In the 18th century, America was made up primarily of people who, of necessity, simply understood they had to work hard. Should they not have taken full responsibility for their own welfare, there was no one else to do it for them and they would have starved. As this was the case, anyone who did arrive on American shores who was unwilling to work and wanted others to provide for them, could expect to find no sympathy and might well starve.
In the 19th century, the former colonies had become the United States. Expansion was underway and the young people of the 18th century became the entrepreneurs of the 19th century. Those who arrived were "welcomed," because it was simply assumed they were prepared to start at the bottom, often live in poor conditions, receive no entitlements and had to compete for even menial jobs. They accepted these terms, and in exchange they received the opportunity to live in America.
Also, in the 19th century, the US was expanding to the West coast, covered the nation with railroads and dramatically accelerated the industrial revolution – the greatest period of expansion in US history!
In the 20th century, a tax on income was implemented, the Federal Reserve took control of money and credit, and the “New Deal” Introduced the concept of entitlement. It was a mixed century of wealth generated by the industrial revolution, fighting against the new concept of entitlement. "Immigration" became entwined with moral entitlement and America's contracting freedom with political duty and obligation.
In the 21st century, immigrants in large numbers are now encouraged to come. However, unlike in the 19th century, they are no longer encouraged on the basis of starting at the bottom, often living in poor conditions, receiving no entitlements and competing for even menial jobs. Quite the contrary. Not only are they "guaranteed" welfare, schooling and housing, they are not required to work at all and, if they become criminals, they are likely to be released without prosecution. They, in fact, are afforded privileges above that of American citizens.
As you might expect, American conservatives are stating that immigration must be curtailed, as immigrants are "damaging" America. Conversely, liberals are stating that America was built on immigration and the way forward is to open the doors to all who wish to enter.
Both these contentions are incorrect, though IN CONTEXT, the conservative's logic is based on an elements of truth, as are the liberal's!
Meanwhile, those of us who maintain principles based on what is proper, moral, beneficial, and "just," try to "right the wrongs," while "entrepreneurs" outside America's borders take advantage of America's remaining market for liberty and opportunity and "select" who shall arrive and in what numbers!
You have provided yet another fresh perspective, Anders!
Anders:
In the 18th century, America was made up primarily of people who, of necessity, simply understood they had to work hard. Should they not have taken full responsibility for their own welfare, there was no one else to do it for them and they would have starved. As this was the case, anyone who did arrive on American shores who was unwilling to work and wanted others to provide for them, could expect to find no sympathy and might well starve.
In the 19th century, the former colonies had become the United States. Expansion was underway and the young people of the 18th century became the entrepreneurs of the 19th century. Those who arrived were "welcomed," because it was simply assumed they were prepared to start at the bottom, often live in poor conditions, receive no entitlements and had to compete for even menial jobs. They accepted these terms, and in exchange they received the opportunity to live in America.
Also, in the 19th century, the US was expanding to the West coast, covered the nation with railroads and dramatically accelerated the industrial revolution – the greatest period of expansion in US history!
In the 20th century, a tax on income was implemented, the Federal Reserve took control of money and credit, and the “New Deal” Introduced the concept of entitlement. It was a mixed century of wealth generated by the industrial revolution, fighting against the new concept of entitlement. "Immigration" became entwined with moral entitlement and America's contracting freedom with political duty and obligation.
In the 21st century, immigrants in large numbers are now encouraged to come. However, unlike in the 19th century, they are no longer encouraged on the basis of starting at the bottom, often living in poor conditions, receiving no entitlements and competing for even menial jobs. Quite the contrary. Not only are they "guaranteed" welfare, schooling and housing, they are not required to work at all and, if they become criminals, they are likely to be released without prosecution. They, in fact, are afforded privileges above that of American citizens.
As you might expect, American conservatives are stating that immigration must be curtailed, as immigrants are "damaging" America. Conversely, liberals are stating that America was built on immigration and the way forward is to open the doors to all who wish to enter.
Both these contentions are incorrect, though IN CONTEXT, the conservative's logic is based on an elements of truth, as are the liberal's!
Meanwhile, those of us who maintain principles based on what is proper, moral, beneficial, and "just," try to "right the wrongs," while "entrepreneurs" outside America's borders take advantage of America's remaining market for liberty and opportunity and "select" who shall arrive and in what numbers!
You have provided yet another fresh perspective, Anders!