Would national referendum on building a wall along the Mexican border possibly be approved?

[pampango]

The US does not have national referendums but ...

I figure one on building a wall on our southern border would start with about 35% support - mostly Trump supporters - who are probably more likely to vote on such a referendum than people who think it is a stupid, costly idea. So the Yes vote is 2/3 of the way to the 50% +1 they would need.

Could it attract another 15%? If it was a one-issue ballot, people who are frustrated with our income inequality and other middle class economic problems might think, "This is the first and maybe only time I will get to vote directly on something that might help my situation. If I vote NO, nothing will change. If I vote YES, things might get better."

While most liberals think that a wall is a dumb idea, could a referendum on it bring out enough conservative and disgruntled liberal and independent voters that it might actually be approved?

9 votes, 0 passes | Time left: Unlimited
	No way a wall-building referendum passes nationwide. Voters would see the wall for what it is.
	2 (22%)
	Maybe but the wall-building proponents would have their fear-mongering work cut out for them.
	1 (11%)
	It would probably succeed. It is the only thing on the ballot. People want action. They'll vote Yes.
	6 (67%)
	It would sail through. Too many people are unhappy and want change.
	0 (0%)
	Other.
	0 (0%)
	0 DU members did not wish to select any of the options provided.
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[TwilightZone]

1. According to a Pew poll a while back, fewer than 40% support a wall

Other polls seem to show similar numbers -- 35-40%.

So, it would probably fail.

[jamese777]

2. ABC News/Washington Post Poll

ABC News/Washington Post Poll. May 16-19, 2016. N=1,005 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.5.
"In general, do you think undocumented immigrants in the United States should be allowed to stay or should be deported back to their native countries?" Options rotated
Allowed to stay: 50%
Deported: 44%
Unsure: 6%
http://www.pollingreport.com/immigration.htm

[PJMcK]

3. The wall would never be built

There are two reasons the Donald Trump Mexican/US border wall could never be built.

First, the area along the border has very difficult terrain in some places which would make construction very difficult. In this same vein, because of the difficult terrain and lack of roadways, it would be exceedingly difficult to get the building materials to the construction sites. Lastly, much of the border is privately owned and seizing the land under eminent domain or through some other purchase would complicate and delay any construction.

The second problem is the cost. The wall would be just under 2,000 miles long. Some months ago, I did an analysis of the cost of building such a wall and at a conservative estimate of $5,000,000 per mile, this would cost at least $10 Billion dollars. I'm fairly confident that Mexico won't pay for it and neither will Congress.

[pampango]

5. I agree it would never be built but that is injecting reality into a vote that may come down to

"do something" and this is all that is on the ballot.

[jamese777]

4. Support for border wall with Mexico drops to 38/58

An extensive new poll from the Pew Research Center shows that almost 60 percent of all registered American voters oppose the construction of a wall running along the length of the border between the United States and Mexico.

Just 38 percent of all voters support such a border wall, according to the Pew poll.

On the Republican side, a solid majority — 67 percent — supports a U.S.-Mexico border wall. On the Democratic side, however, 86 percent of voters oppose a wall.

Supporters of businessman Donald Trump tend to be fervid advocates of a wall separating the United States from Mexico. Support for a building a wall among Trump voters is 84 percent, the poll says.

http://dailycaller.com/2016/04/02/poll-60-percent-of-americans-dont-want-donald-trumps-wall/#ixzz4CcMYa41I

[pampango]

7. Indeed most Americans oppose a wall but a referendum might bring out the 40% who

support it in great numbers. And some others may join them in order to "make a statement to the elites that we want things to change". Even though the wall would not accomplish any positive change, it would be the only thing on the ballot so there may be an element of "let's shake things up" no matter what the issue is in the vote.

[rurallib]

6. I can honestly say I don't know

currently a majority oppose. Hype the propaganda a bit, add in electronic voting machines, voter purges and a low turnout by certain groups and voila! We have a fence!

[pansypoo53219]

8. the mexicans will just build a tunnel & make RUMP pay for it.

[jaysunb]

9. And, what would be built to keep the Chinese from coming on the Pacific ocean ?

While the focus is on an age old situation with Mexicans, Chinese immigrants ( legal and not ) have been flooding in. Nearly 3 million here in Southern California in the past 10 years. Entire cities have become enclaves for this group. The latest fad is " baby hotels. " The women come here pregnant and deliver their newborn American citizens and return home to await that child's maturity and ability to sponsor the family later.
The cost of housing here in the San Gabriel Valley has soared, as they--unlike Mexicans-- come loaded with cash and will pay ridiculous amounts for properties they want.

So while most people are zeroed in on Hispanics trying to join their families and seek a better life, the better heeled Asians are welcomed with open wallets.

[Gman]

10. The Brits violated one of Gman's political axioms.

Be careful what you ask for. You might get it.