Posted on 02/25/2011 8:45:58 AM PST by SeekAndFind
There is much truth in what you say. People who choose to emigrate sometimes under-estimate the impact on both their families and their nations.
My parents fled Europe when their home fell to communism. While there were many advantages for us here, and I am grateful to have grown up in freedom, there were also many drawbacks. Emigration shattered our extended family. My brother and I met our paternal grandparents for the first time when we were 11 and 8, and our maternal grandparents when we were 15 and 11. After that, it was several years before we saw them again. We grew up barely knowing any of our cousins, aunts or uncles. We missed each other's birthdays, weddings, christenings and funerals. My mother missed having help with her babies or advice from her parents as she and dad made their way in a new world. My grandparents grew old without the comfort and aid of their son, daughter and grandchildren.
Communication and travel are easier now than during the Iron Curtain days, but distance creates separate lives. My brother and I grew up in a culture which was unfamiliar to our parents, and their grandchildren speak another language. My parents always thought they'd return when times improved, but it took too long, and our roots here grew too deep. Nonetheless, two generations of my family ended up feeling halfway at home on two continents, but fully at home nowhere. My children lack the security and enjoyment of their large extended family, since they are basically strangers. Now that liberty has returned to 'the old country' our extended family back there has new opportunities and the young people are flourishing. The older family members missed out on many things, but they always had one another, and in their old age, they continue to be surrounded by the loving family that 'stayed home'. This is a lot to give up to emigrate.
I've seen family after family come to America for its opportunities. Once they become citizens, many of them vote for the same overspending government stupidity that killed economic opportunity back home. While I'm not opposed to immigration, I am opposed to naive long term solutions to short term problems. The cost is too high.
I like the way you think.
La Raza will demand their immediate repatriation back to Ireland.
I guess we are going to have to dust off the “Irish need not apply” signs again.
All around the world.....Ineffective leaders being bounced on their heads....
“These numbers are hardly a record Irish Exodus. My ancestors came here in Black 47 with a million + between 1846 -1855.”
Mine too.
I’m not Irish. I’m an American.
“Those who leave the country no longer have a say in Ireland’s future.”
I don’t think that’s true. I believe Ireland grants citizenship to anyone who can prove at least one of their grandparents was born in Ireland. My friend was born in the US, but has Irish citizenship as well, and can vote in their elections if he wanted to.
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