Thanks to Dick White for a well-thought out piece (“
Environment, population and immigration are critically related in our world of 7.5-plus billion people. Because of public discussion such as this they are merging into one issue, whether politicians – who want to deal simplistically with short-term issues to please political party concerns and get elected – like it or not.
Higher population (Americans are only replacing themselves in births while most growth is due to immigration) means higher costs of living, especially housing, as demand increases.
It is long past time for a serious look at our traditional expansionist mentality.
There are no more covered wagons heading west. We are no longer killing off indigenous people in North America in order to replace them with immigrants. Shrinking resources cost more.
The vulnerable, including the indigenous – not economists, politicians or members of the media – are suffering.
Companies want cheap foreign labor (to whom they may not provide heath care, etc. because taxpayers will provide social services) to replace American workers who have higher standards.
The media would rather push immigration, a feel-good to many liberals. Reporters lean on emotion rather than following the money: Many jobs pay less due to foreign worker competition, contributing to homelessness.
Meanwhile, wilderness, birds, butterflies and other things we love disappear.
We all need to speak out or democratic freedoms will also begin to disappear as always happens in overpopulated countries.
Linda HuhnMinneapolis
