As I have written several times before, I am very concerned about the idea of a “surge” along the Texas-Mexico border. My main reason is this: It is a bad idea to have a paramilitary operation that includes a large number of private citizens. That is what is going to happen if there is a surge. There is going to be a horde of armed folks showing up with guns to play soldier. I can’t think of a more dangerous situation. The border is a dangerous place to begin with. A surge only makes it worse.
Rick Perry should return to Texas and address this problem. A letter signed by state leaders in support of a surge is not a fix. An armed vigilante force is not a fix. A letter from the tea party is not a fix. I’m not sure that there is a fix, but this plan isn’t it. There is no doubt that the situation on the border is serious. It is both a humanitarian and a demographic crisis. But it can’t be fixed by politicians playing politics during an election season in an attempt to throw red meat to the base. That’s not leadership–and the situation will suffer because of it.
(AP Image / Alicia A. Caldwell )
