Immigration or the Welfare State

摘要: Immigration has recently become a lightning rod for America's deepest fears of social chaos and national decline. Millions worry that immigration is rapidly transforming America into third-world country, with crowded, violent cities, under-educated low-skilled labor, an ethnic spoils system replacing tradition constitutionalism individual rights. Concerns are rising immigrants abusing the generosity our welfare state, will enormous burden on taxpayers. And because large number Spanish-speaking, many Americans fear continued immigration, especially from south border, result in balkanization country different language groups, ultimately leading to sort tensions afflicting countries Canada Ukraine to, worst case, Bosnia. These legitimate concerns, but problems rightly not due itself, wrong-minded policies government. State-sponsored affirmative action, bilingual education, multiculturalism promoting dangerous levels group conflict. breeding pathological crime dependency--not primarily among native-born whites blacks. A which 22 percent white children 70 black born out wedlock need look as source breakdown. The underlying government whose emphasis rights promote state encourages individuals destroy their own families. IMMIGRANT BLESSING With proper policies, blessing. We saw this earlier waves absorbed assimilated tens millions foreign every language, religion, ethnicity. By 1900, some 20 total population was foreign-born, additional 10 arrived following decade. Today's rate only fraction level. impoverished, poorly educated Jews, Slavs, Italians became proud productive through public school emphasized English skills American culture, society provided economic opportunity rather than entitlement. Ellis Island harsh fair: Immigrants illnesses, or who were otherwise likely excluded, while those willing hands allowed Golden Door. This should return. Even today, despite foster dependency, last three decades still been strong net positive economy. Anyone walking streets New York City most other major urban centers sees majority shops owned operated by immigrant entrepreneurs, often ethnically defined categories--Korean grocers, Indian newsstands, Chinese restaurants. It obvious these would simply exist without families put long hours paid labor maintain expand them, process improving cities. In Los Angeles, vast hotel restaurant employees hardworking Hispanic immigrants, here illegally, anyone believes unpleasant jobs be filled either blacks living fantasy world. same applies nearly all traditional lower-rung working-class Southern California, including nannies gardeners widespread employment occasionally embarrasses upper-middle-class Zoe Bairds world, even it enables professional careers freeing them domestic chores. means making job busboy remotely attractive raise wage $10 $12 per hour, at level cease exist--this Economics 101. …