Biden Rails Against Xenophobia From US Politicians: 'It's Un-American'

[DonViejo]

Source: Los Angeles Times


During a speech on Irish-American heritage and immigration in Dublin on Friday, Vice President Joe Biden warned against nationalist and xenophobic rhetoric from politicians in Europe and the United States.

He noted that there has been unrest over issues like immigration, the economy, and terrorism, but said that blaming immigrants is not the appropriate response.

“All this provides fertile terrain for reactionary politicians and demagogues peddling xenophobia, nationalism and isolationism,” Biden said, according to the Los Angeles Times, perhaps alluding to rhetoric from Donald Trump. “We see it in Europe, we see it in other parts of the world and we see it in my home country, where some politicians find it convenient to scapegoat immigrants instead of welcoming them; to play to our fears rather than, as Abraham Lincoln said, ‘to appeal to our better angels’; divide us based on religion or ethnicity rather than unite us in our common humanity; build walls instead of bridges."

"It is un-American what we have been seeing. I’m here to tell you it is not who we have become. It is not who we are," he continued. Biden's comments in Ireland came shortly after the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union, a movement fueled in part by anti-immigrant rhetoric.

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Read more: http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/joe-biden-xenophobia-un-american

[katsy]

1. But it was to the advantage of corporate interests,

Last edited Fri Jun 24, 2016, 06:58 PM - Edit history (1)

the bought-n-paid for politicians who do their bidding, and a sensationalist media who created and nurtured this hatred of the "other".

Else why, if everyone were playing by the same rules, would hatred and fear take hold?

Because maybe there's no profit in fairness?

The whole free trade bullshit is just that. These deals were conceived with maximizing profits for the few at the expense of the many and the environment.

When people see that they can no longer support themselves... a whore media sent out the message that it was the migrants fault. Always "the other" but never the vile politicians & corporate behemoths who exist for only more profit. Naw... the enemy is someone as powerless as yourself.

I respectfully disagree with our VP in only this regard... This nationalistic racist isolationism is only a symptom. If you really are concerned then do a better job of regulating unfettered capitalism which is the root of these symptoms.

Maybe work on behalf of the people who elect you instead of people chasing bigger profits at everyone's expense yeah?

Maybe before the rug is pulled out from under working people effective safety nets should be in place before they lose their homes and health?

Maybe $.50 a day wages are the real scourge and living wages should be calculated based on industrialized 1st world wages instead of 3rd world banana republics?

Now the elites take notice that something's wrong with Kansas? LOL tptb created this monster BUT are too greedy to deal equitably with working people.

[forest444]

3. Divide and conquer.

Gets'em every time.

[840high]

6. ...!100++++

[daleo]

2. Divide up society's wealth more equitably

A lot of xenophobia would melt away. Much of it is due to the economic insecurity that unfettered (or worse) capitalism creates.

[DrBulldog]

5. Biden needs to stare real American history in the face.

Xenophobia, Homophobia, and Racism has been a major part of American history for 200 years, and so it is definitely "American".

[pampango]

7. Thank you, Joe. Xenophobia is a conservative trait. Multiculturalism and diversity are liberal ones.

It is great to see Joe drawing the distinction between Trump/republicans and liberal Democrats.