Constructing a wall along the southern US border with Mexico was one of the most polarizing and energizing promises of the Trump campaign.
Arguments about how to fund the project, who will pay for it, how long it will take, or if it's even worth it at all have been had.
Now, at a recent rally, Trump has thrown a wildcard into the debate:
"We're thinking of something that's unique, we're talking about the southern border, lots of sun, lots of heat. We're thinking about building the wall as a solar wall, so it creates energy and pays for itself. And this way, Mexico will have to pay much less money, and that's good, right?"
He added: "Solar wall, panels, beautiful. I mean actually think of it, the higher it goes the more valuable it is. Pretty good imagination right? Good? My idea."
This is a brilliant idea for many reasons.
New Green Infrastructure
People really don't want a big ugly wall that just sits there and looks big and ugly.
By making the border wall a "solar wall", Trump will be spearheading the single biggest and most ambitious green energy project in the world.
Politically, it will be very difficult for his opponents to claim that he is "anti-Green energy". In fact, it would make them look extremely stupid if they did so.
Border Swing States
There are 4 states that border Mexico: California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas.
California is solidly Blue, and Texas -- despite what people might think -- is solidly Red. Arizona and New Mexico are swing states.
These states might resist a border wall, but if it was a green energy project which will significantly reduce the energy costs of border communities and create thousands of new, lasting green energy jobs, it will help to secure these states for the next election.
Texas will take little issue with the wall, and California is so bankrupt I doubt they can afford to reject such a substantial energy infrastructure program.
Political Leverage
Trump backed out of the Paris accord and the Left thought they could hit him as anti-environment and paint themselves as pro-environment.
This proposal completely steals their thunder -- especially if it comes to fruition.
A solar border wall would be the greatest green energy infrastructure project in the world -- it would outweigh anything the Democrats have ever done or talked about.
Basically, it makes the Liberal Establishment on the Hill look like a bunch of disingenuous fools with no conviction or intelligence, because Donald-freaking-Trump will have done more good for the environment (in terms of green projects, anyway) than any of them have ever done in their entire careers put together.
Your thoughts?
I think this is the smartest thing that Trump has done yet.
It covers so many issues from so many different angles. Honestly, this is the sort of thing I had hoped that we would see from the Trump administration: it's unconventional, pragmatic, effective, persuasive, and smart.
What do you think?
Well, after the election he said parts of the wall will be a fence! Another one for the books.
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#logic
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@Shayne... GREAT Idea AND... Thank You 4 the Heads-Up on this because I rarely go to my news feed since I spend so much of my free time, here on STEEMiT...
UpVoted & Following... Thanks Again Shayne !!
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You're welcome.
I know the feeling. I spend so much of my online time with Steemit that I think that adding current events will help to make this platform a go-to for news, similar to other social media.
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Wow... That's a very Good & Powerful Idea...
Hopefully someone here on STEEMiT will create a news channel that somehow collates & organizes their news channel feed. AND... if done properly, they would be very well compensated for their work.
Thanks Again Shayne 4 Your insights & suggestions. Have a Great Week !!
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Yooo, how goes it @shayne?🤙😎🤙Unbelievable and unequivocally one of THE best ideas I've heard from Trump and his admisitration yet! If he can pull this off, I do believe his approval ratings would finally skyrocket! Thanks for this post...have a great day brother! 😊✌
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I agree. This is the definition of a win-win bi-partisan solution.
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A smart move indeed! I live in Sweden and many people are following trump from here :)
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They are? I'm curious, what are the sentiments there in Sweden?
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I think its a solid idea. Not a big fan of Ted Cruz but his idea to fund it with the EL CHAPO confiscated money was pretty badass.
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I hadn't heard about that. Was it recent?
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Apparently others suggested it first. Also it would need massive infrastructure to distribute the power. It's just glitter on a turd IMHO
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Not a Trump fan I take it :p
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You could say that. He has yet to impress me
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Awesome idea although it wouldn't be about "free" energy. The age old oligarchs in charge would just charge the people twice as much.
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SOLID IDEA! SOLID IDEA!
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Actually i like the idea. Finally Trump got good idea and i really believe it´s 100% his own idea. The solar energy is cheap as fuck and possibly in few years it can pay for the cost of the wall.
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We will be talking about this wall for years to come without out one thing being done to make it happen. Unless you include the BS in washington.
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In this way, every mexican child with a slingshot will be able to make thousands of dollars holes in this wall. And the solar wall will need to be protected by another high wall. So, more work for american workers, and expanses for the US budget.
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Solution: share some of the energy with Mexico so they have an interest in securing the wall from their end. Still jobs for Americans, and no budget expansion?
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Hi Shayne!
I just wrote an article where i wrote something about you! I'll be happy if you read the article! :)
LINK: https://steemit.com/steemit/@shadmannnn/usd30-in-7-days-first-withdrawal-from-steemit
Thank you. :)
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of course the panels ought to go on the south side to maximize exposure. Perhaps sell power to Mexico in the long term or have investment from Mexico pay for the wall and in exchange they get to sell power to California. They really would pay for the wall.
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Another interesting solution.
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#MAGA!!!
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It's a stroke of genius. One thing that occurs to me is that he can offload some if not most of the security to the private sector, who will undoubtedly be running the show on the ground. Touché
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