Is the economic crisis the West’s salvation in disguise?

Jeff in England writes:

A left wing view of things to be sure but its core point may be correct: American will have a substantial drop in living standards for some time to come if not permanently. How this will affect immigration remains to be seen. Taking that point a bit further (which I already have done in an entry at VFR), I reiterate that I think a severe financial collapse in America and the West would have an impact on Hispanic and Third World immigration. Or would the Third World countries have an equivalent or even greater financial collapse and not be worth staying in or going back to? The ideal situation in regard to immigration would be for American and the West to collapse while the Third World countries stay reasonably stable. Of course that scenario is unlikely to happen. I am joking of course. I see this financial crisis as the “calvary” in regard to the immigration situation. Whereas a reversal in immigration to the West was near unimaginable before, it is now conceivable though still unlikely. In addition, financial collapse might destroy the West even if it slows immigration as well.

The Ugly Truth: America’s Economy is Not Coming Back
by dlindorff

President Barack Obama and his economic team are being careful to couch all their talk about economic stimulus programs and bank bailout programs in warnings that the economic downturn is serious and that it will take considerable time to bounce back. [cont.]

- end of initial entry -

Gintas writes:

I believe Jeff in England may be right. Liberalism is a giant sucking parasite attached to our backs, and it feeds on luxury and on the loss of Christianity. James Burnham in Suicide of the West touched on the cause of decline oh so briefly, basically one sentence: it’s either loss of religion or excess wealth (or both). Brief as he was, he got to the heart of it. An economic collapse would take care of one angle. There is certainly no guarantee that an economic collapse would cause a restoration of Christian faith, but do you recall in the Old Testament the warnings given to Israel, that with prosperity in the promised land, they should not forget God? Certainly the pattern in the Old Testament was that, when Israel had turned from God, God didn’t give them more prosperity, ease, and peace. He made things hard on them. That didn’t always work (see Jeremiah), but it was the way God did it, so I figure there’s real merit in it. Of course, America really isn’t today’s equivalent of old Israel, but the former pervasiveness of Christianity in the West gives me hope that the parallel isn’t entirely off.

Terry Morris writes:

I don’t think it matters that much what happens to the economies of Mexico and other third-world countries. If the economic crisis proves indeed to be a long-term, serious crisis in the U.S. that severly lowers our standard of living for years to come, then I tend to think that Americans will begin to come down from their high-horses, recognizing the additional and unneeded drain that third-worlders are on the economy, and will act accordingly. It’s easy to be “generous” to the less fortunate when you’re loaded. But when you ain’t in much better shape than they are yet you’re still having to take care of them, well….

Terry Morris writes:

I linked to your article in a new post on the subject at my blog, “Is the impending economic crisis a Godsend?,” where I took my argument a bit further arguing that in addition to dealing properly with the immigration issue, highminded liberals would also be awakened by such a scenario to the nuttiness of our out-of-control domestic entitlement spending; that not only might the economic crisis be a Godsend, but the election of Obama and the socialist Congress in the midst of a brewing economic crisis might be a Godsend.

Ron L. writes:

No more than 9-11 was. It could have been, but that would assume better leadership, organized nationalists, and an elite not still bent on profiting from our destruction. Just as 9-11 has accelerated the Islamification of the West, this will lead to our Third Worldism.

First off, I disagree with the economic prognosis. Today, we are looking at three years of recession, 20-24 months of pain with little growth followed by a relapse caused by inflation. Of course, the Democrat economic program will probably extend this for another year or two and lower growth rates for a decade.

The Obama regime, which has a 64 percent approval rating, will use the economic emergency to speed up the death of America. Already in the stimulus bill, we have seen new aid to immigrant families with “American” children, with no provision that they must be here legally. ACORN and other leftist groups will also get their due. Obama will push for either phased or quick legalization of illegals using the economy and healthcare as justification. Obama has already reached his hand out to the Organization of Islamic States and supports Turkey’s admittance into the EU.

Mexico, which is already unstable, may be pushed over the edge by the recession, especially if oil prices remain low and remittences drop. If this happens, my past use of the Goths crossing the Danube will be an even better analogy.

While there is resistance in Europe, its leaders face risk of arrest. The only glimmer of hope is the unorganized strikes by Brits against companies that are hring foreigners. If only we had that here.

Ron L. continues:

I forgot to mention the downside of our econmic problems, our enemies are buying us out. Muslim Sovereign Wealth funds are purchasing large stakes in American companies and our financial companies are setting up Sharia-friendly finance divisions. Chinese companies continue to target American companies.

Ray G. writes:

I get the impression that many of our friends in England, France, Italy and many places around the world are smiling smugly due to our current economic woes (note: not “crisis”).

First many around the world have an unrealistic image of the US, gained from movies, television shows and even television “news”. Will Americans suffer a great reduction in their standard of living? The vast majority will not—the Illuminati and aspiring Illuminati may. Most Americans are working. Most Americans are paying their mortgages (and other bills).

I for one think the constant 24/7 “the sky is falling” cry in the news-media is being done for political advantage, namely to help liberals expand the scope of Big Government. I believe we’re in a recession. They occur every 10-15 years and usually last a year or two. We’ll come out of this one as well.

Posted by Lawrence Auster at February 02, 2009 10:02 AM | Send