[extropy-chat] Economic consensus on immigration

[jeffrey davis]

On 5/17/06, nvitamore at austin.rr.com <nvitamore at austin.rr.com> wrote:
>
> From:  hal at finney.org ("Hal Finney")
>
> Is immigration really "the greatest anti-poverty program ever devised?"
>
> What about government's double standard on obeying laws. Illegal
> immigrants are breaking the "law." Should they be rewarded for doing
> this?  Where is the balance?


Fleeing from, or assisting those fleeing from slavery was once against the
law.  Women attempting to vote was once against the law.  Promoting,
offering for sale, or using birth control was once against the law.
Ninety-five percent of the drivers on the nation's highways at any given
moment are breaking the law.

There are laws and there are laws.

I would suggest looking closely at the "it's against the law" argument and
the motivations of those who use this very powerful (yet strikingly slavish
and uncritical) rhetorical tactic.  Could it be pure hate-mongering slash
scapegoating driven by the lowest form of political opportunism on the part
of the elites, and for the mob lusting for blood the bigot's fury born in a
time of fear and economic stress and uncertainty?  Why are decent,
hardworking, massively-contributing, yet vulnerable (lacking rights,
protections, and political power) people being demonized with a narrative of
criminality?

These are dangerous times.


Best, Jeff Davis

   "Men occasionally stumble over the truth,
    but most pick themselves up and hurry off
    as if nothing had happened."
                    Winston Churchill
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