Posted on 02/20/2007 6:09:53 PM PST by FLOutdoorsman
To build support for a border fence, legislators needed only one item — pandering on an issue that did nothing but provide red meat for their base.
But to build the fence, the lawmakers needed two more items — legislation and funding.
They got the legislation — the president signed the bill authorizing construction of the fence last fall — but if they yell, "Show me the money," they might not like the answer.
President Bush addressed the fence in his budget, but of the $2.9 trillion he proposed, a tiny fraction, $1 billion, would go into the very barrier he authorized.
That would be enough to build 150 miles of the fence by the end of this year and 370 miles by the time the president leaves office in early 2009, the Dallas Morning News reported.
That total would be a lot less than the 700 miles the legislation originally called for, and fence advocates are not amused.
"That was a law that was passed," Bob Dane, spokesman for the Federation for American Immigration Reform, told the Morning News. "The expectation by the American public is 700 miles of it should be built ... It's the only tangible statement we have of any modicum of border security at this point."
Of course, Congress has the power to fully fund the fence project, but that is unlikely now that Democrats are in the majority.
The lack of a wholehearted funding push by the White House suggests what critics of the fence were pointing out all along — that the legislation was a political ploy, not a serious attempt to crack down on illegal immigration.
Now that the ruse has been exposed, the president and Congress should get serious and eliminate all the money for the fence, as meager as the funding is.
After all, cutting the fence money would represent a small step toward another pledge Bush has made — balancing the budget within five years.
Oh, well. It doesn't matter now, does it all you summer Republicans and sunshine conservatives, does it?
First of all...Pres. Bush never promised you a fence..and he has never hidden or changed his views about the border.
Second of all...the fence is being financed...just not as fast as some would like...and you can thank the CONGRESS for that, because they appopriate and distribute the funds...
BUT, if YOU think it will be better under a Hillary/Obama/Edwards Administration....YOU are the one that has a problem with deception.
Right now we have the same thing via smoke and mirrors under the (R) banner.
But to build the fence, the lawmakers needed two more items — legislation and funding.
Not much Bush does surprises me any more. I'm very, very disappointed in him!
And, land mines! ;o)
Oh...puh-llllllleeeze.
That is such a childish attitude.
You can't really believe that having Hillary as POTUS would be anything BUT a disaster for this country.
Not only would there NOT be a fence...but the terrorists would have free will to attack us here...because SHE will be messing around with foreign policy that, in case you haven't noticed..has kept us from being attacked again!!!
I bet you love Reagan don't you??
Yes, but he too made some mistakes.
And another thing...Pres. Bush has NOT done this behind anyone's back.
He was elected and reelected...by saying the same thing about the borders...he also called himself a compassionate conservative...he talked about reforming education..
He passed the Medicare Part D thing in his FIRST term..was reelected..plus, it has turned out to be much more cost efficient than anyone said it would.
Look at the economy ...it is great!!!
What enemy have we "surrendered" to???
He hasn't done anything with smoke and mirrors...but the CLINTONS not only do that..but by corruption, murder, socialism...you name it...but, YOU WANT IT! pffffffft
Reagan made MORE mistakes than Prs. Bush.
Reagan RAISED taxes, he DID give a FULL amnesty program..he didn't build any fence...AND he ran away from our enemy and DID surrender to Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Yeah, I would say he made some "mistakes".
Kinda like Bush is, huh?
Not only would there NOT be a fence...but the terrorists would have free will to attack us here...
Kinda like they do now, huh?
How many terrorists do you think have walked across the border with the sole intentions of murdering Americans under Bush's watch?
You are more delusional than D'Togo.
Have they attacked us???
Didn't the 9/11 terrorists come legally, and BEFORE Pres. Bush became president???
There are more murders in New Orleans than most of Iraq...but they aren't terrorists...why aren't you bitchin about that??
You guys act like Bush made you all kinds of promises and then completely changed...he never changed...you guys just started obsessing about the border..and it has made you crazy....
You guys have caught a terrible case of BDS...and it mostly strikes libs, dems and the MSM...but some others get if if they have immature expectations of Bush.
"This "virtual fence" crap is a wasteful boondoggle. It's a welfare bill for Federal bureaucrats. Give me concrete and steel."
And Dogs. Big Dogs.
Fences aren't unidirectional.
I must have mistyped as I meant if Americans weren't willing to break existing laws as they do now in hiring illegals there would be no jobs for the illegals.(I even know of a local Homeland Security official whose new home was built with immigrant labor ,most likely illegals.I have personally discovered forged documents while checking foreign workers for industrial sites but those in charge seem not to care.)
It hasn't happened in San Diego, but don't let reality deter you.
Fences aren't unidirectional.
I'll remember that when I try to make my escape to Nuevo Laredo.
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