Partisan turmoil over wall has to stop

We have survived the longest government shutdown in history and still do not know for sure if our obstinate politicians will agree on a settlement or will they rekindle a stalemate which already has idled millions of people and costing millions of dollars per day. There are legitimate pro and con claims for a wall.

Nancy PeIosi has full command of the Senate and can reign with impunity. Trump's ego demands that his claims and promises be fulfilled whatever the consequences.

Our government has had this partisanship and turmoil for too long and this stalemate has to end. It is time to put aside the name calling and ego trips, get down to honest negotiation. That would require mutual respect, listening to other opinions, and finding an area of agreement. This seems unlikely to happen without a push from the people, the only weapon that we have. That requires an alert and informed population. One has to wonder if that is any longer possible.

The infighting and arguing going on in Congress today leaves our friends and allies worried and leaves our enemies smiling.

With long coastlines, I question the effectiveness of such a wall. Would it not make more sense to change the immigration rules like Mexico and others to halt the multiple benefits and support? The current economy cannot afford it and immigrants must become less of a burden on society. This country is not heartless but virtually unable to support everyone in the world whether or not they have good reasons to seek it.

The only solution seems to be to take away the honey that attracts the bear and adjust immigration laws. With so many voters pro and con, that is a political hot potato and not likely to happen.

William McNutt

Des Plaines