Are politicians BSing the American public?

Question

I think so.http://www.washingtontimes.com/


Democrats to 'revisit' law creating border fence
By Shaun Waterman

Democrats will look again at the legislation mandating 698 miles of fencing along the U.S.-Mexico border and might seek to scrap the plan altogether when they take control of Congress next year.
Rep. Bennie Thompson, Mississippi Democrat, told reporters this week that he expected to "revisit" the issue when he becomes chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee in the 110th Congress.
Mr. Thompson said the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) new border enforcement program, known as the Secure Border Initiative or SBI Net -- which includes monitors, cameras and other integrated surveillance systems -- is a viable alternative to fencing.
"We might do away with it, or look at [integrating it into] SBI Net," he said. "A virtual fence rather than a real one."
President Bush and Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff have voiced similar concerns about building the fence.
DHS spokesman Russ Knocke told United Press International that in remote border areas, "virtual fencing ... is more advantageous, " whereas "traditional fencing has a core role in our border security strategy ... especially in urban areas."
"We're optimistic that working with Congress we'll get the flexibility to integrate traditional fencing into a seamless, high-tech border security system," Mr. Knocke said.
Mr. Thompson also pledged more aggressive oversight of the department, saying that improving its responsiveness to congressional requests for information and reports would be at the "top of my agenda."
He said his committee would seek to boost funding for rail and mass transit; strengthen security regulations for chemical plants and container cargo; and implement what he said were a number of recommendations from the September 11 commission that have yet to be addressed.
Mr. Thompson pledged to pass an authorization bill for the department. The committee has approved an authorization bill the past three years, but the legislation hasn't passed the full Senate, which some attribute to turf conflicts with other committees.
Mr. Thompson acknowledged that "there will still be some split jurisdiction, " but maintained that Democrats would be in a better position to work out turf issues. "We can make it work," he said.
He pledged to demand answers from Mr. Chertoff on what he said was an unacceptable level of vacancies in the department's senior ranks.
"The secretary needs to come clean with the committee and tell us why he can't fill these positions," Mr. Thompson said, adding that Mr. Chertoff would need to come up with ideas to address the situation, "or we will have to provide some ideas for him."
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Answer 1

All they really want are votes so they can make more money.

Answer 2

Building a fence around everything is a stupid idea, I can only guess that republicans want us to waste time building fences while more cheap labor flows across our border... We need to fix the problems at the source and stop trying to put bandaids on everything... If the democratic party doesn't pass legislation giving heavy fines and jail time to employers who hire illegal immigrants, then we will all have something to gripe about... Helping Mexico rid itself of corrupt leaders should also be part of the plan.

Answer 3

To be honest, I don't think they will take the bill away. They voted for it too overwhelmingly just before the elections and would be too clearly duplicitous. I think they will leave it, divert funding under the homeland security bill, and never fund it, if they think they can get away with it. However, I really think they will move forward with it, not too quickly, and try to leverage it into legalization and a guest worker plan. Democrats are for border security, generally, all things being equal. Immigration is a whole different issue, to them.

Answer 4

The border fence along the US-Mexico border is not effective because Mexicans can use other approaches if they really want to enter the US.

Answer 5

Of course the government is BS'ing us...that's what they do best. But whatever they decide to do, my son's father is in Arizona doing border patrol as a member of the National Guard, so I hope they do something that will make things safer for him.

Answer 6

honey, it doesn't matter if its Democrates or Republicans, their is no way for one President or governing party to fix whats wrong with this country. To do so, would mean everyone could not have an outside agenda, & all pride would have to be set aside. Then & only then could America start to fix what is wrong with her.

Answer 7

A lot of the politicians are brand new in their jobs and positions. Give them a chance. Help them out! This is a new day and the last thing you want to do is go back to the old games of the Neoconservative, blaming, cheating, stealing Republicans.

Answer 8

Thanx for the discourse by Mr. Waterman. To answer the original question, are politicians BSing us?, well, let's see,...are we BREATHING?

Answer 9

Kinda goes without saying=give em a chance

Answer 10

How does this stop terrorists, drug smugglers, etc.
You dont really think they have other resources to transport their contraband?