Thread: Privatize the border

http://www.goupstate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/ ... 21/OPINION

Privatize the border
John Cobin, Candidate,
Published August 6, 2006


The federal government has failed to secure our borders and to suitably regulate immigration. People swarm in as if the border were meaningless. Complaints over too much illegal immigration and not enough legal immigration are commonplace.

So why are so many concerned citizens clamoring for a big government solution? Why not let market forces work in our favor by privatizing the border?

Firms could compete for 20 98-mile sections along the Mexican border and 11 500-mile sections along the Canadian border, potentially saving taxpayers billions of dollars. Each firm could grade immigrants, including education or skill-level screening, English proficiency, DNA and background checks, eligibility-of-stay determinations under State Department guidelines and body heat (disease carrier) scans. A firm's failures would result in contractual fines or repudiation.

The desire to retain a contract worth $100 million would provide firms a huge incentive to secure the border as well as to capture and deport illegal immigrants. Exactly how a firm would do so depends on which solution is most economically efficient.

Conversely, a government bureau or employee's incentive to patrol and capture is not as strong as the incentive of a private firm (or a Minutemen group) when facing competitive pressure. Even though markets fail at times, government failure is far more troublesome.

The federal government would retain its constitutional role in oversight and funding. Satellite, radar and infrared technology would identify porous sections of the border and grade each firm's success. Quarterly rankings would be made, providing a means for evaluating contract renewal and resulting in healthy competitive pressure. Local sheriffs' enforcement roles would become paramount, backing up the firms' efforts and deputizing their members or volunteers (e.g., Minutemen).

Unlike Bob Inglis, I am the only candidate for U.S. Congress with an original and practical border solution that will work.

In theory this sounds like it may be a solution, but it wouldn't be long before the coyotes are paying the CEO's huge bribes to look the other way.

Here's a good idea, William Gheen and Chris Simcox should be the owners of the new border patrol company. These two are only a handful of the honorable men I would trust.
The company motto should be a picture of a person in handcuffs, with the message, "Got Papers?"

Originally Posted by sippy

In theory this sounds like it may be a solution, but it wouldn't be long before the coyotes are paying the CEO's huge bribes to look the other way.

Here's a good idea, William Gheen and Chris Simcox should be the owners of the new border patrol company. These two are only a handful of the honorable men I would trust.
The company motto should be a picture of a person in handcuffs, with the message, "Got Papers?"

Sippy, as usual, direct, to the point, and sensible!!!