Three Sonorans is committed to amplifying diverse voices and perspectives from our unique borderlands community. We believe in exploring multiple viewpoints while maintaining focus on social justice and the real impacts of policies on our communities. Support our work by subscribing to our Substack today!
Quotes
"Social Security and Medicare are welfare programs for the elderly." - Murray Sabrin, describing safety net programs while promoting libertarian economic alternatives
"Can you imagine trying to negotiate with this pile of rats?" - Caller Bill, expressing frustration with postal unions
"The main thing of Remain in Mexico is the message that you're sending." - Congressman Ciscomani, acknowledging the deterrence aspect of border policies
"We're going to be in a regional chamber... We're going to work in partnership with other chambers on issues." - Joe Snell, on the merger of economic development organizations that DeSimone criticized
"If you're still a member of the Loser Tucson Metro Chamber of Commerce, and they still take the $650,000 from Pima County... you're a fool." - Chris DeSimone, questioning regional economic cooperation efforts
"I'm not saying that there isn't [fraud], but the definition of an improper payment isn't necessarily fraud." - Congressman Ciscomani, discussing Medicaid reform approaches
People Mentioned and Quotes
Murray Sabrin - Finance professor and Mises Institute member: "What I'm saying Chris and this is very important and not going to get a guess to say this. Social Security and Medicare are welfare programs for the elderly."
Juan Ciscomani - Arizona Congressman who immigrated from Mexico: "The crossings have decreased over 94%. So something that was unimaginable just a few months ago."
Bill (caller) - Regular caller who criticized postal unions: "I've been an unfan of public sector unions... they should be illegal."
Chris DeSimone - Host: "It really is the ultimate model, William, right? Of everything that you could do wrong in government is happening at the U.S. Postal Service."
Joe Snell - Economic development leader described by DeSimone as running an ineffective organization
Janet Wittenbraker - Ward 3 candidate who wrote about crime: "Our goal should be to foster an environment where safety is recognized not just as a privilege for the few, but as an inherent right for all residents."
Jan Lesher - Pima County Administrator quoted as saying: "Taxes continue to go down in this area for Pima County."
Doug Ducey - Former Arizona Governor who defended his COVID policies: "I didn't shut down Arizona."
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