Maine Media, Progressives Get Migrant Crisis Wrong – The Maine Wire
The editorial writers for the Portland Press Herald have never been known for having original ideas or coherent policy recommendations.
But an editorial the newspaper printed last week is so detached from the situation on the ground, so devoid of common sense, so infantile in its understanding of how government operates that it leads one to question whether the authors live in an alternate reality.
Ive seen higher quality thinking from high schoolers even ones from Maine public schools.
Those few septuagenarians who still subscribe to the paper will tuck it next to the fireplace along with the kindling.
But the virtue-signaling drivel over Maines migrant crisis and the General Assistance welfare program deserves a response.
First, we should clean up a falsehood the Press Heralds editorial advances concerning migrants eligibility to work in Maine.
And since asylum seekers began arriving in large numbers in 2019, [General Assistance has] been one of the only ways to keep [migrants] afloat while the federal government refuses to let them work.
The vast majority of asylum seekers currently in Maine are eligible for work right now because theyve been here longer than six months. Legitimate asylum-seekers in most cases are eligible to receive work authorization six-months after theyve filed a claim for asylum with federal immigration authorities.
New arrivals may not immediately be eligible to work due to the federal rules, but thats hardly the limiting factor on an individuals employment when they dont speak English, have no transportation, and live in the Portland Expo with hundreds of strangers. In short, that federal rule is not the reason migrants are having a tough go.
The idea that the migrants would be entirely self-sufficient were it not for federal rules designed to discourage illegal economic migration is a fiction. Current efforts at the state and federal levels to allow migrants to work immediately after filing asylum claims will apply to such a small population of people as to be almost meaningless, apart from the further incentive this would create for migrants to come to the U.S. and Maine looking for economic opportunity.
On the migrant crisis, the Press Herald at least recognizes that Portlands generous benefits serve as a magnet for migrants: The citys size and level of services mean it attracts a lot of vulnerable folks from other communities, in addition to asylum seekers.
Its refreshing to see progressives finally admitting that migrants are attracted to Maine because of benefits. Recognizing that Portland is attracting migrants and thereby creating a humanitarian crisis, a normal thinking person might say: Well, how might we stop attracting the migrants that are overrunning our social services?
But the newspapers editors are unable to fathom the idea that true humanitarianism might in some cases mean turning away economic migrants, discouraging them from coming to Maine, and ending the benefit programs that are leading them here. So they reach for the only policy tool they can ever imagine: more spending and more taxing.
Without more state help, these communities will be forced to raise property taxes on residents already stressed by rising costs, or cut back on services that are both necessary and already limited.
As suggested in legislation now before lawmakers, Maine should increase the reimbursement rate for General Assistance to 90%, where it was prior to 2015.
Kudos to the Maine Municipal Association for getting their talking points regurgitated. But where exactly do the Press Herald editorial writers think state help comes from? Its correct that property taxes are going up to accommodate the strain on General Assistance welfare budgets and local schools, but the state help ultimately comes from taxpayers working taxpayers.
How exactly does it solve any of the migrant-related problems to simply shift the manner in which Mainers are paying for it all?
The Herald doesnt say.
Such a policy would be insignificant in the grand scheme of things, even if it makes it a little easier to write a budget at Portland City Hall. Its just rearranging deckchairs on the Titanic. Again, where do they think state reimbursement money comes from? Do the brilliant minds inveighing against actual reforms think that have the state pay more is a serious policy pronouncement?
Back to the Herald:
A series of bills from Sen. Eric Brakey, an Auburn Republican, aim to reduce General Assistance costs by making fewer people eligible through time limits and residency and work requirements. None of the bills have a chance at passing in the Democrat-led Legislature, and thats a good thing. Brakeys proposals would only leave more Mainers without the resources to get by.
Sen. Brakey is one of the few lawmakers who has proposed legislation that would actually reduce the magnetic incentives policymakers have created that draw asylum seekers to Maine in the first place. He has an excellent bill that would disallow economic migrants from enrolling in General Assistance for a period of six months. If you dont think migrants chase benefits, talk to the City of Sanford. They were overwhelmed last week when more than 100 migrants showed up at City Hall in response to a rumor that the benefits were better in Sanford than Portland.
Brakeys other welfare reforms come at a time when its never been easier to get entry level work in Maine. The only Mainers who would be left without the resources to get by under tighter General Assistance rules are those who choose not to work. By removing disincentives to work and become self-sufficient, Brakeys policy is actually more humane than what Maine is currently doing. And by removing part of the draw for migrants to continue flooding Maine, Brakeys proposal would protect scarce resources, including housing, for Maine residents and those migrants who are already here.
The Portland-area progressives believe this is heartless, cruel. As opposed to their current big-hearted policy of having thousands of foreign migrants living on top of each other at the Portland Expo and other shelters while Maine residents sleep in tents next to Trader Joes. Theres no greater lie in Maine politics right now than the claim that progressive policies are humanitarian. It is left-wing policies that have created the boiling homelessness crisis in southern Maine. Sadly, they lack the imagination to come up with real solutions.
The strain on General Assistance shows why we need a formal statewide program for coordinating services for the influx of asylum seekers. It shows we desperately need more affordable housing.
Here the writers have reversed cause and effect. The strain on General Assistance is just a symptom of a migrant crisis fueled by Maines current policies. The housing crisis is a symptom of a migrant crisis fueled by Maines current policies. Those policies are, by and large, the policies of open borders and a generous welfare state.
Consider this: the typical path for migrants begins in Brazil. From there, they travel through Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Guatemala, and Mexico before crossing into the United States.
If they are truly seeking asylum from persecution in Angola or the Democratic Republic of Congo, why dont they request asylum in those countries? Presumably whatever tyrannical force bent on genocide that caused them to flee their native country did not follow them into Brazil, or Guatemala, or Panama. Is there something those countries are or arent doing that make them less desirable locations for New Brazilians, New Guatemalans, or New Panamanians? Hmm
After entering the U.S., often illegally, though the line between illegal and legal immigration is so blurry under the Biden Administration as to be almost meaningless, they skip 50 other jurisdictions in America. The migrants could find a new home in dozens of other states with better weather, but they instead come to Maine. Why is that? Is there something those states are or arent doing that make them less desirable locations than frigid Maine?
The problem were now encountering is that unlimited immigration and unlimited welfare cannot coexist permanently. Eventually, something has to give.
None of this is the fault of the migrants. They are simply rational actors responding to the economic incentives Maines politicians have created. Those migrants who are already in Maine must be cared for like any other vulnerable Mainer. But if Maines policy makers dont change the policies that have created this crisis, that have spawned this disorderly migrant rush into Maine, then well continue to deal with the consequences. The people who will suffer the most under the status quo wont be the wealthy white liberals in southern Maine who voted for these policies; it will be poor Mainers and the migrants themselves.
Continued here:
Maine Media, Progressives Get Migrant Crisis Wrong - The Maine Wire
- Progressives push Biden administration to cut ties with Missouri student loan servicer Missouri Independent - Missouri Independent - May 23rd, 2024 [May 23rd, 2024]
- Biden wants progressives to believe hes reining in Israel. He isnt - The Guardian - May 23rd, 2024 [May 23rd, 2024]
- Problems with Progressivism and Populism - Econlib - May 23rd, 2024 [May 23rd, 2024]
- Border bill boxes in Senate progressives as Schumer forges ahead with doomed vote - Washington Examiner - May 23rd, 2024 [May 23rd, 2024]
- Four progressives vie to replace the longest-serving NM state rep Source New Mexico - Source New Mexico - May 23rd, 2024 [May 23rd, 2024]
- Squeezed by Progressives and the pro-Israel Camp, Does Biden Have a Problem With American-Jewish Voters? - U.S. ... - Haaretz - May 23rd, 2024 [May 23rd, 2024]
- Boulder Progressives will host meet-and-greet with primary candidates - Boulder Daily Camera - May 23rd, 2024 [May 23rd, 2024]
- Boulder Progressives to Host Primary Candidate Meet-and-Greet and Audience Q&A - Yellow Scene Magazine - May 23rd, 2024 [May 23rd, 2024]
- Opinion | The Supreme Court makes a dangerous ruling, delighting progressives - The Washington Post - May 23rd, 2024 [May 23rd, 2024]
- Progressives Need to Take the Gloves Off and Play Hardball with Our Rogue Supreme Court - Justia Verdict - May 23rd, 2024 [May 23rd, 2024]
- Progressives launch campaign to get upstate cities to opt in to 'good cause' law - City & State New York - May 23rd, 2024 [May 23rd, 2024]
- Commentary: Progressives are behind the wrong policies | Opinion - The Bulletin - May 23rd, 2024 [May 23rd, 2024]
- Progressive Prosecutor in Portland Faces Bitter Challenge From Co-Worker - The New York Times - May 23rd, 2024 [May 23rd, 2024]
- Will the Progressive Left Bury the Two-State Solution For Good? - Commentary Magazine - May 23rd, 2024 [May 23rd, 2024]
- Progressives warn young voters, as Biden's polling lags - Spectrum News NY1 - May 23rd, 2024 [May 23rd, 2024]
- 'Vox' Wants Progressives To Support Free Speech For The Wrong Reasons - Reason - May 23rd, 2024 [May 23rd, 2024]
- Progressives Routed In Oregons Democratic Primary As Jayapals Sister And Portlands DA Rejected - Mediaite - May 23rd, 2024 [May 23rd, 2024]
- Nellie Bowles book: Who are the 'New Progressives'? - Deseret News - May 23rd, 2024 [May 23rd, 2024]
- Why Medicare for All is off the table for progressives, for now - Axios - May 9th, 2024 [May 9th, 2024]
- Fetterman: Progressives who dont vote will own tragedy of second Trump term - The Hill - May 9th, 2024 [May 9th, 2024]
- Pistol-Packin' Progressives - WSJ - The Wall Street Journal - May 9th, 2024 [May 9th, 2024]
- John Fetterman will speak at Florida Democratic Party gala. Progressives want it cancelled. - The Philadelphia Inquirer - May 9th, 2024 [May 9th, 2024]
- Mass. AG Campbell to helm progressives reproductive rights working group - MassLive.com - May 9th, 2024 [May 9th, 2024]
- Medicare for All absent from progressives' agenda - Axios - May 9th, 2024 [May 9th, 2024]
- Opinion | The progressives won again - Alabama Political Reporter - May 9th, 2024 [May 9th, 2024]
- Kennedy: Biden's In A Bit Of A Pickle With Progressives In His Party Right Now - FOX News Radio - May 9th, 2024 [May 9th, 2024]
- Dem Lawmaker Speaks Fierce Logic On Trump That He Wants Progressives To Hear - HuffPost - May 9th, 2024 [May 9th, 2024]
- Progressives are wrong on Hamas rape denials - Newsday - March 11th, 2024 [March 11th, 2024]
- Pramila Jayapal State of the Union preview: Joe Biden needs to speak to progressives. - Slate - March 11th, 2024 [March 11th, 2024]
- Schiffs big win sinks powerhouse progressives - MSNBC - March 11th, 2024 [March 11th, 2024]
- Progressives Explain What They Want Out Of Biden's Big Speech - Crooked - March 11th, 2024 [March 11th, 2024]
- Declaring the end of progressive San Francisco is a bit premature - 48 hills - 48 Hills - March 11th, 2024 [March 11th, 2024]
- Schiff Beats Out Split Progressives On Glide Path To California Senate Seat - TPM - March 11th, 2024 [March 11th, 2024]
- Progressive Wins and Losses in Texas' Super Tuesday Primary - Progress Texas - March 11th, 2024 [March 11th, 2024]
- Progressives Win Two Texas District Attorney Races - Yahoo! Voices - March 11th, 2024 [March 11th, 2024]
- AOC walks tightrope between moderates, progressives during State of the Union speech - wpde.com - March 11th, 2024 [March 11th, 2024]
- State of the Union 2024: Progressive 'Squad' turns up heat on Biden with demands ahead of speech - Washington Examiner - March 11th, 2024 [March 11th, 2024]
- Sen. John Fetterman says 'progressives left me' as he urges action to secure border: 'There is a crisis' - New York Post - January 22nd, 2024 [January 22nd, 2024]
- Fetterman continues his feud with progressive Democrats and says they 'left' him - Washington Examiner - January 22nd, 2024 [January 22nd, 2024]
- The quandary for progressive Jews - New York Daily News - January 22nd, 2024 [January 22nd, 2024]
- Why these progressives want ex-Rep. Andy Levin to run against Biden - Detroit News - January 22nd, 2024 [January 22nd, 2024]
- Letter: I favor conservatives over progressives - The Dispatch Argus - January 22nd, 2024 [January 22nd, 2024]
- Progressives in Iceland intensify campaign against Israels genocidal war in Gaza - Peoples Dispatch - January 22nd, 2024 [January 22nd, 2024]
- Editorial: Biden must resist call to appease progressives - Boston Herald - January 22nd, 2024 [January 22nd, 2024]
- Can Gov. Hochul stand up to progressives | Commentary | oleantimesherald.com - Olean Times Herald - January 22nd, 2024 [January 22nd, 2024]
- Green energy was 2023's biggest loser. Will Biden and progressives wake up in 2024? - Fox News - January 6th, 2024 [January 6th, 2024]
- What progressives get wrong about Winston Churchill - The Spectator - January 6th, 2024 [January 6th, 2024]
- Divided progressives are the best friends a Conservative leader could have - Toronto Star - January 6th, 2024 [January 6th, 2024]
- Burlington Progressives Pick Two More Candidates for March Ballot - Seven Days - January 6th, 2024 [January 6th, 2024]
- Are Young People Actually Progressive? - New York Magazine - January 6th, 2024 [January 6th, 2024]
- Democrats and progressives react to Gov. Scott's State of the State - WPTZ - January 6th, 2024 [January 6th, 2024]
- Let's Seize This Opportunity to Destroy Harvard! - The Intercept - January 6th, 2024 [January 6th, 2024]
- Is nothing good enough? Phoebe Maltz Bovy on why some progressives are mad at the young Israeli refusing to serve ... - The Canadian Jewish News - January 6th, 2024 [January 6th, 2024]
- Progressivism's Breakdown over Israel and Jews | Joshua Davidson | The Blogs - The Times of Israel - January 6th, 2024 [January 6th, 2024]
- Normalising the far right: a warning from Austria - Social Europe - January 3rd, 2024 [January 3rd, 2024]
- AIPAC vs. The Squad: Pro-Israel Group to Spend $100M to Target Progressives in 2024 - Democracy Now! - January 3rd, 2024 [January 3rd, 2024]
- Opinion | For Wisconsin progressives, 2023 was a very good year - The Capital Times - January 3rd, 2024 [January 3rd, 2024]
- Abundance Progressives: A New Ideological Shift - BNN Breaking - January 3rd, 2024 [January 3rd, 2024]
- Progressives need to get real about Trump, democracy and the Supreme Court - The Hill - December 30th, 2023 [December 30th, 2023]
- Democrats get ready to ditch the progressives - The Times - December 30th, 2023 [December 30th, 2023]
- Actor Brett Gelman joins Eretz Nehederet to skewer US progressives - The Times of Israel - December 30th, 2023 [December 30th, 2023]
- MICHELLE GOLDBERG: What's driving former progressives to the right? - Indiana Gazette - December 30th, 2023 [December 30th, 2023]
- Joe Biden Is a 'Dictator' and 'Worse Than Trump': Progressive Activist - Newsweek - December 30th, 2023 [December 30th, 2023]
- Greek progressives deal ruling New Democracy severe blow in local elections - EURACTIV - October 17th, 2023 [October 17th, 2023]
- Progressives, as much as Conservatives, ought to adjust their ideas to fit actual facts - Daily Kos - October 17th, 2023 [October 17th, 2023]
- Progressives face backlash over response to Israel attacks - The Hill - October 17th, 2023 [October 17th, 2023]
- AOC and two fellow NY progressives back formal plea for ceasefire ... - New York Daily News - October 17th, 2023 [October 17th, 2023]
- Poland's voters turn fear into a stunning win for progressives - Tortoise - Tortoise Media - October 17th, 2023 [October 17th, 2023]
- Some progressives split with Biden and the Democrats on ... - The Boston Globe - October 17th, 2023 [October 17th, 2023]
- COLUMN: Schools, progressives must realize kids belong to parents - Oil City Derrick - October 17th, 2023 [October 17th, 2023]
- Scott hits Biden, progressives over response to Hamas attacks in Israel - The Hill - October 17th, 2023 [October 17th, 2023]
- Bergus: A model white progressive for Black justice in Iowa City - The Gazette - October 17th, 2023 [October 17th, 2023]
- Capitol Police Brief Progressives On Security Measures Amid Rise ... - Yahoo News - October 17th, 2023 [October 17th, 2023]
- Why Pittsburgh & Allegheny County progressives keep winning elections - 90.5 WESA - May 20th, 2023 [May 20th, 2023]
- How Progressives Won and Lost in Purple Pennsylvania - The Intercept - May 20th, 2023 [May 20th, 2023]
- Progressives gird for battle as permitting talks escalate - E&E News - May 20th, 2023 [May 20th, 2023]
- Philadelphia mayoral race 2023: What to know about the May 16 Democratic primary - Vox.com - May 20th, 2023 [May 20th, 2023]
- Bidens 14th Amendment message to progressives: It aint gonna happen - Yahoo News - May 20th, 2023 [May 20th, 2023]
- Medicare for All bill revived by House and Senate progressives - Healthcare Finance News - May 20th, 2023 [May 20th, 2023]
- Douglas Rooks: On economic issues, progressives are missing in ... - Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel - May 20th, 2023 [May 20th, 2023]