Jewish Conservatives May Be Key Voice on Immigration Reform

While the nation's Jewish community is known for being reliably Democratic, politically conservative Jews have certainly made their voices heard. Sheldon Adelson, Charles Krauthammer, David Frum, Jonah Goldberg and Bill Kristol, to name a few, play an important role in influencing the process either by advising campaigns, providing funds and shaping public opinion. So I found this piece in today's Jewish Forward, one of the country's leading Jewish newspapers interesting. Conservative columnist Noam Neusner argues that being pro-immigration is actually being true to conservative principles.

Comments

[George Chell]

"Academic study shows that increased immigration and diversity reduce trust, social solidarity, and social capital."

Reality shows that increased immigration and diversity increases growth and economic prosperity. ie., Canada, Australia, Singapore and to a limited extent the US. On the other hand less immigration leads to stagnation and austerity. eg. UK, Greece, Spain, Portugal among others. You cannot eat social solidarity and social capital. May be Jack can.

[Jack]

If you look at lists of key conservative (as opposed to libertarian) principles, it is obvious that immigration, almost by definition, undermines some of them. It is a change to the composition of society and thus is always perceived as a threat to the prevailing social order. Kirk's second (of ten) conservative principles: "the conservative adheres to custom, convention, and continuity." A separate principle refers to "spirit of community". Academic study shows that increased immigration and diversity reduce trust, social solidarity, and social capital.

[George Chell]

Pro Immigration = Free Market Principles = Libertarian.