Brain Drain of Old World; Brain Gain for New World (illegal, Indiana)

[jbgusa]

I was at my son's college graduation over the past weekend, at a highly regarded university in the Northeast. One of the graduating students delivering a significant address was a native of Macedonia. He told of how, when he was 17, he stood on the airport tarmac in Europe (either Macedonia or Athens) and asked "where am I going”?

He was asking since he had no idea where the University was. However, he was likely thinking more complex thoughts.

He completed an undergraduate and doctorate degree at this University. His next job is with a major corporation in Indiana. There is one place is definitely not going to live in the future; back to Macedonia, other than to visit. History is replete with stories such as these; young, intelligent people who, seeing no future in "Old World" countries migrated the the United States, without looking in the rear-view mirror.

The brain drain from Europe to America over the years has enriched the United States. We have accomplished this "brain gain” through our open borders and great opportunities. I believe that we should somewhat reduce the "safety net” of social programs so that we can open our borders to more people like this graduate.

[jbgusa]

I received an email inquiry, not posted here, as follows:

Originally Posted by Unidentified Email Questioner

Good for America, but what about Macedonia? Why should we be stealing talent from countries that need it?

I responded as follows:

Originally Posted by My Response

If those countries give people few realistic chances for advancement, why should a person stay there? I have a friend who is a psychologist. He tells me a patient that was formerly a resident of Albania. She had an IQ of about 141.

To expand on this, we are not "stealing" talent. That implies that talent is owned. Basically that is chattel slavery.



This is one of the reasons that socialism and corporatism no longer work. Back in 18th Century Europe there were fewer alternative places to go. Until the end of that century all overseas locations were colonies of one country or another. When the United States opened for business around 1789, there was suddenly an alternative. The United States had few barriers to immigration other than the Atlantic Ocean, and strides is sailing and steamship technology helped overcome those.


Waves of immigrants soon arrived, at first from what's now the United Kingdom, then Ireland, Scandinavia, Germany, France and eventually Eastern Europe. Many of those were extraordinarily talented and bright, and had little opportunity to use those attributes in their home country.


And unlike now, there was no looking back once you came. Mail took weeks if not more to travel the oceans, and physically returning was often dangerous. And on this side, no welfare safety net. The decision to come was daunting but countless came, drained Europe and built our country.

[jghorton]

Some European countries do not automatically accept new immigrants unless they can show some source of income, health insurance and employable skills.

While the U.S. is still thought of as the "land of opportunity" (an unlimited resources), it's important to realize that taxpayers must pay to provide that 'opportunity' for those who bring nothing, but, the clothes on their back.

When immigration levels were low, the U.S. could still afford to absorb a flow of immigrants with no skills, health insurance or income. But, we cannot continue to do that indefinitely -- which is one reason we have immigration laws and quotas.

Only the vote-pandering liberals believe we should have totally open borders with no laws or quotas. Of course, their plans all consist of 'spending other people's money,' with no vision to achieve a financial balance.

[Rob702]

I am not sure I would call this a "brain drain of the old world". What you describe is a brain drain from (south) eastern Europe. Emigration from western Europe to any new world country is negligible except for Brits moving to Australia for the weather. I assume that most eastern Europeans also prefer to move to western Europe as opposed to any of those countries halfway around the globe. Anyhow, I don't really see what you would like to discuss? Does the US have the right to gain from immigration even if every immigrant is a possible loss for his/her country of origin? Sure.

[jbgusa]

Originally Posted by jghorton

Some European countries do not automatically accept new immigrants unless they can show some source of income, health insurance and employable skills.

While the U.S. is still thought of as the "land of opportunity" (an unlimited resources), it's important to realize that taxpayers must pay to provide that 'opportunity' for those who bring nothing, but, the clothes on their back.

When immigration levels were low, the U.S. could still afford to absorb a flow of immigrants with no skills, health insurance or income. But, we cannot continue to do that indefinitely -- which is one reason we have immigration laws and quotas.

Only the vote-pandering liberals believe we should have totally open borders with no laws or quotas. Of course, their plans all consist of 'spending other people's money,' with no vision to achieve a financial balance.

Remember, back in the 1800s and early 1900s " taxpayers (did not) pay to provide that 'opportunity' for those who bring nothing, but, the clothes on their back." To some extent the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society provided some assistance, as did the Democratic Party's Tammany Hall machine, for self-interested reasons. If we desire to provide a safety net for Americans, we should find a way to limit that for newcomers.

Originally Posted by Rob702

I am not sure I would call this a "brain drain of the old world". What you describe is a brain drain from (south) eastern Europe. Emigration from western Europe to any new world country is negligible except for Brits moving to Australia for the weather. I assume that most eastern Europeans also prefer to move to western Europe as opposed to any of those countries halfway around the globe.

I was talking about historical immigration, when there were significant numbers from Scotland and later Ireland. And many Eastern Europeans do come. Ever been to Coney Island, Brooklyn?

Originally Posted by Rob702

Anyhow, I don't really see what you would like to discuss? Does the US have the right to gain from immigration even if every immigrant is a possible loss for his/her country of origin? Sure.

What I'd like to discuss is opening the borders and shutting off the social welfare tap, for newcomers at least. Perhaps we need to shut off the tap to a degree rather than totally.

[totsuka]

This type of immigrant is welcome and will not be a burden. The real disaster is the low skilled, educated illegal immigrant that is flooding into the West and especially the USA.