Immigration is More Compassionate Than Welfare
March 9th 2010 23:15
Liberal politicians enjoy painting those who do not support a large welfare state as uncompassionate and/or racist. In some (maybe many) instances, they are not far from the truth. However, when the people who do not support an enormous welfare state do support open immigration, this caricature falls apart. As Milton Friedman observed, "You cannot simultaneously have free immigration and a welfare state." If the choice is between the American poor and the Global poor, it seems to me as if the more compassionate people would side with the Global poor, who are the much poorer group. Yet advocating a policy that would lead to a drawback in the welfare state becomes inherently uncompassionate.
As for the racism charge, this one is a loser on its face. The majority of poor immigrants coming to the United States are not white.
There are clearly ways to maintain almost-free immigration and a welfare state, such as guest workers, so the real-world choices do not have to be between the two extremes. However, the assumption that welfare state supporters are on the side of the poor and immigration supporters are anti-poor must be called out as a lie with dangerous consequences.
Follow me on Twitter: @AGoldenDoor
As for the racism charge, this one is a loser on its face. The majority of poor immigrants coming to the United States are not white.
There are clearly ways to maintain almost-free immigration and a welfare state, such as guest workers, so the real-world choices do not have to be between the two extremes. However, the assumption that welfare state supporters are on the side of the poor and immigration supporters are anti-poor must be called out as a lie with dangerous consequences.
Follow me on Twitter: @AGoldenDoor
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