Dealing with Mexico

I think a comprehensive border policy would involve helping the Mexican government take down the drug cartels.  Part of that might be legalizing drugs, at least some of them, and certainly pot, at least at the Federal level.  That would be the peaceful, and perhaps more effective strategy.

But ponder how many fighting men (and a few women) we have lost in Iraq and Afghanistan.  Those are half a world away.  Would what would amount to a war in Mexico, which directly affects American security, not at least be directly germane to our immediate safety?  Could we not send in a Marine brigade to supplement the government?  Would that even help, or is the corruption everywhere and ineradicable? 

However we approach the issue concretely, nation building in Mexico would be in our interests.  If it were not such a hellhole, families would not be fleeing as groups.  That is perhaps the core issue with regard to families: the men likely don’t feel safe leaving their women and children behind.  This used to not be the case.  I don’t know how it has gotten so insane.

But Colombia was insane for a time too.  They have largely fixed it.  Mexico is not filled completely with incompetents and criminals, or so I suppose.  People exist who want to find a way to rebuild a place worth living.  We should find them, and support them however necessary.  It would sure as hell be a better use of money and resources than fighting in a landlocked country filled with people who live in stone huts and caves.