OPINION: Lip service is the true barrier to national security

Mona Austin Before heading to the U.S./Mexico border Thursday on, Pres. Trump walked out of a meeting Wednesday with Congressional leaders because House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she would not support a border wall, saying it was "a total waste of time." During a preempted address Tuesday night the president made the case to build a steel structure along the U.S./Mexico border, claiming there is a high threat to national security. Following the address Chuck Schumer and Pelosi rebutted Trump's words saying he was playing the "fear" card.  Thus far, we are at a bi-partisan impasse on the issue.  The U.S. is  about to have the longest government shutdown in history. The only way out that Trump has come up with is to call for a national emergency.

Along his trail of mistruths, Pres. Trump told a whopper when he said he never meant Mexico was going to pay for the wall with actual money, but they are figuratively paying for it in the new trade deal.

With tales like this, there will not be a win/win in this debacle through constant meetings.  My recommendation is to prioritize getting the government back open and fight over the border wall later. Perhaps investing in staffing and surveillance equipment can be implemented as an immediate commitment to securing area as a necessary, less expensive improvement. I also agree with Schumer who said plans for the wall can be dealt with separate from the shutdown. This option will give the American people who are nervous about the violence and crime the president inserts as a threat coming out of Mexico peace of mind that at least something is being done. Some would argue it is just as criminal to have over 800,000 people out of work indefinitely, knowing it will inevitably affect the country as a whole from thriving in everyday life. Democrats have accused Trump of holding the American people hostage. Realistically, how long can the Department of Agriculture, which governs farm business be closed before we start seeing the impact in grocery bills? That's just one small example of how keeping the government closed could cause us all to suffer. Fortunately, the House is expected to pass the Senate bill that ensures pay back to government workers when the freeze is lifted. Meanwhile, some government workers are seeking employment to elsewhere for personal assurance. I'd also like to see progress on this issue because the more face time Pres. Trump has, the more confused the American people will get. So far all his talks have produced are more "meme-able" moments and angry antics for social media fodder. On the other hand, I realize chuckling at memes may be the "medicine" people use to cope. But we have to take this shutdown and vicious attack on our democracy seriously. Regardless of party affiliation, we are all entangled in the ugliness of a stubborn leader trying to make good on a campaign promise at the expense of causing more storms than the enormous one we are now facing. Amazingly, Trump also made a statement that isn't getting the attention it warrants. The president presented a false sense of urgency saying that the U.S. no longer has space for immigrants in his highly fact-checked address that aired on all major networks Tuesday night. I cover politics professionally and this is the first time I am hearing an implication that we have an over-population situation in America. He has conflated so may other aspects of the immigration debate that details like this are getting ignored and they shouldn't. It seems like there is so much confusion from misinformation that even the media can't keep up. Another reason the negotiation talks should cease is the misleading nature of the GOP narrative on border control. The situation at the border may be dire, but the sense of urgency presented gives the impression that the wall will be extended right now. It will take time to extend the existing barrier, perhaps years. That's why I think that if the security risk is as great as it is, Congress should vote to spend more money on staffing, troops and drones to manage the area. It is not as if the wall will just pop up out of nowhere and we will be protected from all harm. The copious number of immigration violators that enter the country by plane must also be acknowledged as a security risk. What are we going to o about that? This is just a rhetorical question. Of course the answer is debatable. In any case, the solution will not be instant and the government workers should not be used a s bargaining chip. Constant meetings that have not resulted in bi-partisan resolution is costing thousands of families their livelihood and unnecessary stress. Currently, unproductive lip service is a true threat to the stability of the nation.

For the remainder of the week Congress will vote on opening various government offices.  The House will approve. The Senate won't.  Families will suffer the consequences. Just about all of it is lip service. At this point both political parties must be accountable for this set back.  This partisan banter is instilling fear and confusion in the minds of the American people and possibly taking food our of the mouth of babes. Most Americans want to invest in a secure border. Let's do it without forcing the government to stay closed and continuing to debate about it in the media.