In the Arizona Republic December 9, 2018, an article was published (section 1AA) stating “Trump shares wrong numbers of costs of illegal immigration.” By Jill Colvin Associated Press.
She begins with accusations against President Trump by stating “he tries to pressure democrats to fund his long promised southern border wall.” Even though it is true he did promise a wall during his campaign and he is correct in the fact “illegal” immigration does cost the American taxpayer considerable unnecessary expenditures annually she questions where and how he got such a figure as 250 billion. Is Ms Colvin attempting to justify illegal immigration? Or perhaps just question president Trump’s honesty regarding cost. Now it is obvious “illegal” immigration costs taxpayers money and much like the “unknown” number of legal and illegal guns in America (another of their pet peeves) no one knows exactly how much it actually costs. However, it is known that cost is extreme. Furthermore, it is known for certain over 85% of the illicit drugs that enter America and kill over seventy thousand Americans each year comes across the southern border. How much is one life worth? Is there a monetary ($) value we can put on even one life? I think not at least to the one who’s life it happens to be.
When these so called democrats denounce the legal ownership of guns in America they say the price is worth restrictions or confiscation if just one life is saved yet they seem to not care if seventy thousand lives are lost with illicit drugs coming over the southern border that could possibly be stopped or reduced considerably with a border wall. What are the lives of 70 thousand Americans worth? That is more lives lost than were lost in the wars in Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan “combined.” Every year! Remember if you would (or research if you are to young to remember) how the nation revolted against the Vietnam war. Yet these so called democrats remain passive about the illicit drugs? And say the cost is “not” justified! Illegal aliens and illicit drugs are not the only possible problem(s) there are with the southern border being so porous.
In 2006 most of the so called democrats, so set against the wall now, were for a barrier. Why is a wall not acceptable now when a fence was then? Is a fence perceived as a lessor barrier? At least they voted for one then. With that in mind it seems the resistance to the border barrier is because president Trump supports it and sees the necessity for it. So to keep him from succeeding on another of his campaign promises, and looking good in the eyes of millions of Americans, they are willing to sacrifice over seventy thousand American lives. And at the same time cost this nation billions in unnecessary costs to support these “illegal aliens.” Just who, may I ask, exactly is it the democrats are for here their party’s power or the nations welfare? Seems to me the answer is obvious and it is not the nations welfare.
Consequently, I must ask, is that attitude what we as proud Americans want for a future for our children? Is that not exactly what we do not want? Just how is that attitude acceptable to patriotic Americans?
In the final analysis however, it is obvious a two hundred fifty billion price tag placed on the cost of these illegal’s and drugs is but a drop in the bucket compared to the “real costs” to America. There is little doubt a twenty-five billion dollar price tag for a wall and the border defense is, at the very least, a bargain. And one more thing if I may. If President Donald J Trump is trying to pressure the democrats to fund the wall I for one applaud him and wish him complete success.
Donald (Don) Bitler
Scottsdale
