Blog Stage 6

Constructive and reasoned criticism or commentary on Our Government Needs Gun Control 
https://whatmakesyoupoli-tick.blogspot.com/2018/11/our-government-needs-gun-control.html


While reading your blog, I could sense your strong and passionate stance on gun control. You were clear on your views and backed up your arguments with a few events and statistics.  You also gave insight on how gun control laws have worked in other countries and how we could adopt some form of their plans, which I felt was informative. I think links to the sources of your information could help strengthen your argument even more. I also think adding a few of your own ideas on how you would make gun control work could also make your stance more powerful.

Should the U.S Government approve Trumps plan to build a wall between the United States and Mexico?

Donald Trump’s plans to build a 2,000-mile-long wall, extending from Tijuana to Brownsville has been the argument of many discussion throughout the world. Valid strong arguments on both sides have been made, but the big question is if this is really going to solve all our problem with immigration or is it merely covering up a gaping wound with a bandage?  

Our nation prides itself on diplomacy and thrives because of international economic transactions with our fellow allies. Not only would this wall would jeopardize our relationship with our closest allies and trading partners, it would send a message that is literally the opposite of that represented by the Statue of Liberty; which is known to be the universal symbol of freedom and has been one of our country’s strongest symbols. With this wall we cut off this country’s ability to not only accept but also turn our backs on the truly desperate people emigrating from Mexico. The United States should send a message of freedom and hope to those seeking a better way of life instead of sending a "keep out, we do not want to help" message at our border. This wall and borders won’t stop people from wanting better lives meaning that they will never give up on trying to get that.  

Along with the message that this wall would send, the issue of who will fund this wall is another conflict of Donald Trump’s plan. This wall was estimated to cost 8 to 12 billion dollars to build. With the Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto saying his country would not pay for the wall under any circumstances, most likely the American taxpayers would have to front the bill. The environmental impact is another issue up for discussion when it comes down to building this wall. Physical barriers such as walls and gates hinder migrating wildlife. The plans of this wall being build show the fence will fragment wildlife refuges and private sanctuaries. Dozens of environmental and land management laws are being bypassed in order to build this wall.  More than 30 laws are being waived, including the Endangered Species Act and the National Environmental Policy Act. This wall would go cut into Indian territory in southern Arizona and may cause disputes with the people who live near the border. In order to prevent flooding in areas all around Arizona, New Mexico and California the wall would need to have run off spots.  

At this point, there are too many uncertainties and unanswered questions for our government to make a plan to build a wall along the US and Mexico borders. It may seem like a good solution in the short term, but it is too uncertain the effects it may have in the future. Building this wall could have a detrimental impact on our economy and environment.