Why are we having such a hang up on this wall deal?

2019-01-05T09:06:16-05:00

We have had walls built in other countries in our world. Some have been taken down, such as in Berlin. Jerusalem has a wall and we support them. So why are we having such a hard time with the walls on our borders? I thought we wanted a safe country!

Response by LTC Kevin B. made Jan 5 at 2019 9:33 AM

2019-01-05T09:33:08-05:00

Multiple reasons. Politically? One politician really wants it (because it will appease his base), and other politicians don't want it (because it appeases their base). Logistically? Building the wall will require government confiscation of private property, and some of the wall locations would necessitate abandoning territory to Mexico. Financially? It will cost billions of dollars to construct, and the American taxpayer will have to foot the bill (for something most Americans don't want). Effectiveness? I have seen hardly any evidence that constructing a wall would be effective. We have a wall now in multiple locations, and people either climb over it or tunnel under it. Plus, the wall would only cover a small portion of our borders, so the coastlines and our northern border would still be open.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Jan 5 at 2019 9:36 AM

2019-01-05T09:36:09-05:00

One congressman highlighted an excellent point. The Wall is a Metaphor (for national security).

Unfortunately, we've gotten so wrapped up in the metaphor that we've developed tunnel vision. We can't see everything else involved with it. A "Wall" is not logistically or economically feasible or realistic in any reasonable way. It just isn't.

Previously, the wall was "Political theater." No one actually expected the wall to be built. No one actually WANTED the wall to be built. It was just a CONCEPT that could be leveraged as political capital to accomplish other things (like getting another bill onto the President's desk). Somehow we've lost track of that.

Response by SGT Edward Wilcox made Jan 5 at 2019 10:11 AM

2019-01-05T10:11:49-05:00

So we should copy the Communists on how to control a population? You do understand that the Berlin Wall was meant to keep people in, and it was a monumental failure, right? The wall in Jerusalem is several thousand years old, and is mostly useless. The majority of illegal aliens in this country come from Europe and Asia. A southern wall would not fix that.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 5 at 2019 10:29 AM

2019-01-05T10:29:13-05:00

PFC James (LURCH) Janota To answer the Why is easy- Politics. It has nothing to do with security.

Response by MSG Stan Hutchison made Jan 5 at 2019 10:46 AM

2019-01-05T10:46:42-05:00

OK, let us look at some of the alleged reasons for a wall;
Stop drugs and criminals
No, it will not. There is far too much money involved to do that. Wall or no wall, the drugs will still come in.
Stop terrorist.
No convincing evidence of terrorist coming in over the southern border. 9-11 terrorist were here legally, as were the others since.

No, a wall is a 5th century solution for a 21st century problem.
Do I want stronger immigration policies? Absolutely. But I want solutions that work and are humane. That is who we are.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 7 at 2019 8:00 AM

2019-01-07T08:00:15-05:00