The most recent outbreak of salmonella poisoning of produce caused much alarm across the country and cost American tomato growers millions in lost revenue. As of this writing, over 900 salmonella cases have been diagnosed in 40 states.

While American farmers struggled as the CDC did their best to pin the tainted tomatoes on them, their crops rotted on docks and in warehouses as consumers refused to buy potentially contaminated goods. For those of us in Arkansas, it was a relief when our famous Bradley County pink tomatoes were cleared; harvesting had not begun when the outbreak occurred.
It came as no surprise when the CDC finally had to admit, rather reluctantly it seemed, that the contaminated goods were not only tomatoes but possibly jalapeños and bulb onions as well - all imported from Mexico.

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When Department of Transportation Secretary Mary Peters began pushing the program to allow Mexican trucks access to American highways and offered the "fast pass" through Customs, it became an open door for drug and human smuggling. Ignoring opposition from the Teamsters Union, the Owner/Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) and individual truckers nationwide, President Bush and Ms. Peters continued to pander to the Mexican government while pushing their spin on how "safe" it is to allow trucks from a country rife with drug lord crime and corruption to have free access into the United States.

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On June 13, 2008, SignOnSanDiego.com reported finding 805 packages of marijuana weighing more than 5,500 pounds and with a street value of over $2.2 million dollars, hidden among jalapeños, cucumbers and husk tomatoes. The driver of the truck was a Mexican national with cargo originating in Mexico.

On June 27, 2008, the Missouri State Highway patrol busted truck driver Marcos J. Tirjerina of McAllen, Texas, in New Madrid, Missouri. Tirjerina's cargo? Assorted produce, including 1538 pounds of marijuana.

Then there is Manuel Zuniga of Weslaco, Texas. Zuniga's tractor trailer was searched after being stopped for speeding through Indianapolis' east side, on June 16, 2008. Among his cargo of assorted produce were 500 pounds of marijuana.

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The possibility of bio-terror cannot be ruled out as America continues to fight the War on Terror. It takes only one spraying of contaminated water at any point in time during growth and transport, and even on a produce stand display, to create economic distress to American farmers and spread illness and disease among unsuspecting consumers.

It is well past time for the United States government to put the safety and security of the American people above the desires of a corrupt Mexican government. Trucks must be inspected at the border. Not just randomly, but each and every truck attempting access to the United States. The continued complacency and appeasement to the Mexican government as they peddle contaminated food products and drugs into the United States, sickening our citizens and strengthening the illegal drug trade within our borders, is inexcusable.

Americans must insist upon American-grown produce, strict compliance within our food processing plants with regard to sanitation and most importantly, a government of the American people, by the American people and in the best interests in the health and security of the American people.