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At least Ten Reasons Why Those Who Are Obsessed With Immigrants Are ‘Thick Idiots’

We used to think James Bond villains were fiction.
Hoarding that much wealth is insane and only possible off the backs of others.
These men could fix all the issues in the world and still have millions.
You’re a thick idiot if you’re more bothered about immigrants.

(Beau Nafyde)

Public discourse often scapegoats immigrants for economic and social challenges, portraying them as a burden on public resources or a threat to cultural cohesion. However, a closer examination reveals that the wealthiest individuals and corporations have a far more profound and damaging impact on economies and societies than immigrants. The following delves into multiple examples and analyses to demonstrate how the concentration of wealth and power exacerbates inequality, undermines democracy, and hinders sustainable development.

The Economic Contributions of Immigrants

Before addressing the detrimental actions of the wealthiest, it is essential to dispel myths about immigrants. Research consistently shows that immigrants contribute positively to host countries. In the UK, a 2018 report by the Migration Advisory Committee concluded that immigrants are net contributors to the economy, paying more in taxes than they receive in public services. Similarly, in the United States, the National Academy of Sciences found that immigrants bolster economic growth by filling labour shortages, creating jobs, and fostering innovation.

Contrary to the popular belief that immigrants drain public resources, studies show they revitalise declining areas. For example, in Germany, the influx of Syrian refugees rejuvenated local economies by increasing demand for goods and services, thereby creating employment opportunities. Immigrants also tend to take on jobs that locals often avoid, such as agricultural labour or care work, filling critical gaps in essential industries.

While immigrants contribute to economic growth, the wealthiest individuals and corporations often employ tactics that erode public welfare, deepen inequality, and destabilise economies. Let us now examine how the wealthiest exert a far greater negative impact.

Tax Avoidance: A Multi-Trillion-Dollar Problem

Tax avoidance by the ultra-wealthy and multinational corporations represents one of the most significant drains on public finances. According to a 2021 report by the Tax Justice Network, countries lose approximately $483 billion annually due to global tax abuse. The wealthiest individuals exploit loopholes in tax systems, often stashing money in offshore accounts to evade taxation.

For instance, the Pandora Papers, released in 2021, exposed how billionaires and world leaders used tax havens to shield their wealth from scrutiny. These practices deprive governments of essential revenue, forcing austerity measures that disproportionately affect low-income populations. Public services like healthcare, education, and infrastructure suffer as a result, exacerbating inequality.

Apple, Amazon, and Google are among the corporations notorious for employing complex tax structures to minimise their liabilities. In 2020, Amazon paid just £13 million in UK taxes despite raking in £20 billion in revenue. Such practices shift the tax burden onto ordinary citizens, fuelling resentment and economic stagnation.

The Wealth Gap and Economic Instability

The wealthiest individuals control an increasing share of global resources, leading to alarming levels of inequality. According to Oxfam’s 2022 report, the richest 1% captured 67% of all new wealth generated globally between 2020 and 2022. This concentration of wealth undermines economic stability and creates conditions ripe for social unrest.

Consider the United States, where the Walton family, owners of Walmart, have more wealth than 40% of the American population combined. Despite their immense fortune, Walmart’s low wages force many employees to rely on government assistance, effectively subsidising the company’s profits with taxpayer money. This phenomenon is not limited to the US; similar dynamics are observable in the UK, where low wages in retail and hospitality sectors often necessitate government intervention to support workers.

The wealth gap also distorts markets by encouraging speculative investments rather than productive economic activities. Hedge funds and private equity firms, often controlled by the ultra-rich, prioritise short-term profits over long-term stability. For example, the 2008 financial crisis was triggered by speculative trading practices that enriched a small elite while devastating the global economy. The ripple effects of this crisis are still felt today, with austerity policies and public spending cuts imposed on ordinary citizens to mitigate the damage.

Political Influence and Erosion of Democracy

The wealthiest individuals and corporations wield disproportionate political influence, undermining democratic institutions. Through lobbying, campaign donations, and media ownership, they shape policies to serve their interests at the expense of the public good.

In the United States, the Supreme Court’s 2010 Citizens United decision enabled unlimited corporate spending in political campaigns. This has allowed billionaires like the Koch brothers to influence elections and push for deregulation, tax cuts, and weakened labour protections. In the UK, donations from wealthy individuals have similarly skewed political priorities. Hedge fund managers and financiers were among the largest donors to the Conservative Party, influencing decisions on Brexit and economic policies that favour the financial elite.

Such influence extends beyond national borders. Multinational corporations often pressure developing countries into adopting policies that prioritise foreign investment over local needs. For example, mining companies in Africa have negotiated tax holidays and weak environmental regulations, leaving local communities to bear the brunt of environmental degradation and resource depletion.

Environmental Degradation

While immigrants are often blamed for straining resources, the environmental footprint of the wealthiest is exponentially larger. A 2020 report by Oxfam and the Stockholm Environment Institute revealed that the richest 1% of the global population are responsible for 15% of global carbon emissions—twice as much as the poorest 50% combined.

Luxury lifestyles and investments in fossil fuel industries exacerbate climate change. Private jets, yachts, and multiple mansions contribute significantly to carbon emissions. For instance, in 2018, it was reported that Roman Abramovich’s yacht emitted as much carbon dioxide in a year as 4,500 average cars. Meanwhile, corporations like ExxonMobil have historically funded climate denial campaigns to protect their profits, delaying global efforts to combat climate change.

This environmental damage disproportionately affects vulnerable populations, many of whom are immigrants or refugees displaced by climate-induced disasters. Ironically, the very people scapegoated for environmental strain are often victims of the excesses of the ultra-wealthy.

Exploitation of Labour

Immigrants are frequently accused of “stealing jobs,” yet it is the wealthiest who exploit labour markets to maximise profits. Global supply chains often rely on underpaid workers in developing countries, perpetuating cycles of poverty and exploitation. Companies like Nike and H&M have faced criticism for sourcing products from factories with unsafe working conditions and meagre wages.

In developed countries, gig economy platforms such as Uber and Deliveroo have created precarious employment conditions. While these companies generate billions in revenue, their workers often lack basic rights such as sick leave and job security. This trend erodes labour protections won through decades of struggle, exacerbating inequality and social discontent.

Housing Inequality

The ultra-wealthy contribute significantly to housing crises by treating real estate as an investment rather than a necessity. In cities like London, New York, and Hong Kong, luxury developments remain vacant while ordinary citizens struggle to afford housing. The phenomenon of “ghost apartments,” owned by wealthy investors who neither live in them nor rent them out, exacerbates housing shortages.

Gentrification, driven by property speculation, displaces long-term residents and erodes community cohesion. For example, in London’s Hackney borough, rising property prices have forced working-class families to relocate, altering the area’s cultural fabric. Immigrants, often concentrated in affordable housing areas, are particularly vulnerable to such displacement.

Shifting the Narrative

The narrative that immigrants harm economies serves as a convenient distraction from the systemic issues perpetuated by the wealthiest. By pitting working-class citizens against immigrants, political and economic elites divert attention from policies that entrench inequality. Media outlets, often owned by billionaires, amplify this narrative, perpetuating stereotypes and fostering division.

A more equitable approach would involve holding the wealthiest accountable for their actions. Closing tax loopholes, implementing wealth taxes, and enforcing labour and environmental regulations are crucial steps toward addressing the root causes of inequality and instability.

There is only one Enemy

Immigrants are not the cause of economic and social woes; they are contributors to growth, innovation, and cultural diversity. In contrast, the wealthiest individuals and corporations exploit systems to their advantage, causing significant harm to economies and societies. From tax avoidance and political manipulation to environmental degradation and labour exploitation, their actions undermine collective well-being on an unprecedented scale.

Addressing these issues requires shifting the focus from scapegoating immigrants to scrutinising the practices of the ultra-wealthy. Only by tackling these systemic challenges can we build a fairer, more inclusive society for all.

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