Kerby Anderson
As the year of 2023 is winding down and we are heading into the election season of 2024, one thing is certain: most Americans are concerned about our nation’s future. An ABC News/Ipsos survey found that more than 75 percent of Americans believe the country is headed in the wrong direction.
Some commentators looking at that poll even wonder why the remaining 25 percent aren’t also concerned about America’s direction. Consumers are paying more for gas, food, and energy. Mortgage rates are higher than when President Biden took office. War has broken out in two major areas of the world, while military threats loom in other parts of the world.
Yesterday, I talked about the cost and concerns about the border and immigration. The only group that seems to be benefitting from our open border are the cartels. One headline recently announced, “Smuggling migrants to the US is a booming business.” Another story explained that cartels are “specializing in logistics, transportation, surveillance, and more, resulting in revenues up to $13 billion.”
The Center Square Voters’ Voice Poll asked registered voters, “How concerned are you about the situation at the border?” They found that 82 percent were concerned (with 47 percent very concerned and an additional 35 percent somewhat concerned).
The response from the current administration has been that their message about the economy and the border isn’t getting through. But the facts about our current direction seem to be getting through to most Americans. They feel the rising costs of goods and services. And they suspect that allowing more than 6 million illegal aliens into this country cannot be good for them or the country.
It will be hard to make the case next year during election season that “steady as she goes” is the best policy for this nation.

Kerby Anderson
What is the annual cost of immigration to American taxpayers? The US House Committee on Homeland Security has calculated the cost, and we are in for significant “sticker shock.” Their new report reveals that taxpayers are losing nearly a half trillion dollars to the border crisis.
The staggering amount taxpayers lose to funding illegal aliens comes from nearly every sector of society. We pay more for healthcare, education, and housing to individuals and families here in this country illegally. We also must bear the brunt of extra costs for law enforcement.
In case you are wondering, only a small fraction of those costs is ever recouped from taxes paid by illegal aliens. The rest of those costs are what we must pay. In the past, many mayors of sanctuary cities have argued these costs are insignificant when we consider the benefit, we enjoy from migrants coming to this country. You might ask the mayors of New York City and Chicago if they still feel that way.
When I discussed this latest report on my radio program, one guest suggested that the government figure was probably low. That seems likely when you add to the millions who have illegally crossed the border another 1.7 million “gotaways” who escaped federal custody. We can assume some of them are involved in drugs and human trafficking. A few might even be terrorists, who deliberated avoided capture.
A second guest also reminded us that millions of illegals harm Americans in another way. They are competing for jobs with US citizens and thus keeping wages low and making it harder for some to get jobs.
Every poll I have seen shows voters consider border security and immigration to be one of their top issues. Wait until they find out how much it costs? This will certainly be an election issue.