I agree with you that $9 billion is nothing compared to the importance of this, which is why I also agree that the explanation is obviously that there is not the political will to build it on either side. Sure estimates can be low, but I wouldn't care if it cost twice as much if it got the job done.
The problem with walls is that they need maintenance. Unmaintained walls just become another unmaintained border. Holes appear in them and people slip in.
I agree. There would have to be adequate forces to maintain them. I just think it would be much easier to maintain the fully open borders we have now, rather than have to justify a wasted wall given how much it would cost to build. I suppose by that I hope it IS more expensive. :)
Cut off the demand created by unethical greedy businesses, by enforcing the existing laws and depriving them on their illegitimate profits with fines, and the illegal immigration will not only stop but reverse itself. Once they can't find jobs, they will go back. No wall needed.
I agree that must be done also, but I don't think it would solve everything alone. The underground economy would mushroom to before unseen heights, and all the criminals, and terrorists (as you correctly pointed out), would still freely come over.
It is rather pathetic that Bush is whining about not getting his security law renewed because we are "losing ingtellingence," while our southern borders remain porous, if not wide open, in large part because of lack of the chief executive's will to secure this nation from illegal entriy of terrorists and possible epicemics.
Speaking of intelligence, his former "brain," Mr. Rowe, admitted the other day that the reason our young people are dying in Iraq is, well, not security but the price of oil. How pathetic is that? Especially given that the oil was only $37 a barrell when Bush decided to invade Iraq. His glaring "success" is evident at the gas pumps.
Someone is making a profit! I wish he had as much resolve to defend this nation's security by going after the unknown number of enemy combatants who could have slipped in during his administration, as he has been instrumental in helping those in oil business almost tirpple their profits in merely 7 years. Talk about priorities!
The underground economy would mushroom to before unseen heights, and all the criminals, and terrorists (as you correctly pointed out), would still freely come over.
What underground economy? If you penalize greedy and unethical businesses that hire illegals, sooner than later the source of jobs for the illegals will dry up.
What we are doing is trying to keep unwanted visitors out of the house by locking up all doors and windwos but leaving the back yard porch door wide open!