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Comment by theoden | Hacker News Reader

Now watch the slow but steady slide of the US into third world status.

Actually, I think all the talent infusion from non-WASP places will be what saves us. Even with all the faults of our immigration program, H1B problems, etc, we are still getting a very healthy dosage of best foreign talent, which are starting businesses, leading research, creating value, etc.

(full disclosure - non-WASP immigrant to the US myself, came here at 16)

yes, I agree! when you think about it, letting in highly educated people into the U.S. is a form of foreign aid, except it's directed towards to the U.S. The other countries use their resources and capital to educate the individuals, and America reaps the benefit from their knowledge!

First, that doesn't happen all the time. Another very common scenario is when foreign students come to America, get the best education they can get in American universities, and go back home.

And second, what's wrong with that scenario? I believe everyone has a right to pursue a better life for themselves. If other countries would make better conditions for their best people, they wouldn't leave.

I don't think that's fair. Although I do think America has been built up thanks to the "Protestant work ethic", there are other peoples with just as high a work ethic, who unfortunately haven't been able to exercise it because their countries have been in flux over the last few centuries. Think of the Chinese, and what they have managed to accomplish over just the last few decades in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Shenzhen, etc.

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