Immigrants will bail on a bankrupt AmericaJanuary 3, 2008
In 2006, the number of immigrants in America hit an all time record of 37.5 million. In the 10 years between 1990 and 2000 the number of foreign born people living within the country rose by 57.4% and almost half the newborn children could be identified as part of a racial or ethnic minority. America’s ability to attract the best, brightest and hardest working people from around the world has been a key element of its success in the 20th century. But lately America appears to be losing its “shining city on the hill†status — will that affect America’s ability to lure the type of immigrants who have contributed so greatly to economic growth? Little more than a decade ago the “brain drain†sucking Canada’s top talent south was front page news north of the 49th parallel. There was a time the average American earned about 70% more than their Canadian counterparts and many people moved south in pursuit of greener pastures and better opportunities. These days, the trend is beginning to reverse with less and less Canadians seeking to immigrate and a growing number moving back. It’s no secret that many immigrants follow money, it’s true for Canadians and it’s also true for many others. So the question begs to be asked — If Canadians are leaving, will Europeans, Indians, Chinese, Arabs, Persians and others follow close behind? It’s very easy for Canadians to move back for obvious reasons: proximity, transferability of skills, similar living conditions, etc. But most importantly the government is democratic, free and prosperous. If there are better opportunities for Canadians closer to home, it’s not all that surprising many would leave. If the situation is someday reversed, they would likely return. The western European situation is somewhat similar. For others it can get a bit more complicated, and that’s why the past few years have been uniquely important — economic growth around the world has been enormous. Eastern Europe is on fire. China is now by some measures the second largest economy in the world, and with authorities now promising to return Hong Kong to democratic rule in 10 years the political situation is also showing promise. India’s economy now rivals that of Germany, Europe’s largest — and they’re already democratic. The Arabian gulf is growing so quickly that cranes almost appear to be a permanent fixture of Dubai’s skyline, and 25% of the population is already Persian. Dubai is now home to the world’s tallest building, the world’s only 7-star hotel, an indoor ski mountain and man-made islands in the shape of a palm tree visible from space. What Americans now need to recognize is that the 21st century brings with it many new challenges. People now have choices and America will need to compete for talent. Unfortunately, with an America eroding its once cherished liberties and frustrating its once strong demand for visas with new immigration hurdles in the name of security, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to imagine many people choosing America. In a world with a sinking US dollar, declining economy cannibalized by inflation and debt, declining American prestige and a sudden increase in widely available opportunities in Asia and beyond, politicians may soon need to campaign on a different kind of immigration reform if the republic is truly to be restored. It’s impossible to know how many good people will never immigrate, but if growth around the world these past few years is any indication, there are plenty of them out there. Only time will tell how many existing immigrants will leave, but I suspect we may not only see immigrants place one foot outside the country — wealthy Americans may soon follow. Did I forget to mention that Haliburton’s corporate head office moved to Dubai? If even Dick Cheney’s buddies are leaving, that can’t be a good sign. source for statistics: Immigration to the United States No related posts.
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March 23, 2008
Representative Barney Frank said he plans to file a bill to legalize “small amounts” of marijuana. “I’m going to file a bill as soon as we go back to remove all federal penalties for the possession or use of small amounts of marijuana,” Frank, a Massachusetts Democrat, said late Friday on the HBO show “Real Time,” hosted by Bill Maher. Frank said he’d filed a similar bill in the Legislature in the 1970s, but hasn’t tried since he was elected to Congress. “I finally got to the point where I think I can get away with it,” he said.(AP
WE NEED TO STOP THIS war on people….!
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