[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/08/13/jcmeixcan0813.jpg caption=" How serious is the U.S. about national security if the plan to send National Guard troops to the Mexican border is being delayed over money?"]
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
A plan to send National Guard troops to the Mexican border is being held up as our government bickers over the cost.
Pres. Obama called for the 1,500 troops in June to help stop violence from Mexican drug cartels from spilling into the U.S. The temporary boost in troops is estimated to cost $225 million.
Yet while the president was in Mexico this week spouting empty rhetoric about the U.S. doing its part to secure the border, stem the flow of drugs, weapons and money – the program to put these National Guard troops on the border is mired in arguments. The Pentagon and Homeland Security Department are mostly hung up over the money, although there are also apparently issues about where the troops would be stationed and what they would do.
This is absurd. This country has done next to nothing meaningful about border security since 9-11. And, as we've been showing on CNN every day, the Mexican drug cartels are becoming stronger and more violent. It's estimated the drug violence has already killed 11,000 people.
The U.S. border states are frustrated they haven't gotten the extra troops yet, and rightfully so. And our government can't decide who will shell out the $225 million to pay for the program.
No one is going to believe anything we say if this kind of stuff continues.
SO HERE'S THE QUESTION: How serious is the U.S. about national security if the plan to send National Guard troops to the Mexican border is being delayed over money?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Mike in Boca Raton, Florida
Jack, None of the recent administrations, neither Republican nor Democrat, has been truly interested in securing the Mexican border. There are several common reasons, not the least of which is votes. Other issues include: the economic impact on Mexico – by reducing money sent by illegal immigrants to relatives there, the economic impact on the U.S. – if employers had to pay Americans instead of hiring illegals and last but not least is lack of cajones on both sides of the aisle.
Peter in San Diego
Here in San Diego, they have never been serious about controlling the border. Just last night, a van carrying 42 illegal aliens drove through the border going North in the Southbound lanes…. Our borders and ports should be a high priority and the fence is just not enough on our Southern Border .We need troops and we need them now.
Ruth in Portland, Oregon
All the troops Iraq & Afghanistan should be brought home and put in charge of taking care of America - such as on the Mexican border... Plenty for them to do here at home.
B.
The U.S. is not serious at all about any border security. Are you kidding? I guess we don't have enough illegals here already, or drugs for that fact. Our national security is a joke in the eyes of other nations and in my eyes as well. Shame on you, Washington.
Tom in Bradenton, Florida
It shows that we are not serious about protecting our borders. U.S. corporations do not want to hear that they would lose cheap labor. We have all the money for the Iraq and Afghanistan borders but not for our own border. This nation is at its end. Obama is a fraud.
Bruce
Not very, it seems. Maybe somebody will actually read the 1,000 page health care bill and find a measly $225 million somewhere in there.