I have a very high success rate for getting my LTEs published. This ran in our local paper.
It's easy to build a metaphorical wall. After all, nothing is cheaper than empty talk.
A real wall, like any form of actual construction, is more complicated. Mr. Trump has put a price tag on his signature wall of $5.7 billion dollars. (A cynic might use this opportunity to point out that in real life, everything always takes longer and costs more, but I would never stoop to that.)
The obvious question about this number is, what is the basis for it? As we know, a real wall would require materials, design, labor, land acquisition through eminent domain, legal fees, permits, and a few dozen other expenses. How does this figure of $5.7 billion break down these areas? How do we look at the spread sheet to make sure nothing has been left off and that the expenses were properly identified? Who compiled these figures for the president, and what are that person's qualifications to do so?
If only the United States had some form of “media” that would ask these questions, I wouldn't have to.