Opinion: Trump will build the wall like he did his business empire: by stiffing the little guy

To the editor: President Trump won the election promising to build a huge wall on our southern border and have Mexico pay for it. Now it appears that his project will proceed along the lines of his usual business model: Borrow the money, fail, declare bankruptcy and stiff his creditors. (“Trump’s order to begin wall construction opens wider rift with Mexico,” Jan. 25)

If I have this right, he is going to use our money to build the wall and in his fantasy world somehow recover the costs from Mexico. When this does not work out, all Americans will get stuck with the bill.

The thing that annoys me most is that he is using my tax dollars for this self-aggrandizing folly while he probably does not even pay taxes.

Marcia Goldstein, Laguna Woods

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To the editor: I urge all Americans and people around the world to renew their travel plans to Mexico if they haven’t been there recently, as I have. Their hard-earned money will help Mexican workers who are in need, so one hand helps the other.

Mexico is a delightful country rich with history, art, museums and food. Mexico City itself is safe with “yuge” amounts of police patrolling by car and foot. Don’t fall for you-know-who telling us it is a disaster.

Furthermore, policing the border should be a joint venture, with the Mexicans and the Americans uniting with a plan to make the border a dual responsibility. Drugs will continue to come into the United States with or without a wall.

I encourage Americans to visit, meet and support the people of Mexico. In doing so, we will also be supporting humanity and not stirring up further animosity.

Nancy Freedman, Los Angeles

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To the editor: Rather writing that “lawmakers” are opposing Trump’s actions, isn’t “outlaws” a better term for our state legislators who oppose federal immigration law?

I believe law and order is a foundation to any civilized society. If people like State Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon (D-Los Angeles) believe immigration law is unjust, they should seek to rescind the law. Until they succeed in doing so, they must uphold the law.

Mitchell Lane, Shadow Hills

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To the editor: Trump’s plan to build a wall on the Mexican border confirms his status as a visionary genius.

Some things are timeless, and the idea of erecting an imposing physical barrier to keep out unwelcome intruders is as “cutting edge” today as it was more than 2,000 years ago when the Chinese started to build their wall.

I suggest one additional policy tweak to ensure that the wall is effective: Put in place tough economic sanctions against any factory in Mexico that manufactures ladders.

Gerald Gornik, La Verne

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To the editor: Mexico’s indignation over the wall the president proposes to build would be more credible if that country didn’t have such an appalling record of mistreatment of immigrants crossing its own borders from Central America.

Killings, extortion and sexual enslavement characterize the “welcome” our ever-righteous neighbor to the south provides migrants.

Michael Jenning, Van Nuys

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