US Population Growth

[Mr Black]

I read through the Augustus Speech thread, about Europe’s population.

So now, let’s talk about the US population.

In ten years from 1990 to 2000, we got 32,700,000 brand, spanking new people.

In 2050, when most of us will be alive, hopefully. There will most likely be over 400 mil., possibly 500 mil. +.

Is this good or bad. YOU VOTE!

Here’s a link, with all kinds of funny charts:
http://www.census.gov/population/www/projections/natproj.html

 

[SeleucusNicator]

There certainly are pros and cons; and some factors that are pros to some and cons to others. Greater population certainly requires greater resources, but our ability to produce and procure resources has always outgrown our need for them.

What is worrisome is where the growth is occuring: mainly among racial minorities (Latinos especially) and Southern Whites. This could work out, in the long term, in favor of the US Republican Party, especially the latter part, as their voter base is rapidly expanding, while growth among typical Democratic voters is much slower; this could have severe political implications.

The increasing number of minorities, most of them born into poverty, (minority groups not in the lower class tend to have more average growth -- indeed, I believe there is a decrease in the African-American birth rate corresponding nicely with the increase in living standard of said group) could also strain the system. However, much of this is merely speculation, often by extremist groups.

It's too soon to tell, in my opinion.

 

[Pangur Bán]

That's a very healthy population growth. Americans should be very pleased. As for the rest of us, the answer would depend on how much we like the USA. I, for one, am glad to know that at least one western nation isn't fostering its own obliteration!

 

[Plexus]

Good and bad, the high population growth is spurred by several things, the most worrysome of those are the high birthrate among the low class and the high immigration (both legal and illegal). Yet the birthrate will ensure America's staying power as, well, a world power.

 

[Drewcifer]

The fact that much (if not most) of the increase comes from immigration should not be much of a worry. By all measurable criteria today's immigrants are assimilating into American socity at the same or a faster rate than those who came in the 19th and early 20th century. Since sociology, economics, demographics and anthropology were already established disciplines many studies were done on immigration then so it is possible to compare the two eras.

The best case against the scale of immigration we have now is the question of whether a US with 500 or 600 million people would be a good thing. At some point overpopulation starts to erode the quality of life. Among the things that the US has to offer to it's citizens are plentiful open spaces, tons of wilderness and relatively low real estate prices (compared to Western Europe and the rich parts of East Asia). I'm not sure that I would want to give this up. Also if my home town had 6 or 7 million people that would probably be too many (we have 3 million now and that seems plenty).

 

[Pongui]

My view is good of course.

About birthrate and minorities. I don't think being of a minority group causes a high birthrate. What causes a low birthrate are the demands of higher education and consuming careers, especially when woman take these on. These generally lead to a greater standard of living, and may not be equally available to all demographic groups. Let's keep our causes and effects in order.

 

[Drewcifer]

In the '70s when it was first realized that someday Americans of European descent would be less than 50% of the country's population it was spoken of in alarmist tones. I always thought that was strange. In my neighborhood everybody is in a minority, there are four or five major groups though as neighbors we have much in common so it could be said that there is one group. I live in a safe, secure, relatively prosperous and very integrated neighborhood. Hopefully America's future will resemble it. Bosnia it is not.

 

[Zarn]

Well, I'm from the United States (Hispanic/ White, Catholic, Republican), and I think it's a good thing.

We will have more companies (more compitition), more jobs filled (you wouldn't believe the empty job slots we have), more members in the service (perhaps twice the size and they are already very well trained), and we are not straining our resources right now (Do you know how much food and other things we can produce/ obtain).

FYI, the Hispanic population is growing to about 1/4 of the population by 2050 or so. Right now, it's about 1/8. It's slighty less than the black population, percentage wise. I wouldn't consider this a bad thing, though.

 

[Free Enterprise]

Population growth is generally good.
I hope the United States reaches at least 500 million people some day. Imagine a United States of America with its incredible economic, inguenity, technology and the population of a China........

 

[Benderino]

It really says something about a country when everyone in the world (figuratively) wishes to become a part of it. We still bring in grand amounts of immigrants and refugees every year.

 

[amadeus]

For me, it depends on the situation in which these new people are created.

Are they inner city welfare babies, where the mother has no idea who the father is, and doesn't care? Are they illegal immigrants who have no respect for U.S. immigration laws?

If you're going to come here legally and live within your means (i.e. not producing children for profit) - then I have no problem. If you're going to circumvent the laws and show complete disregard for the taxpayers of this state, then keep out.

 

[Cecasander]

Why does a country like the United States need immigration law anyway? They have enough space to store a billion people. Plus the money and infrastructure. Probably the food production, at least the food consumption . China has 1.3 billion people on an area slightly bigger (300.000 km2) area, and still it has huge open spaces. There are people who say thay my own country, the Netherlands is full, with 16 million people on 35.000 km2, and they might be right in some urban areas, but take a (bicycle) ride trough a random rural area and you see how much space there is left. And thats in a country that is in the top 6of the most densely populated countries, Only passed by Monaco, Vatican City, Bangladesh, Taiwan and Singapore.

If the US didn't have immigration laws, than all would be legal and able to work. At least they don't have to come for the great social services, with no money

I have said

 

[phoenix_night]

I voted bad. I don't think the USA particularly needs it and I don't think people in the USA would enjoy it if it became too overpopulated. Obviously it's a very big country that can hold a lot of people, but I don't see any particular advantage. Obviously it would make the USA more powerful, but does it need it that much?

I think in terms of population, the USA is just fine as it is. Plenty of people (for whatever you like, including power), but not overpopulated in the slightest; plenty of land for all.

 

[thestonesfan]

I believe it's essential to the survival of a nation to have an increasing population.

 

[Ian Beale]

If you did have a population of 500 million i can only see it increasing your strength and power. Immigration eventually only has positive economic benefits and the huge population will ensure you have a huge labour force, army etc.. The worrying thing is will you have jobs for everyone if technology continues to advance as it has done in the past?

 

[Yago]

It really says something about a country when everyone in the world (figuratively) wishes to become a part of it. We still bring in grand amounts of immigrants and refugees every year.

I sometimes wish, that we could just point the finger west to the ones which come knocking on our door and say:"Plenty of space, go there".


But a few moments later, I start to battle my xenophobia.

 

[sysyphus]

As long as we continue to grow at a faster rate than the US then it is fine with me, I believe that the ratio of 10 of them for every one of us is down to 9:1... then the great day when we become your dark overlords will be inevitable!

Even though it is extremely obvious, I am, of course, only kidding.