Osler's Razor

I was fascinated by this New York Times article on Cordelia Scaife May, an idle heiress who turned into a rabid promoter of nativism, based on her belief that the United States was being "invaded" by immigrants who "breed like hamsters." She spent her half-billion dollar fortune on anti-immigration causes, and her foundation continues to fund the most rabid Republican immigration opponents, 14 years after the death.

She sounds like a dreadful person and the basis for a great argument to impose a wealth tax. I grew up around aimless people awash in money they didn't earn, and used that money to subsidize every kind of excess and stupidity.  It is not a good situation for them or for us. I can't think of one of these idlers whom I admire (though certainly I have met many people from wealthy families who have done great good-- some of whom I have profiled in preceding Wednesdays).

Cordelia Scaife May and others were successful in converting the Republican party into one that is thoroughly anti-immigrant, with a bitter hostility to both legal and illegal migrants. That wasn't true until recently-- but the transition seems to be complete.

Which leaves many people with a conundrum, I suspect. A good number of my friends who are Republicans have historically been admirers of immigrants (and even immigrants themselves). They rightly recognized the work ethic of immigrants, and the sacrifices they made for their families and their new home. If I were one of them, I would be very uncomfortable with the new views of their party.

Of course, no person of conscience is going to have principles and policy goals that align perfectly with their party of choice-- there are always compromises. But I wonder... will this be too much for some people?