[Einigkeit_Recht_Freiheit]

I am going to go against the grain at FR and be happy about this.

I agree fully that greater enforcement is necessary, but a wall is a terrible idea.

It is not just a tool, but also a symbol. It would be a sign of American isolationism and a closing off to the world.

It would further erode America's image in the world. And, I am not talking about war on terror type of anti-Americanism, but rather the United States as a beacon of hope and freedom and openness.

Once again, the immigration problem needs to be addressed with greater enforcement. But I beleive a border fence is the wrong way to do it. I am glad that 79 Senators agreed.

Abestos underwear on. BBS

[Little Ray]

That's silly. Fences (and walls) make good neighbors.

[kellynla]

wall? what friggin' wall?
these clowns are talking about spending $1.8 BILLION for a friggin' Fence!

and if you don't think barriers work,
then why the hell do we bother having one at the WH?
hmmmmmmmmm....

[mathluv]

I won't flame you - I agree about the fence being a terrible idea.

This just shows how much of a joke Congress is. I heard about the 'NO' on funding on Fox.

[muawiyah]

Check my note on the 2,630 linear miles of sound barriers built along mostly interstate highways inside the United States.

Aren't you concerned with the "image" this portrays to the American people ~ that it's OK to wall them in, but not wall the Mexicans out?

[Smokin' Joe]

But I beleive a border fence is the wrong way to do it. I am glad that 79 Senators agreed.

I believe some sort of barrier is probably a lot more effective than what we have now. I am all for a suitable fence, especially in high traffic areas.

I think this is just a case of typical political crap.

Tell the folks at home in english you voted for the fence--and in spanish you stopped it by denying funding.

[new cruelty]

Once again, the immigration problem needs to be addressed with greater enforcement. But I beleive a border fence is the wrong way to do it. I am glad that 79 Senators agreed. Abestos underwear on. BBS

LOL. I won't blast on your for your opinions. But I will point out the following...

From the article-

Kris Kobach, who was a counsel to the attorney general under John Ashcroft, told a House subcommittee last week that one of the most unusual aspects of the Senate bill is a provision -- slipped into the more-than-800-page bill moments before the final vote -- that would require the United States to consult with the Mexican government before constructing the fencing.

Given the above excerpt, it is reasonable to surmise that not all of the 79 senators voted against the fence for the reasons you stated.

What amazes me (frustrates is a better word) is the amount of BS that goes into these constructing these bills. Common sense is dead to these people.

[Ditter]

I have mixed feelings about whether a fence is the right thing to do but to NOT build it because of what the rest of the world will think about us, is pure bull pockey! I don't have a very good opinion of the rest of the world right now. Screw 'em!

[dennisw]

It is not just a tool, but also a symbol. It would be a sign of American isolationism and a closing off to the world.

It's the kind of symbol I want. It says to potential illegal immigrants to come here legally or not at all. It says to Mexico - GET LOST! We are tired of you shoving your poor people into the United States. It's so bad that these days we get Mayan Indians from Southern Mexico who don't speak any Spanish either. Some may be Guatemalan

[rhombus]

It is not just a tool, but also a symbol. It would be a sign of American isolationism and a closing off to the world.

Fear of a wall as a "symbol" makes no sense to me. At a time when we fully support free trade in the world, when we support the spread of democracy and have put our own resources on the line in places like Iraq, Afghanistan, South Korea, Taiwan, at a time when we send huge amounts of foreign aid to less fortunate countries, at a time when terrorists are devastating cities around the world...we are going to fear protecting ourselves with a wall because it's a bad symbol? Please, stupidity is bad symbol too. I don't leave my front door wide open because I don't want my home to become a crack house despite having a welcome mat.

[dirtboy]

And, I am not talking about war on terror type of anti-Americanism, but rather the United States as a beacon of hope and freedom and openness.

Nonsense. A fence to keep people in is a symbol of oppression. A fence to keep unwanted people out, whether along the border or along your back yard, is an expression of sovereignty.

[RexFamilia]

What is the purpose of the front door in your house?
Is it to lock your family in or to keep unwanted people out.

Until we have better regulation regarding immigration, the fence is the best deal around.

[Bikers4Bush]

If drug dealers, human traffickers and criminals lived next door to you would you put up a fence to protect your family and property?

[TomGuy]

the immigration problem needs to be addressed with greater enforcement.

We gotta do something, but not this...and not that....nor the other one either.....

So we end up doing nothing for another 20 years as the problem explodes.

We get word from our illustrious elected in another 5 years that, well, we can't expel 40 million illegals.....and 5 years later, well, we can't expel 80 million illegals... and another half-decade, well, we can't expel 120 million illegals --- they are voting us out and their own in.

Heck, even Nero fiddled. Our elected are just fiddling around.

[ffusco]

Please remove your front and back door on your house in case I wan't to drop by and borrow anything, raid your fridge, or grab an aspirin- I'd hate to disturb you with having to let me in.

[synbad600]

My two cents for addressing this problem:

You can't heal the wound (those already here) if you can't stop the bleeding (those still coming in). If a wall is what it takes to stop the bleeding, get 'er done. If there is another viable solution, something that WORKS, let's do that.

The only way America wouldn't be a beacon of hope etc. is if we continue to let absolutly everybody who wants to come in, in. Legal immigrants don't want criminals and terrorists living amongst them any more than we do.

[longtermmemmory]

It is a GOOD symbol.

you are being naive.

A fence is ABSOLUTLY VITAL to the border security.

Particularly the various proposed smart fences.


It is 100% absurd to think "enforcement" can be done throwing papers around. It is about as effective as outlawing sadness.

[texastoo]

Where had you rather spend your money? A fence or this mess?

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c109:S.3622.IS:

North American Investment Fund Act (Introduced in Senate)

S 3622 IS


109th CONGRESS

2d Session

S. 3622
To authorize the President to negotiate the creation of a North American Investment Fund between the Governments of Canada, of Mexico, and of the United States to increase the economic competitiveness of North America in a global economy.


IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

June 29, 2006
Mr. CORNYN (for himself and Mr. COLEMAN) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations

---

A BILL
To authorize the President to negotiate the creation of a North American Investment Fund between the Governments of Canada, of Mexico, and of the United States to increase the economic competitiveness of North America in a global economy.


Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `North American Investment Fund Act'.

SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NORTH AMERICAN INVESTMENT FUND.

The President is authorized to negotiate with the Government of Canada and the Government of Mexico to establish a North American Investment Fund (referred to in this Act as the `Fund') by--

(1) agreeing to certain amendments to the November 1993 Agreement Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the United Mexican States Concerning the Establishment of a Border Environment Cooperation Commission and a North American Development Bank; or

(2) negotiating an agreement with the Government of Canada and the Government of Mexico to establish and administer the Fund.

SEC. 3. PURPOSES.

The purposes of the Fund shall be--

(1) to increase the economic competitiveness of North America in a global economy;

(2) to reduce the income gap between Mexico and Canada, and between Mexico and the United States; and

(3) to promote economic development in Mexico in the areas of infrastructure, education, technology, and job training.

SEC. 4. PROJECTS FUNDED.

(a) In General- Grants shall be awarded from the Fund for projects to carry out the purposes described in section 3, including projects--

(1) to construct roads in Mexico to facilitate trade between Mexico and Canada, and Mexico and the United States;

(2) to encourage the development and improve the quality of primary, secondary, and post-secondary education throughout Mexico;

(3) to expand the deployment of communications and broadband infrastructure throughout Mexico, with emphasis on rural and underserved areas; and

(4) to expand job training and workforce development for high-growth industries in Mexico.

(b) Project Selection-

(1) IN GENERAL- The agreement described in section 2 shall include guidelines for determining which projects will receive financial assistance from the Fund.

(2) PRIORITY- In selecting grantees to carry out projects described in subsection (a)(1), priority should be given to projects in the interior and southern regions of Mexico that connect to more developed markets in the United States and Canada.

SEC. 5. CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE FUND.

(a) In General- The agreement described in section 2 shall require the Governments of Canada, of Mexico, and of the United States to contribute to the Fund, subject to the limitations under subsection (b).

(b) Limitations on Contributions by the United States and Canada- The agreement described in section 2 shall include provisions that permit Canada and the United States to contribute to the Fund if the Government of Mexico--

(1) increases the tax revenue collected by such Government, with the goal of annually collecting an amount of such revenue that is equal to 18 percent of the annual gross domestic product of Mexico; and

(2) carries out a program of reforms to increase private investment and economic growth, reduce poverty, and maintain economic stability in Mexico.

SEC. 6. TERM OF THE FUND.

The agreement described in section 2 shall require that the Fund--

(1) operate for an initial period of 10 years; and

(2) cease operations at the end of such 10-year period, unless the Governments of Canada, of Mexico, and of the United States agree to extend the period of operation beyond such initial period.

SEC. 7. REPORT.

Not later than 180 days after the date on which the Government of Mexico complies with the criteria described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 5(b), and once every 180 days after such date of compliance and before the finalization of the agreement described in section 2, the President shall submit a report to Congress detailing the progress made by the Government of the United States to establish the Fund in accordance with this Act.

---

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[taxed2death]

"It would further erode America's image in the world. And, I am not talking about war on terror type of anti-Americanism, but rather the United States as a beacon of hope and freedom and openness."

Pure bilge.

People are taking advantage of our "hope and freedom" and NOT entering legally, costing the US taxpayers billions a year.

American citizenship is a privilege.

[WOSG]

Hogwash. Walls work. We know. They've been tried and they cut border corssing by 80-90% where they are tried.

It's a symbol, a symbol that says we'll enforce the law.
It has nothing to do with isolationism, and everything to do with 1 million + illegal border crossing, not just of immigrants but drugs and other contraband.

The Senate just voted the interests of lawbreakers.

[Plain Old American]

The doors are open, we still welcome immigrants, but the walls have to be built.