Open borders (NAFTA, laws, bank account, Mexico)

[tvdxer]

I remember reading something on a poster, probably put up by our schools anarchist group, that went like this:

"Free trade agreements entail the hypocrisy of allowing material goods to pass borders but not humans..."

With this in mind, imagine if there were no border crossings (on either side), no border patrol. completely open borders on both sides, like Schengen Europe. Discuss.

[ArizonaBear]

Originally Posted by tvdxer

I remember reading something on a poster, probably put up by our schools anarchist group, that went like this:

"The hypocrisy of allowing material goods to pass borders but not humans..."

With this in mind, imagine if there were no border crossings (on either side), no border patrol. completely open borders on both sides, like Schengen Europe. Discuss.

And any new applicants to the Schengen Area have to pass stringent tests prior to being handed the keys. Mexico does not qualify let alone Central America.

[tinman01]

I could deal with an open border between Canada and the USA. Their standard of living is comparable and their laws and justice system are not so different.
South of the border is a different story. The level of corruption is not acceptable. The standard of living is so low that most of us would consider it unacceptable. To open our southern border would invite a flood of uneducated, non skilled people resulting in a back breaking burden for both Canada and the USA. So no I do accept that open border policy would benefit anyone but those south of the border.
Let them fix their problems first, stabilize, and then come back to us on this in about 50 years.
NAFTA is a great example of why open borders wont work.

[Benicar]

Having open borders with Mexico would be tantamount to allowing a group of welfare families to have unlimited access to the bank accounts of Microsoft. While it would definitely benefit the welfare families, it would be highly detrimental to Microsoft.

[macmeal]

Open Borders in a wealthy, advanced, tolerant society would be equivalent to banks with 'Open vaults'....or supermarkets selling cartloads of items on 'the honor system'....or homes with no doors, or 'pushbutton' cars without keys....or buying real estate on the strength of a 'handshake'. It could all be patrolled by police officers without guns, and any miscreants could be incarcerated in jails without walls, after suffering a sound scolding.

It would work fine, if the whole world was Amish. The whole world isn't Amish, and the idea is absurd. Let's get back to the real world...OK? This is silly.

[1AngryTaxPayer]

We'd have to toss out other laws like DLs, insurance and the like as there would be no way to even know who people were. A credit card would be useless as probably our current currency. Euro have a ring to it?

[Fox Terrier]

Originally Posted by tvdxer

I remember reading something on a poster, probably put up by our schools anarchist group, that went like this:

"Free trade agreements entail the hypocrisy of allowing material goods to pass borders but not humans..."

Material goods cannot be compared to human beings.

There is no basis for discussion, IMO.

[Randomstudent]

Originally Posted by tvdxer

I remember reading something on a poster, probably put up by our schools anarchist group, that went like this:

"Free trade agreements entail the hypocrisy of allowing material goods to pass borders but not humans..."

Goods and free people are governed by entirely different economic realities.

[Weedsnake]

Originally Posted by tvdxer

I remember reading something on a poster, probably put up by our schools anarchist group, that went like this:

"Free trade agreements entail the hypocrisy of allowing material goods to pass borders but not humans..."

Material goods are not noted for identity theft, overloading social services, and various other activities.
Open borders is unworkable and national sucicide for the developed side of the border.

[HappyTexan]

I would agree to open borders with Canada but not Mexico. Mexico would have to come up to and be on par with the US. Open borders only works when both countries are on par with each other.