For the false sense of security, same as you and your wall. But you know, more and more people are installing cameras and sensors. You can't stop people from breaking in your house, but you can identify who did.
[MOVING GOAL POSTS ALERT] be advised folks the new narrative is the wall isnt actually a true wall but a rhetorical device for the entire security system
An undervalued, potential way out of this mess: Trump needs to accuse "Chuck and Nancy" of being for the wall, and say that he will never build a wall, because a wall is a terrible idea, and that he has never advocated for a wall.
Math might be fine, but I think your assumptions are wrong. The $5.7B is supposed to pay for 234 miles of wall, which is about $24 million per mile. You also undererstimate the height. Apparently, minimum spec is 18' with a lot of the prototypes being 30'. If we're conservative and say we'll get the 18' wall for that price, that's 37 million square feet. Which is $256/sqft. But, I'm betting the linear mile is the better measure because probably the largest part of the expense is securing the land, staging the land, and getting the foundation built. $24 million per mile, and that's probably a low-ball. For comparison, burying high-voltage transmission wires underground might cost $3 million per mile. Hanging overhead transmission wires less than $1 million per mile. An oil pipeline might cost $6-7 million per mile. I'm seeing estimates for high-speed rail for $5-12 million per mile. Only subway tunnels are more expensive. And, remember that power lines, pipelines, rail lines, and subways are actually contributing in a significant way to our economy, bringing goods to market and facilitating work for all companies. The best that can be said for the wall is that it is a bit of insulation to keep the immigration system from leaking. So, not only are they proposing something ridiculously expensive for an infrastructure project, they're asking it for something that doesn't contribute to GDP. Here is a great article by the Cato Institute about the escalating cost of the wall: https://www.cato.org/blog/cost-border-wall-keeps-climbing-its-becoming-less-wall.
Nice. And here is a Brookings Institute also on the costs of such a wall... THE WALL The real costs of a barrier between the United States and Mexico https://www.brookings.edu/essay/the...barrier-between-the-united-states-and-mexico/
I think you are correct The ongoing upkeep and expense makes this thing just plain stupid . . imo . .. . . . This would be like asking Indiana to remake the Pyramids . . . . great tourist attaction but .. . . Rocket River
How is it a 'false' sense of security when illegal immigrant crossings drop over 90% where walls are built? And if 'false', why are walls so prevalent....everywhere? And why are physical barriers the first part of ANY security design??? Because the entire world, through all of human history, is just stupid and doesn't get it? Is that really your argument?
How is it a 'false' sense of security when illegal immigrant crossings drop over 90% where walls are built? And if 'false', why are walls so prevalent....everywhere? And why are physical barriers the first part of ANY security design??? Because the entire world, through all of human history, is just stupid and doesn't get it? Is that really your argument? If it is...did you not see the wall and how it blocked the Honduran refugees? Were they just unaware that the wall was a completely false barrier, and they merely need to just walk through it??? FWIW, I think the conversation changes, and some of the arguments have merit, when discussing a wall along the entire border. BUT that is NOT what the $5B is for, so it's not really relevant in that discussion.
I think it's funny when folks claim that the wall would be a big waste of money. From my perspective, have a half-ass-quasi border guard that is largely ineffective and costs billions every year is a big waste of money but hey, different perspectives I guess.
I think it's funny when folks claim that the wall would be a big waste of money. From my perspective, having a half-ass-quasi border guard that is largely ineffective and costs billions every year is a big waste of money but hey, different perspectives I guess.
So, please tell us where the current goal post has moved to... one reason its so hard for Democrats to negotiate with trump is he is constantly moving (and lying about) this...
It doesn't make him a bad person or really even a bad President depending on the law broken and the reason for doing so. The law is usually black and white (though not always) while morality is not. Is Trump a bad person for the campaign finance violations? No. Trump is a bad person for repeatedly being a liar and screwing over people in the name of business.
I can see that... there are good people on both sides of treason, criminal conspiracy, and financial crimes.
The interesting question for the drop here is what part is the fence and what part is from other factors? We've seen a massive decrease in Mexicans crossing the border, but an uptick in Central Americans. The big thing is, that walls are only as effective as the enforcement around them. They will be more effective against those illegal immigrants we worry about least, while not being effective against the cartels and gangs that have the organization to easily beat a wall. I actually think a wall will be beneficial to them as they already have a business of trafficking people across the border, which will only increase with a wall, IMO.
...somebody's got to ask this, so it might as well be me... ...(and Happy New Year, by the way)... ...but: where is a sh!thole country like Mexico going to get the money to pay for all of this? ...they don't sell that many drugs or traffic that many humans, do they?
There actually could be, FWIW. We'd certainly say Operation Valkyrie was well intended, despite being treason and criminal conspiracy. There have been numerous whistleblowers throughout history that had to violate rules & regulations to bring about positive change. That isn't to say anything of Trump, but the world isn't cut and dry. Perspective is important. I think Trump has earned a lot of hatred. I can't stand the man and am embarrassed my fellow Americans would tolerate such a terrible human being.