The American Spectator

Another Perspective

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forced a reluctant Congress into the establishment of an earmarks database, so also are Republicans pressured to catch up on the long-ignored illegals problem. Elections can be useful to get politicians to respond to the will of the people, even if it's long overdue, so we'll stomach the "theatrics" that accompany the legislation so long as it's real action and not pantomime. p>But the Journal even downplays the numbers of those who believe a border barrier -- as though that were the only piece of the plan -- will affect illegal immigration: br> /p>

Few really believe that a fence will do much to keep out those who threaten our safety, such as smugglers, drug runners or terrorists. None of the 9/11 terrorists snuck across the Mexican border illegally; they entered the U.S. with lawful visas. Nor will a wall deter illegal workers, who are drawn here by the powerful magnetic pull of economic opportunity and plentiful jobs.

br> Right, the believers are so few that they successfully hassled their representatives into building a 700-mile fence, among other immigration restraints. And the Journal allows the "no 9/11 terrorists crossed the Mexican border" red herring to flop across the boat deck in search of water that will hold it. Meanwhile observant Americans see a threat every time they watch TV footage of illegals streaming across the border. Adherents of open immigration see enhancement of their profit margins.

If editors of the nation's largest stock-focused publication were honest with their readers, they would tell them a fence is only part of a successful U.S. strategy for border security and reducing illegal immigration. Advancing legislation that improves enforcement and creates stronger penalties for border tunnelers further fortify the overall immigration plan.

The question is, will consumers tolerate higher costs if they come? Or will they need to in an age of Wal-Mart-style efficiency? Americans have demanded border protection with seeming little concern for the economic sacrifice. But they need to eat their veggies, so the market will demand reasonable prices for food, and who knows, maybe it will lead to a secure guest worker program.

But first things first, and in this election season in which the Republicans' outlook is improving because of security issues, border protection is paramount. Had Congress and the president dealt with the problem sooner when they should have, they might be working on a viable guest-worker program right now. Instead they will have to wait until consumers demand it.

topics:
Education, Health Care, Economics, Business, Earmarks, Law, Immigration