THE WALL

10 April 2017

Rep. Dana Rohrabacher,

101 Main Street #380

Huntington Beach, CA 92648

Dear Congressman,

Re: The Wall

I’m just hoping that you will have the good sense and fortitude to oppose the funding (and the building) of that ridiculous wall along our southern border. You have made clear your position on immigrants—and you know that we disagree strongly on this matter. It is clear, nevertheless, that the wall has nothing to do with immigration and everything to do with a frankly racist dog whistle the president* exploited to rile his audiences in the course of his campaign.

You must surely be aware that 67 percent of Americans are opposed to building the wall. Immigration from Mexico has slowed to a negative figure in the recent past. Most immigration, legal or illegal, enters through our sea- or airports. The wall would require millions in legal fees and years of time to acquire the affected property—much of it, I imagine, through eminent domain. It would cut across land that is sacred to at least one Native American tribe; and would have to traverse a great deal of territory where rivers and mountains render its construction moot, if not impossible. In addition, its realization would require many millions of taxpayer dollars—money that you, as a fiscal conservative, are surely reluctant to spend. And finally, the message it sends not only to our neighbors to the south but to the world at large is that America is anything but “great again,” but rather a nation shrinking in fear from innocent people and imagined threats.

Your constituents will appreciate your firm opposition to any spending on this boondoggle, as well as to congressional approval when and if the need for it arises.

Respectfully,

Peter Clothier, Ph.D.