Brexit

[j2k4]

We already have borders and control on who comes into our country, because we used our veto and opted out of the Schengen area. You CANNOT get into the UK without a passport, even from continental Europe.

It's a complete myth we don't have border controls, hence the reason people have to resort to trying to sneak in via lorries and dinghies.

The trouble is, people cannot seem to distinguish in their minds between illegal immigrants and the legal immigration that is required to plug skills shortages, e.g. doctors, nurses, fruit pickers, etc. (Yes, it seems UK-born people are incapable of picking fruit, hence why millions of apples have rotted away on trees this year, because of a shortage of EU migrant workers!)

I think it's a language thing. Incomers to this country are always referred to as "migrants", however isn't it strange how people from this country who go and retire in Spain for example are referred to as "ex-pats"...

This whole "uncontrolled immigration" trope is a complete lie. The strain on public services is not caused by immigration, it's caused by the aging native population not dying off.

The "Boomers" clinging on to life after they've ruined the world for the rest of us... nice one. *slow hand-clap*

But people are so thick they believe anything the right-wing press spoon-feeds them.

Barbs summed it up quite perfectly. From a Londoner's point of view. I'm a Londoner.

Christmas, I didn't notice, apart from my local shop was closed when I needed it.

All the best to you and yours.

Thanks - so I should have responded to Barbs; soooo out of practice.

So, Barbie...Modern Medicine - the kind that fosters aged-ness - is a pox on the affordability of the rest of an "entitled" society?

If that is so, the government (yours or​ mine) isn't helping.

[Something Else]

Are either of our governments ever helping. The Brits and the Yanks seem to share something. Arrogance.

The Brits prefer their own currency, drive on their side and expect other countries to speak their language.

Americans call their president 'Leader of the World' and their national sports champions 'World Champions'

Is this arrogance? Probably. I think ignorance is being too kind.

[megabyteme]

We're too good for arrogance.

[j2k4]

Yes, that's what bothers people so much about us - as bad as we are, we're still more successfully functional in all the ways that count than any other countries on earth.

I've taken the liberty of including you, because of your King's English, mostly.

If you object, feel free to opt out.

[Something Else]

Yes, that's what bothers people so much about us - as bad as we are, we're still more successfully functional in all the ways that count than any other countries on earth.

I've taken the liberty of including you, because of your King's English, mostly.

If you object, feel free to opt out.

Which are the ways that count. In terms of successful functionality, like.

[IdolEyes787]

Yes, that's what bothers people so much about us - as bad as we are, we're still more successfully functional in all the ways that count than any other countries on earth.

I think it must have something to do with military spending because that's basically the only thing the US leads the World in anymore.

[j2k4]

Yes, that's what bothers people so much about us - as bad as we are, we're still more successfully functional in all the ways that count than any other countries on earth.

I've taken the liberty of including you, because of your King's English, mostly.

If you object, feel free to opt out.

Which are the ways that count. In terms of successful functionality, like.

See below, which, at a minimum, keeps a lid on things.

See also humanitarian aid and the lion's (or hog's, if you prefer) share of the cost of the most organized anti-U.S. contingent on
earth, the United Nations.

As an aside, are you guys tripping over yourselves to give immigrants driver's licenses and a vote in your affairs?

Yes, that's what bothers people so much about us - as bad as we are, we're still more successfully functional in all the ways that count than any other countries on earth.

I think it must have something to do with military spending because that's basically the only thing the US leads the World in anymore.

As I said above...

[shaina]

Word of the Day: Erstwhile

[Something Else]

Which are the ways that count. In terms of successful functionality, like.

See below, which, at a minimum, keeps a lid on things.

See also humanitarian aid and the lion's (or hog's, if you prefer) share of the cost of the most organized anti-U.S. contingent on
earth, the United Nations.

I would consider successfully functional to be based on how well your own country's (to name a few) welfare, healthcare, education, crime, laws and economy look.

How much one country spends on 'World Influence' is not what I would consider part of a successful function necessarily.

But I digress. To answer your other question, which was less aside and more front-side to the point we're discussing.

As an aside, are you guys tripping over yourselves to give immigrants driver's licenses and a vote in your affairs?

We are all immigrants and we are all natives. I think, as a race, the English are generally quite good at embracing other cultures and adapting our own. We're a multi-national, wide-ranging nation of many good and bad people from many places.

Whether they are an immigrant or not shouldn't be the point. This is capitalism. A competitive market. If a Latvian Cobbler is better at the job than our local one, give it to him. And we get better cobbles. If a German chimney sweep is faster, give him the job and fire the current one.

In this competitive market, the ideals of our glorious capitalism demand an equal opportunity for everyone to compete. That's why we love it so. Blocking foreigners from competing is unsportsmanlike at best, and xenophobic at worst.

I am open to all borders being opened everywhere and all people free to settle where they are happiest, and to compete equally with those around them.

[Something Else]

Those that are afraid of immigrants stealing their jobs, are probably shite at their jobs.