Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Cop out is the right term. Its sure easy to use the concept of racism/xenophobia/hate because the discussion focuses upon a group whose skin color is different from the (current) majority in this country.
Besides the fact that there are tons of people and first generation US-born folks here who did hve the basis of the correct, legal procedure, language, etc, why shouldnt they be peturbed over the situation as it stands now?
But without going political, this discussion goes far beyond immigration. I dont like the dumped Chinese/Mexican/Vietnamese/Indian/_______ stuff. Does it mean I hate Chinese people? Of course not - no hatred, fear, etc. In fact, a number of my close friends are Chinese, and we even have Chinese-born people in our family. I have close relationships with folks of various ethnicities in fact.
But we live here, pay taxes here, and have neighbors and friends who work here and do the same. So on top of any quality argument, the entire discussion of keeping the growing population (forget the folks illegally coming through the borders who will indeed be competing for jobs, resources, handouts, etc) employed, versus offshoring work of all kinds to other countries is extremely valid. We pay for it one way or another.
I get it that its tempting to save a buck, but it is indeed killing local capability and jobs by a million paper cuts. Its not a class war thing, but businesses will move to make money. Look at the Walgreens example, and it is so true in manufacturing. Were not going there because it will become blatantly political, but at the 10000 ft level, can you blame them? Blame them for canning your neighbor's job and employing someone a half-planet away to do it? Someone is profiting. Chances are it isnt you nor I, because even the little dividend bump I may get when company __'s profit increases will never make me truly wealthy, yet you can be sure that my societal costs will increase. The only ammunition we have are the greenbacks in our pocket. I get it that its convenient and feels good to buy the cheapo item versus the US made stuff, quality similar or vastly different. But there are indeed ramifications, and they will only get worse with the very understandable dynamics of the popualtion that are going on right now.
Keep the cop out argument of hatred out of it when discussing things that are truly illegal and against the construct of our sovereign state. Particularly when discussing with folks who are or are closely tied to direct, legal immigrants. Manufacturing is the life blood of our nation, and we must protect it however, especially given the massive influx of new (illegal) immigrants, and the finite resources of all kinds that we all face. Whomever remains after all of this cycles through, will need the enabler that provides them the opportunity at the American dream. Manufacturing is indeed how one ensures that there is a thriving, value-creating, high-opportunity society, as it is indeed one of the key pilliars and a key way that folks can create something for themselves. Whether it supports Joe down the street whose ancestors were on the Mayflower, or Jose who just got a green card yesterday, without manufacturing here, we are creating more issues for ourselves and robbing everyone of opportunity.
Originally Posted By: Trav
America is catering to the worlds unwashed, TB infected, uneducated masses
I'm stunned that a moderator on this board, someone who agreed to enforce a basic set of rules, would not only look past this, but actually defend the person. That statement that I quoted is either xenophobic, or racist... or both.
I know that you and Trav are buddies, but this thread devolved into politics and you're choosing to let it continue, rather than lock it (as per forum rules), because you have a personal interest in pushing your opinion on the subject.