Democrats ready to deal on border barrier — just not a ‘wall’
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
Democrats have been forced to address the issue of border security. That was certainly not part of the Democratic legislative agenda following the midterm elections. Border security won't be a plank in the Democrat's party platform for the 2020 election. So Donald Trump has already exerted considerable influence over Democrats by forcing Congress to act on his agenda. While Nancy Pelosi may score tit-for-tat political points, there is little doubt she understands that she is not in control of the legislative agenda. Pelosi has not been able to force Congressional Republicans to address Democratic political priorities. Make no mistake, the newly elected Democratic majority in the House are on the political defensive.
Donald Trump has been demanding that new physical barriers be constructed on the southern border. While Trump initially demanded concrete walls, he has softened that demand to include other forms of physical barriers. But the intent of Trump's agenda has not changed; require migrants to enter the US through a port of entry by preventing illegal crossing of the US border. Democrats are being forced to adopt a position that will achieve that objective.
Democrats are opposing Trump's agenda for additional physical barriers. At times that opposition appears to simply be for political purposes in hopes of enhancing the party's prospects for the next election in 2020. However, Democrats have not been able to blow off the issue of border security and are being forced to address the issue. Democrats are making counter proposals for a technological enhancement of border security that Rep. Jim Clyburn has been calling a 'smart wall'.
A technological approach fits well with Democrat's donor base. Enhanced surveillance technologies including facial recognition, biometric data collection, "predictive policing" using artificial intelligence, and DNA collection (as examples) are a Big Data approach to addressing security. Enhanced surveillance will not prevent illegal crossings but will provide means to improve apprehension. And increased apprehension supports the for-profit prison contractors who manage the facilities used to detain illegal immigrants. Democrats are proposing to adopt an on-going transfer of public funds to technology businesses and contractors who engage in lucrative lobbying and provide a large share of monetary political support for Democrats.
A physical barrier that prevents illegal crossings of the US border would, at the least, greatly reduce the gravy train that Democrats use to buy support from political donors. A physical barrier is not only a responsible security measure; it is fiscally responsible, too. Reducing or preventing illegal border crossings would mean less public funds are needed to pay for apprehension, detention, and deportation. At present Democrats seem to be controlling the propaganda used to influence public opinion. Trump is controlling the legislative agenda and forcing Democrats to legislatively address his agenda.
Democrats don't want to call it wall. But Democrats really want to avoid calling their proposal what it really is -- graft.
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Democrats are always mostly concerned about donor money. Democrats are quite willing to hand the country over to Big Data and Big Brother for a few dollars more.
Nerm unfortunately you continue with your incorrect comments.
The best thing the Democrats can do at the moment rather than admit they may have capitulated is to state they came forward for the benefit of he country. That way they can save face with their constituant base.
I'm all for a technology enhanced barrier, but what do any of those things have to do with preventing people from entering illegally? The goal is not to identify specific people, but to stop as many as we can.
And I don't care what they call it. Call it the Marshmallow Bridge for all I care. As long it makes it really hard to just stroll into the United States without permission, it's fine by me.