Time to add my conspiracy theory.
In order to form a Union of different States, there will be economic "equalization" between/among the States to be incorporated into the Union. It is certainly less disruptive to form a Union between two States of roughly equal economic development and capacity than it would be to Unify two States with vastly different levels of economic development.
Also, it helps to have similar social structures, laws, culture, and language.
Think of the formation of the United States from the original colonies. There were, at the time, significant differences between the size of the economies of the different colonies. The creation of a unified "common market" and free trade among the colonies essentially caused wealth to "leak" from wealthier colonies like Virginia to less wealthy economies in Noorthern New England.
The same goes for the European Union. The addition of stagnant economies like Greece drag down the average economic prosperity of the Union as a whole.
In the case of the American Colonies, the economic disparity among the different Colonies wasn't dramatic but still caused some reticence among the citizens of wealthy States like Virginia.
Also, the Colonies were united in language and, more or less, culture. And they were united in their new freedom from England, and their need for a common, united defense.
Still, think of how difficult the early days of the American Union were.
In the case of the EU, this economic disparity was at least recognized beforehand, and steps were at least taken to try to solve this problem (regardless of their success).
In addition, in order to "join the EU, a country must meet the Copenhagen criteria, defined at the 1993 Copenhagen European Council. These require a stable democracy which respects human rights and the rule of law; a functioning market economy capable of competition within the EU; and the acceptance of the obligations of membership, including EU law."
Europe also shares many cultural similarities among states, many citizens were already multi-lingual, AND even at its greatest, and most recent, extent -- All of Europe is still 1/3 the size of the United States.
In short, when two States are joined in a Union, wealth "leaks" from the wealthier State to the poorer State - it's unavoidable.
Now, I suppose that a Union between the U.S. and Canada would actually be relatively painless; and, because of our cultural and economic similarities, I might not even care if it happened.
On the other hand, imagine the economic disparity that must be overcome when trying to unite the most massive economy in the world and a third-world nation. A Poor nation. A Socialist nation. A nation with almost nothing in common with the U.S., culturally or legally. A nation whose populace doesn't like us much.
This is what the Bush Administration has been attempting to do. Without any input from the American People.
paleocon wrote:
But these people are being systematically pushed across the border by their own government who cannot and will not make it possible for them to earn a decent living in Mexico. The flood of Mexicans illegally entering America is the result of a conscious decision by the Mexican government to export their poverty north of the Rio Grande.
These people are also being systematically
drawn across the border by
OUR government (if it can be called
ours anymore) in an unjustified attempt to equalize the economies in preparation for Unification into the NAU.
The flood of Mexicans illegally entering America is also the result of a conscious decision by
OUR government to import poverty their
from and export our wealth
to Mexico.
I see no other explanation for the Bush Administration's policy with regard to Mexico and Illegal Immigration.
(But I would welcome one that made sense, so I could stop being a conspiracy kook.)
