On June 29, 1956, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the “National Interstate Highways Act.” Congress authorized $20 billion for the fiscal years 1957 through 1969 to build 40,000 miles of highways across the U.S.
During the WWII era, Gen. Eisenhower observed how the Germans were able to move troops and equipment over their extensive Autobahn system. Our new highways would provide overpasses that would be high and wide enough to allow military equipment to move throughout our country in case of foreign invasion.
Imagine how many farmers, businesses and individual homeowners had their land taken by the government for this new interstate system. When the freeways began going through the cities, many streets were suddenly dead ended and residents had to start traversing to the nearest overpass to get to their destination. As the traffic grew through the populated areas, tall sound walls 12 to 18 feet high were erected to reduce traffic noise. Some homeowners living next to these newly-constructed walls would never again be able to see the sunrise or sunset depending on the direction their homes faced.
Today, our country is being invaded by “so called” asylum seekers and illegal aliens. These people cross the river and desert in order to sneak in rather than going down to the next overpass or bridge. Our government wants to build a 1,954-mile wall to stop or at least slow down this invasion. Granted, some folks will be required to give up some land, but so did many others for our 40,000 mile highway system.
Some of the wall will go through wildlife and park areas.
The California Choo Choo (San Francisco to Los Angeles bullet train) will go through some of the best agriculture land in our country.
The Dallas-Houston bullet train will also go through many farms and ranches.
Wonder how many armadillos will be displaced?
It’s time for the residents of the Rio Grande Valley to step up and support the wall in order to stop the invasion. For those who will have to give up some land, I urge you to band together in order to get the most payment for your land.
Considering that our government is paying billions of our tax dollars annually to house, feed, educate and provide health care for these invaders, then the landowners should certainly receive top dollar for their property.
As for those of us who will not be giving up any land, the next time you take a drive along our wonderful interstate system, think about those who made their sacrifice for the rest of us.
Thank you for taking the time to read my opinion. I’m going to take my nap now.
Merritt Black, Harlingen
