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© (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2019.Trump walks out of talks on shutdown; calling meeting 'total waste of time'
By Richard Cowan and Alexandra Alper WASHINGTON©2025 GPlusMedia Inc.
113 Comments
PTownsend
Only Trump's truest of his true believers don't hear him saying that in a baby Huey voice.
Fundamental to US democracy, or at least what remains of it, is maintaining the balance and separation of powers between and among the executive, legislative and judicial branches.
Just say NO to Trump and his bund.
Maintain Constitutional provisions that prevent the US from becoming a dictatorship.
Toasted Heretic
The tantrums continue. So much for the great negotiator!
Jimizo
All this stems from Trump blowing gas out of the wrong end on the campaign trail.
What a clown.
David Varnes
To paraphrase The Bard:
A Bonespur, full of sound and fury... signifying nothing.
He's a coward, and now that he's got people who aren't going to back down against him, he's backed into a corner. And despite what certain Tumpeteers around here claim, Cadet Bonespurs isn't a 'hit back New York raised in the streets fighter,' he's a bully and a coward who will bluff, bluster, and eventually crumble.
Laguna
McConnell was absent. Again. Where is the leader of the Senate?
Strangerland
And there you have it. On one side, you have two adults, ready to try to discuss the issue to get the government running again. And on the other side you have a petulant child stomping out angrily because his parents won't give him $25 billion to buy his shiny new toy.
NZ2011
I wonder how the trump fans respond to the step by step refutations, by multiple new organizations, ex presidents and the like over his fact bending, if not totally non factual, Televised efforts using of the presidents office's power to whip up fear and support for his current pet project?
Shawn
whats all this about tantrums? the man wants a wall. the dems dont. its the dems who wont compromise. their answer is no! so thats what he has to work with.
CrazyJoe
By refusing to even consider any bills that Trump won't sign, McConnell is essentially giving Trump a double veto over congress. That's a gross corruption of what the Founders established.
yamada1043
Mr Trump’s ego gets in the way every time. This dangerous embarrasment has got to go.
extanker
I wouldn't exactly call the ones on the other side of the table 'adults' either. Trump wants a wall, Pelosi doesn't. She's trying to work with Trump about as much as he's trying to work with her. Which is to say, neither one is trying at all. There really wasn't much point in continuing the meeting.
Strangerland
Um, didn't you read the article?
There you go.
The man wants to spend $25 billion because he doesn't want to look stupid for promising something entirely ridiculous that is a boondoggle. The opposition is doing what it does - opposing. It's an important check/balance, and is there for a reason - to prevent boondoggles exactly like this. Remember how you people obstructed health care for years? Remember? Multiple votes to get it canceled?
The big difference is that the people actually wanted health care, and the people don't want a wall.
Which is good, because they ended up with health care, and won't end up with a wall.
PTownsend
McConnell is a slimy, spineless politician representing big business first, https://www.opensecrets.org/members-of-congress/contributors?cid=N00003389&cycle=CAREER,
Look how his personal fortune has soared since elected to the Senate. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fact-checker/wp/2014/05/22/how-did-mitch-mcconnells-net-worth-soar/?utm_term=.d46285c434fe
His wife also gets a huge salary, which like his is paid for by US taxpayers, while also getting all the perks of a big-government employee. They've got the best healthcare plan possible, yet continue to deny that right to the majority of their constituents they're paid to represent.
When McConnell shills for Trump, another slimy politician, when he turns his back on his Constitutional role so he can maintain his personal power and wealth, it's yet another indication of the dying of US democracy under Herr Trump.
u_s__reamer
Some time soon, and the sooner the better, I expect to see Trump dressed in orange putting a stop to any more of his hissy-fit, "l'etat c'est moi" walkouts.
StevieJ
Since when has it been acceptable for a US president to have a temper tantrum and act like a child? Republicans love to talk about bipartisanship and working with the Democrats, but only if it's in their favor.
When Trump had the
majority of all three branches of government he couldn't get funding for his
border wall and it wasn't a national emergency. Now all of a sudden when the
Democrats take over the House it's a national emergency. Really hope that all
those die hard "constitutional conservatives" are up in arms over the
executive branches attempted power grab by stating they will randomly declare a
national emergency over a non-emergency issue just to bypass the legislative
branch of government.
theFu
The 2-party system is broken. Politicians should group on issues, not as a "party."
Can anyone, honestly say, they love, love, love everything about the political party they usually vote along?
Goodlucktoyou
This formal stuff is outdated. How about meetings while playing golf?
lincolnman
Just absolutely disgraceful - 800,000 federal workers furloughed, our TSA and Coast Guard not being paid while trying to defend our borders, and what is this idiot doing about it? Acting like a two year old...
He wanted a wall that Mexico paid for (mark my words...) - didn't happen...
He wanted a fence that taxpayers would pay for - didn't happen...
He wanted a "barrier" that taxpayers would pay for - didn't happen...
Time to pull out your fourth "I'm caving" option Donnie - but crying and stomping out of meetings while our borders remain insecure to terrorists and criminals is a violation of your Presidential oath...
And by the way, did you hear your former Campaign Chairman has admitted passing campaign info to Russian agents? I guess "no collusion, no collusion" is the same as "mark my words, mark my words"....
lincolnman
Caption to picture at front of article;
McConnell: I'm the turtle - when things get bad I hide in my shell - and things are real bad Mr President...
Trump: Manafort's attorneys just let it out of the bag my campaign was sending info and colluding with the Russians!
Pence: "I'm going to be President, I'm going to be President...I'm going to get a big plane and a big car...oh boy!"
gelendestrasse
Actually Trump, Pelosi, and Schumer deserve each other. It's the American people who are getting the shaft because of these fools playing politics with people's lives. Just like the immigration policy is a farce but nobody in DC will do anything constructive about it.
Let's put the three of them on an island somewhere and let them fight it out. Alcatraz comes to mine.
bass4funk
I heard the baby voices coming from the Pelosi camp.
My question is, do Democrats really understand this? They are so focused on identity politics you’d think otherwise.
I feel the same. Mr. President, hold the line! Say, No to the Democrats and tell them, we are not a socialist nation we’re big government gets to decide or dictate what’s best for us and how we should live or manage our money.
PTownsend
The above response has zero to do with balance and separation of powers. When Trump supporters are unable to respond to a comment (maybe unable to understand the comment?) they change the subject. In other words, they're unable to defend him. Which is understandable.
What?
Strangerland
Turns out that Nancy & Chuck got higher viewership than Trump! The people have once again spoken.
Slickdrifter
You know. I am not in favor for the wall 100%. I think the solution lies in other options with some sort of new barrier. I think the wall is not enough. I did hear Ted Cruz say Let ElChapo funds seized pay for the wall. I think this is a great soution.
But what is really scary, and no one mentioned this. Is this part. that would let him pay for the wall
with military funds, I wonder if our Armed forces suddenly lost 5.7 Billion dollars out of the operational costs. What the ramifications of this might be? Pretty scary.
I think Trump will declare by weeks end. He is going to get what he wants one way or the other it seems.
National secrutiy at risk? TSA officers have already quit because of the shutdown and many are considering quitting. Is this just the start?
These two. Nacy and Trump need to get their act together.
bass4funk
If that’s the case then why do the Democrats continue to hold the country hostage?
Please don’t tell me, tell Chuck and Nancy, as long as they refuse to fund the wall, the President and McConnell will equally refuse any legislation the Democrats bring forth to the Senate floor.
I feel the exact opposite about liberals and the Washington Democrats.
Strangerland
They're not. Trump is:
“If you say who gets fired, it always has to be the top. Problems start from the top, and they have to get solved from the top, and the president’s the leader, and he’s got to get everybody in a room, and he’s got to lead. And he doesn’t do that, he doesn’t like doing that, that’s not his strength."
"when they talk about the government shutdown, they’re going to be talking about the president of the United States, who the president was at that time. They’re not going to be talking about who was the head of the House, the head the Senate, who’s running things in Washington. So I really think the pressure is on the president."
“FACT – the reason why Americans have to worry about a government shutdown is because Obama refuses to pass a budget.”
Trump has clearly stated that the shut down is the fault of an ineffectual president. He also proudly took claim for this one. He agreed to a budget then reneged. The Democrats have passed a budget, that he refuses to sign.
Yet the morons still try to claim that the Democrats are at fault because they won't agree to buy him his shiny new toy.
Morons. Each and everyone of them. Bottom of the humanity gene pool.
presto345
bass4funk
And the Democrats as well.
Obama had 3, ineffectual...yeah....
The Democrats refuse the wall and turned their back on border security.
I think Washington Democrats fit that mold of the very definition of a “Moron.”
Kuro
I like Trump way of "negociating".
"Hello, can we do it my way ?"
"No..."
"Okay, then i will go and play golf, call me when we do it my way"
presto345
I need a tutorial on how to quote and post :-(
PTownsend
What? Here's a dictionary definition of 'dictator':
You might understand this better: Diktator
Once again a Trump poster's understanding of politics and especially US politics is shown to be - way different.
Deadforgood
@bass
Obama had 1, which lasted 16 days.
Trumps had 3, which have in total lasted 22 days, and counting...Where did you get the 3 number from for Obama? Seems you've mixed up their names.
Strangerland
Which let’s not forget was triggered by the Republicans refusing to pass a bill in the house they controlled. Obama couldn’t restart it had he wanted to, the Reupublicans were the ones holding it up. Same as this time the Republicans are refusing to pass the bill and Trump is refusing to sign it.
The Pubs loooooove shutting down the government when they can’t get their way.
bones
that picture says so much !! Lol
Wakarimasen
He is trying to keep a campaign promise - something that is actually quite laudable. And a foreign concept to many of his Dem politician lifer adversaries.
Strangerland
When did he promise that Americans would pay for a wall?
ZENJI
The only wasted space on display is trump.
A vast void of inter-gallatick dust running in a counter clockwise in a concentric hyperbowl of logic.
Slickdrifter
If I may interject a bit comedic relief into the discussion. This is amusing.
Keep in mind it is just for a laugh. I know it's a serious issue.
https://www.google.com/search?q=lego+build+the+wall+meme&rlz=1C1CHBD_enJP813JP813&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiznvPNmuLfAhUMwrwKHTG1ADgQ_AUIDigB&biw=1920&bih=969#imgrc=wBPKOGZXkVX8KM:
Deadforgood
@wakarimasen
Every President, Republican and Democrat, has kept and broken campaign promises. Your assumption that keeping promises is a foreign concept to Democrats has absolutely no weight to it...
bass4funk
Reagan had 8 and Carter had 5, so what’s your point?
My bad, but yes, I did.
bass4funk
When I use that word, Trump is not the President that comes to mind, I’m thinking of another, younger and more recent one.
Yes, definitely. But I think at this point, we need to stock up on a lot of snacks because Trump is digging in his heels and the Dems are doing the same. Chuck and Nancy said if the president reopens the government, they will think about a compromise, which in liberal translation means, they will do absolutely nothing and then the president looks like a fool. Sorry. Mr. President, we are with you, hold the line.
Sneezy
I see. So, when you thought Obama had three shutdowns, you concluded that this made him ineffectual. Now that you have been corrected and now know that in fact Trump has had three, you must surely conclude that Trump is ineffectual. Making an exception because he’s the one you like would be the height of hypocrisy.
Jimizo
Even Trump’s team warned that many of Trump’s statements aren’t to be taken ‘literally’.
I think the word they were looking for was ‘seriously’.
The problem with this is nobody knows what to take seriously.
His supporters are as much in the dark as anyone else. The tactic of moving swiftly along as if nothing was said and moaning about Democrats is the only option available.
Strangerland
They don't need to do anything for him to look like a fool.
Deadforgood
@bass
There can't be a compromise because Trump is unwilling to compromise...
Strangerland
By real world and ethical logic, yes, that is the only conclusion that can be made.
But in hyper-partisan non-ethical logic, Obama = Satan and Trump = God.
bass4funk
Pretty much every executive order has been wiped out so I would say for the most part, yes. But especially what I like the most, as far as with this Richard healthcare is concerned at least the president got rid of the mandate, as ineffectual as the entire thing was and still is.
With over 200 accomplishments, certainly not, not even close, in fact I think he should double down, if I were him.
Strangerland
But in reply to this:
You stated this:
Then it was pointed out that it is Trump who had 3 shutdowns, not Obama. So by your very clear definition, Trump is ineffectual.
And yet, even after defining what ineffectual means, then being shown how your Dear Leader fits into it, you stilly try to claim he's int ineffectual...yeah...
Jimizo
I posted:
This was inaccurate. Another option is to respond to what Trump actually said with something totally off the point as seen in the first quote I posted.
bass4funk
Not with over 200 accomplishments.
Chuck and Nancy don’t want to either, the two love birds.
lincolnman
A quick history of Donnie and his 'Wall"...
2016: "There'll be a big beautiful wall - all along the border - and Mexico will pay for it - mark my words, mark my words..." Result: No wall......
2016 - 2018: Trump is President, McConnell is Senate Leader and Ryan is Speaker of the House - Repubs have it all - two years and multiple opportunities... Result: No wall....
Dec 2018: Trump says he'll sign a funding bill passed by both Repub House and Senate - gets humiliated by Ingram and Limbaugh and flip-flops... No wall...
Dec 2018: Trump shutdowns government - said he accepts responsibility and will "take the mantle".... Says he wants a pre-cast concrete wall. Result: No wall....
2019: Trump says he'll accept a "fence" instead of a wall... Result: No wall
2019: Trump says he'll accept a "barrier" instead of a fence.... Result: No wall
He's had two years and both sides of Congress and couldn't get it done - now he's caving to the Democrats and still can't get it done.
Master deal-maker? Nope, Master failure...
SuperLib
The House is passing individual bills to fund the separate parts of the government. The GOP should release some of those hostages as a sign of good faith.
nishikat
Republicans are turning against Trump now. Will he be able to keep his job? Supporting Trump is becoming toxic for other Repubican politicians.
Blacklabel
“Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer jumped in to stress the importance of opening up the government and then negotiating on border security funding form there. Trump then asked Democrats if he opened up the parts of the government that are shut down, if Pelosi would be willing to build a barrier. She declined. He left. “
THIS is why reopening the government is irrelevant. Even if he does, nothing changes on Dem side.
Strangerland
Obama had more than 200 accomplishments. You claimed that it was 3 shutdowns that made him ineffectual. Then you were called out that it was Trump who had three, not Obama. Then you tried to claim that Trump is not ineffectual because he has 200 accomplishments.
Direct comparison:
Shutdowns: Trump 3, Obama 1
Accomplishments: Trump 200, Obama many times more
Since Obama has more accomplishments, and less shutdowns, and you called him ineffectual, it means that Trump with more shutdowns and less accomplishments is more ineffectual.
Sorry Bass, you're trying to argue yourself. I'm simply pointing out the arguments you've made.
bass4funk
Not every president is perfect but with over 200 accomplishments that’s quite a lot.
What?
http://martinoauthor.com/list-obama-failures/
lincolnman
Let's see....
Got out of bed before noon - OK, 1 accomplishment...
Emboldened white supremacists and the KKK with his divisive and "dog whistle" racist rhetoric - Sure, 2...
Endangered the American people by shutting down government and not paying our TSA and Coast Guard professionals who keep us safe from terrorists at our borders....Yep, he definitely accomplished that...3..
SuperLib
Right. So they're hostages. Trump wants to keep them unpaid because he feels it gives him leverage for the wall. Not only that, it exposes Trump's motivation and his responsibility for the shutdown.
I get the feeling you don't like the way any of this sounds so you keep attempting to try to poke holes in it. But your guy created the shutdown so he can have hostages for the negotiations. The end.
ulysses
'Mommy, Nancy isn't giving me a wall'.
You can almost hear our toddler-in-chief whining.
Dango bong
There is a reason illegal immigration is called illegal immigration. because it is illegal. Dems want illegals in the country and no checks on voting IDs because they can win elections illegally that way.
Upholding the laws is a fundamental bedrock to stability in a country.
Deadforgood
@bass
Whose this Stephen Martino guy?
He seems to be a practicing neurologist/political fiction author. Why don't you post something non-fictional?
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-achievements-failures-list-success-us-president-a8042756.html
Can you actually list 200 achievements since his inauguration?
Moderator
That won't be necessary. All readers back on topic please. Focus your comments on the story and not at each other.
Stewie
In the meantime, the rest of the world just....... laughs.
Strangerland
The Democrats have already done their job and passed a budget. They don't need to change anything.
Wakarimasen
He promised to build the thing. The amount of money id a drop in the swamp of government spending.
Serrano
"He promised to build the thing. The amount of money id a drop in the swamp of government spending."
Congress is pathetic.
Oh man, this country sure dodged a bullet when Trump defeated Hillary. He'll probably have to declare it a national emergency because there is no way the Democrats and RINOS will ever support anything logical.
Someone has to get this thing done. For too long we’ve kicked this can down the road, I support President Trump wholeheartedly on this.
bass4funk
Looks like the shutdown will be here to stay for a very long time. Too bad.
PTownsend
Lawsuits filed by private property owners will further increase the cost of Trump's bright, shiny squirrel, which at best MAY slow down illegal immigration, MAY reduce the drugs sent across the southern border - until other ways are found to get around it so both can be continued.
https://www.denverpost.com/2019/01/09/texas-landowners-fight-trump-border-wall/
https://www.voanews.com/a/texas-landowners-dig-in-to-fight-trump-s-border-wall-/4736231.html
Let the legislative branch of government working with border experts find better ways to protect the southern border.
Trump's (whatever he's calling it today) is just wasting time and effort.
But at least he's being successful at taking attention away from Mueller's investigations.
Serrano
Is this really all we can expect from the Democrats for the next two years? Pathetic.
Ah_so
The art of the deal on display.
smithinjapan
Trump the little baby, as usual. I've never seen a so called 'man' cry more than he does, or feel sorry for himself and wallow in junk food.
Ah_so
True. Well done.
False, false and false. Not so well done.
smithinjapan
bass4funk: "If that’s the case then why do the Democrats continue to hold the country hostage?"
Nice sandbox retort, bass. Everyone rightly knows Trump is holding the nation hostage, so you simply cut and paste. Very mature.
"Looks like the shutdown will be here to stay for a very long time. Too bad."
Well, along with the highest number of hours on the golf course, which was tantamount to a crime according to you until Trump did it, this will be his legacy. As for "too bad", you brought it on yourself and the people, bass, by voting for and supporting a man-child who said quite clearly he owns the shutdown and is proud of it.
ulysses
The only reason Trump survives despite being proven to be incompetent, ineffectual and downright criminal is because he panders to the racists.
The racists might not be bright, they might not be many, but they sure make a lot of noise.
bass4funk
And the Democrats as well. Ying Yang.
Personally, I don’t care, if it inconveniences 80,000 mostly Democrat government workers, so be it. I want the President to hold the line at all cost, even if the WH crumbles, if that’s what it takes.
SuperLib
The 800,000 are mostly Democrats? What’s the breakdown?
1glenn
He asked for a meeting, then called it a waste of time. Einstein, he is not!
bass4funk
Not quite sure, didn’t liberals claim that mostly all whites are racists?
Strangerland
It's 42% Republican government workers affected right now, 32% Democrat, and the rest are unaffiliated.
Trump is punishing his own people.
Blacklabel
Which means the “we cannot negotiate until the government reopens” is a lie. Dems have no intention to negotiate at all.
Blacklabel
The Dems job isn’t done until their boss (the President) signs off on it as approval. What they have done is submitted a rejected proposal, they have “passed” nothing.
takeda.shingen.1991@gmail.com
Lolz Trump isn't their boss, congress and the executive branch are coequal branches of government. This is basic civics, for crying out loud.
Strangerland
Not on America paying for a wall, no.
Why is Trump so weak that he's letting Mexico not pay for it, after he said they would? Why is he letting Mexico spit in the face of America? They are dissing all you Trumpets and your wall. And you guys stand there, with the spittle dripping down your face, yelling at Americans for it.
Baffling.
Strangerland
Once again, you show that you have no clue how the American political system works.
The president is not the boss of the senate or congress. The two houses together are the equal, and therefore the check and balance to his power.
Jesus, I'm not even American and I know more about your political system than you do.
No, they passed a bill. You know, doing the responsible thing, trying to get the country running, without wasting $25 billion in buying Trump a shiny new toy.
Blacklabel
you can talk equal w you want but a bill isn’t law until it’s signed by the President. The Congress itself is equal but Dems in Congress are not.
If Dems are equal can’t they just direct reopen the government themselves? Oops Trump seems “more equal” than others huh? Dems can’t even force the Senate to hold a vote how sad.
so nice proposal, now go make one that has something in it the President can sign. He has given you a huge hint what he wants to see.
Miyam_Musashi
Huh?
The Dems can "pass" all the bills they want (though I doubt if the newbie Dems from Red States would vote with the loony radicals).
They need to send these to the other chamber, the Senate, most likely worthless paper, dead on arrival.
If both chambers pass and approve, the bill is sent to the President for signature. A bill becomes law only if signed by the President.
Without his signature, as President Trump so aptly states, it's all nothing but a waste of time.
Got it?
Blacklabel
Liberals so used to getting their way by a president or a judge creating new unconstitutional laws unilaterally they forgot how it actually works.
takeda.shingen.1991@gmail.com
Again, its not semantics. Its in the constitution. And again you are wrong, your mind is gonna blow when you read the part in the constitution about overriding a presidential veto. :-)
Blacklabel
You can’t even get your “passed bill” to his desk. Much less override a veto. Not surprised liberals watched the rebuttal to a speech they didn’t bother to even see.
Sneezy
No.
bass4funk
Let me guess, this was a CNN poll? ROFL
bass4funk
Liberal Europeans always for some odd reason make that claim
Blacklabel
So non Americans care about my country building a wall (that supposedly doesn’t even work)- why exactly?
takeda.shingen.1991@gmail.com
If one is under the impression that congress answers to the president, he's absolutely correct.
bass4funk
Tell that to Ruth Ginsburg, please!
takeda.shingen.1991@gmail.com
Lol are you denying the branches are coequal?
bass4funk
Remind Ruth Ginsburg as well as the Democrats please
Serrano
Congress approval rating at 18%. Trump at 47%.
Congress had better get with the program and fund the wall.
takeda.shingen.1991@gmail.com
Lololol dawwwwww whats your problem with RBG?
lincolnman
Thanks - that's a poll taken when Repubs had both the House and Senate - the American people hate you guys...
Yea Mitch, hear that - get off your duff and schedule a vote on the bill the House already approved 240 to 188 with 8 Republican joining Democrats (just like Kavanaugh..)
Very true - I work with many federal employees and they're sick of Trump - they were with him in 2016 but no more - firing Mattis and being "proud" of the shutdown has turned them virulently anti-Trump...
Yea Mitch, hear that - even Repubs are criticizing you for hiding in your shell - schedule a vote - are you scared maybe a majority of Repub Senators will vote for it?
We already know the answer...
gcbel
No mistake this is a Trump shutdown. He owns it.
Strangerland
Um, yeah. You just explained the process I've been talking about. It's a three step process. One house passes a bill, the other house passes a bill, and the president signs it.
Only one of those three steps has done their job - the Democratic Senate. The other two are refusing their job, and keeping the government shut down.
lincolnman
Dodged a bullet and got hit with a bomb - filled with Agent Orange!
bass4funk
Well, at this point, looks like nothing is going to get signed, but at the same time, gridlock is not a bad thing politically speaking, both sides have a lot to gain and a lot to lose, we just don’t know whose going to blink first.
Strangerland
I think we do. Trump may 'stay strong' (though to be honest, I'm skeptical even of that), but regardless, as this drags on, the people are going to be more and more angry, and while some will be angry with both parties, a significantly larger number are angry with Trump and the Republicans. Once the people start getting angry enough, the Republicans will buckle. That leaves Trump fighting on his own. He's too weak for that. Don't believe me? Look at how Mexico spit in his face, and he's too weak to do anything about it.
bass4funk
Maybe, but I think the Dems will blink, but you never know, but we shall see, so far the Democrats have shown they can’t goven at this particular moment because they would rather challenge Trump and if they want to do nothing more than resist this President over the next 2 years and not get anything legislatively done, they’ll be out of a job again. At this point, Trump really has nothing to lose. The Dems in 2013 voted on immigration reform, they wanted the same exact thing and now they changed? Really? So why is that? If they’re that waffley then they shouldn’t be trusted or in power.
Strangerland
Have any of the Trumpets explained yet why they're so weak on Trump being so weak on Mexico? Why are you guys letting Mexico dis you? This problem would be so easy to fix. Trump just has to grow a pair, and make Mexico pay for it. So easy.