Monday, November 5, 2012

Vote for Voldemort and emigrate!

(I don't know about you but I find this sign immensely humorous)
Elections, elections, elections!  It's all everyone can talk about with the big date looming over our heads.  Who is America going to choose?  And what will happen to the other half that lost? Hypothetically we'll say that Romney is elected and if you ask liberal/dramatic democrats what are they going to do, you might get a "move to Canada" answer.  Americans have a long history of emigrating to Canada for political reasons dating back  to the Revolution.  The loyalists no longer feeling welcome in their own land fled all over the western world but those who remained in North American went to Canada.  But why Canada right now?  For those left leaning Americans Canada's universal healthcare, few abortion restrictions, strong bank regulations, no capital punishment and legalized same sex marriage (to list a few) is regarded as a liberal refuge from Red State America. And although Germany too has a long history of political emigration that has recently taken a turn in a new direction.
Germans or Germanic people have with the rise and fall of new lords and kingdoms emigrated from their home lands since Rome.  But unlike the new country, USA economic reasons have been just as prevalent  if not more so.  During the 19th century, the potato famine and American gold rush saw the flooding of emigrating Germans looking forward to a land of new economic possibilities.  Then during the early and mid 20th century post world wars and rise of the USA as a global power saw an entirely new flood of German  emigrants(out of Nazi and East Germany) looking economic and political escape. But the late 20th saw a slowing of German emigrants and a spike in growing immigrant numbers.  Newly united and economic powerhouse Germany is a very good answer to that sudden change.  But looking at the 21st century and current emigrants there is a specific trend as to who is emigrating and it does not bode well.  Most of those who leave, are highly qualified.
Germany is doing amazingly well.  A little too well, jobs are extremely competitive, so competitive that even academics in their mid-40s are considered problem cases.  Many professional Germans seem to be fed up with lottery like job opportunities and are moving to countries that may not be as strong economically  hold more economic promise, countries such as India and China.  The typical emigrant is a growing problem for Germany.  Typically in his or her prime, ages 25-45, good education and already well into their career.   Germany is loosing their academics and elites promoting  a possible economic loss.

Here are two articles relating to these topics.
New York Times: At a Loss? There's Always Canada
Der Speigel: Bye Bye Deutschland

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