California is our most populous state and directly south of California, across the border in Mexico is Baja California which is subdivided into Baja California and Baja California Sur. It should be a desire of the United States to annex Baja California, but first a little historical background. Two hundred years ago, Mexico was a country that was twice as large as it is today. Our states of Arizona, California, New Mexico, Nevada, and Texas (our second most populous state) were all once completely within the confines of Mexico. Additionally, the states of Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Wyoming have territory within them that were also once part of Mexico. The United States of America would not be the country it is today without these states and the territories that we captured or won via war whether foul or fair.
America has a contiguous border on the north with Canada and on the south with Mexico. In regards to Canada, their per capita income and their per capita wealth is comparable to the United States; unfortunately, the situation in Mexico is pathetic, with per capita income at very low levels and the distribution of this income skewered to an elite and consequently the vast majority of Mexicans are quite poor, and this despite the fact that the wealthiest country in aggregate in the world shares a 2,000 mile long border with them.
The idea of annexing Baja California is something that was attempted previously through conquest by William Walker with a small group of adventurous men in 1853. Walker's efforts, however, were not backed by the United States, and in fact Walker would be tried for violation of our Neutrality laws, and additionally his mission of conquest of Baja California ultimately ended in failure and defeat. Fast forward to the present time and Baja California looks like a land that under the right aegis could become a future paradise. Baja California is an 800 mile peninsula with the Pacific Ocean to its west, and the Sea of Cortes to its east; it's perfect for tourism, agriculture, shipping, and manufacturing.
Of course, Baja California is already populated by a few million peoples and they are of mainly Mexican descent. The annexation of Baja California would not forcefully remove historic residents from Baja California although as part of eminent domain within the annexation there would be a movement of some of those peoples. Also, the annexation of Baja California would provide better income opportunities, education, and a pathway for those residents to apply for United States citizenship.
To effect this annexation, eminent domain would be necessitated and would include all of Baja California with the exception of the major cities of Tijuana, Mexicali, and Ensenada which would be separately dealt with. The annexation of Baja California would be accomplished with probably the largest bond offering in the history of America, and therefore the world. This process of change would take time, logistics, and no doubt leave some trail of tears. However, one need only look at the material difference between our two countries to understand that this leap of faith, would be of massive mutual beneficence and I do believe that Mexico would be amendable to the right overtures and the right deal.