Comments on: Unauthorized Migrants Are Easy Scapegoats http://www.nathangibbs.com/2006/08/16/unauthorized-migrants-make-an-easy-scapegoat/ border life, art, photography, cultural critique Tue, 31 Jan 2012 22:56:17 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: xoloitzquintle http://www.nathangibbs.com/2006/08/16/unauthorized-migrants-make-an-easy-scapegoat/comment-page-1/#comment-5327 xoloitzquintle Sat, 19 Aug 2006 15:17:44 +0000 http://www.nathangibbs.com/2006/08/16/unauthorized-migrants-make-an-easy-scapegoat/#comment-5327 I agree with you completely, Nathan. I must point out a few things. The exception to the rule regarging "Third World" (I never liked that term, but I use it out of convenience) immigrants are Cubans (that may change soon). There are no "illegal" Cuban immigrants. Ah the power of ideology. Beyond the strain on social resources, immigrants are cast as a threat to the social fabric and philosophical foundation of the US: morality and hard work. The importance of the term "illegal" is that it questions the morality of the individuals from the onset. The "abuse" of the social services illustrates the "unwillingness to work". The conflation of immigration with terrorism, crime, and the such further casts question on their morality. Unfortunately this has been a cornerstone of American thinking. A great book that analyzes all of this is "Hellfire Nation" by James Morone. I highly recommend it. I agree with you completely, Nathan. I must point out a few things. The exception to the rule regarging “Third World” (I never liked that term, but I use it out of convenience) immigrants are Cubans (that may change soon). There are no “illegal” Cuban immigrants. Ah the power of ideology.

Beyond the strain on social resources, immigrants are cast as a threat to the social fabric and philosophical foundation of the US: morality and hard work. The importance of the term “illegal” is that it questions the morality of the individuals from the onset. The “abuse” of the social services illustrates the “unwillingness to work”.

The conflation of immigration with terrorism, crime, and the such further casts question on their morality.

Unfortunately this has been a cornerstone of American thinking. A great book that analyzes all of this is “Hellfire Nation” by James Morone. I highly recommend it.

]]> By: Nathan http://www.nathangibbs.com/2006/08/16/unauthorized-migrants-make-an-easy-scapegoat/comment-page-1/#comment-5323 Nathan Sat, 19 Aug 2006 01:31:06 +0000 http://www.nathangibbs.com/2006/08/16/unauthorized-migrants-make-an-easy-scapegoat/#comment-5323 People have migrated all through history and will continue to migrate. One of the roots of the current Mexican migration north is fallout from NAFTA. I agree its problematic for a country when its economy is out of balance, but the people migrating aren't the problem. (not directed at you Kenrick) What worries me are the selfrighteous attitudes that would deny help to someone in need on the doorstep. It worries me when a law is used to shield ones conscience from being a responsible neighbor. People have migrated all through history and will continue to migrate. One of the roots of the current Mexican migration north is fallout from NAFTA. I agree its problematic for a country when its economy is out of balance, but the people migrating aren’t the problem.

(not directed at you Kenrick) What worries me are the selfrighteous attitudes that would deny help to someone in need on the doorstep. It worries me when a law is used to shield ones conscience from being a responsible neighbor.

]]> By: kenrick http://www.nathangibbs.com/2006/08/16/unauthorized-migrants-make-an-easy-scapegoat/comment-page-1/#comment-5316 kenrick Thu, 17 Aug 2006 19:45:03 +0000 http://www.nathangibbs.com/2006/08/16/unauthorized-migrants-make-an-easy-scapegoat/#comment-5316 hmm, its kind of at a chicken and egg problem now. if you visit an emergency room, there are lots of potential illegal immigrants there, and not for emergencies either. why do they go there? because they don't have any kind of healthcare, so its that or the clinics. schools are an interesting subject, because if these people do not get an education, then they will statistically be a drain on society. as to the God given right, in the first paragraph thats kind of a silly thing to say. policies have changed, and the people who control the border have changed them, and yes they can be unfair. should voiceless illegal immigrants have a voice in this country? probably not, since they shouldnt be here in the first place. but their plight is real, and their reasons for coming over here are real. real enough that maybe the solution would be for the US to communicate with their host countries to fix the problem. because it is a problem. back to the chicken and egg thing, i think social systems have deteriorated because of bad spending (war etc) and because of the influx of people. i pay alot of taxes to live here in california, and im pretty sure that lots of people are benefitting from that. and that is the point of taxes, to fund the government with the purpose of it redistributing those funds to govern. doesnt always work out that way of course. hmm, its kind of at a chicken and egg problem now. if you visit an emergency room, there are lots of potential illegal immigrants there, and not for emergencies either. why do they go there? because they don’t have any kind of healthcare, so its that or the clinics. schools are an interesting subject, because if these people do not get an education, then they will statistically be a drain on society.

as to the God given right, in the first paragraph thats kind of a silly thing to say. policies have changed, and the people who control the border have changed them, and yes they can be unfair.

should voiceless illegal immigrants have a voice in this country? probably not, since they shouldnt be here in the first place. but their plight is real, and their reasons for coming over here are real. real enough that maybe the solution would be for the US to communicate with their host countries to fix the problem. because it is a problem.

back to the chicken and egg thing, i think social systems have deteriorated because of bad spending (war etc) and because of the influx of people. i pay alot of taxes to live here in california, and im pretty sure that lots of people are benefitting from that. and that is the point of taxes, to fund the government with the purpose of it redistributing those funds to govern. doesnt always work out that way of course.

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