This should get your attention: “Warring drug cartels are blamed for more than 560 kidnappings in Phoenix in 2007 and the first half of 2008…”

Drug violence is epidemic in Mexico, with 7,000 people killed in 2007 and 2008 alone. Unsurprisingly, Mexican drug dealers don’t respect our border any more than do their fellow citizens.

It’s mad that the government is arrogating vast new responsibilities to itself when it can’t fulfill basic functions of government — securing ours borders and protecting our citizenry. While border fencing and stricter immigration controls aren’t a panacea for these problems, they would certainly go a long way toward it. Drug cartel violence is a transnational phenomenon. Impeding the free flow of criminals and weapons across our borders can only help. Active arrest and detainment of illegals with criminal histories would be another step in the right direction.

One possible approach would be to militarize our borders with Mexico. About 79% of Americans support this approach. Obama is said to be weighing a military option, though he seems to have no real enthusiasm for the prospect.

Janet Napolitano, head of DHS, is focusing on the flow of guns and money into Mexico. According to DHS, US-based sources are providing much of the money and firepower fueling the violence.