So on the show, they were also asking if Brits should have to take a similar test and if they don’t pass, then they get their NHS benefits cut or some other penalty. I thought that idea was ludicrous. I mean, if you’re born here then you’re born here and you shouldn’t have to pay for a test to prove you’re British enough. LOL!
Wait I don't think this is entirely crazy. I generally take issue with access to privileges being controled by birth right because somebody's birth does not make them more or less deserving of anything. Also I think it's interesting that we still decide who's interests we care about protecting and who is more important to us based on arbitrary factors like birth coordinates. Aptitude and ability are in theory a much fairer measure.
I've been around Europe in various immigration systems since age 16 and I’m highly disenchanted with the "New World Order", and probably a bit jaded. So buckle up for the crazy armchair philosohpy that follows!
I am currently in the UK on a Tier 2 Visa and although I'm ardently training to be less inadequate so that I can extend at the experienced rate of pay. That being said, bottom line is that I'm still guilty of not earning enough nor being successful enough etc. Morally, I firmly believe that if inadequacy is my crime and my existence represents a threat to the well-being of British society, then there is no logical reason that my existence would be any less detrimental to US society. I don't think it's fair to saddle the people of the USA with the burden of my life simply because I was born there. To be honest, if we extrapolate this, my inadequacy and mediocre levels of success so far in my short life must generally pose a real wider threat to humanity and the human race as a whole. In light of this, I think the only truly fair and compassionate thing to do if I care about other people at all (which I do) would be to remove myself from society altogether
or to try and be less inadequate - that is if my levels of achievement aren't caped through genetic predisposition (The classic nature vs. nurture argument). Any other course of action would be selfish and putting my own interests above those of the human race.
It all sounds a bit draconian, but I’m not coming at this from an authoritarian perspective, more of an altruistic, personal responsibility perspective. I hope I've been clear enough about my logic, even if people disagree. The alternative view point is that every human life is equally valuable, but I just haven't seen that view reflected in legislation or public opinion. I really fear it might be a fallacy fed to us to make us feel better. A sort of opiate of the masses if you will. Basic economics tells me that as supply increases the value drops, and as the population crisis becomes more and more evident, either everyone's life will decrease in value, OR we'll see harsher and harsher market devices being implemented, on people. This would include immigration policy.
I don't know...
These are the desperate ramblings of a person who takes too many long train journeys and has taken too many philosophy courses at undergrad. Take it with a sprinkle of salt.
