Enough Of This Racist Nonsense!

We try and remain nonpartisan at the Global Macro Monitor. We have no problem taking shots at both parties, and personally, splitting tickets on the election ballot. However, this tweet from Mike Huckabee strikes a deep nerve in us that really, really pisses us off.

My Late Brother

Today is the birthday of my late brother who was murdered by an undocumented immigrant.  As his killer stabbed him in the chest, he declared, “all Anglos need to be exterminated.”

My brother left a two and five-year daughter.  It was an incredibly tragic experience that I wish on no family.

If any family has a right or reason to be angry at the immigration situation it it ours.

However,  the Mexican national that killed my brother did so, not because he was Mexican or an immigrant, but because he was a murderous psychopath.  Just at the high school shooters that are terrorizing our schools nationwide and killing our children do so, not because they are white, and predominantly middle class, but because they are mentally ill.

Stoking Fears and Exploiting Tragedy 

Shame on the president and his aides for exploiting the families of those who have suffered the tragedy of losing a loved one in such a situation.   Stoking fear, racism,  bitterness to divide us is not going bring any of our family members back nor will it do anything to solve the problem or avert further tragedies.

We need to focus on fixing the problem by first thinking hard and deciding what we want as a nation and not retreating to our default positions of what economists call corner solutions, that is completely open or completely closed borders.

What About Our Ancestors?

Under current law, most, if not all, our ancestors who immigrated to this great country would be deemed illegal and, before last week, would have had their children separated from them.   The generous immigration policies of a younger America is what made this nation great.   In a graying society it is essential to economic growth and cultural dynamism.

Yes, we should enforce the law but what law?

Such an important question needs to be debated in a forum where there is mutual trust and respect.   We can start by stopping and condemning the racist tweets like the one below.

And this guy calls himself a Christian, much less a minister of the Gospel?   Governor Huckabee’s tweet is pure evil —  racist, intended to instill fear, and to divide us not mention it bears false witness

I fear for my brother, Governor Huckabee,  on Judgement Day,

Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.  For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’

They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’

He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’   Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.  – Gospel Of Matthew, Chapter 25 

Best Policy In Our View

Finally,  we favor a relatively tolerant immigration policy because some of the greatest Americans we know are first-generation immigrants and generate a multiple of benefits to our society than they take from it.   It also is true at the macro level as reflected in a recent study by the NY Times,

The study found that between 2005 and 2014, refugees “contributed an estimated $269.1 billion in revenues to all levels of government” through the payment of federal, state, and local taxes — which far outweighed their cost to the country. “Overall, this report estimated that the net fiscal impact of refugees was positive over the 10-year period, at $63 billion.” When the study was completed in July, however, it was never publicly released, and the Trump administration dismissed the findings. – Vox, Sep. 2017

Why the administration spike such a report?

We Need More Risk Taking Labor

Finally,  we have written about the labor shortages the country faces, especially in construction, which driving is up the price of homes.

Why wouldn’t we more workers, who are willing to risk their lives to come to this country and work?  Is not that the kind of work ethic that will Make America Great Again?   Just askin’.