February 02, 2004

President Bush's recent announcement about his changes in treatment of illegal aliens and immigration policy has met with criticism from almost the entire American political spectrum. Republican critics of the plan have pointed to the increasing burden put on the American taxpayer by the increased pressure placed on America's welfare system. Democrats worry that these immigrants will steal jobs away from American workers or cause lower health and safety standards in the workplace. Liberals and conservatives alike have not only turned a blind eye on American History but refuse to recognize the real culprit.

America was built and has thrived on the strength of its immigrant population from the very beginning. Even what some consider the indigenous population of America migrated here from some other point on the globe (probably Asia). The pilgrims who landed at Plymouth Rock seeking religious freedom brought with them the ideals and energy that help set this great nation in motion. Many compatriots from Great Britain soon followed seeking freedom, fortunes and adventure.

During the 1800s many other Europeans immigrated to the United States. Amongst these were Irish, German and Italian immigrants who due too some differences including religion and language were met with suspicion and disdain. Chinese and immigrants from other Asian nations met even fiercer resistance sparking legislation like the Naturalization act of 1870, which not only excluded Asians from citizenship, but denied their wives entry into the US. Africans suffered the most since their "immigration" was forced and resulted in generations of slavery. Despite these setbacks and barriers all these groups managed to eventually better their situation in America.

In recent history most of the immigrants that come to the United States hale from Latin America. Mexicans fleeing a state stagnated economy, Central Americans fleeing violence and civil war, Colombians fleeing the atrocities caused by the drug war, Argentineans fleeing economic instability and Cuban's fleeing communist tyranny have all come to the US to make new start for themselves and their families. Like those that came before them they are viewed with skepticism and disdain.

Many so called conservative malign immigrants (or Aliens) for placing a great burden on America's welfare system. If these folks were truly free market conservatives they'd be less preoccupied with immigrants and direct their ire at America's growing nanny state. It should not make a difference as to whether those benefiting at the expense confiscated tax dollars have been in America for ten days or ten generations.

Some argue that they take jobs Americans will not fill, others counter that they are driving wages down and taking employment opportunities away from Americans. What those that make the latter argument fail to see is that immigrants not only work but also consume, creating new markets and opportunities for economic expansion. That's the way it has been all along. If we expelled all the current aliens working in America and strictly limited immigration our economic condition would worsen exponentially.

For example if the "cheap" labor used to pick produce were thrown out of the US there is a possibility that their jobs would be filled by US citizens. These new employees would, of course, want to be paid at least minimum wage (if not a "living" wage) and would be accompanied by a smorgasbord of federal regulations, further increasing labor cost. This cost would be passed on to consumers in the form of higher prices. These elevated labor costs would give competitors in other countries an advantage. Eventually the results would be catastrophic, resulting not only in loss of jobs in the US but loss of businesses also. Unless, of course, our government plans to place astronomical tariffs on these products and put another big dent in our family budgets.

So, what's the real difference between the immigrants of today and those of the past centuries? Not much. All have come seeking greater individual freedom and economic opportunity. What has changed over that span is the US government and how much it actually meddles in the economy. In the 1800s and early 1900s America was mostly a free market economy with the majority of law abiding, hard working immigrants seeking the chance to participate in and contribute to a free American economy with plenty of opportunities for advancement. Industrious immigrants worked their way up the economic ladder leaving room at the bottom for newer arrivals to fill. America today has a greater resemblance to a socialist state than its free market beginnings.

In the socialist economic environment that exists in America, the unlimited opportunities for advance are replaced with limited entitlements. Rather than creating a race to the top of the conomic ladder, the situation in America today creates a battle for the bottom. Republicans and Democrats should focus on fixing the very ills they have created: excessive taxation, burdensome regulation, an out of control bureaucracy and the ever expanding welfare state. America should control its borders, but this should not be synonymous with the exclusion of hard working immigrants looking to participate in and contribute to a free American economy.

Visit Emiliano's own site.

Archives

Capitalist Eye for the Communist Guys

Teach the Children Well

Giving Freedom, Trade and Anarchy A Bad Name

Freedom Hijacked

Let's Be Thankful

Casualties of War