Fighting the Drug Cartels: Rhetoric vs. Reality

Set aflame and burning out of control, the U.S.-Mexico drug trade is devouring everything in its sight, including money that the U.S. doesn’t have. So far in 2009, the U.S. has allocated $700 million to the Mexican government to combat drug cartels. In addition, the U.S. traditionally spends over $17 billion a year on Nixon’s War on Drugs.

These numbers are only going to get more out of control as the U.S. further arms the U.S.-Mexico border with Iraq- and Afghanistan-style military armaments.

What’s the problem with this? The U.S. is spread too thin, as we are battling two wars overseas, an international financial crisis and a myriad of other domestic issues, which are collectively crippling our great nation.

The reality of this dire situation is that although the intent of the U.S. to help fight the cartels may be laudable, the U.S. is unwilling to look at the facts in the name of diplomacy. Mexico is not capable of fighting their war on drugs — regardless of the money they are fed.

Drug cartels have infiltrated every level of Mexican authority. Much like the Iraq war, telling the difference between friend and foe is impossible. Therefore, money given to Mexico is a waste, and will most likely be used against the U.S.

To make matters worse, cartels are expanding their prominence in the U.S., as they are creating a similar infrastructure to that which is in Mexico. That is, a corporate structure with government infiltration.

Visit www.armstrongwilliams.com .