I spent the last 15 years trying to become an American and failed

Re:I spent the last 15 years trying to become an American an... by JoeAltmaier on Tuesday June 23, 2015 @02:47PM (#9766806)

Just guessing here: instability, differing expectations, increased costs to everybody thru inefficiencies. It becomes hard to predict what folks will consider fair, adequate government services. Result is a lowering of standard of living for those in the dominant cultural group.

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Re:I spent the last 15 years trying to become an American an... by zzalpha on Tuesday June 23, 2015 @03:02PM (#9766921)

No, he actually answered the question elsewhere: cultural dilution. He's afraid these foreigners might somehow pollute or destroy his culture.

'course, when you get right down to it, it's just bald faced xenophobia, dressed up in nationalist rhetoric.

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Re:I spent the last 15 years trying to become an American an... by JoeAltmaier on Tuesday June 23, 2015 @03:06PM (#9766946)

That's harsh. What if I proposed to destroy a culture, say Judaism, by dilution? Would that be ok? Why is it not OK that this guy wants to preserve his?

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Re:I spent the last 15 years trying to become an American an... by zzalpha on Tuesday June 23, 2015 @03:13PM (#9766995)

Your example specifically contradicts your point.

Judaism is alive and well as a minority group in many many parts of the world. "Dilution" has never threatened the existence of Judaism.

The one thing that did was actual genocide, as a result of racism and xenophobia because of fear that the Jews, the minority group, were destroying German culture. Go figure.

But a few immigrants? I think Judaism, or really any culture, is stronger than that.

Another interesting example is indigenous populations in Canada, Australia, and the US. Those cultures have remained strong with the exception of those where active attempts to extinguish them have occurred. The Canadian residential school system is a disgusting, shameful example of the latter.

Frankly, I'd be very interested to see an example where simple "dilution" has actually led to the destruction of a culture. I can't think of one.

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Re:I spent the last 15 years trying to become an American an... by JoeAltmaier on Tuesday June 23, 2015 @03:23PM (#9767066)

I like that idea, that dilution strengthens rather that weakens. Comes down to what's really important to a culture, and what's incidental. And fear of change. A much healthier attitude than 'resist change at any cost'.

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Re:I spent the last 15 years trying to become an American an... by danielweber on Tuesday June 23, 2015 @03:48PM (#9767260)

Question: why don't the immigrants just declare themselves Americans wherever in the world they are? Why do they need to cross the border?

If the person you are talking about is such a horrible person, and there are so many horrible people like him in America, why do you want more people to be subjected to them?

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Re:I spent the last 15 years trying to become an American an... by zzalpha on Tuesday June 23, 2015 @04:03PM (#9767389)

I don't understand your point.

I never once claimed folks with these extreme xenophobic views represent any kind of majority in any given nation. They're a vocal, often violent minority. Their voices are getting louder these days, but so it goes with squeaky wheels.

I also never once claimed he was American. In fact, if I had to make a guess, I'd say he's a right wing European. But that's just a guess and isn't terribly relevant.

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