Turn back the nativists

Washington Times ^ | Mar. 22, 2005 | Stephen Moore

[Crackingham]

This week President Bush will meet with Mexican President Vicente Fox to discuss a number of thorny issues, primary among them: immigration and border control policy.

George W. Bush has long been supported a pro-growth, pro-freedom immigration strategy and clearly sees immigrants as assets to the United States. On this issue, his world vision collides with the Republican Party's more nativist faction, which would drape a "No Admittance" sign over the Statue of Liberty.

On the economics of immigration, Mr. Bush is more right than his critics. Whether skilled scientists and engineers in Silicon Valley or the migrant laborers who work in the sweaty fields of the Southwest picking fruits and vegetables, immigrants are the backbone of the American economy.

Immigrants fill vital niches in our labor force; they are mostly hard workers who have come in search of a better life and economic opportunity. Agricultural workers from Central America put food on our table. This is work migrant workers from Mexico and other nations to our south have done here for 100 years and they will do for at least the next generation. The only issue: Will they come lawfully or have to sneak over the border illegally to do jobs that interests few Americans?

[zygoat]

I quess that makes me a Nativist American.

[skeeter]

Proud "nativist" here.

[jackbenimble]

Contrary to popular belief, a new study by the National Foundation for American Policy finds the foreign-born pay their fair share of taxes. According to the study's author, Stuart Anderson, immigrants make enormous net positive contributions to the Social Security system through the payroll taxes they pay each year. The Social Security actuaries report if it were not for immigration, the unfunded liability in Social Security would be about $1 trillion higher over the next 40 years. Without immigration, the fiscal woes of Social Security would rise from $10 trillion to $11 trillion.

This is pretty typical of the kind of deception the open borders enthusiasts like to pull. I'm sure that it is true that in total, immigrants make a net positive contribution to social security.

But Stephen Moore would have us believe that all immigrants are created equal and that there is no difference between a PHD from India educated in our best colleges and an illegal Mexican that is illiterate in his own language as well as ours. The Indian will probably prosper in America. The Mexican will forever be on the bottom rungs of the economic ladder.

It is a well established fact that native born American poor people take more out of Social Security than they ever pay in. Stephen Moore wants us to believe that poor ignorant Mexicans will somehow be the salvation of Social Security when in fact, if we cut them in on that pie, they will be a huge burden on that already failing system.

And the same is true in every other tax category. Poor ignorant immigrants will consume more services than they contribute in taxes. Otherwise California would be rolling in dough.

[raybbr]

Not only that but what about when these extra million become eligible for SS?

[Tacis]

The ones in the tough position are the democrats! They know that unlimited immigration keeps a primary constituency, US blacks, destitute, unemployed and without hope. The dems should oppose W on immigrant on this basis, alone. Nut, having blacks dependent is one of the few strengths they have.

So long as Mexicans are free to work in the US for whatever they can get, it will cost blacks current employment and future employment. The dems screw blacks in this country and get away with it because black "leaders" owe their wealth and sinecures to the dem massas!

[raybbr]

I recall a recent fact-finding trip to the border when I spoke with a newly arrived 20-year-old immigrant from Mexico who told me in Spanish: "What is all this talk about no jobs in America? I have been here four weeks and I already have three jobs." We need more of that motivation and enterprise here.

That's right. Every American should work three jobs. Forget the family we'll just work 24 hours a day and call ourselves better off.

[dennisw]

Think imported serf class.

[oneofthem]

I don't think you can dismiss some of the data so casually, it isn't a good habit to have. The issue of immigration must be confronted honestly.

[DustyMoment]

On this issue, his world vision collides with the Republican Party's more nativist faction, which would drape a "No Admittance" sign over the Statue of Liberty.

Ah, the liberal spin. The statement is a lie and the Wash Times knows it. No one wants to "drape a "No Admittance" sign over the Statue of Liberty". What we, "Nativists" want, is people to come to our country legally and observe and honor our laws.

That shouldn't be that hard of a concept to understand - even for bottom-feeding journalists.

[LibertarianInExile]

Oh, but that's not ALL the deception. Don't forget that these 'moneymakers' who are now being labeled 'people who will never collect on Social Security' are the same folks who Bush wants to make eligible to collect social security. The U.S.-Mexico Social Security Totalization Agreement proposed would apply to illegal workers in the U.S.--who would be eligible for benefits after working only six quarters.

[raybbr]

I don't think you can dismiss some of the data so casually, it isn't a good habit to have. The issue of immigration must be confronted honestly.

What the heck are you talking about????

[jackbenimble]

Ah, the liberal spin.

If only this guy was a liberal then I would understand. I'll probably make some errors in my description of Stephan Moore's resume but I believe: he was an economist for the Wall Street Journal, an economist for the Heritage Club, President of the Club for Growth and is now President of some other Right leaning lobbying organization. I think he is also a director or something at the CATO Institute which I think is libertarian.

He is a fairly typical member of the Republican elite which is totally out of sync with the grassroots on the immigration issue.

We view the United States as a nation; they view it as just a market.

[Finalapproach29er]

I detest this Jack Kemp "growth" gang.

I feel they are globalists who have no loyalty to fellow Americans. Making American workers compete with poor Chinese and Mexicans. Shameful.

Just my opinion.

[Servant of the 9]

Never forget that The Washington Times is owned by Rev. Moon and thus has immigrant and even illegal immigrant interests.

So9

[CompSciGuy]

The PhD from India will more than likely legally immigrate, plus he or she will speak ENGLISH!!!! The immigrant from Mexico will more than likely enter illegally and not speak much (if any) english. Stop illegal immigration, raise the bar on legal immigration, and demand that English be spoken, then there will be no 'nativists'.

Cheers

CSG

[Noachian]

We view the United States as a nation; they view it as just a market.

I agree completely.

To politicians and corporations America is a market place that should be shaped for the maximum profit.

To the people who live here America is a place to raise our families, see our children prosper, and bury our dead. If that makes us "nativists" then good.

[jackbenimble]

Never forget that The Washington Times is owned by Rev. Moon and thus has immigrant and even illegal immigrant interests.

I know it is true about Rev. Moon but nonetheless, the Washington Times has the best and most consistent coverage of the illegal immigration travesty of any newspaper. They are the "Lou Dobbs" of the print media. They have an article critical of illegal immigration on their news pages almost every day.

[Teplukin]

Nativism is dead. The nativists have been effectively annihilated by President Bush, who has made clear his utter distaste for these embarassing, knuckle dragging boobs. It is fun watching the President deal with malcontents. He is whupping them just like he whupped the lefties opposed to the liberation of Iraq.

Hooray for Dubya! He is the scourage of tyrants, foreign and domestic!

[Servant of the 9]

Nativism is dead. The nativists have been effectively annihilated by President Bush, who has made clear his utter distaste for these embarassing, knuckle dragging boobs.

George W and his Open Borders program have activated Nativists just like Bill Clinton and the Assault Weapons Ban activated Gun Owners.
The result will be the same.

The Democrat (check out Hillary Clinton's sound-bites) and the Republican candidates for President in '08 will both campaign on calling out the National Guard and shutting down immigration 100%, followed by a cleansing of the country and then a Bracero Program that does not grant citizenship to children of Aliens born here.

So9