Trump claims that he remains determined to build his wall, although a recorded conversation between himself and Mexican President Nieto revealed that he really doesn’t care; it was just a campaign promise. Although this is a fact, during a rally in Phoenix, he threatened to ‘shut down the government’ if funding for that wall was not included in the budget. He was speaking in front of some of his diminishing supporters. So, how much would this unnecessary wall cost the American people?

Estimates vary. A 1,000 mile, 40 foot tall wall would require 15 billion dollars minimum, to a higher estimate of 70 billion dollars with a yearly maintenance fee of 150 million dollars.

Now, here’s the truth. In my seven decades of living in America, I have never witnessed a project designed by a government agency to be completed without many cost overruns, and additional unforeseen expenses. It is highly likely that construction of a wall, which would fail to accomplish Trump’s goals, would triple the original estimate. Trump claims that our nation cannot afford ‘meals on wheels,’ continued funding for FEMA, or Medicaid for children and the poorest of Americans, but a wall which will not affect illegal drug traffic is necessary.

I am positive that 70 billion is far too low. The other factor is that estimates claim that this unnecessary monument to Trump’s ignorance would not be completed until 2021, when Trump would be no more than a horrific memory for our nation’s people.

One final fact; Trump promised his basket of deplorables that Mexico would pay for his wall; they will not. The American taxpayer will be forced to pay for its construction and maintenance. This enormous cost could be used for far more important programs than a wall between two nations.

Please re-post; thank you.

Op-ed by James Turnage

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