$430 million has been spent since 1997 in border technology systems. That’s border fences, sensors, stadium lighting, remote control cameras, helicopters and unmanned drones. Lots of fancy toys and nothing has changed. Let’s take sensors results. Less than 1% of sensor alerts have led to arrests. Most alerts are the results of passing trains and cows. Radar systems used to find tunnels? Not effective. The long tunnel found near San Diego was discovered because of a tip. But we love the new and exciting stuff! High tech gear! Case in point; we have continued to pour billions into Star Wars missile systems ever since Ronnie had a vision that they would work to defeat communism. They still don’t work, communism is dead of its own hand and so is Ronny. Dead, that is. But the dollars keep pouring into the program; why? Because we love toys! But I digress…
Since the early 1990’s, the Border Patrol has made about a million “apprehensions” per year, while approximately 500,000 get across. Odds are not that bad; 1 out of 3. (The number of detainees last year was the same as in 1993) But…the number of immigrant deaths has increased. In 1994, 24 died. In 2005, almost 500.
And NAFTA? That grand plan was supposed to increase wages for Mexican industrial workers and make border crossings less attractive. Wages for Mexican factory workers have actually declined during the past ten years. American factories on Mexican soil; go figure! I guess that’s why they call it “Free Trade”. And with an 11 to 1 wage differential in manufacturing and 20 to 1 in agriculture, why wouldn’t they cross the border?
Free trade my bottom. It is the North American Managed Trade Agreement. The only people making money are the wealthy and it was designed that way.
ReplyDelete