Spending bill shrinks Mexican border fence

[HAL 9000 96]

Not a matter of fascists... even though that road inevitably leads to right wing maniacs, some in power... BUT... rather on money NOT well spent on defending the homeland.

Alright...instead of criticizing and taking pot shots at solutions already voted into law (but not funded as usual), how about giving us an example of money "well spent" to secure the border.

Or is the point being that you don't want the border secured? Something tells me that is precisely the point.

Not at all.

Living in one of the most technologically and financially advanced countries on the planet, I'm sure we can come to a consensus as to how to secure a border.

But to think of ways to reduce the incidence of these "illegals" coming this way, maybe its because of the way the countries they're from are faring, or reeling, from historical interference by those countries that comprise the economical North. Beyond finger pointing, maybe we should be supporting the improvement of infrastructure and the reduction of corrupt governments (coincidentally supported by our own) that, get this- result in millions of needy human beings that will do what they have to do to maintain at least a survivable existence.

[HAL 9000 96]

Public fear mongering is the same that results in extremely (unthoughtful) right wing agendas gaining support in the face of Willie Horton-type ads. Ooops... not 1988, try just losing your minimum wage job to an illegal that will do more than you for less money so that your board of directors can buy an extra house in the Hamptons and donate more to your favorite politician's election campaign.

[mawilson 2,133]

But to think of ways to reduce the incidence of these "illegals" coming this way, maybe its because of the way the countries they're from are faring, or reeling, from historical interference by those countries that comprise the economical North.

Maybe it is, but who cares? We can't fix all the countries in the world.

[Chica Yeyé 41]

Emergency spending:

•$31 billion emergency funding for the war in Afghanistan

•$3.7 billion emergency funding for veterans health care benefits

•$7.5 billion emergency funding for border security, firefighters, drought relief and other programs

Restores proposed administration cuts:

•$1.8 billion for Homeland Security grants

•$1.7 billion for college financial aid, including Pell Grants

•$1 billion for health care access, including community health centers and high-risk insurance pools

•$767 million for K-12 education, including special education, after-school programs and Head Start.

•$607 million for medical research on Alzheimer's, cancer, Parkinson's and diabetes.

•$486 million renewable energy programs

Those are the items that caught my attention the most.... more than 32 billions for war/Homeland Security vs. 767 million to K-12 education? How is that intelligent spending of our taxes? That is effed up. But then again, I'm an educator and a peacenik (or however you spell that one), so I am naturally biased.

[HAL 9000 96]

But to think of ways to reduce the incidence of these "illegals" coming this way, maybe its because of the way the countries they're from are faring, or reeling, from historical interference by those countries that comprise the economical North.

Maybe it is, but who cares? We can't fix all the countries in the world.

Of course you can't when we are a big part of the problem and *assuming* most of us here represent a slice of the American Pie, don't give a damn. Until those we don't give a damn about come looking here to provide for theirs. Ironic, is it not?

[peejay 327]

But to think of ways to reduce the incidence of these "illegals" coming this way, maybe its because of the way the countries they're from are faring, or reeling, from historical interference by those countries that comprise the economical North.

Maybe it is, but who cares? We can't fix all the countries in the world.

No sh*t! There are 6.6 billion humans on our planet (with another 2.4 billion projected by 2050). The USA has a measly 300 million and we are supposed to save the world from itself? Not likely!

We can't save the world...so we might as well save ourselves. We should be building a triple layered fence along with adding more troops to man it.

Them's the facts. Read 'em and weep.

[mawilson 2,133]

But to think of ways to reduce the incidence of these "illegals" coming this way, maybe its because of the way the countries they're from are faring, or reeling, from historical interference by those countries that comprise the economical North.

Maybe it is, but who cares? We can't fix all the countries in the world.

Of course you can't when we are a big part of the problem and *assuming* most of us here represent a slice of the American Pie, don't give a damn. Until those we don't give a damn about come looking here to provide for theirs. Ironic, is it not?

No, it's not. I'm pretty sure we have the resources to both exploit them *and* keep them out.

[Caladan 19]

Emergency spending:

•$31 billion emergency funding for the war in Afghanistan

•$3.7 billion emergency funding for veterans health care benefits

•$7.5 billion emergency funding for border security, firefighters, drought relief and other programs

Restores proposed administration cuts:

•$1.8 billion for Homeland Security grants

•$1.7 billion for college financial aid, including Pell Grants

•$1 billion for health care access, including community health centers and high-risk insurance pools

•$767 million for K-12 education, including special education, after-school programs and Head Start.

•$607 million for medical research on Alzheimer's, cancer, Parkinson's and diabetes.

•$486 million renewable energy programs

Those are the items that caught my attention the most.... more than 32 billions for war/Homeland Security vs. 767 million to K-12 education? How is that intelligent spending of our taxes? That is effed up. But then again, I'm an educator and a peacenik (or however you spell that one), so I am naturally biased.

And yet they'll fight tooth and nail to stop another $0.02 from being spent on education.

This country deserves what it gets.

[mawilson 2,133]

And yet they'll fight tooth and nail to stop another $0.02 from being spent on education.

It's unbelievable.

$30 flippin' billion sent to Afghanistan - a small landlocked mountainous piece-of-####### country - no questions asked.

Yet they would fight over millions in education spending.

[HAL 9000 96]

But to think of ways to reduce the incidence of these "illegals" coming this way, maybe its because of the way the countries they're from are faring, or reeling, from historical interference by those countries that comprise the economical North.

Maybe it is, but who cares? We can't fix all the countries in the world.

No sh*t! There are 6.6 billion humans on our planet (with another 2.4 billion projected by 2050). The USA has a measly 300 million and we are supposed to save the world from itself? Not likely!

We can't save the world...so we might as well save ourselves. We should be building a triple layered fence along with adding more troops to man it.

Them's the facts. Read 'em and weep.

We can start by saving the world from our own arrogance.

But to think of ways to reduce the incidence of these "illegals" coming this way, maybe its because of the way the countries they're from are faring, or reeling, from historical interference by those countries that comprise the economical North.

Maybe it is, but who cares? We can't fix all the countries in the world.

Of course you can't when we are a big part of the problem and *assuming* most of us here represent a slice of the American Pie, don't give a damn. Until those we don't give a damn about come looking here to provide for theirs. Ironic, is it not?

No, it's not. I'm pretty sure we have the resources to both exploit them *and* keep them out.

That precisely has been the story up 'til now, my friend.

[mawilson 2,133]

No, it's not. I'm pretty sure we have the resources to both exploit them *and* keep them out.

That precisely has been the story up 'til now, my friend.

Not really, because we didn't keep them out.

[HAL 9000 96]

No, it's not. I'm pretty sure we have the resources to both exploit them *and* keep them out.

That precisely has been the story up 'til now, my friend.

Not really, because we didn't keep them out.

Many get in to get a piece of the pie they can't get at home. Too bad folks fail to care about how and why many of the ilegales can't and don't make enough to support themselves down that way. Does a country have a right to put up a 100 mile wall to keep people out that want to provide for their kids? Sure! Does that country's government have a right to patronize these people's governments into creating these situations in the first place? Nope... not at least if that same government is willing to allow those affected to find a better life where it can be had.

If you are willing to clog a toilet then you should be willing to either clean it up or put up with the smell.

[mawilson 2,133]

Does a country have a right to put up a 100 mile wall to keep people out that want to provide for their kids? Sure! Does that country's government have a right to patronize these people's governments into creating these situations in the first place? Nope...

Who's patronizing? We just want a wall, preferably a 2000-mile one - not 100.

To use your toilet analogy - if you clog the toilet, you can 1) clean it up, 2) put up with the smell,

or 3) seal it up with cement.

[eric&gen 0]

Does a country have a right to put up a 100 mile wall to keep people out that want to provide for their kids? Sure! Does that country's government have a right to patronize these people's governments into creating these situations in the first place? Nope...

Who's patronizing? We just want a wall, preferably a 2000-mile one - not 100.

To use your toilet analogy - if you clog the toilet, you can 1) clean it up, 2) put up with the smell,

or 3) seal it up with cement.

If we let the entire country of Mexico in there wont be nothing left of America we would be forced to speak Spanish. Everywhere you go now is writing in Spanish lol.

[kerewin21 2]

Too bad, that fence was really going to make a big difference.