GovernmentExecutive.com

Return to Article: Border fence vote could require Saturday Senate session

• 19182
  

  Poor example! The communists built the Berlin Wall to keep East Germans in, not to keep the West Germans out! A fence won't totally prevent illegal immigration, but it will cut down on it. Even more important, it will send a message to the Mexican government -- stop the widespread corruption and mistreatment of your citizens, so they will want to stay in Mexico!

  I also like the idea of a secure national identification card, as well as employer sanctions (no jobs equals fewer illegal aliens coming here).

  GovExec.com reader Posted October 13, 2006 3:18 PM
• 19105
  

  How can we can afford to build a fence in Texas and California, and all other areas some genius came up with, when the victims of Katrina are still out of their homes? I'm ashamed of my Congress when they allow fear to guide their decisions. Use that enthusiasm to rebuild and unite rather than put up fences when we should resort to communications. Without it, confusion reigns. Help our citizens to re-establish their homes in New Orleans and stop the corporations from taking over again. They've declared war on victims of a hurricane. Apparently, the residents are expected to survive another attack coming from the privileged of our society. Bring them home. Talk to the corporate representatives and tell them to stop hiring illegal people just to save a buck. We need to all be on the same page so, turn the page already and support your fellow citizens. Act from love, not greed and fear.

  K-B Marshall Posted October 5, 2006 5:48 PM
• 19068
  

  If the government would require and issue a secure Social Security card with biometrics and prosecute employers who hire illegal aliens, a fence would not be necessary. Almost all would go home, making enforcement manageable.

  GovExec.com reader Posted October 4, 2006 10:34 AM
• 19000
  

  What a great idea -- build a wall around the United States! It worked so well for the Soviet Union. We used to point to them and say how horrible it was that they put a wall around their territory, required travel papers of their citizens, bugged their phones, etc. They tore down the Berlin Wall and we cheered and claimed a win for freedom. Maybe we can buy the surplus bricks from their wall to use in building ours. Aren't we going to realize that any wall or fence serves a dual purpose -- it not only keeps others out, it also retains those on the inside. The direction this country is going in fear is getting scary.

  I remember McCarthyism and the war on communism when we let fear get out of control before. I think that building a wall won't make us safe. It's just going to make us prisoners of our own fear.

  GovExec.com reader Posted September 29, 2006 12:02 PM
• 18997
  

  To the critics of the "fence," study your recent European history! Ask the East Germans (remember them?) if the Berlin Wall worked. But in this case we're trying to preserve our country from illegal infiltrators (not immigrants, or undocumented workers). If all the fence does is force the illegal immigrants to cross elsewhere, they should be easier to round up.

  GovExec.com reader Posted September 29, 2006 11:34 AM
• 18985
  

  The country could avoid all the cost of fences and patrols along the Mexican border. Simply develop a TV reality show that involves a group of Mexicans getting from Mexico to the United States. Have another group that tries to stop them. In this way TV could pay for the fence and the stop them group could patrol the border. The payoff for those that make it into the United States should be relatively low because it has been proven that this is generally easy. The payoff for the group trying to stop the immigrants would be relatively high because they represent the U.S. government and we know they have to have enough money to buy votes.

  Taxpayer Posted September 29, 2006 7:30 AM