This is a report and speech that America should be paying attention to as we strive to find a workable immigration policy. The short-sighted and politically phrased speeches that too many politicians give plants the nation far short of the goal of making immigration fair and immersed with our other national goals leading to a better economic climate. Often we find conservatives railing against immigrants, and by so doing not understanding the essential role that immigrants play in the economy, and the potential they have to succeed in America. Often I think average Americans fear immigrants will succeed and that somehow makes the average couch potato in this country nervous.
So the speech today by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is one that merits national consideration. His words concern a foundational issue facing America. These ideas do not make for simple slogans on the campaign trial for presidential candidates in 2012. But it will require some thought.
“We will not remain a global superpower if we continue to close our doors to people who want to come here to work hard, start businesses, and pursue
“The American dream cannot survive if we keep telling the dreamers to go elsewhere,” he says. “It’s what I call national suicide – and that’s not hyperbole.”
Bloomberg will deliver his speech on immigration reform ahead of the release of a report from the Partnership for a New American Economy, of which he is a co-chair, that looks at the role that immigrants play at Fortune 500 companies. A large percentage of Fortune 500 companies were founded by immigrants or the children of immigrants, the report notes.
“Every day that we fail to fix our broken immigration laws is a day that we inflict a wound on our economy,” Bloomberg will say.
CAFFEINATED POLITICS 