[ZNPaaneah]

The cost of violence in the US is estimated to be 3.3% of GDP.

80% of gun violence is gang related. Therefore I will consider that 50% of this cost of violence is gang related, this seems like a very safe estimate.

US GDP is $19 Trillion. I will round this to 20 trillion because it is easier to work with and because I am looking for an average over the next 10 years and US GDP has been rising year after year.

So then 3.3% is $660 billion. 50% of that is $330 billion.

13% of gang violence is committed by illegal aliens. This estimate is based on the fact that 13% of gang members arrested for committing acts of violence are illegal immigrants.

So then, $42.9 billion is the estimated yearly cost of violence from illegal aliens in gangs (13% of 330 billion).

I realize that a wall is not going to eliminate illegal aliens nor will it eliminate gang violence. But, these numbers are the relevant numbers for determining if the wall is a waste of money. Anyone who is honestly looking at whether or not the wall is a waste of money should be starting with these numbers.

For example, if the wall can keep out 3% of those illegal aliens that become gang members then it does pay for itself with an ROI over 20%, a very good ROI.

Personally I am not for the wall, but neither am I against it. I agree with those who say it is “ineffective” and will not keep out the really bad guys. But I also agree that it will keep out some, and 3% is hardly an overly optimistic estimate.

Secondly, whenever the government puts $5 billion into a construction project like this they will get back 36% in taxes the very first year. This is why public works projects from the government is effective. This is why it worked for FDR.

Third, when you compare $5 billion to the total US budget, it would be like someone who spends $100,000 a year having a bill for $50. $50 may not be insignificant, but it certainly is not worth all the air time this has gotten. Even if I thought my wife was wasting her money spending $50 on a better lock for the front door I would not make a big deal about it.

That is why I blame the shutdown on the Democrats. Trump campaigned on the wall, his supporters want it, and he is simply doing what he said he would do. The Democrats have no good reason to shut down the government over this.

PS -- 13% of gang related homicides is greater than the number of all the people killed on 9/11. And that is every year, not a one time event. So, if 9/11 can be characterized as a national security crisis, then why can't these deaths?