If nothing else comes out of the health care reform push, border awareness is now out in the open. We who have lived on the Mexican border have been very aware of this for many years. You northerners should be aware that you don't have to swim to cross the Canadian border. And you will not die of heat stroke even in summer up there.

The Mexicans do not worry me that much. Most just want to work and can be easily deported. The minority of them who are true criminals are usually caught at a higher rate than American criminals.

But last year it appears almost 3,000 illegal Chinese were intercepted at the American border with Mexico. If that many were caught how many made it through? How many terrorists take advantage of this porous border?

A stupid fence is not the answer.

Stop the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and have our military fight this war. Make no mistake: this is a war on our country.

abcnews.go.com/Politics/corrupt-border-officials-accepting-bribes-illegal-immigrants-exposes/story

And lookie - it's on a liberal news show!

How about the drones we have developed? Not armed with missiles or guns necessarily. Cameras alone on most of them. But for groups deemed to be terrorists or containing terrorists might need a good burst or two from an armed one.

If people just thought they were armed and ready it would cut down on border jumpers (our little nick for them).

And you too Angie & Kelly & Batson and all the rest.

I posted this because this topic IS a threat to our very lives while universal health care is a possible threat to our wallets. That topic now runs over 46 pages of posts. It contains posts about the threats of terrorism and how the money should be used to fight it. But it appears the posters actually meant they would rather spend money anywhere except on those who have no insurance.

mr brown i agree the problem is pretty bad. if you think its gonna be solved by doing what we are currently doing with regards to crossing our borders illegally you are wrong. ...you being collective i'm sayin....anyways here's another bit of news if you think Janet N. is doing a great job you will just love her new little helper Alan Bersin and guess what he does for a living???  yep of course...a harvard lawer oh how original!And as for epidemics i will say 2 things... GET vaacinated ...all of them. There is not much yu can do about bioterrorism once its used BUT you can do plenty before it happens. lets see how well they do.  I happen to live on the border so i'm sure i won't be around long enough to say.And with regards to how much money is spent  and on what i would say just keep NOT paying attention to who is and is not crossing our borders and you won't have to worry about the uninsured ...or anything else....ever.

This discussion here is very interesting.  I am only just entering the healthcare field as a student, and the thought of a bioterrorism attack is scary as hell.  These posts have got my wheels turnin.  I just took my 7 year old to the doctor, and he tested positive for influenza.  He wasn't prescribed the regular "bubble gum medicine", as he would say, he was prescribed tamiflu.  Therefor, I agree GET VACCINATED!

I lived in Montana for 5 years, East Glacier Park, and was a hop, skip and a jump from the Canadian border. It is easier to walk across that border to Alberta or British Columbia than the Mexican border in most places. Heck there are actual dirt roads that take you over the border without you knowing it. These are true roads, graded and maintained. You kind of know when you hit Canada because the roads improve. But no border gates or crossings. Sure there are on the improved highways 99% of the people take. And those wanting to sneak into the US are well aware of both borders. Plus a few thousand miles of coast.

I agree with you about border jumpers and there are so many reasons it needs to stop and I see what you are saying about these dirt roads around here.  SCARY!

Well kellyj I hope when I engage in my medical career I develop superman immunities. lol.  I lived in Cali when I was about 5,6 yrs around Fairfield.  So I got some Cali love and thats sad to me! 

smelt something fishy...LOL!

This healthcare topic is interesting to me too.  What are your views on it.  Me? I'm not sure.  I'm not afraid to admit, that I am young and reaching out for knowledge hence, my recent venture into college.

Thank you for your opinion.  I will ponder it.  Hope you have a good night.