what is not being talked about on immigration.

I wanted to say a few words about the national discussion on immigration.

It struck me recently that what we're not talking about is WHY THESE PEOPLE WOULD WANT TO LEAVE THEIR COUNTRIES IN THE FIRST PLACE.

I mean, all things being equal, who would do that? A few people with a sense of adventure perhaps. But the vast majority of people would prefer to stay in their own country.

But all things are not equal. We've have an historical movement called imperialism, where rich countries with powerful militaries set out to control other countries' raw materials, labor, and markets. Any number of Western countries, Russia/Soviet Union, and China, et al, have all sought and continue to ravish smaller and less powerful countries for profit. This has been going on for hundreds of years and I see no end in sight. The imperialists have overthrown governments, installed dictators, established bought and paid for lackey governments, or outright invaded militarily. They have entrenched capitalist corporations within these countries as de facto governments (think United Fruit, e.g.). They have used business and an entire for destabilizing CIA activities.

This has created and maintained deep impoverishment of large sections of the populations in these countries, so much so that they are risking their lives to come to other countries where, for the most part, they will continue to be exploited, only slightly less so, and they are willing to make that bargain. This fact alone gives a clear picture of the horrible conditions imperialism has created.

There is really no arguing this question as far as I can see. Imperialism is to blame for the immigration "problem."

And who is talking about this? No one I have heard.

Thanks for considering these thoughts.