“Europe Should See Refugees as a Boon, Not a Burden” is a New York Times editorial that is typical of a view espoused by politicians eager to preside over a larger population. Young hard-working immigrants will make a country rich and enable Ponzi schemes such as Social Security and Medicare to keep going (a better ratio of workers to government-dependents). At the same time we hear that roughly 3000 migrants arrive on the shores of Greece every day. “Greece’s Dismal Demographics” is a 2013 New York Times article on the aging/shrinking Greek population:
The most frightening figure is a Eurostat projection which estimates that, in 2050, 32.1 percent of the Greek population will be over 65, compared with 16.6 percent in 2000. And this projection was made in 2007, before the crisis hit Greece’s population. We were still living high, before widespread unemployment, hasty retirement and the emigration of those with the skills to succeed abroad. New projections will most likely be much worse.
If the Times is correct, won’t Greece benefit hugely from the waves of migrants arriving on her shores? If Greece can hold onto most of these new arrivals, and not let Germany lure them farther north, shouldn’t it be the case that Greece will soon be much richer than Germany?
Separately, if immigrants lead to wealth, why are European Union officials having to force EU members to accept immigrants? (WSJ: “EU Move to Force Relocation of Migrants Deepens Divisions in Europe”)
Greece hasn’t been an Empire or Rich since converting to Christianity.
Coincidence, I think not.
and only reason Greece even became an Empire
is because all the Empires east of it started dying off
due to Drought.
Today Greece can’t even take away a small island from Turkey.
Immigrants.
If the NY Times were correct, all the countries with white Christian majorities would be forced to take Third World immigration until there are no such countries anymore.
Maybe some Euro countries will take the migrants and some will not, and we can all watch the experiment to see which is better off.
Only economists and politicians believe that a flood of low-education immigrants from a foreign culture will make countries richer. And when that fails, the excuse is always “there should have been even more immigrants”.
There seems to be a real disconnect between Hillary Clinton/ NYTimes editorial page/elite opinion and man on the street opinion regarding immigration (among other things). Maybe this is why Sanders and Trump are doing so “mysteriously” well in the polls and Hillary is sinking.
Instead of importing brown servants for rich touristy crowd
because greeks are not very hospitable,
How about Greece merging with Israel.
You can then have all the Jews from Russia and Ukraine
be safe and invest in high tech that American companies will come
for.
Here is something I cannot figure out.
If Germany desperately needs new blood, and if emigrant from the Middle East will save Greece, and if Germany is the promise land, how come we are not seeing waves of immigrant from, say Spain, Croatia, Italy, etc. to Germany and Greece? After all, citizens of EU are far easier to integrate into Germany and Greece society vs. citizens of Middle East.
@George A.
Germany has taken a lot of Turks to do menial jobs.
East Germans are too communist to do any work.
Other European countries are too rich to do menial jobs.
There was story in NYTimes about Sikh farmers saving Mozzarella Cheese in Italy.
BBC had the same story but cheese was Parmesan. Oh Well.
Greece’s problem is rich put all their money outside the country.
Middle Class doesn’t pay taxes.
Debt has killed any prospect. Young people want to leave like Irish had to leave Ireland.
Cold War actually saved Europe from Brown horde. So this editorial is trying the US model of Immigrants taking up space not occupied by natives thus creating something out of nothing except You can’t get load in Greece or
only have Fishing and Tourism as industry. Or you want to export Olive Oil or other greek food to greek stores in US.
George A —
I worked in Germany 3 years ago. There were lots of Spaniards, Italians, and Croats working as engineers for the German auto industry. Also, many former British aerospace engineers (e.g. from Westland Helicopters) live in Munich. Most of the menial jobs were done by Europeans — Kossovans, and Bosnians.
As for semi-skilled Western Europeans, it’s not that simple, as Germany has strict apprenticeship programs, and if you were say a hair stylist in Spain, in Germany you have to go to school and apprentice for 2.5 years. So even if in theory you move from Spain to Germany, unless you have a highly desired skill, it will be difficult to get a beyond a low wage ‘minijob’ also, to go on welfare (if you are from a Western country only, presumably) you have to go EVERY DAY to government offices and stand in line and fill out paperwork explaining why you can’t find a job source. The final thing is, a lot of Southern Europeans don’t want to journey outside their hometown to find a job, don’t want to be away from family, etc.
“also, to go on welfare (if you are from a Western country only, presumably) you have to go EVERY DAY to government offices and stand in line and fill out paperwork explaining why you can’t find a job ”
Now I’m curious about this. Could you put down as the reason that you don’t have time to look for a job because you are standing in line at the welfare office every day?
This is about defaulting on debt.
Only way to get out of debt spiral is growth (higher than interest rate being charged).
There are three general ways to get growth.
1. Print money (aka inflation). Not possible for greece.
2. Artificial bubble which the public can get behind and rich can profit.
3. Population growth. Immigration does that instantly.
Obviously NYT and power elities are clever by half.
Have no problem prescribing american myth to the rest of the world.
Just remember if greece defaults. German banks default.
If german banks default. Western banking system can end.
Thus western civilization. i.e. WW 3.
Power elites are so sick. It is mind boggling.
That is why Pope talked about usury in UN speech. There won’t be an Op-ed about that.
@coin “Greece hasn’t been an Empire or Rich since converting to Christianity”
This is incontrovertibly true and all historians will agree.
That is, as long as you don’t count the Christian Greek Byzantine Empire that bestrode the Earth like a colossus for a thousand years and exceeded all other empires before and since in its power, reach, duration, and cultural influence. As long as you don’t count that, you’re absolutely right.