ttbn,

Why do I need to get over the fact that my parents
were immigrants? I am proud of the values they gave me
and the contributions they made to this country.

You describe immigration as a "Ponzi Scheme?"
To me - immigration adds its own dynamism to any economy
and having a diverse population is also a precious
resource as Australia engages the world.

It is the Australian people who will collectively
define this nation's destiny. It won't be easy - but
the Australia that I know and love has never shied away from
a challenge.

2 year contracts with the government and had to go wherever they were sent. Building roads, cutting sugar cane, working in hospitals, in factories, and so on.
Foxy,
And, now you're against that scheme for young unemployed people ?

individual,

I wasn't aware that such a scheme has been proposed
by any party.

Do tell.

Foxy,

Why not just think of them as your parents, whom you loved and who passed on to you their values. Being immigrants had no bearing on what they were.

I describe mass immigration (I am not against all imigration) as a Ponzi Scheme because that is how it is operated by cynical, calculating and lazy politicians, dodging their responsibilities to train and foster people already here. They don't have the warm, fuzzy feelings that you do.

And, by the way, Australia was not a "cultural backwater" prior to the arrival of non-British immigrants as you suggest. Prior to 1945, Australia had a conservative British culture - a culture that controlled a good part of the world, and improved the lives of millions of people through that culture - while benefiting itself, of course. As one whose ancestors came from the UK and Germany nearly 200 years ago (no convicts) I am less than pleased to have their pioneering efforts that no post WW2 migrants had to endure associated with words like 'backwater'.

I grew up in the 1940's and 50's in a country town among immigrants from Italy, Greece, Holland and the Baltic states - hardly any from the UK - and the general atmosphere was much better than it is today. There were no identity politics then

ttbn,

Of course I think of them as my parents.
I merely felt the need to respond to the
apparent backlash coming from posts against
immigration. I am glad that you have explained
your position.

I think that the heart of Australia today is
our belief in a fair shake for all.

My parents have always applauded achievement
and innovation. They wanted us to strive and make
the most of the abilities we had.

Again - Thank You for taking the time to explain
things to me.

Thanks ttbn kudos.