Mexico’s refined and brilliant former foreign minister, Jorge Castaneda, let the cat out of the bag in a frank discussion of the dynamics of Mexican migration to the US. Because so many Mexicans are poor and will remain so for the foreseeable future Castaneda advocates that Mexicans in the use band together to support greater degrees of socialism so that native-born Americans can support the interests of Mexicans living in the US:
“First, the undocumented or illegal nature of much of the flow [of immigrants from Mexico] runs counter to the legalistic nature of a society [America] that has little else to hold it together beyond the belief in and devotion to the rule of law. ââ¬Â¦ [T]he very idea of countenancing an ongoing, widespread, and flagrant violation of legality contradicts the myths and needs of American ideology…
“Second, ââ¬Â¦ broad-scale undocumented immigration in California functions as a progressive income tax. ââ¬Â¦ Because migrant workers’ incomes are lower than those of virtually the entire rest of society, Mexicans in California pay less tax in relation to their income than others.” …
“Mexicans in California also use many of the services financed by taxes – such as public schools, and public transportation and housing (when it exists) – more than most other segments of society.” …
“In California today, the upward mobility achieved by previous migrants may no longer be possible. ââ¬Â¦ Mexican immigrants are disproportionately represented in the bottom tier of society; and because their numbers are constantly replenished from abroad, even upward mobility does not reduce the size of the poor, Mexican-born share of California’s population.” …
“It is true that Mexicans have been far more reluctant to seek naturalization than previous immigrants to the United States. ââ¬Â¦ Moreover, Mexicans who acquire U.S. citizenship continue to be informed by their own political traditions” …
“The people who vote and bear the tax burden [in California] are also those who least use or consume the goods and services funded by taxes: public education, public health care, public transportation, government-funded job training and so on.” …
“ââ¬Â¦ Latinos should vote for higher taxes, levied progressively on everyone, to finance public services.”
Americans naively think the mass Mexican immigration is a purely spontaneous phenomenon, and, worse, one that may be unavoidable because, you know, the rinky-dink fencing and paltry border patrol resources prove that it’s impossible to keep them out at all. The unending flow of immigrants is not spontaneous at all, but is actively encouraged by the Mexican regime to alleviate the pressures of racial and economic strife at home and also to further Mexican nationalist designs against the United States. This speech should be the immigration equivalent of the Zimmerman Telegram.
(Hat Tip: Steve Sailer)
5 May 2006 at 8:05 am
What you are not mentioning is the potential for illegals to begin voting. Because the US does not have a uniform federal standard for voting, you’re going to find that the pro-immigration forces are going to begin to register non-citizens to vote. After all, in most states, proof of citizenship is not required. All you need is a drivers license or sometimes just a utility bill with your name and address on it.
Gang way…the Californication of the rest of America is on it’s way!
7 May 2006 at 8:51 pm
You’re right about Castenada — he’s sharp, and sometimes a little more honest than is usual for Mexican politicos.
He’s an oddity, though, in that he’s also unusually pro-American for a Mexican politico. He took a lot of heat after 9/11 because of his stridently pro-American statements.
I think you’re right that he intends to use Mexican emmigration as a tool to reshape American politics to be more amenable to Mexican thinking. He probably believes that this will benefit us as well as him — just as I happen to think that a furthering of Georgia’s political interests over, say, Massachusetts’ would be good not just for Georgia, but for the world.
We’re in our rights to regard his (and Mexicos’ generally) efforts to interfere in our politics as invasion and corruption. Still, he’s not an enemy, precisely — I’m not sure exactly what he is. He’s at once the closest thing we have to a friend in Mexico, and yet also, well, a foreign power trying to assert control over American politics. That makes him dangerous, and not trustworthy. A dangerous, untrustworthy friend? I suppose I’ve had a few of those.