house Bill H.R. 7207
Should the Treasury Accept Private Donations to Build the Border Wall?
Argument in favor
With Democrats set to take control of the House next year, it’s unlikely that federal funding for the border wall will materialize. Private donations to this key Trump administration priority will allow the wall’s construction without taxpayer dollars, saving the government money and securing the border.
12/23/2018
The most important job of the federal government is the safety and security of the American people and if citizens in our country wish to contribute to this effort they absolutely should be given the opportunity.
12/23/2018
Well, they accept donations/grants for everything else, so I don’t see why not. But, the money should be used for its intended purpose and only used for wall building in designated areas. No wall building on private property without the express permission of the property owner. 🎯PS for those that say crowdfunding government projects is wrong, we having been using crowdfunding to support education for 3 generations, we often call this sort of funding “grants.” ⚠️Michael, you do realize that taking donations intended for a specific purpose and then using them for another purpose would be unethical, correct? This is sometimes referred to as a bait and switch con; it generally frowned upon and does NOT promote mutual cooperation or trust. How would you feel if your charitable donation to veterans got hijacked and used to, let’s say, build a wall? Or, even, to support an elephant orphanage?
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12/23/2018
Look at all the intolerant democrats on countable, telling people how they can and can’t spend their money. Their tyranny is showing.
Argument opposed
The border wall is opposed by many Americans and negatively impacts the environment and endangered species along the U.S.-Mexico border. Crowdfunding for federal priorities is a bad idea because it opens the government to private influence and lets Congress accomplish goals outside the appropriations process.
12/23/2018
How about taking those donations and using them for something that will actually benefit people? Flint’s water system perhaps...Puerto Rico’s infrastructure...help the homeless veterans?? This wall will do nothing to stop the flow of immigrants into this country.
12/23/2018
Public Officials are not allowed to solicit or accept bribes. When the US Government starts to accept direct donations for preferred programs we going down that slippery slope of corruption and patronage that has already impacted our politics through campaign financing.
12/23/2018
“Crowdfunding for federal priorities is a bad idea because it opens the government to private influence and lets Congress accomplish goals outside the appropriations process.”
The most important job of the federal government is the safety and security of the American people and if citizens in our country wish to contribute to this effort they absolutely should be given the opportunity.
How about taking those donations and using them for something that will actually benefit people? Flint’s water system perhaps...Puerto Rico’s infrastructure...help the homeless veterans?? This wall will do nothing to stop the flow of immigrants into this country.
Public Officials are not allowed to solicit or accept bribes. When the US Government starts to accept direct donations for preferred programs we going down that slippery slope of corruption and patronage that has already impacted our politics through campaign financing.
“Crowdfunding for federal priorities is a bad idea because it opens the government to private influence and lets Congress accomplish goals outside the appropriations process.”
Definitely not. Private funding cannot build trump's border wall. trump's desired border wall isn't trump's personal playground to do with what his deranged mind feels like doing.
Non profit organizations receive private donations. Depending on the size of your donation, you may have your name on a plague, brick, bench, etc. Will those who privately donate money have an advertisement on a section? Or will their be an LED bill board that will rotate ads? Just like those who ‘donated’ to #45’s now defunct foundation, the money will not be used as a donor may believe. As a businessman, #45 filed bankruptcy (5) times. Each time, he didn’t lose a dime. It was those who were contracted who went out of business. This scenario smells of the same used car salesman tactic that the part-time resident of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue is known for!
Can the US accept private donations for medical insurance?
Accepting donations for the construction is only one part of the equation. Who pays for the PRIVATE land that will need to be acquired to build this monument to Trump (which is all this is)? Who pays for the inspections, maintenance and upkeep? Eventually, the taxpayers will be forced to pay in U.S. dollars, NOT Mexican pesos as promised by the chief temper tantrum thrower! WE DON'T NEED A FREAKIN' WALL. WE NEED COMMON SENSE IMMIGRATION POLICY - impossible with an administration sorely lacking in Common Sense.
Well, they accept donations/grants for everything else, so I don’t see why not. But, the money should be used for its intended purpose and only used for wall building in designated areas. No wall building on private property without the express permission of the property owner. 🎯PS for those that say crowdfunding government projects is wrong, we having been using crowdfunding to support education for 3 generations, we often call this sort of funding “grants.” ⚠️Michael, you do realize that taking donations intended for a specific purpose and then using them for another purpose would be unethical, correct? This is sometimes referred to as a bait and switch con; it generally frowned upon and does NOT promote mutual cooperation or trust. How would you feel if your charitable donation to veterans got hijacked and used to, let’s say, build a wall? Or, even, to support an elephant orphanage?
Wasting any source of money on a dumb idea is still a waste and still a dumb idea. Channel the energy and resources toward things that will actually help such as a more effective and efficient immigration process, housing and food for those seeking asylum in the US, support for the organizations attempting to mitigate the effects of decades of US self-interestl policies in Mexico and South America.
NO BORDER WALL EVER!!!! I agree that donations should go to AIDING AMERICANS, like RESTORING ELECTRICITY, CLEAN WATER, and HOUSING in PUERTO RICO, or RELEASING and REUNITING ILLEGAL DETAINED/ KIDNAPPED Children and their Parents at the BORDERS of THE HOME of the BRAVE and the LAND of the FREE!!!!
The federal government should not be allowed to accept private donations for any project. That simple idea keeps the government safe from the corruption that plagues so many nations. If someone wants do donate money to building a wall (per there right) they can donate to their candidate’s campaign or perhaps to a charity that helps keep immigrants in their home countries.
Take any money raised and use it to pay wages and benefits lost by the Trump Tantrum Shutdown.
Take the money raised and use it to care for the asylum seekers and to help re-unite the families torn apart by 45.
Take the money raised and use it to feed and housed the hungry and the homeless.
Besides, 45 promised that Mexico would pay for his wall.
45 didn’t lie, did he?
Look at all the intolerant democrats on countable, telling people how they can and can’t spend their money. Their tyranny is showing.
Bad precedent- opens funding for politically and ethically questionable activities to anyone with a big enough checkbook. Not a good idea!
“Crowdfunding for federal priorities is a bad idea because it opens the government to private influence and lets Congress accomplish goals outside the appropriations process.” This is the best way to summarize my feelings. Just because a group of people raised some money to do something, doesn't mena that act is just or meaningful to anyone else. The wall that trump want's to build will help no one but his own ego and his campaign promises. It's a barbaric way to try to fix a modern day problem.
For those of you opposed to the wall, be consistent - never lock your house or car doors again.
The majority of Americans do not want a wall. If people donate bricks for a wall to the Treasury there is no guarantee how that money would be spent. Are we re-writing a law already in place? Lay but not least Trump wants slats, artistic slats and didn’t he promise Mexico would pay for the wall?