If this is how America treats its friends...

[almostwitty]

So the UK stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the US against pretty much everyone else in launching a doomed war against Iraq, which sends Tony Blair out of office, potentially Gordon Brown with him and ushering in the Tories at the next general election ... and what does the UK get in return?

All European visitors to be forced to register with the Department of Homeland Security 72 hours before entering the United States on a visa-waiver system.

Erm... surely, the whole POINT of a visa-waiver system is so that you don't have to do bureaucratic things like registration, retinal scans, fingerprint IDs and all that?

It's the equivalent of asking your neighbour to help you burgular-proof your place, then thanking him and demanding that your neighbour registers with you three days before the next time he wants to visit.

I'd like to think Obama would change this when he gets into office. But he won't.

Ever wonder why we get the feeling that Bush/NASA's plans for a Mars colony aren't about exploration, but about setting up Planet America? ;)

Comments

[almostwitty]

Of course there are much bigger problems that are higher up in priority terms than making it easier for tourists to visit the us. But the latest ruling didnt need to be enacted - its like putting fuel on a fire. It just didnt need to be done. Imagine the cost of implementing the new system - to the us taxpayer. And its not as if your average voter was demanding this legislation. Also i think it applies to canadians too ...

btw if people are illegally moving to the us via mexico or canada then presumably they have no paperwork. So how can they claim welfare? I imagine if i turned up to a us welfare office asking for money but being unable to offer any proof of eligibility i would be shown the door very quickly.

[lmurph524.livejournal.com]

You would be surprised at how easy it is to defraud the government. Each agency is too busy to confer with other agencies. It's a constant power struggle. I see people everyday who collect SSI (Social Security Insurance) for no real reason. The illegal Mexicans can easily forge social security cards with some blank cards and a typewriter. Companies who hire them aren't aware of it until the beginning of the year when the Social Security Administration contacts the HR person and tells them that a number is invalid or the number doesn't match the name.
You mention the cost of implementing the visa waiver and the waste of funds. Well, it can't be as bad as a failed fence along the US - Mexican border! Add on top of that the cost of development.
It is just one of many ways to waste money. It sucks ass.