Maybe it is because of the welfare state that everything got screwed up.
When the mass migration in the 1890s-early 1990s came along, there WAS no welfare to mooch off of.
Probably because the average American at the time was likely to be poor themselves, and of course there was no income taxes.
When folks came here 100 years ago, they knew they needed to WORK.
Ergo, the immigrants of 100 years ago were most welcome, because they wanted to be AMERICAN. Period.
And the US has been blessed by their presence.
Many times over.
In 2016, we have complete sponges crossing the border, who literally COST the average Joe money.
Not to mention the crime and disease.
We've become a victim of our own success.
Oops. 1890s-1900s. NOT the 1990s!
I never thought you did!! We’re conservative. We’re not thin skinned :)
And the REASON it did work out was because of what you sai, and perhaps if the Irish and Italians had been thrown EVERYTHING for free they’d be today’s blacks.
If I were an American during prohibition and read about Italians using Tommy Guns and running wild, I would have wanted them all deported.
AND many were socialists or anarchists!!!
But democracy and capitlism usually wins the hearts and minds of people over time.
A welfare state NEVER does that.
Also, the fact is that a lot of Italians came and went like the Mexicans but realized there was nothing in Italy to stay for so they came back again. Except they were legal.
I love my Italian heritage but it’s a DROP of water in an ocean compared to my love for my country. :)