[LordOpie]

Let's focus strictly on economics?

Let's assume that illegals are a financial drain on society.

Is it financially cost-effective to send the national guard to patrol the border? What's the return on investment?

President George W. Bush on Monday night said he would seek to deploy up to 6,000 National Guard troops along the US border with Mexico beginning next month as part of the largest effort yet to apprehend illegal immigrants.
link

 

[Changleen]

1) I really don't think illegals are a net drain on your society.

2) No, it's a huge waste of money and basically a political move designed to placate the more retarded conservatives who might still vote for il doucherino. I believe it was also stated that the National Guard will not actually be doing any enforcement, just sitting around and being surly.

 

[LordOpie]

1) Illegals arn't a drain on your society.

let's assume they are.

Beyond the cost of deploying 6000 national guardsmen, aren't they part-timers who are being taken away from their families for this indefinite assignment?

 

[Changleen]

let's assume they are.

Beyond the cost of deploying 6000 national guardsmen, aren't they part-timers who are being taken away from their families for this indefinite assignment?

Yes, and like I said, they are not even going to do much. Certainly not actually detaining illegals. Maybe Bush has invested in local service industry close to the border and needs to drum up some more customers?

 

[fluff]

As far as Bush is concerned the return on investment is political - he is being seen to address the 'problem'. Politics and economics really should not be controlled by the same people.

 

[DaveW]

6k troops is still bugger all for the size area they have to patrol.
essentially if the illegals are a drain.... this will quadruple that drain, with an ineffective campaign that is nothing more than political flag waving in a very old school soviet way of
"Political image is more important than reality" kind of way.

*edit*
possibly this is another sign that bush has imperial ambitions.... something akin to the king who ordered the tide to stop.

 

[bjanga]

I read that the guardsmen are just going to be building fences and helping with inspections. Sounds like a token gesture and a waste of money because it likely will not have an effect either way. Go defecit.