hershel_layton said:
Slimebeast said:
You seem to be at the very opposite end of the spectrum politically than I am. I think it's just complete denial.
Just a couple of points. You even deny that they make the streets unsafe. Are you really saying that native Dutch people make the streets of the Netherlands unsafe? Because if it's not the immigrants, then it must be the Dutch. But that's just so unfair and goes against all evidence.
You also deny that refugees weaken the economy of Western nations? I don't get how somebody can say that today. Three years back in time you could still hear that kind of propaganda lies from the Swedish government and others, but today I didn't think anyone spreads such misinformation.
I shouldn't have listed that Portuguese national party because it gave you an opportunity to point out how tiny they are. Portugal is actually the most socialist country in Europe (when it comes to what people elect, about your real politiks I do not know), so it's probably not a coincidence that nationalists are weak over there.
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The thing I'm wondering is how there can be so much damage from them. Aren't refugees expected to work like with the Chinese and European immigrants during the rise of America? Or do they just sit in refugee camps?
I know some refugees are rotten apples, but dear lord. There's no way they all are useless to society.
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The issue with masses of refugees and also illegal immigrants is a complete lack of integration. Many don't want to be citizens and don't want to integrate into society while simultaneously of course taking money from the government while paying none to it. On top of that, since they don't pay taxes, they can get jobs by working for less than any citizen can. And on top of THAT, in the case of illegal immigrants from nearby countries, many don't put money back into the economy that much, instead spending the absolute bare minimum and kicking the rest of the money back to their home country. It's the very definition of leeching.
But for the Syrian refugees, I have some sympathy but not as many as others. The sheer number of healthy, strong young men - some times whole masses of single young men - who could have stood up and fought to defend their home land but instead fled bothers me a fair bit. And it no doubt bothers others and is part of why their value to society is questioned: if they just pissed off from their home country en masse, how can they be trusted to be contributing members of their new society and not just piss off when things get a bit rough? I have no doubt that bothers some people.
Honestly, IMO, I think the borders of the US need securing, especially the southern border, absolutely. But that needs to come hand in hand with a MASSIVE improvement to our legal immigration and integration efforts. It should not take years and years to become a naturalized citizen for people who want to. I don't want to get rid of all undocummented inhabitants, I want to get rid of the criminal ones and the ones who have 0 desire to integrate or become citizens or otherwise contribute to society. The millions who want to be citizens I want to be citizens. Which seems to be Trump's new tune, get the bad apples out and find a way to naturalize the ones who want to. No idea HOW he plans to do that, but it's a good plan. And this at least partly applies to refugees, I would be perfectly pleased if they came here to be part of America rather than just crash on the couch indefinitely with no commitment.
With regards to refugees, I don't think it is responsible for the US to take on more burdens. Our spending is completely out of control, our entitlements spending is absolutely batshit insane, and despite taxing corporations more than any other developed western civilization we are still racking up debt like no one's business. We are in no condition to essentially take on massive groups of people who will live off government funded programs and yet pay not one thin dime to the government to cover it. The US government's responsibility is to the citizens of the US first and foremost, just as the responsibility of any other nation's government is that nation's well being first and foremost. The citizens pay the taxes and vote in elections, serve in the army, and sign on to be eligible for the draft, they should be the first concern of the government. And right now, the government has a lot of work to do to get into shape to be able to concern itself with other issues.