[hedgetrimmer]

Panel calls for secured border perimeter with U.S., Canada, Mexico

“Like free trade a decade ago, a common security perimeter for North America is an ambitious but achievable goal that will require specific policy, statutory and procedural changes in all three nations,” they said.

The task force was co-created in October 2004 by the New York-based think tank the Council on Foreign Relations, as well as the Canadian Council of Chief Executives and the Consejo Mexicano de Asuntos Internacionales. Former Massachusetts governor and assistant attorney general William Weld, Canadian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance John Manley and former Mexican finance minister Pedro Aspe co-chaired the panel.

"Free trade" and open borders are two sides of the same coin.

[mjolnir]

"Free trade" and open borders are two sides of the same coin.

Not at all. Free trade between nations requires that there be nations capable of freely trading.

For there to be nations capable of freely trading requires that there be nations, period, which requires borders.

Ireland is a great example. They lowered tariffs and taxes, which the rest of the EU has not done. Therefore, Ireland has enjoyed greater growth and proseperity than the rest of the EU countries. Now, if the EU forces Ireland to raise its taxes to be more in line with France and the rest, well, that's not free trade. Free trade requires nations like Ireland to be able to set their own pplicies with regard to taxes and the rest. Free trade trade is based upon tax competition, NOT tax harmonization... And that requires regulated borders. Which country in the Middle East has been forced to regulate its borders carefully with a wall? That's right, Israel. Which country in the Middle East has the most open trade policies? Right--- Israel again.