From: pam at 10/11 08:26

> Do you think there might be an attack in the US?

I think that's possible. It could serve as a distraction from events in the Middle East. But I think it's more likely that the threat of an attack would be used as a way to soften our defense of Israel.

WRT the border, the issue is very complicated.

1. We need immigration to keep our demographics from collapsing. Americans do not make enough babies to support the welfare state and the industrial base. So brining young families in from abroad addresses that need.

2. Democrats believe that the immigrants will vote for them in the short term. So they encourage as much immigration as they can.

3. Republicans want the influx of cheap labor. So they also encourage as much immigration as they can.

4. Populists and Nationalists are concerned that the short term wellfare costs, and national security risks, are too great to bear, and that the effect on our culture will be disruptive.

5. Both political parties want the issue to use as a hammer against the other side. So neither are motivated to fix it.

CC: #[4]