The Dutch lower house of parliament has approved a controversial bill from the centre-right government to expel 26,000 asylum seekers. The plans would force the failed applicants, many of whom have lived in the Netherlands for years, to leave over a three-year period. About 2,300 others will be given leave to stay. The new policy is bitterly opposed by large sections of the traditionally tolerant society.
But apparently it’s supported by an even larger section of the the traditionally tolerant society. Gawd democracy sucks if you’re smarter than everyone else.
One man facing deportation has sewn up his eyes and mouth in protest.
Just the kind of assylum seeker I’d want in my town. Click the title to see the picture and scroll down. Gross.
The bill - which still has to be endorsed by parliament’s upper house - was backed by 83 votes to 57, and the lower house rejected a series of motions designed to soften the plans.
That’s almost 60% of the lower house voting "yes" on this measure. I’d rather see an active assimilation program than deportation. But assimilation programs are "tough love" solutions and are hard to sell. If I could get someone to give me a big fat grant, I’d research how the US did it during the first 20 or so years of the last century. |