True causes, not a wall

I’m frustrated by the lack of honest and meaningful dialogue regarding the border wall. It will have little to no effect on drugs coming into the U.S. or crime rates within. It will only be an expensive eyesore and an item of friction between us and Mexico.

“Mexico will pay for it.” Really? I recall the promise Iraq’s oil reserves would pay for our war effort there. Sounds the same.

Next, it’s been documented Mexican immigrants, both legal and illegal, have lower crime rates in the U.S. than homegrown citizens and their population in our jails and prisons is but a small fraction of the total.

Most important, virtually nothing is being said about the true causes of drugs flowing into the country. U.S. demand is the true cause, not Mexican supply. Any business knows without demand, existing supply chains quickly dry up.

Wouldn’t so many billions of dollars be better spent addressing root causes as to why so many of our citizens are purchasing illegal substances? Too many are suffering from depression and desperation, which leads directly to drug addiction and crime. Solve this and no wall is needed. Without solving this, no wall can stop the flow.

Dale E. Caldwell

Spokane