When you get down to the real, known, facts about the wall, they are very few: we know Trump wants to build a wall, we know he is trying to convince the US that Mexico will somehow pay for it, and we know he wants the US taxpayers to front him the money to start building it...
What we don't know:
- The exact nature of the 'wall'; there are 8 known prototypes, none of which have been said to be the final choice for the 'wall'
- The exact cost of the wall or even an estimate of the final costs; aside from a brief, hurriedly drafted summation of possible starting costs that was hastily withdrawn almost immediately after its issue and a less than encouraging, unflattering (and heavily redacted) DHS report on the wall, there hasn't been any real accounting of the costs, now or in the future for the 'wall';
- The exact engineering needed to overcome serious issues regarding terrain, seismic, and environmental issues (weathering, etc.);
- The way issues regarding private property ownership and the project's impact on the property rights of individuals/entities along the wall route; added to this should be property issues regarding ownership of land by local and/or state governments and their agencies;
- The nature and costs of providing maintenance and security for the 'wall', once finished;
...and those are just the few I could think of in the moment; I am sure there are more issues out there...
Put it this way: Imagine you are the loan officer for a bank and some guy, let's call him Ronald Scrump, came in to your office seeking a construction loan:
You: Well, Mr. Scrump, what can we do for you today?
Scrump: I want to get a loan for a construction project that must be done at once!
You: I see. Do you have a project plan available we can both discus?
Scrump: All I have is the idea and it is a really, really good idea, the best ever and it will be HUGE!
You: Um, er, here at the bank we really need to have some sort of plan worked out to review before we decide...
Scrump: Look, that's the old way of doing things! This is a better way! Trust me!
You (Trying no to excite the excitable man): Well, um, let's go over some of the basics, then. Do you have a budget?
Scrump: Well, I have an idea of the starting costs...
You: Ah! And can you provide backing for the figures?
Scrump: Well, I've just been sort of spitballing figures, I can't really pin down the actual costs.
You: I see. So you don't have an actual budget. Do you have construction plans and material estimates available for review?
Scrump: Well, I haven't really decided on a design, but I do have a half dozen or so under consideration.
You: So, no budget, no project plans. Do you at least have the rights to the property for the project?
Scrump: Well, I know the general location but there may be a problem with local governments who own part of the area, but, hey, that's just details, right?
You: I see. Well, Mr Scrump, I'll see about presenting this to the loan committee and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.
Scrump: I look for ward to you cutting me a check and, believe me, my project will be the biggest, greatest project ever! It will be HUGE!!
(Scrump leaves your office)
You (on the intercom to the receptionist): Nancy, will you inform security that Scrump fellow is not to be allowed int this building ever again. Thank You.
Given how, basically, this is how Trump is approaching the whole 'wall' , the fact that US banks will no longer do business with him and the fact Trump has had four bankruptcies, including one of a casino, which in other hands would be a license to 'print money', is now very understandable. If the border project had been properly planned, designed, and vetted it might have been passed by Congress and without the unnecessary hoopla and juvenile dramatics of the Trump Tantrum. Its been done twice before, in 2006 and 2013, but both efforts at a full and concise border and immigration reform were thwarted by some of the same Trump minions who are trying to lay blame solely on the DEMs:
Did Senate pass immigration bills in 2006, 2013 and House failed to vote on them? -
https://www.politifact.com/punditfac...bills-2006-20/
By the way, the 'impregnable' Trump wall as proposed most recently has been proven to be 'pregnable', even by a tool as simple as a common hardware store circular saw:
Trump’s New Steel Border Wall Won’t Be Any Better Than Concrete -
https://www.engineering.com/BIM/Arti...-Concrete.aspx
Regarding the shutdown, funding problems used to be a big political issue here in California, but the constant bickering and inaction came to an end when the CA voters placed on the the ballot and voted in an initiative that changed the way voting by the State's Houses on budgets was conducted and allowed for the docking of the State Legislators' and Senators' if they did not pass a budget on time; in the 30 years prior to the 2010 passage of the initiative, the Legislature had only met the deadline 5 times; since the passage of the law, and an actual docking of the lawmakers pay, the annual budgets have all been passed either on or before the deadline date(s). Perhaps this is another 'California idea' that might work for the Federal levels...
‘No Budget, No Pay’ Works Once Again in California -
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/chris...b_5501540.html
Some in other parts of the nation may disparage CA, but we seem to be doing just fine with our "whacky" ideas...
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