[quote=Brutus]I propose that we declare a moratorium on ALL immigration for ten years, block and prevent all illegal entry on all borders, and then, once the borders are secure and criminalien-free, start an immigration plan based on Australia’s plan: If we don’t need your skill(s), you can’t come in.
This would apply to ALL immigrants, Black, White, Hispanic, Vietnamese, Swedish, British, Japanese, etc…
Enough of this “give me your poor” bullshit. That was fine in 1890. It doesn’t work now, as we can see by the often expressed, but erroneous, idea that EVERYONE deserves to be an American citizen.
STOP ALL IMMIGRATION NOW!
Other than that, I have no strong opinions…[/quote]
The stakes are higher now than they were in 1890, right? The country is more crowded, but further, the benefits given to citizens (paid for by their fellow citizens or by ever more debt) are far greater.
The New Deal and the Great Society came after 1890.
Think Welfare, Medicaid, Medicare, 99 weeks of unemployment, emergency rooms, etc. None of that existed in 1890 right? So an immigrant now, depending on skillset and ambition, is potentially much more expensive than an immigrant then.
I fully admit immigrants have been instrumental to the success of the U.S. I also admit demographically we are likely going to need more young workers. I would just prefer that they come in the front door.
I’m ok I guess with Brian’s idea of amnesty for the folks currently here, but does it end there or do we keep absorbing (and amnest-izing) folks ad infinitum?