The people will decide...

I'm not British and just the casual observer, but in reading the self-description of the BNP and its aims - where only white people essentailly are allowed - I would have to classifiy this group as racist - sorry.

In one interview I heard Nick Griffin said something about the Jews as well.  The BNP seems to me to be a mirror of another party from some time ago in Germany - the NSDAP (that's the Nazi party for any who don't know).  Small party labeled as 'fringe', 2 MPs get seats, talks about Britain for Britons, much as Hitler talked about Germany for the Germans.  The common folk didn't really think Hitler was that severe, and his anti-semitic rants fell into racial prejudices already held.  We all know the rest of that story.

While I'm not implying that the BNP could be the next Nazi party there are striking parallels of playing on people's emotions in politically and financially unstable times, much as in post WWI Germany.  Any political party based on race is a horrible idea at best.  Gordon Brown is a fool and you folks need a new group to lead - but not the BNP.  Controlled immigration is a good answer, government led bigotry is not.

It is a difficult position Ron. When I was in London I was shocked at how few people seemed to speak English.  I suppose as a lover of English history I had always imagined old men in tweed sportscoats riding about London on bicycles and the city itself being quintesentially 'English' in character.  It is very much so in the pubs and the landmarks that have come to signify England - but as any nation is bombarded with an influx of immigrants that it is ill-prepared to handle in sheer volume it seems as if the culture and tradition you love is being systematically eradicated.  And the cultures arriving are so vastly different than what is English (or American in my case) that it makes it all the more difficult to understand one another, more less co-exist.

It has been argued that there has always been immigration - and in fact America is a land of immigrants.  This is true, but in the past the levels of immigration were never this high and the demands on our economy so intense.  It's very difficult to justify bringing in more competition for the few jobs currently available to the established citizenry. 

The only real solution is to begin strict limitations on immigration.  I don't like to see anyone not have the opportunity to better themselves by coming to a country where this is possible.  But too many too soon can only have detrimental affects on both sides. 

I have to say as well that I don't like that too often the current brand of immigrants come to the their new adoptive country with no sense of gratitude, and no desire to fit in.  I'm not saying one has to lose their native culture, but some assimilation is in order.  Keep any sort of extremism at home (i.e. don't come if that's your rant).  Learn English - I don't think that's unreasonable.  Realize that what might be acceptable in your native culture might not be acceptable in your adoptive one.  The converse of that is true; if I were to move to Pakistan I wouldn't expect to be able to do everything I can here in NY. 

I'm not sure of the real long term solution, but turning off the tap will go a long way in making a good start.  The only issue with that is that I've always wanted to live in England, and if it's more difficult to emigrate then that's not good for me! 

Here ! Here !

Just for you Rick Lol. How are you mate?