The GP on Immigration
January 17th, 2008
A potentially debilitating voice maintained by a small percentage of the electorate decries the “anti-immigration” movement as nothing less than racial intolerance, the result of an irrational and illogical fear—in short, an unfounded Xenophobia perpetuated by the Right. On January 13, 2008 the Green Party held its first debate of the 2008 election cycle. Kent Mesplay, a candidate vying for the Green Party nomination, and arguably the most articulate of the potentials responded to a press-question on immigration with the following.
- International trade agreements that are not fair like NAFTA and CAFTA have driven people away from their homelands, they’ve taken away farms from farmers and have basically forced people into trying to find a better way of life. But I want to touch on something else. The real reason immigration is discussed these days doesn’t have to do so much with immigration. It has to do with fear—the fear that is being promulgated by the right, the distrust of strangers. This is symptomatic of a society that is sliding toward totalitarianism. [applause]
... 9 million dollars per mile for a triple fence is a lot of money. The money would be better spent in Grameen-type micro loans to help out everyone.
The same Left-wing makes the claim that similar fears existed during the mass immigration of Italians, Germans and Asians in 19th and early 20th century; and it is rightly pointed out, that despite the reservations of the time, these immigrants have integrated fully into American society, and have provided a rich resource of creativity, labor, and intellectuality from which America has frequently been blessed. In fact, the argument continues, it is impossible to point out a time in American history where immigrants have not ultimately integrated into American society. Why should the mass immigration of South Americans today be any different?
The answer is simple and lies in the current socio-economic state of the Nation. During the early 19th and 20th centuries and earlier, America was strongly capitalistic, government involvement in private affairs was limited and social programs were practically non-existent. The trend of the second half of the 20th century (FDR on) has been one of socialism and big-brother government. It is a matter of simple economic math that socialism and unbounded immigration is a silver bullet for any government. I want to emphasize that no right-minded Right-wing proponent is calling for an end to all immigration. A need for controlled immigration, or at the very least, documented immigration, however, is being promulgated. The issue must be carefully delineated as immigration control—a matter of citizen rights and value—illegal immigration, and unrestrained immigration.
January 18th, 2008 at 09:28 PM I came across this website on accident and read the first article. I'm a Hispanic and all I have to say about immigration is that US, Latinos have every right to be here. And it is you people that fear us, what we bring and the strength of family and community that we have.
January 18th, 2008 at 09:29 PM wow whoever jain is, she is crazy like she says, i dont have anything more to say on the subject.
January 19th, 2008 at 02:29 PM I agree with the article. Of course america is a nation of immigrants...the problem is that a lot of people are coming in ILLEGALLY. I would say that most people have no problem with immigrants coming to this country legally. But Illegal immigration is against the laws and policys of any nation, and causes hosts of economic and social problems. Illegal immigration, unchecked and uncontrolled is bad for everyone living in the nation no matter what nationality you are or where you are originally from. BTW, what does the mexican government do to other latin americans that try to cross their borders illegally? If you dont know I suggest you look it up.