Friday, March 29, 2019

Texas, Our Texas


Given the economic, as well as humanitarian, catastrophe this would wreak (I've been on the border myself; it's very porous for residents and businesses on both sides), I'm rather curious what the Senators from Texas (longest single border with Mexico), think.

According to the Texas-Mexico Trade Coalition (also huge supporters of NAFTA; take that as you will, it's a potent political issue in a state with 45 electoral votes), Mexico is Texas' No. 1 trade partner.  Texas exports to Mexico were worth $97,700,703,970.00 in 2017.  Imports from Mexico to Texas were worth $89,808,377,939.00.  So please, Mr. President, by all means, disrupt that trade because of the voices on FoxNews and the imaginary caravans and the intransigence you imagine exists in the Mexican government (which is not responsible for protecting the American southern border or enforcing American immigration laws).

On the humanitarian side, Vox tells me:  "Nearly half a million people cross the border legally every day through Texas ports alone."  Most of those people are doing business at local stores, etc.  The effect on the economy will start on the border (and let's be honest, who really cares about the border, except maybe Will Hurd (and what does he think about this?  Maybe it's a greater concern than getting Adam Schiff off the House Intelligence Committee?) and move rapidly into the national economy.  Which, again, Vox tells me Trump's administration understands, if he doesn't.  Then again, he's the President, and you're not.

You think you stepped on your tie when you took on Obamacare immediately after the Barr letter?  You ain't seen nothin', yet.  (By next week, of course, he will deny all such talk, or blame it on "his people.")

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