Congress votes for Boarder Fence

The Jeff Session Amendment passed by an 83 to 16 majority today that clears the way to build a 370 mile fence on our southern boarder. This is a good idea that is long over due, and the fact that congress actually voted for it is amazing.

This article is before the fact but points out many of the demands of the American people to take a strong stand on boarder security.

Much of the media carried articles in recent weeks that said a majority of Americans weren't in favor of a fence. As usual they are in the hip pocket of the Democratic Party, trumpeting the party line to try and crush George Bush.

Do you think the Democrats would have come out of the woodwork like they have to vote for this bill if the demand had been just the opposite?

Their whole liberal agenda was to leave the boarders open so they could increase their voting block with new illegal immigrants. Millions of them.

Would this damage our economy, health system and reek havoc with our national security? Of course it would, but it's not about what's the right thing to do.

Remember, for the liberal Democrats, it's about gaining power.

How much will the Steel Patriot cost? Well, what is the cost of illegal immigration to the nation - $10 billion, $20 billion per year?

How much do taxpayers pay in the education and emergency medical costs for illegals?How about the costs for the criminal justice system? What about the cost of drug smuggling on American society? And what of the cost of terrorists crossing the border with nuclear, chemical or biological weapons?Building a fence is not a new idea.

In fact, it was the Clinton administration that launched Operation Gatekeeper in 1994. This operation called for fences to be erected in California and Texas. It has succeeded in funneling illegal traffic to the largely unprotected borders of Arizona.

The current administration was given an ultimatum by the Minuteman Project to add troops on the open border here or they would construct fences on private land starting May 27. Arizona's politicians are split on what to do about the problem. Democrats and U.S. Sen. John McCain consider the illegal influx into the state as something to celebrate. (Who else would pick lettuce in Tucson?)

Republicans are on the "other side of the fence" from their left-of-the-aisle foes. U.S. Sen. Jon Kyl and U.S. Rep. J.D. Hayworth have voted for increased border security measures, including the building of fences.Here's what Kyl said in a press release in March: "Nearly half of illegal aliens crossing the southern border of the United States enter through Arizona in the Tucson and Yuma sectors . . . Fencing works.

The construction of a triple-layered fence in the San Diego Sector has clearly done a great deal to reduce the flow of illegal immigration and drug smuggling in California."Hayworth had this to say to Fox's opposition to the fence: "President Fox should shut up . . . He should shut up about all of this because he is only fanning the flames of poor relations between our two nations. He needs to cease and desist."

It's time for Juan Hernandez to head back to Mexico and Fox to save Americans from any more of his silly declarations. And it's time for the Steel

Patriot to save Americans, period.As Arizonans, it's time to support candidates who will uphold their constitutional oaths to protect this great country from all enemies.

J. James Estrada is a Gilbert resident and freelance writer. For contact info visit http://www.jjamesestrada.com./