Docdon23 · M
Please do not assume all Americans think alike! You and I used to talk. I am an American who was a teacher and organized student exchanges with Ukraine and Russia. I have been to both many times, as well as most of western Europe. I do NOT hate immigrants in the US--after all, except for native Americans, we are all immigrants of a sort. Immigrants built America, with their strong work ethic and desire to live better lives. I do not blame anyone from Latin America who comes from economic struggles or inhumane government to try to come to the US. Many of the immigrant-haters in the US would do the same if they were poor and struggling. There are compromises possible but it seems many politicians do not want them. We should be open to legal immigration, not for criminals of course (the fact is, illegal immigrants commit far fewer crimes in the US than citizens do--they just get more attention for it).
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BeachGirl47 · 26-30, F
@Docdon23 Do you believe that people from other countries should be vetted and have proper paperwork before coming into this country. Or do you believe that anyone can just come across the border when they want at anytime to permantly live in this country with out proper paperwork.
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Docdon23 · M
@BeachGirl47 As I have stated earlier, I do not support just letting anyone in--criminals, of course not. There are compromises to this that both parties agreed on but the president scuttled to make an election issue out of--as he is doing now. Immigrants have benefitted us far more than any negatives like crime, which is a bogus issue (illegal immigrants commit far fewer crimes than Americans do). Food prices will continue to rise as the shortage of farm workers increases. A fair compromise to legal immigration would benefit everyone but take away the false issue for the president and his party (by the way, Bush encouraged immigration to get more Hispanic votes--it is not just the Dems who have done that). This is a distraction from the real issues--tax breaks and more power for the ultra-rich and large corporations.
SinlessOnslaught · M
I'm so glad I met you, and chose to listen to you instead of judging like I used to do to people. I used to be one of those Americans. 😵💫
Although I did at least know what Ukraine was since I was a child.
We give ourselves all the credit for "building this country" when really we were just luxky enough to be born in the right place at the right time and take advantage of it, often at the expense of others. We, individually, have absolutely nothing to do with cultivating the wealth of our country, and have zero rights to take credit for it, especially in order to put down others.
Although I did at least know what Ukraine was since I was a child.
We give ourselves all the credit for "building this country" when really we were just luxky enough to be born in the right place at the right time and take advantage of it, often at the expense of others. We, individually, have absolutely nothing to do with cultivating the wealth of our country, and have zero rights to take credit for it, especially in order to put down others.
ViciDraco · 41-45, M
I'm wondering if there is a national difference between terms. In the US to expatriate means to revoke your citizenship, which is usually a qualifier in gaining citizenship elsewhere. So being an expat and an immigrant could be two different stages of the same process. Though Americans tend to not update their term for the latter stage as much.
Denmark is honestly one of the nations I would consider immigrating to myself. But it would be a tall order to immigrate anywhere with my disabilities, sadly.
I would definitely call myself an immigrant if I did. I think the American self preference towards using expat says something about a refusal to give up their identities as Americans. It says "I am from there" rather than "I am new to here". It may be sourced also in the fact that a lot of Americans feel that immigrant has a connotation of not belonging due to how Americans tend to view immigrants in their own country and so they do not want to take that connotation upon themselves when it applies to them. Which is a deep hypocrisy given the US is a nation of immigrants.
Are you still planning to return to Denmark some day?
Also, those furries are good business I hear. I have a friend who makes cosplay accessories and didn't want to do furry stuff at first but she says it's hard not to because they pay well and if you make them happy the first time they often become repeat customers.
Denmark is honestly one of the nations I would consider immigrating to myself. But it would be a tall order to immigrate anywhere with my disabilities, sadly.
I would definitely call myself an immigrant if I did. I think the American self preference towards using expat says something about a refusal to give up their identities as Americans. It says "I am from there" rather than "I am new to here". It may be sourced also in the fact that a lot of Americans feel that immigrant has a connotation of not belonging due to how Americans tend to view immigrants in their own country and so they do not want to take that connotation upon themselves when it applies to them. Which is a deep hypocrisy given the US is a nation of immigrants.
Are you still planning to return to Denmark some day?
Also, those furries are good business I hear. I have a friend who makes cosplay accessories and didn't want to do furry stuff at first but she says it's hard not to because they pay well and if you make them happy the first time they often become repeat customers.
Nightwings · F
@MethDozer Thanks for explaining this. I was looking it up before I wrote this post, as I was also confused about the meaning. As for your theory on Americans expatriating more often than migrating, I'd like to point out that I've heard Americans who did migrate call themselves expats, and call people who are expats immigrants (including myself) countless times – that's what promted me to write this post.
MethDozer · M
@ViciDraco N, us Americans dont use it differently. The US government just alsk gives it an invented legalese meaning. Lots of words mean different things in normal speech and use and in legal use.
Expatriating only means renouncing citizenship to when talking about the US government. That's, why US citizens who move to say Canada, call themselves expats, because people dont usually use legalese definitions in everyday speech.
I've heard Americans use it ro mean they just moved somewhere for work, retirement, or medical treatment more than I have heaed it used in tje governmental definition. I only really hear it used in the American legalese sensw when lawyers or givernment officials are speaking on some hypothetical. There's really not much reason to denounce citizenship for most people and it is kind of rare anyone does. Very few countries dont allow dual citizenship and those that don't are kind of low drawing power.
Expatriating only means renouncing citizenship to when talking about the US government. That's, why US citizens who move to say Canada, call themselves expats, because people dont usually use legalese definitions in everyday speech.
I've heard Americans use it ro mean they just moved somewhere for work, retirement, or medical treatment more than I have heaed it used in tje governmental definition. I only really hear it used in the American legalese sensw when lawyers or givernment officials are speaking on some hypothetical. There's really not much reason to denounce citizenship for most people and it is kind of rare anyone does. Very few countries dont allow dual citizenship and those that don't are kind of low drawing power.
bijouxbroussard · F
Nightwings · F
@bijouxbroussard It's simply a matter of people from certain countries thinking they're better than others, the fact that immigrant is a dirty word to them says enough: "I am not an immigrant because I am from a rich country, we are not the same." That despite many immigrants loving their own countries the most too.
CountScrofula · 41-45, M
Nightwings · F
@CountScrofula I am getting the odd client here and there, so I can't really call it a business yet, but it certainly helps us keep our heads above water! The main problem is the incredible amount of debt we collected before I started doing this. All the money I earn go straight to interests. I don't draw fast enough yet to consider myself a professional, but my hope is that with the war eventually ending (economy bettering, my husband being able to work again), and my skill improving, we'll be able to get out of debt. 🌻
SinlessOnslaught · M
@CountScrofula I edited my response. Gib it another heart 😤
Koggg · M
To long. Not read. Kog espat and immigination both. Kog win
BeachGirl47 · 26-30, F
What did you have to do to live there for 5 years?
BeachGirl47 · 26-30, F
@Nightwings Oh. I hope you are safe while the war is going on🙏
Nightwings · F
@BeachGirl47 I am, things are not too bad where I live, but thank you. 🌼
BeachGirl47 · 26-30, F
@Nightwings Thanks for answering my questions.
Bumbles · 56-60, M
One is temporary, the other not.
