Scott Jensen <RecreationalPoker@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> writes:
> On Jul 5, 8:06 am, "Mark T.B. Carroll" <m...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
>> Scott Jensen <RecreationalPo...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> writes:
>> > The US absolutely dominates it. Not only does no country come close
to
>> > the US in biotechnology, but if you were to stack up the rest of the
>> > world against the US, the US is still heads and shoulders above it.
>>
>> It'd be a little less so if it wasn't quite so good at recruiting
>> immigrants! It's very much being the beneficiary of a `brain drain'
that
>> helps a lot with keeping the nation at the forefront of technology.
>
> So?
You seemed to be comparing the rest of the world with the US without
noting that the US wouldn't be so far ahead without such help from the
rest of the world. So, it was kind of begging to be noted, so that
people don't mistakenly make the leap toward assuming that it's simply
something inherent to do with the wonderfulness of Americans.
> America is a land of immigrants. None of my ancestors included
> an American Indian, and even their ancestors immigrated across the
> Bering Straits.
Yes. I'm broadly in favor of labor mobility, although selfishly I don't
think it's in my shorter-term interest as someone who benefits from its
restrictions!
(I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss Native American influence, though:
there's some evidence that their culture had more impact on what became
modern-day American culture than might be popularly recognized.)
> Our national animal shouldn't be the Bald Eagle but the mutt. So we
> drain the smart degreed people from other countries. So what? Since
> before the USA became the USA, this land has been draining people from
> other countries. And this country benefits from doing so.
Yes, indeed.
> If I had my way, I'd make immigration what it was during the 18th
> Century. No incurable disease? No felony record back home? Welcome to
> America, new citizen! Go forth and make this nation great!
Indeed: if people want to work and will cause economic activity instead
of being a burden on society, I don't think any long-term good comes
from stopping them if they're healthy and have useful skills and
whatnot. Better have them helping us here than helping others somewhere
else!
Mark
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