What Did Trump Grab in Ohio?

Porous borders don’t lead to integration. They lead to resentment. September 11, 2024 [WEBSITE]( | [UNSUBSCRIBE]( What Did Trump Grab in Ohio? SEAN RING Reader, what the hell is going on in your crazy country? I open up my X app, and I see tons of AI-generated pics like this: Credit: [@stillgray]( I had no idea what was going on. Then, I see stories of Haitian migrants allegedly capturing people’s pets, beheading them, and then eating them. Amusing though those stories may be, they just didn’t ring true. And, of course, they weren’t. But that didn’t stop a bunch of people from making fun of the situation by creating these AI pics of Trump rescuing all sorts of things, fare and fowl. I know I banged on about this recently, but let’s revisit philosopher Hans-Hermann Hoppe’s view on restricted immigration anyway so you can see how directly it applies to the U.S. The Incident in Springfield Springfield, a mid-sized town in Ohio, has been at the center of a heated debate due to the significant influx of Haitian immigrants over the past few years. [The New York Post]( estimates their number to be between 15,000 and 20,000, a figure that represents a quarter to a third of the town's population of 60,000. To be fair, these immigrants fled Haiti's economic instability, natural disasters, and political turmoil, seeking a better life for their families. However, their arrival has been controversial. Amid the town’s economic struggles, where resources are increasingly stretched thin, the townspeople have understandably met the sudden arrival of immigrants with unease. Recently, rumors spread that Haitian immigrants were responsible for the disappearance of local pets. The story gained traction in the community, with whispers suggesting that these newcomers had turned to eating dogs and cats due to desperation or cultural differences. Local news outlets picked up the rumors, and social media, always quick to fan the flames of division, ran with the story. Even VP candidate and current [Ohio Senator JD Vance jumped the gun on X](. Yet, there was no evidence, no confirmed cases, no dead pets found—just the simmering fear and suspicion that often accompanies rapid change in small, close-knit communities, a fear that cannot be dismissed lightly. Hans-Hermann Hoppe on Immigration Hans-Hermann Hoppe is known for his controversial stance on immigration, particularly his argument that the modern concept of unrestricted immigration undermines the principles of private property and cultural stability. Hoppe's ideas, though rooted in libertarian thought, challenge the notion that free trade should automatically extend to the free movement of people without regard to the consequences on local communities. In [Democracy: The God That Failed]( Hoppe argues that free immigration, when coupled with the welfare state, leads to social and economic disruptions. He contends that immigration should not be viewed as a simple economic transaction but rather through the lens of property rights. According to Hoppe, a nation is not a public good but an extension of private property. Just as homeowners have the right to determine who enters their homes, citizens also have the right to control who enters their country. This perspective contradicts the more childish libertarian belief that borders should be open and that people, like goods, should move freely across them. Hoppe’s concern, which echoes the fears seen in Springfield, is that mass immigration leads to the erosion of cultural norms and the destabilization of communities, mainly when those immigrants come from radically different cultural backgrounds. Think France, Germany, and the UK. He suggests that unrestricted immigration introduces a clash of values, which leads to social conflict and even the breakdown of the legal and cultural framework traditionally defining a nation. In a Hoppean framework, these accusations are not merely baseless xenophobia but a manifestation of the fear that mass immigration—especially from countries with vastly different cultural practices—might erode local values and customs. Even though the rumors about immigrants eating pets are unfounded, the anxiety they represent is real, stemming from the community’s concern over the rapid changes brought by the influx of immigrants. [Offer Pending: Please confirm your address…]( Your name is on a list of people eligible to claim the [“most dangerous book in America.”]( We with only 500 copies left, we may run out of stock soon. So, here’s how to claim your copy: - [Click this link]( watch Jim's short message.]( - Review your account information. - Confirm you’d like to accept Jim’s offer. And I’ll get your copy of the most dangerous book in the mail right away. [Simply click here and learn how to claim your copy.]( [Click Here To Learn More]( The Balance Between Free Trade and Restricted Immigration Hoppe’s critique of modern immigration policies is tied to his broader understanding of free trade. He’s a staunch advocate for the free exchange of goods and services, arguing that it leads to mutual benefits and increased wealth for all parties involved. However, he draws a sharp distinction between goods and people. Goods don’t bring with them the cultural values, legal traditions, or societal expectations that people do. In Hoppe’s view, the fundamental problem with unrestricted immigration is that it treats people like goods, assuming that the movement of individuals will have the same positive effects as the movement of capital or products. Yet, unlike goods, people bring their customs, beliefs, and practices, which may not align with the cultural framework of the host society. In cases where immigration is rapid and unassimilated, Hoppe argues that this can lead to cultural clashes, social unrest, and the destabilization of communities. Again, see Europe as an example of this. The Springfield incident reflects these concerns. Let’s assume that Haitian immigrants contribute economically and socially to the community. If so, they’ve been scapegoated for a perceived disruption of local norms and values. Though unfounded, the accusation that they are eating pets is a symptom of a more profound unease about cultural integration and the fear that these new arrivals might not conform to Springfield's established way of life. And that’s a fair point. Hoppe’s solution to this problem is not a blanket immigration restriction, but rather the idea that immigration should be handled as a private property issue. Under a system of private property rights, communities would have the authority to decide who enters their spaces, allowing for a more controlled and voluntary form of immigration. This approach aims to avoid imposing culturally foreign practices on unwilling hosts, thereby promoting a more harmonious cultural integration. The Role of the State and the Welfare System Hoppe’s critique also targets the modern welfare state, which he sees as exacerbating the problems of unrestricted immigration. He argues that in a society where welfare programs are available to all, immigrants can become a financial burden on the host society, especially if they aren’t fully integrated into the labor market. This creates understandable resentment among the native population, who feel their resources are drained by people who have no right to the town’s treasury. Hoppe argues that in a world without a welfare state, these tensions would be lessened, as immigrants would be welcomed based on their ability to contribute economically rather than being seen as potential drains on public services. Wrap Up Hans-Hermann Hoppe’s argument that immigration should be viewed through the lens of private property rights, rather than as an automatic extension of free trade, provides a way to think about how societies ought to manage immigration in a way that respects both the rights of individuals to seek better opportunities and the rights of communities to maintain their cultural integrity. Ultimately, Springfield's key challenge—and any community facing similar issues—is finding a balance between welcoming newcomers and maintaining social cohesion. While Hoppe’s solutions may not be easy to implement today, they offer valuable insights into how we might rethink immigration to minimize conflict and maximize the benefits for all involved. All the best, Sean Ring Editor, Rude Awakening X (formerly Twitter): [@seaniechaos]( Rate this email Like Dislike Thanks for rating this content! Looks like something went wrong. Please try to rate again. In Case You Missed It… Bar Drunk Says, “Buy This Stock!” SEAN RING My reputation may precede me, but I’m not the drunk in this story. In truth, this happened in the middle of my class this week. If you’re not aware, I had to travel back to Frankfurt quickly to fill in for my colleague. That’s right, I just returned to Italy on Friday… and yet, here I am. So I’m in Germany for nearly two more weeks. Pam and Micah don’t mind; they’re coming for more tourism shenanigans on Friday. After all, it’s only an hour's flight from Turin or Milan to Frankfurt. Today, we discussed stock ETFs. Honestly, I learned a bunch myself. For instance, I had forgotten that there was an ETF tracking Nancy Pelosi’s positions (NANC). Another student told the class about BIBL, the inspirational ETF. And yes, we covered the SPY and QQQ. ETFs are great for several reasons, such as if you don’t have the time to analyze single stocks. But I prefer taking on higher risk with single stocks, as that’s where the active, and sometimes lifestyle-changing, returns are made. I’ve already bragged about my friend and colleague Ray Blanco and his stock-picking prowess. Well, listen to this story… In the Classroom Sitting in the front row of my classroom are a bunch of bright young professionals doing their best to succeed. I immensely enjoyed their company, but what they discussed pricked my ears. I don’t usually hear conversations about single stocks, and certainly not about stocks I don’t think have hit the mainstream yet. “The stock is ASTS. My friend says you’ve got to buy it.” Huh? “My ASTS?” I was thinking. If you’ve missed a few Rude editions, ASTS is the stock my friend, colleague, and retirement savior Ray Blanco picked a few months ago (and full disclosure, I own). Ray had been discussing recommending ASTS for a while and finally did so in his Catalyst Trader. I bought it a few times, averaging $10.35 per share. Needless to say, it’s been a big winner. ASTS shareholders are waiting for the launch of their “BlueBird” satellites this month. If it’s successful, I imagine the stock will jump considerably. From [Yahoo Finance]( The BlueBird satellites feature the largest-ever commercial communications arrays to be deployed in low Earth orbit, at a remarkable 693 square feet, a technological leap forward in AST SpaceMobile’s ability to deliver seamless cellular broadband connectivity to billions of mobile users worldwide. Building on the success of its BlueWalker 3 satellite, AST SpaceMobile's first five commercial satellites will have a tenfold increase in processing capacity. This advancement sets the stage for delivering global space-based cellular broadband directly to everyday smartphones, starting with non-continuous coverage across the continental United States using over 5,600 cells on premium low-band spectrum. That’s ASTS’s unique selling proposition: space-based cellular broadband directly to your smartphone. Think Starlink without the dish. Disclosure: I own a Starlink dish and am utterly grateful to Elon Musk for inventing it. Thanks to Telecom Italia's incompetence, I couldn’t do my job in Italy without it. However, having the power of the internet beamed directly from space to my phone would be even better, which is why I own ASTS shares. Still, I didn’t think many knew about ASTS, so I was pleasantly surprised when I heard my students talk about it. “Who told you about this stock?” I asked. Now, here’s a funny story. [Nearing Retirement? Claim This Exclusive $1 Book Offer Right Away!]( “The Banker” is a hedge fund titan who spent years helping America’s richest families grow even richer. [And today, for the first time ever, he wants to send you his new book – where you’ll find 36 of his never-before-revealed income and wealth generating secrets](. If the potential at steady, predictable income (as well the chance at a few nice, quick windfalls) interests you, then I urge you to act right away. [Click here now to claim this exclusive $1 book offer]( In the Bar “Well, I was talking to a girl I know. She’s a bartender in Boston. And this guy is in her bar every day, drinking beer. He looks like a bum, dressing terribly. One day, she asks him what he’s doing in her bar all day. He says, ‘I trade stock.’ It turns out the guy is a great investor. And he told her, ‘You have to own this stock.’ So I’ve been looking at it ever since.” Before you think, “My goodness, this is the equivalent of taxi cab drivers recommending stock, and I should dump it now,” I think there’s a better way of thinking about this. ASTS is finally entering the mainstream consciousness. If this is the case—and I hope it is—you’ll see more retail and institutional buyers piling into the stock. [Deutsche Bank’s equity analyst put a $63 price target on this stock.]( That means it’s got a long way to go. The reason for the nosebleed-inducing target is that ASTS has signed agreements with strategic partners across the globe. [In his letter to ASTS shareholders]( Abel Avellan, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of AST SpaceMobile, wrote this: You’ll have a seamless experience with either carrier. You’ll simply connect to AST SpaceMobile’s network through your carrier, AT&T or Verizon, for reliable cellular service for a smooth and worry-free experience. This collaboration highlights the effectiveness of collective action. By combining AST SpaceMobile’s innovative space-based network with the extensive terrestrial networks and expertise of both AT&T and Verizon, we are creating a solution that benefits everyone. Consumers gain unparalleled access to space-based cellular broadband, businesses can expand into previously unreachable regions, and first responders and rural communities will no longer be left behind in the digital age. This is just the beginning. We remain dedicated to fostering similar partnerships with other mobile network operators, aiming to bridge the digital divide on a global scale. Through strategic agreements with AT&T and Verizon, along with Vodafone, Rakuten, Google, American Tower, Bell Canada, and more than 45 mobile network operators, we’ve established a strong foundation. These partnerships unite us with networks that serve more than 2.8 billion subscribers, propelling us closer to achieving this ambitious goal. As my father would say, “They ain’t messin’ around.” Wrap Up When I teach, all sorts of great things happen. But the best of all is when I learn from my students. I'm grateful for their insights and the lively discussions they bring to the class. Despite recent challenges, ASTS is still on the rise. And if their satellite launch is a success, the sky will no longer be the limit for our internet. All the best, Sean Ring Editor, Rude Awakening Twitter: [@seaniechaos]( ☰ ⊗ [UPDATE PREFERENCES]( [Contact Us]( © 2024 Paradigm Press, LLC. 1001 Cathedral Street, Baltimore, MD 21201. 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