Lawmaker calls for Central American "Marshall Plan" after border visit

[Judi Lynn]

Source: CBS News

By CAMILO MONTOYA-GALVEZ CBS NEWS November 26, 2018, 8:14 PM

After visiting the U.S.-Mexico border Monday, Democratic Rep. Lou Correa of California called on the U.S. government to implement a "Marshall Plan" to stimulate the economies of developing nations in Central America and reduce the widespread poverty and violence plaguing the region.

"We should start talking about a Marshall Plan, so to speak, for economic stimulus in Central America and in Mexico," Correa told CBS News. Correa visited the port of entry between San Diego and Tijuana, Mexico, which was temporarily closed on Sunday after some migrants seeking asylum tried to force their way across. "We're spending a lot of resources, a lot of money, on attorneys, family separations, incarcerating people — it's not working."

Named after Secretary of State George Marshall, the Marshall Plan was the U.S. government's initiative to invest billions of dollars to rebuild war-torn Western Europe after World War II.

Correa, who represents parts of Orange County, said leaders in the U.S., Mexico and Central America should discuss whether a program similar to the Marshall Plan could create economic opportunities in Central America. He said fighting gang violence in the Northern Triangle of Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador would reduce the number of migrants who risk making the dangerous journey north.



Read more: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/rep-lou-correa-calls-for-central-american-marshall-plan-after-border-visit/

[Liberty Belle]

1. Finally, someone is talking about helping to stabilize the countries people are fleeing from

instead of blaming the victims fleeing violence and doing nothing to stop its roots.

[duhneece]

10. And address the global impact of US War on Drugs

Just like alcohol prohibition funded gangsters like Al Capone, so now the US policy of War on Drugs is funding gangs south of us.

[area51]

12. +1 n/t

[workinclasszero]

11. We have been historically to busy setting up murderous right wing dictatorships in South America

that are "business friendly" to give a damn about how it affects their people.

Just sayin.

[SunSeeker]

2. This really is the only fair solution, considering it was the US who broke Central America. nt

[murielm99]

3. Yes!

[mopinko]

5. perhaps a better name-

the pottery barn plan.

[silverweb]

7. Absolutely!

It's a wonderful idea and I hope the new Congress will form a committee to study the idea and formulate proposals immediately.

[Power 2 the People]

13. +1000

[Nitram]

4. This is what the U.S. should have been doing since the 1960s.

Instead of fixing elections and propping up anti-communist dictators.

[mulsh]

6. I've long suspected removing the "war on drugs" money from the region gave cartels

and other evil forces a vacuum to fill.

I'd support something like this.

It beats teargassing infants, toddlers and their parents.

[Firestorm49]

8. Holy Smoke!

A thought to actually work, no matter how difficult, to better the lives of people living under repressive corrupt regimes sounds elementary. It seems logical that a positive outcome would cement those countries as allies against autocratic rule.The good old US of A has been both undermining and financing governments both good and bad for decades. But to have an up front plan to work for actual betterment of humanity is a goal worth pursuing.

[DFW]

9. He'll need a variation on the theme

Correa is right, but where we already had a military occupation in place in Germany in 1945, we have no such apparatus in place in Central America. We would need to be sure that needed help reaches the people that truly need it, and not the gangs and/or corrupt governments that will appropriate any and all funds, food, and materials for themselves. We'd need what would amount to another occupation force, and this time, we would not be wading into a defeated, devastated, educated area. Instead, we would be inserting ourselves into a nearly feudal society where the people who hold the real power will object vehemently to our presence, are organized and armed to the teeth.

[SharonAnn]

15. In Honduras we have a gigantic air bases and prop up the government.

It’s a democracy in name only. It’s a banana republic, military, oligarchy government. We could definitely do a Marshall Plan there.

I lived there for a year, my stepchildren are Honduran born (from a middle-class family). I follow Honduras news closely.

[Scurrilous]

14. K&R