Protecting the Country Means Protecting the Border
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Protecting the Country Means Protecting the Border
Posted by Bobby Eberle
March 11, 2009 at 6:49 am
During the previous administration, few issues drew the wrath of the American people as illegal immigration and border security did. Funds were allocated for more border security agents, but those funds went unused. Legislation was put forward to reward illegal immigration. The American people spoke out and sent a message.
Now, there is a new administration, and nothing has changed. The violence along the Mexican border is increasing, and it is spilling over into our country. Action must be taken now. One of the fundamental roles of the federal government is to keep the country safe, so rather than spending trillions on stimulus or billions on studying cows and crickets, how about some real protection?
According to an Associated Press story running on GOPUSA -- Lawmakers challenge border security priorities -- "Since 2008, about 7,000 people have been killed in the Mexican drug wars, and violence is spilling into U.S. cities in some parts of the country. There have been reports of drug cartel members settling scores with adversaries in such places as Atlanta, Phoenix and Birmingham, Ala."
Rep. Jerry Lewis (R-CA) said the problem with Mexico is "a lot more important, in my own judgment, than Afghanistan at this moment." As the AP reports, "Lewis and other lawmakers Tuesday hammered the need for U.S. agencies to do a better job of working together to secure the border and keep the drug cartels from spilling their violence into the U.S."
There always seems to be a breakdown between Washington and common sense. Cracking down on illegal immigration and ramping up border security has so many benefits that it seems almost silly to list them. But, for the benefit of the Washington elite, I'll do so, and I'll use small words.
First, it is THE LAW. Illegal immigration and illegal border crossings are ILLEGAL. Enforce the bleepin' laws that are already on the books. We don't need studies or commissions or reports or legislation. We just need people with the political will to enforce the current laws. If Mexican drug lords are crossing into sovereign America territory in the commission of crimes, arrest them! Don't just turn a blind eye.
Second, it's the economy, stupid. America is sending billions of dollars back across the border every year. If this money were to stay in this country to be used to purchase goods and services inside America, that would certainly be a "stimulus." Stop allowing cash to flow out. Give American jobs to Americans.
Third, security starts at home. The Mexican violence is affecting Americans. People living near the border are fearful. Drug gangs are crossing the border, illegal alien suppliers are crossing the border, and America is doing a poor job in cracking down on these activities.
The federal government must take this problem seriously, and it must do it intelligently.
Just as the U.S. agencies need to do a better job coordinating resources, Lewis said, lawmakers need to work together and not in separate committees. Two committees held separate hearings on Mexico and border violence Tuesday. Two other committees have plans for more hearings on these issues later this week.
We can't waste time duplicating efforts in multiple committees. Congress must get its act together. It has no problem passing bills loaded with earmarks, but it can't seem to protect its own borders.
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