The comment above is one I see often in this debate, simplifying the terms of the debate in a way that I believe obscures the true cause of our so-called illegal immigration problem. Most people aren't aware that the primary cause of southern immigration, which has accelerated dramatically in the last decade, is primarily due to our free trade agreements, agreements like NAFTA and CAFTA, which allow multinationals to trade 'freely' between countries, where we dump cheap subsidized products over there, undermining and destroying local economies and livelihoods, while these corporations exploit cheap immigrant labor on our side of the border.
Meanwhile, government agencies restrict the movement and freedom of people across arbitrary lines and arrest people for being born on one side and moving to another side (I'm not a big believer in the divisionary notion of nation-states, personally).
But the main point is that we're the reason people from the south are immigrating to our country in droves (we helped destroy their economy). So naturally, people are going to go where there is opportunity. It's impossible to be self-sufficient as a farmer for example when you're competing with below cost subsidized food stuffs from America. This is the after-math of our free trade policies. If you want to fix this issue at its root, we need to stop undermining local economies elsewhere and start rebuilding our own here.
Quite insightful comments from Friedman. Indeed, UFOs or not, nationalism is the next antiquated notion to be retired to the dustbins of history.
Certainly this is disturbing to governments that need a nationalistic citizenry. You're not going to get many people volunteering to join the army to kill people when there is no "other." It's all us, and millions of people are rapidly waking up to this everyday.
One of the big ideas of 2011 - The Empathic Civilization (a video presentation about our transition from outdated concepts of self, including racism, sexism, and nationalism) http://www.filmsforaction.org/Watch/T...
It'll take a critical mass, and several years, but we actually have a better chance to reform the corporation now than we did a few years ago. Since the Supreme Court backed a decision to allow corporations unlimited power to buy elections, several national campaigns have been launched to revoke corporate person-hood. Before, corporations could still buy elections, but there was a thin-enough semblance of democracy that kept people from getting outraged. Now that that thin veneer is gone, there is an opportunity to make some headway on the issue, not just nationally, but with local laws as well.
Is it really impossible? There's only one real way to find out...
Lawrence Action Network for Diversity to screen '9500 Liberty' at Liberty Hall
The comment above is one I see often in this debate, simplifying the terms of the debate in a way that I believe obscures the true cause of our so-called illegal immigration problem. Most people aren't aware that the primary cause of southern immigration, which has accelerated dramatically in the last decade, is primarily due to our free trade agreements, agreements like NAFTA and CAFTA, which allow multinationals to trade 'freely' between countries, where we dump cheap subsidized products over there, undermining and destroying local economies and livelihoods, while these corporations exploit cheap immigrant labor on our side of the border.
Meanwhile, government agencies restrict the movement and freedom of people across arbitrary lines and arrest people for being born on one side and moving to another side (I'm not a big believer in the divisionary notion of nation-states, personally).
But the main point is that we're the reason people from the south are immigrating to our country in droves (we helped destroy their economy). So naturally, people are going to go where there is opportunity. It's impossible to be self-sufficient as a farmer for example when you're competing with below cost subsidized food stuffs from America. This is the after-math of our free trade policies. If you want to fix this issue at its root, we need to stop undermining local economies elsewhere and start rebuilding our own here.
August 26, 2011 at 4:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
All hail 'King Corn'
Great article Eric. I love Ellis' quote about getting the choir to stand up and sing. :D
The full details and trailer for the film can be watched here: http://lawrence.filmsforaction.org/Ev...
March 28, 2011 at 3:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Inaugural UFO summit comes to Lawrence
Quite insightful comments from Friedman. Indeed, UFOs or not, nationalism is the next antiquated notion to be retired to the dustbins of history.
Certainly this is disturbing to governments that need a nationalistic citizenry. You're not going to get many people volunteering to join the army to kill people when there is no "other." It's all us, and millions of people are rapidly waking up to this everyday.
One of the big ideas of 2011 - The Empathic Civilization (a video presentation about our transition from outdated concepts of self, including racism, sexism, and nationalism) http://www.filmsforaction.org/Watch/T...
March 19, 2011 at 7:31 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
East meets Midwest: Lawrence convenience store evolves into Indian grocer
This is awesome. Great to see coverage like this on L.com
March 2, 2011 at 6:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
The Root Problem is the Root Solution
It'll take a critical mass, and several years, but we actually have a better chance to reform the corporation now than we did a few years ago. Since the Supreme Court backed a decision to allow corporations unlimited power to buy elections, several national campaigns have been launched to revoke corporate person-hood. Before, corporations could still buy elections, but there was a thin-enough semblance of democracy that kept people from getting outraged. Now that that thin veneer is gone, there is an opportunity to make some headway on the issue, not just nationally, but with local laws as well.
Is it really impossible? There's only one real way to find out...
http://www.filmsforaction.org/films/d...
September 13, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Probably Bad News
Wow, thanks for this.
April 16, 2010 at 9:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Fun With Tiger Woods
Love the Lion King version. Remember!
April 12, 2010 at 6:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Fun With Tiger Woods
Love the Lion King version. Remember!
April 12, 2010 at 6:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
How Am I to Live? How Am I to Be?
:) very happy to hear that.
April 12, 2010 at 6:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Standing Cat
wow, i wish all cats could do that.
and sip tea. i want a standing, tea-sipping cat pleaze.
April 8, 2010 at 6:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )