A Collision of Values
The border crisis is no longer about the border crisis. It hasn’t been for a long time. The border crisis is now about the Republicans vs. Democrats—liberals vs. conservatives. The time has long passed since either was concerned about reaching a just settlement of the issue. Both sides just want to win the fight. In my limited observation, the crisis (liberal/conservative winner/loser notwithstanding) has two primary conflicting values. The first value is the disruption of established “domestic tranquility.” The mass influx of human bodies is overwhelming the existing system’s ability to assimilate them with justice and compassion. That flood of humanity creates a threat to the stability and, to a significant degree, the security of those who are in the path of the flood and/or who deal directly with the challenge. The border states obviously bear the brunt of that challenge, and many believe the Democrats/liberals have not demonstrated satisfa...