How do you think the New US President will affect Retrogression?

Ginger's Mom, MSN, RN · Nov 13, 2008

I looked up on the IRS, Customs, and Western Union pages. The amount you can gift is now $12 per year. I don't think the nurses who sent money, pay the 41% gift tax. Just a guess, but I think there would be many many post complaining about that fact to send money you have to pay 41%. Of course they could be sending $11,999 which is legal but does not contribute to the local economy.

Hushdawg · Nov 13, 2008

But really, at the end of the day if a Nurse is sending nearly $12,000 US then she is spending much more than that by living here in the States.

You are still missing the point that AMERICANS send more money overseas every week just by purchasing all the billions of dollars worth of crap that is manufactured outside the USA.

WHY should you care how a nurse working in the USA is spending her own hard-earned money?!?!

What about Anime collectors that are spending thousands and thousands of dollars on Japanese original collectibles? All that money goes straight out of the US.

What about businessmen who fly to Europe and have lavish vacations there for a month at a time? There's tens of thousands of dollars spent outside the USA right there.

Your argument is preposterous because it is saying that the only way that lump sums of money go out of the USA is via immigrant workers and THAT, my friend, simply is NOT TRUE.

SilverSurfer · Nov 13, 2008

But really, at the end of the day if a Nurse is sending nearly $12,000 US then she is spending much more than that by living here in the States.
You are still missing the point that AMERICANS send more money overseas every week just by purchasing all the billions of dollars worth of crap that is manufactured outside the USA.
WHY should you care how a nurse working in the USA is spending her own hard-earned money?!?!
What about Anime collectors that are spending thousands and thousands of dollars on Japanese original collectibles? All that money goes straight out of the US.
What about businessmen who fly to Europe and have lavish vacations there for a month at a time? There's tens of thousands of dollars spent outside the USA right there.
Your argument is preposterous because it is saying that the only way that lump sums of money go out of the USA is via immigrant workers and THAT, my friend, simply is NOT TRUE.

:up: :up: :up:

Ginger's Mom, MSN, RN · Nov 15, 2008

I think I hit a sore spot, the Philippines counts on the money Philippine workers send home, it is number seven in GNP. My point the US economy is tanking, why should Billions be sent out of the US?

Circuit city is going bankrupt, the Auto companies are going under, US Consumers are not spending money. It doesn't help when a share of the income earned in the US is sent out. This money could be spent on a car, TV, etc. Called consumer spending. When you spend money, state tax gets generated also. When you bu a car you have to buy insurance and register the car.

How many posts are here about Philippine students who choose to go back to the Philippine to get an education. That is money lost in the US. Then they come back, I can't pass the NCLEX, I can't find a job, I can't take the NLE, etc, etc. I say if you come to the USA is should be to support our economy. According to PBS $15 Billion dollars is sent back to the Philippines each year.

All the posts here are how to get into the USA and get the "American Dream" but I feel it shows a lack of respect and American Patriotism when immigrant don't intend to make the USA their home.

http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/city/story.html?id=5bb05adc-fb60-47df-b4b6-44a839acabc3

http://www.pbs.org/frontlineworld/rough/2007/12/philippines_havlinks.html

On the other hand I can under the love of one's family. I could see why you want to help them. I see other immigrants who do support there families over seas. They do this in ways both countries benefit. They buy American goods and send them over seas. They also do everything in their power to get their families to immigrate to the USA. I don't see that with the Philippines, which sends their hero over to the USA to support them. How many posts do I read, that the students say the parents are counting on them to support them by working in the USA?

I see this as a huge cultural difference. America is a land of immigrants, but the immigrants who made this country wonderful adopted the USA as their home and their first priority.

greenjungle · Nov 16, 2008

Overseas Foreign Workers (OFWs) keep the Philippines afloat. Their income comprises about 10 to 13% of the nation's annual GDP. They are called modern day heroes by the government that needs their income. Their remittance is rising every year as more are encouraged to get out of the country to work due to unemployment and underemployment. In 2008, they are expected to pour in more than 14 billion dollars like they did in 2007.

http://services.inquirer.net/print/print.php?article_id=20081028-168877

4 :nurse: :nurse:, :nurse: :nurse: :nurse: and counting :nuke:

suzanne4, RN · Nov 16, 2008

That also does not mean that it is the US responsibility to provide jobs for all that wish to work here.

The topic that is being discussed here is how will President-elect Obama handle things, and this is what should be discussed here. Not the Philippine economy.

lawrence01 · Nov 16, 2008

That also does not mean that it is the US responsibility to provide jobs for all that wish to work here.
The topic that is being discussed here is how will President-elect Obama handle things, and this is what should be discussed here. Not the Philippine economy.

I agree. However, if people gets posting new topics that is off-topic and keeps reviving the thread with off-topic posts then it would never stop.

Hushdawg · Nov 18, 2008

That also does not mean that it is the US responsibility to provide jobs for all that wish to work here.
The topic that is being discussed here is how will President-elect Obama handle things, and this is what should be discussed here. Not the Philippine economy.

I agree that this has deviated from the topic.

However, I also feel that the economic gulf between the USA and the Philippines is at the core of the reason why people look to Barak Obama as a positive change for immigration.

It is the hope of many that his policies will create a positive shift in the economic situation in the USA and when that happens, as it did in the 1980s under Regan, there is a higher demand for skilled laborers and middle-level employment which is the benchmark of immigrant workers, especially those from the Philippines.

The USA is still second in the world for consumption of Overseas Employment from the Philippines, Saudi Arabia is the first.

I think that Obama will have a more open-arms approach to immigration than what we have seen in the past from both sides of the fence given his experiences with multi-cultural family ties which are a unique set of values to bring into the White House.

Additionally he has been a Senator in Illinois and has praised the drive of those who have protested for positive reform over the last few years in Chicago. We have seen in Chicago some massive support from the politicians for immigration reform to streamline the process and make it less complicated and difficult to obtain legal immigration status.

All these factors led to my belief that Obama was the right choice for positive change regarding Immigration. I have a personal vested interest in Immigration reform anyway since I hope to bring my wife back to the USA in a few years.

I honestly told my wife that if McCain was re-elected that we wouldn't begin the process until he was out of office.

I'm that convinced of a difference.

Ginger's Mom, MSN, RN · Nov 18, 2008

I think how one defines positive immigration reform. For me as an American positive immigration reform to be fair, is to all equal amounts of people from economic groups. Why should American discriminate because some immigrants where not blessed with access to educational opportunities. Also not one country should be allowed preferences over another country. More importantly the immigrants should desire to embrace the principles of being an American.

My last point most Americans feel that less immigrants is better. I think Mr Obama believes this too since he is planning on sending his illegal Aunt back home and the fact he has not brought his brothers over from Africa.

Hushdawg · Nov 18, 2008

To me positive Immigration reform means making the naturalization process more accessible for those who seek it. Currently it is a long and exhaustive process and is not written with non-English speakers in mind. Expecting someone who is not a professional to speak and comprehend fluent English before entering the country is a bit much. Learning how to integrate into society once one has immigrated, however, is not outside the realm of reality.

I am against any sort of enforcement regarding the language thing. The polish community in Chicago, for example, is very productive and provides great stimulation to the economy along with the Desi and Arab populations. All of these have many members which barely speak English at all but they are citizens and provide to society.

Positive reform couples a reward and easy accessibility for those who seek the legal network of naturalization; however at the same time it would establish stronger enforcement and punishment against those who hold illegal status.

Obama's lack of bringing his brothers from Kenya may have further dynamics than you or I am aware. I merely look at his multinational upbringing as a way to provide him with a non-xenophobic attitude regarding immigration and that is something we desperately need after so much xenophobia on both sides of the fence.

misspowers · Nov 18, 2008

"more importantly the immigrants should desire to embrace the principles of being an american."

i think this is just your opinion and i have nothing but respect for what you want to say. when an american goes to the philippines, he is well received and taught of the differences in the culture. i think it is rude to force our principles to our american guests. as a would be immigrant---it is my responsibility to know what i will be facing soon. and as a "legal" immigrant, i will do my best to polish my english since this is not our primary language. second, i keep myself abreast with what is happening in the us.

people change...and i think when i get there, i will definitely change. american culture will be different.

hushdawg, how do you find our people? how was adjusting to change here? i really appreciate all that you have shared in this thread. by coming to the philippines, i'm sure you have embraced some of our ways and practices. hopefully, when i get to us, change will welcome me. one think is certain, i'm quite sure that i will be americanize...without people forcing amrerican culture, i will embrace it.

"my last point most americans feel that less immigrants is better."

why is that? can you please care to explain further? in the case of mr. obama, i think he will do things in his right capacity to help his aunt be a legal settler. to his brothers, i really don't see any problem should his kenyan brothers come to visit him in the white house. all of these remains to be seen, though.

"to me positive immigration reform means making the naturalization process more accessible for those who seek it. currently it is a long and exhaustive process and is not written with non-english speakers in mind. expecting someone who is not a professional to speak and comprehend fluent english before entering the country is a bit much. learning how to integrate into society once one has immigrated, however, is not outside the realm of reality."

so true... :yeah:

Ginger's Mom, MSN, RN · Nov 18, 2008

Most Americans feel that there should be limited immigration since immigrates at least intially add to the tax rolls ( kids going to school, healthcare , etc). With the US economic situation I don't think most Americans are looking to add to their tax burdeon.

http://www.fairus.org/site/PageServer?pagename=iic_immigrationissuecenters87d3

http://townhall.com/Columnists/PhyllisSchlafly/2008/04/21/report_uncovers_hidden_cost_of_immigration

Mr Obama states his aunt should follow the law. He is not getting involved.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/11/07/obamas-aunt-to-fight-to-s_n_142292.html

For Americans who have to deal with the Federal Government, I doubt that making the paper work easier for immigrants is top of their priority list. Filing taxes in the US is so painful that you usually have to hire an accountant. I think most Americans like myself would like easier proceses for ourselves first before making immigrants paper work easier. Sorry I am selfish that way.