Border city / Bersin knows feel-good solutions won’t work

By Union-Tribune Editorial Board,
Monday, April 26, 2010 at 12:04 a.m.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Alan Bersin recently testified before Congress and the main topic of conversation was Mexico’s drug violence and the degree to which it is spilling over to the United States. Bersin told the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security that the administration takes this situation very seriously and that it is committed to keeping Americans safe.

Yet, if the questioning of Bersin at that hearing is any clue, we have a problem in Congress as well. Many lawmakers – particularly those who represent non-border states – seem to have convinced themselves that the drug war can be won, or at least well managed, simply by hiring more law enforcement, providing more funds, building higher walls and deploying other resources.

Not so. Coming from San Diego, Bersin knows enough to question feel-good border enforcement solutions that don’t work. He needs to use his new position to remind lawmakers that this war must not be fought only at the border and cannot be fought only with fences and handcuffs. He needs to make the case that we need a change in personal behavior, and that nothing short of that will improve the situation.

If Americans stop consuming illegal drugs, then Mexican drug cartels will have a tough time staying in business. Likewise, with immigration, if Americans stop hiring illegal immigrants, those job-seekers will stop coming across the border.

Conversely, until Americans take responsibility for their role in creating the problems, all the fences and all the Border Patrol agents won’t make a dent.

Bersin knows this. He should spread the word.

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010 ... rder-city/