You must be joking. First of all, the US has the highest rate of population growth of any developed country, i.e., almost 1% a year. Since 1970, we have added 100 million people and will add another 165 million in the next 50 years. There will be no demographic implosion. Instead, there has been a demograhic explosion in terms of population growth thanks to immigration. Despite immigration, we will continue to be an aging society. And out of control immigration and population growth will actually hurt us economically as most of this growth will add to our economic burden.
In 1950 there were 16 workers for every retiree; today there are 3.3, and by 2030 there will be two.
You’re right about the people on the ground - yes, but as your last line correctly puts it, there is a declining number of workers per retiree. That’s what we’re not escaping. You’ve got the situation correctly summed up - we’re drowning in immigrants, and it isn’t helping - the number of workers per retiree is still going down. It has only stalled the inevitable (and it has - we’d be down to under 2 workers per retiree right now if not for immigration).
I don’t think we’re going to add all the projected people in the next 50 years. Just how attractive is the US going to be as the bills for the last 50 years come due? “Welcome to America - fork over your paycheck so we can sit on our plump buttocks!” isn’t what I’d call a hugely successful PR campaign. The benefits gravy train is quickly going to come to a stop - if anything, the recent financial turmoil is a precursor to what is coming down the pike.
You’ll see other countries cut bennies too. Keep an eye on Germany - they’re the country that started many of the schemes that we all “enjoy” today - socialized medicine, free public schools, old age pensions... all go back to the Kaiser’s time in Germany. They’re not only out of money as they’re bailing out their banks, the worse thing is that they’re an export-dependent economy. And I dunno about you, but from what I see, there are some really hard times ahead for the employee base of German exprt production - like autos - as the US consumer slams their wallet shut.
I think coming out of this economic recession (or possible depression if the Democrats get their way and play Step-n-Fetchit for the unions, which was what helped prolong the Great Depression in ‘37 to ‘38), there is going to be a serious examination of just how much we want immigration into the US. It is one thing to spout the twaddle that is on the base of Lady Liberty, it is quite another thing to have said policy while you can’t get a job.
Citi this morning announced 50K+ layoffs in one fell swoop. Betcha that woke up some people in DC.