Hey America, thanks for the money, we got you something too.

It’s tax time, and you know what that means. The federal government has been skimming money out of your paycheck all year long and now it’s time for you to fill out the forms and ask them nicely if you can have some of it back. While you’re filling out your tax forms this year, I want you to look at box 2 on your W-2 form. That’s how much money the government took from you last year. Now I’m going to tell you how that money is being spent.

We can’t finish our own border fence, properly supply our immigration agents and border patrol with all the equipment and resources they need, or get our house in order. Yet, the Bush administration wants to fork over $1.4 billion to Mexico and Central America–with much of it going into the hands of corrupt law enforcement officials and government bureaucrats who have worked tirelessly to undermine our immigration laws. The funding is tucked into the 2008 supplemental budget.

Naturally, the State Department has taken a lead role. They’ve held meetings in secret and cut out members of Congress from discussion. You’ll love the explanation for the secrecy: Mexico is “sensitive,” you see. Also, according to one expert, “Mexico is very protective of its sovereignty and very worried about any incursion of U.S. security forces or private contractors—like Blackwater—coming in to train Mexicans.” Yeah, they’re worried about incursions and sovereignty. [Michelle Malkin]

They’re calling it the Merida Initiative.

The national debt stands at $9,250,315,514,442.17 and will be more by the time you read this. We don’t have a secure border in our own country, and we’re going to write a (hot) check to our good friends in Mexico for one and a half billion dollars to help them get a secure border. This is your government at work, folks.

When you sign your tax return this year, keep in mind how your money is being used. The next time you’re a little short of cash to pay the gas bill or buy groceries, remember the dollar amount from box 2 of your W-2 form and ask yourself what it would be like if you had that cash in your wallet. And then don’t be afraid to call up your elected officials and thank them for spending your money so wisely.