Hi Carl,



For decades, Sweden has set the gold standard for the number of immigrants allowed into the country and immigrants from particularly war-torn regions.



It is a wonderful example to the world. Sweden has carried much more than it's weight in this regard. I can't speak highly enough of Sweden's leadership here.



I lived in Sweden on and off as my job required it, during the 80's and living there had a profound effect on me. It is a unique and rich culture.



Accepting too many immigrants from one nation (Iraq) has thrown Swedish society off-kilter.



Which now has political ramifications.



As I said at the outset, it is truly remarkable that Sweden has set the gold standard for immigration from war-torn regions.



But at some point, as citizens now realize, the whole enterprise can upset the natural equilibrium of the greater society -- when the sheer numbers of one group unbalances the whole equation.



I suggest that all immigration together from all sources never exceed 10% of any country's population -- and especially that no one immigrant group in particular represents more than 1% of the country's population.



In fact, more tolerable percentages would be a grand total of 8% of Sweden's population being made up of immigrants from all nations, with no one ethnic group making up more than .8% of the total population of the country.



Those would be the maximum tolerable levels of immigration, even in an egalitarian and highly educated nation in the best of economic conditions.



It's not that the immigrants are the problem. It's not that Sweden's stellar intentions and equally stellar actions in regards to assisting people from conflict regions are the problem.



It's just that to maintain a balanced society, Sweden must moderate it's good intentions and actions, with a view to a more balanced immigration policy.



In addition to doing that (with the modifications that I propose) Sweden, with it's gold standard example, is perfectly positioned to speak globally to convince other nations to take 'their fair share' of immigrants -- and not leave it all to Sweden and a other few socially enlightened nations.



Sweden has done well, almost too well, in this regard. So now, it becomes a case of balance and of accepting numbers commensurate with the ability of Swedish society to absorb those immigrants.



With the greatest admiration for all of Sweden's accomplishments and it's wonderful society, I respectfully suggest that Sweden has taken on a bit too much, and now must moderate her immigration load and make special concern of the total number of each immigrant group, for that greater good of all society, including those immigrants.



I always enjoy reading your thoughtful essays, Carl.



Best regards, JBS

http://johnbrianshannon.com