Thoughts on European Immigration

[Keith Pommerening]

Now correct me if I am in error, but look at European immigration from the start...  Early immigrants were not only smart enough to realize that life in Europe should be better and that opportunities were too restricted, but they also had the gumption to do something about it!  Leave.  They showed-up here looking for a chance to make their lives better.  Germany, Poland, Ireland, Italy, France, Sweden, Norway, Russia lost some of their best and most ambitious.  Then and WWI came and culled some of the best that was left.  Then more immigrated to the US.  Well then the shit hit the fan again and WWII culled the best and brightest, again.  Then some more immigrated to the US.

They didn't show up here looking for food stamps, snap cards, Obama phones, Obama Care, heating assistance, day care assistance, housing assistance, free college education, public transportation, wanting to change the country to their religious model,  ...  What they were looking for is opportunity,  a chance to make a better living, work, freedom, become Americans.

 So now Europe is trying to do as best they can, with what they have left, after being culled, of the best and brightest, so many times.  I don't understand why we look to Europe as if they have the answer for a better way to live.  Why would we want to be like them.  What do they have to offer?  Traffic circles, some rendition of socialisms, tiny cracker box cars, some highly subsidized versions of public transportation, housing that resembles sardines in a can, tiny narrow cobble stone streets,..... Quaint places to visit.

Well that should be enough for you to understand the obvious.

Thanks, Keith

[Mike]

Right on man. I wonder what the American Indians think about all of this.

[57 bcr]

Here,hear Kieth! True story!         Al

[other dog]

I saw a thing on facebook the other day that I would post here if I could find it again, but it pretty much said "you want to leave your country because it sucks, women are treated worse than aminals there, the oppressive laws stifle your very existance, you can't do anything without fear of being killed- by the 'religion of peace'- and you want to come to America and make it exactly like the shithole place you're trying to get away from?"  As Pete would say, "that don't make no sense!"

[Mike]

I believe they may have accomplished that. One thing is definite, it will change. Their trump card is, we are immigrants to. We have not figured how to change that idea yet. 

[HeavyGunner]

50 years ago immigrants had to have a sponsor family that helped the new Americans get settled in and helped find them jobs and help them fit in any way they could. A very close friend of mine immigrated here from Holland in the 50's and has told me stories about immigrating here with his family as a teenager. Immigrants are welcome here IF you want to meld and become part of our society. That doesn't mean giving up all of your culture but it does mean everything you believe in or like doesn't necessarily take precedence over life and culture here.  We don't have to change our society and way of life for you but you are welcome to join ours and add to it. We have the same saying about out of staters here in Montana OD, they move here for the beauty, the laid back lifestyle and the first thing they do is act just like they did in New York or California and make stupid gated communities and post no trespassing signs everywhere. Why move somewhere else and act just like the A-holes from where you just left?

[Mike]

On 2/5/2017 at 3:30 PM, HeavyGunner said:

50 years ago immigrants had to have a sponsor family that helped the new Americans get settled in and helped find them jobs and help them fit in any way they could. A very close friend of mine immigrated here from Holland in the 50's and has told me stories about immigrating here with his family as a teenager. Immigrants are welcome here IF you want to meld and become part of our society. That doesn't mean giving up all of your culture but it does mean everything you believe in or like doesn't necessarily take precedence over life and culture here.  We don't have to change our society and way of life for you but you are welcome to join ours and add to it. We have the same saying about out of staters here in Montana OD, they move here for the beauty, the laid back lifestyle and the first thing they do is act just like they did in New York or California and make stupid gated communities and post no trespassing signs everywhere. Why move somewhere else and act just like the A-holes from where you just left?

They believe in the ( Grass looks greener on the other side ). Or they may believe in the Badger way of life, meaning, when they see something new and want it, the badger will screw it up if he knows he can't have it or do something with it. My dad use to say that those people realize that they can't screw it then they will crap and urinate on it.  

[grayhair]

Here some interesting immigration history.  In the attached, on Page 2, see the "Oath of Allegiance" that passengers on ships to the new world colonies had to sign - an Oath of Allegiance to King George.   I believe my ancestors had nothing to lose and therefore gladly signed the pledge.  Note the names of the ships and the passengers.  Maybe you can find one of your relatives too...

 

Rotterdam ship Pallas 1763.docx

Edited February 8, 2017 by grayhair

[41chevy]

“We are a nation of immigrants.”

The statement conflates descendants of immigrants with their parents. People who are born here are not immigrants. Calling them such prioritizes the country of their parents, not our country.

The statement also disregards those of us whose ancestors did not immigrate to this country, but rather, migrated to it like most all of the first settlers.

Migrants brings their culture to the new land and reseed it there. That is what my English and German ancestors did. Immigrants assimilate into its already created culture.

In short, we are, or at least used to be, a country of Americans, most by birth, some – a minority – by choice, and all by great good luck.