Let’s Build a City, Not a Wall

This blog post is also available in Spanish.

Most of us remember Trump’s rhetoric regarding a border wall years ago — “I will build a wall, and make Mexico pay for 100% of it!” It was a silly idea from the start, to build some kind of impenetrable wall along a thousand-plus mile stretch of unmanned border, perfectly allywing approved automobiles and people to pass, but not unapproved persons or products (namely drugs). However, it made for a catchy, memorable, defining sound byte — and great rhetoric to boot. Thus, it’s been no surprise that Trump doubled-down repeatedly, continuing to this day.

While our own campaign not as popular as we need yet, one core idea has remained central: splitting the three federal branches into separate cities. For over a year, I’ve proposed relocating the executive branch to the western third of the continent, creating a new federal city. (Provoked by Donald Trump to consider running for President myself, I began brainstorming my core ideas, platform, and vision in 2017, and this idea — three federal cities — was central.) But today, let’s consider a new possibility: what if we built this new executive city along the US-Mexico border?

But with all the tension regarding the Mexican border, immigration, and current illegal/legal immigrants from Mexico and Central/South American countries, I recently thought, what if I propose we build our new executive city somewhere along the border with Mexico?

This new city could be anywhere along the border, it could be further within our own land, or it could even be placed on the border itself, with a US side and a Mexican side — a shared economy, a city as a symbol of cooperation and friendship between our nations. I do not understand much about Mexican politics or the structure of its government, and have no idea if the country would consider relocating parts of its own government to such a theoretical new city, neighboring our own proposed city. But if it was viable for Mexico, we could partner on immigration reform (especially for us) and fighting the drug cartels (especially for them).

This would be a historic, challenging path forward. But we are neighbors, and the challenges this idea poses are not impossible — certainly not for two nations like ours. And what’s more, the political stability of our southern neighbor is vitally important to our own national security. Partnering with Mexico in such a historic, strategic way would help Mexico combat not only its own challenges, including the drug cartels, but help it better focus on securing its own southern borders, and allying with Latin AMerican nations facing destabilization. Mexico is our neighbor — helping Mexico help itself sends ripples of gratitude and partnership throughout Latin and the northern nations in South America, benefiting all of the Americas.

This is, I humbly believe, a good political idea.

My personal vision leans toward building a new federal city in the western third of the continent, perhaps further north or south, closer to the Rocky Mountains. I’m drawn to this region not only for its resilience against climate change and its proximity to my family, but most of all, for the forests—the density of trees I’ve fallen in love with here in the Pacific Northwest. But I realize that this preference is personal, shaped by my own experiences and ego.

Thus, as much as I love these trees and the air they breath out for us, this decision isn’t about me. What matters is what’s best for the United States and future generations. The locations of these parts of our federal government should be determined by what serves the nation’s future most effectively.

Relocating our executive to a new city bordering Mexico means that city — or both cities, if Mexico builds an adjacent Mexican city — will feel the brunt and effects of climate change. This will motivate the United States federal government to work towards healing our planet. Having the city border Mexico helps our law enforcement work together like never before, fostering partnership and bi-lingual cooperation rarely seen among the history of nations.

The exact location can be debated, but the vision remains: Let’s build a city, not a wall. Let’s work with our neighbors, not distance ourselves from them.

Please share this vision and spread the word.