[ricpic]

I agree that Bush has made the political calculation that sealing the border with Mexico would lose the Hispanic vote (which he thinks, incorrectly in my view, he can charm into the Republican column).
Having said that, even if Bush agressively pursued sealing the borders, the culture of the higher ups in the government is such that he would be hard pressed to succeed. The directors and assistant directors of the agencies charged with that responsibility are part of an elite culture that considers it unenlightened for a nation to insist on maintaining its sovreignty.

[Democratic_Machiavelli]

He wouldn't just lose the Hispanic vote (which mostly votes Democratic anyway). He would lose the so-called "elite" vote. I've seen who cuts the lawns of the "elite" and washes their dishes. Most of the people at fast food places are usually immigrants. There are places here where huge amounts of Hispanics wait for jobs. By the middle of the day, few are left standing around. Trucks come by in the morning and pick up whoever is willing to work.

Our economy at this point is built on illegal labor. Sealing the borders would destroy our economy because citizen labor costs too much. I can post more info on this if you like.