For all of the art, literature and intellectualism, the Irish are politically crazy. And they have been raving socialists for a long time. Because of that, they have the same problem as the Brits and the rest of Europe - too much socialism and not enough workers.
The solution is supposed to be immigration. But the same socialism that needs workers is also paying immigrants not to work, and social mores on both sides are keeping immigrant communities from integrating. (It's also the same socialism that created the "Andy Capp" image of the Englishman as a layabout - and also helped enable both sides to fight instead of get a job during The Troubles.)
The poster who pointed out the Brits' incentives to hire immigrants is missing the fact that it's a desperate attempt to get immigrants to be productive. That's likely not going to happen. And the ironic part is that Ireland, Scotland and probably much of Europe could likely get a bunch of productive American workers if they would change their immigration policies, but that appears to be the kind of immigrant they DON'T want.
The solution is supposed to be immigration. But the same socialism that needs workers is also paying immigrants not to work, and social mores on both sides are keeping immigrant communities from integrating. (It's also the same socialism that created the "Andy Capp" image of the Englishman as a layabout - and also helped enable both sides to fight instead of get a job during The Troubles.)
The poster who pointed out the Brits' incentives to hire immigrants is missing the fact that it's a desperate attempt to get immigrants to be productive. That's likely not going to happen. And the ironic part is that Ireland, Scotland and probably much of Europe could likely get a bunch of productive American workers if they would change their immigration policies, but that appears to be the kind of immigrant they DON'T want.