Maybe we should let Mexico collapse and then buy it cheap. Seriously, there are a lot of interesting possibilities to annexing Mexico into the United States.
- We should follow the model for adding new states. Hawaii and Alaska were the last states added. What was the process? Mexico would have to be absorbed via USA federal rules, with the resulting country following existing constitutional law.
- Mexico currently has 32 states. This would have to be realigned into fewer larger states. A population density map of the 100 million people shows them all radiating out from around Mexico City. How many states would be necessary? Remember, with each new state, you add two senators to congress. Also, the number of representatives will have to be increased from the current 435.
- It would be possible to realign Mexico into fewer states by merging some states together, and even adding territory to existing American states. For instance, add Baja to California and turn it into a resort location. In exchange, split off the northern or eastern part of California into its own state (which would likely become a Red State).
- All current Mexican federal and state elected positions will have to be abolished. I would probably add a one-time stipulation allowing all current citizens of both countries at the time of ratification to eligible to be president, similar to the language in the constitution for residents of the colonies in 1789. This would also take care of Orrin Hatch's plan for allowing Arnold Schwarzenegger to be eligible (the Democrats would benefit, too, for Jennifer Granholm). This would a one-time grandfathering clause to also allow Vincente Fox and others to be president if they can get the votes, but future immigrants will have to be natural born.
- This will take care of the illegal alien problem, as all illegal Mexican citizens in the USA will automatically become USA citizens, as will all Mexicans in Mexico. Then, our current immigration laws can be rigorously enforced on those who remain.
- Mexico is 89% Roman Catholic. That is good for the political Right, and makes a good buffer against Islam incursion.
- Mexico has abundant natural resources, especially oil.
- How about a huge public works project: The Mexico Canal. It might be worth investigating a project to build a new canal across Mexico in the low-lands in the Salina Cruz region to the Coatzacoalcoas region in the Oaxaca and Veracruz states. This would be a new commercial boon for the United States, and will reduce the impact of Chinese control of the Panama Canal. It would also make a nice southern boundary.
I probably have more thoughts on the matter, but these are enough for now.
-PJ