ILLEGALS, REFUGEES, ASYLUM SEEKERS, WHOSE PROBLEM IS IT?

 

ILLEGALS, REFUGEES, ASYLUM SEEKERS, WHOSE PROBLEM IS IT?

 

As a writer, a student of philosophy and history, I sometimes like to use something I refer to as perverse logic, especially when it pertains to difficult subjects and questions that lead to uncomfortable truths and answers.  Perverse logic challenges convention.  It is logic without sentimental attachments.  Canadians love to take the moral highroad.  We can afford to act sanctimonious because in most cases we don’t take any real action.  As long as it highlights our exquisite morality and outstanding Christianity.  We love to sound and look good.  But what if push comes to shove and the fabric of society starts to unravel, no longer in our favor, but working against us?  Undermining our sense of safety, security, prosperity, financial and economic stability.  Do I have your attention?

Illegals, refugees, asylum seekers; who are they and where do they come from?  How many have left their country of origin voluntarily hoping to find a better life elsewhere?  Their reasons for leaving are probably many: escaping poverty, desperate to leave behind a life with little hope of a future, opportunity and prosperity.  Getting away from political unrest and instability, religious clashes and persecution, leaving conflict zones and refugee camps behind.  There is little or no doubt in my mind that for many the suffering is real.

But the big, uncomfortable questions remain:  Since when have their problems become our problem?  Why do so many of us believe that it is our problem, our duty, to come to the rescue and fix the world’s problems?  Do we have the right to say NO!  As a nation, as citizens?

If nations around the globe are struggling with disparity, with political conflicts, civil wars, religious clashes and expulsions, with ethnic cleansing, even genocide, with poverty and economic failure, are we now responsible for their welfare and wellbeing?  We’re talking hundreds of millions of people!

                                                I've got to try this

We even have students claiming asylum upon graduation.  Hello.  How did they get into the country in the first place?  Parents paying for their education and the nation of origin allowing them to leave voluntarily and not expecting them to return?

How many of them are using slippery excuses and are counting on our gullibility; knowing that Canadians are so enthralled by our humanity, our role on the world stage, that saying no is apparently not an option?

Are we responsible as a nation for all the unhappy people who are no longer happy in their country of origin and insist on making Canada their home?  By hook or by crook, legally or illegally, with permission or by simply crossing our borders with an.  “Hey, here I am and I am staying, whether I have permission or not.”

Our generosity, or is stupidity and gullibility a better expression, has led to a housing crises, an economic crises and inflation spinning out of control.  We borrow huge amounts of money, or simply print boatloads of cash, to keep an economic train wreck on track, chugging along, praying and hoping that a miracle will arrive in the nick of time.

                                        "Did I miss anything?"

For a lot of Canadians, Canada is no longer an affordable place to live.  So, where in the world are THEY going to go?  Unless living rough, it is!

Are we our brother’s keeper or is it time to shut down the borders and say, NO MORE?

Does it call into question my humanity?

How about yours?

Do you share my concerns or do you prefer to keep your fingers crossed and hope for the best?