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The Border Fence: Another Republican Lie

By TChris, Section Other Politics
Posted on Fri Oct 06, 2006 at 07:36:06 AM EST
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by TChris

Incumbent legislators who brag to their constituents during the next few weeks about supporting the construction of a 700 mile fence along the Mexican border aren't likely to tell the rest of the story: much of the money appropriated for the project won't be spent on the fence.

[S]hortly before recessing late Friday, the House and Senate gave the Bush administration leeway to distribute the money to a combination of projects -- not just the physical barrier along the southern border. The funds may also be spent on roads, technology and "tactical infrastructure" to support the Department of Homeland Security's preferred option of a "virtual fence."

The fence is a symbol, an expensive monument to simple-minded and ineffective solutions to complex problems. But it's also a cynical campaign lie that "reflects political calculations by GOP strategists that voters do not mind the details."

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    The Border Fence: Another Republican Lie | 5 comments (5 topical)
    Re: The Border Fence: Another Republican Lie (none / 0) (#1)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Oct 06, 2006 at 09:59:48 AM EST
    The fence is a symbol, an expensive monument to simple-minded and ineffective solutions to complex problems. If this were true, more of the Democrats would be supporting it. Expensive, simple-minded and ineffective solutions has been their specialty for decades. But one can hardly be surprised that permission has been given to spend the money on other projects. Those other projects constitute pork barrel spending, and politicians of all stripes love that. You want to see this kind of stuff stopped? Stop sending the same tired retreads back to Washington every two years, and stop kidding yourself that the other party is going to do any better.

    Re: The Border Fence: Another Republican Lie (none / 0) (#2)
    by Che's Lounge on Fri Oct 06, 2006 at 11:42:47 AM EST
    You want to see this kind of stuff stopped? Stop sending the same tired retreads back to Washington every two years, and stop kidding yourself that the other party is going to do any better. JP we finally agree on one point. Yet I doubt very much that we would agree much on their replacements, but it's a start. If the Libertarians and the progressive socialists ever co-opt, they would be a formidable political force.

    Re: The Border Fence: Another Republican Lie (none / 0) (#3)
    by Che's Lounge on Fri Oct 06, 2006 at 11:44:52 AM EST
    Laura Bush says she love George so much because he listens. To everyone. Whether they like it or not.

    Re: The Border Fence: Another Republican Lie (none / 0) (#4)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Oct 06, 2006 at 07:40:34 PM EST
    Che, We don't have to agree on who to send, as long as we agree to stop sending the same people who made the mess back to clean it up. Vote against every incumbent, every time, in every primary and every election, until all of the people serving in the House and Senate today are gone. Then start over with anyone who has been serving for more than 2 terms in the House. Eventually, they'll get the message.

    Re: The Border Fence: Another Republican Lie (none / 0) (#5)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Oct 06, 2006 at 07:40:34 PM EST
    The fence is a symbol, an expensive monument to simple-minded and ineffective solutions to complex problems. I'm disinclined to agree. I don't think we're getting this fence because Republicans wanted a symbol. I think we're getting it because the Repubs wanted yet another conduit between the US Treasury and their deeper-pocketed contributors.

    The Border Fence: Another Republican Lie | 5 comments (5 topical)