It's Not As Bad As Termite's Fate (Hopefully)

About 20 years ago, and still now, living or traveling overseas was a "fascinating" experience for our circle. In addition to learning about the local way of life, making new friends, and taking in the stunning scenery, living overseas was cool since it took bravery that not everyone possessed.

In order to fulfill their aspirations, professional obligations, or familial responsibilities, expatriates say goodbye to their homeland and everything they have known since a young age. Simply put, they stepped outside of their comfort zone in pursuit of a major life objective. 

For many Middle Eastern migrants in Europe, such objective is to find shelter for themselves and their families away from conflict, persecution of minorities, or stringent regulations that imposed by their countries on women.

Since 2015, they have coming to the Old Continent as soon as German Chancellor Angela Merkel put in place open border policy, primarily Syrians, Iraqis, and Afghanis. Over time, refugees from other parts of the world, such Africa and Asia, have arrive in other European nations with a slightly different objective: to escape poverty.

In the name of prosperity

Europe is renowned around the world for its generous social welfare measures. Both citizens and foreign nationals are eligible for government benefits, which are essentially free funds provided for them to spend on their daily expenses. Regulations in the European nation where an individual resides determine the amount and duration of their entitlement to such social benefits.

At first, the welfare money strategy was quite successful in giving the status as the world's happiest, safest, richest, and more to several Western European nations. The difficulty arose when all such joyfulness triggered the envy inside the heart of people from poorer nations. They felt sorry for their own country, wondering why "if only my country was like that," "why is my country poor," "when will our country become rich?," and so on.

They are just shown all the wonderful things in Western Europe and become so envious that they are not curious and wonder how those nations manage to have the funds for welfare money. Does it come from bilateral trade or taxes? It might be.

Among the regions that charge their inhabitants substantial taxes are the United States and Europe. However, solid infrastructure, efficient governance, and social security measures that citizens can get from the government balance out the high taxes.

However, the COVID-19 pandemic has forced the number of countries to spend more social money than usual. Due to the introduction of numerous imported goods at extremely low prices, international trade has been disrupted, resulting in a sharp decline in Western Europe's trade revenue.

Furthermore, locals have also started to voice their displeasure with migrants' behaviors, which go against the moral standards of Western Europe. Not to mention the rise in crime, particularly harassment and violence against women.

Western Europe has been imposing strict rules on unskilled migrants presence for the time being, however, this hasn't enough to stop the influx of new migrants from all over the world.

Say no to frugal living

It is a fact that there is no such thing as free money in this world. Some European nations provide generous benefits, but these are really borrowed funds that the citizens will eventually repay through a variety of taxes.

This scheme seems ideal at first glance, if the number of citizens is relatively small and not as huge as countries like China, India, Indonesia, or even the United States. It becomes unideal because the influx of immigrants is too fast and beyond control. Among those who manage in securing jobs, only few migrants are able or willing to pay taxes.

With borrowed money from their respective central banks, several European nations are attempting to overcome such budget deficit. Technically, the state issues debt instruments, or government bonds, which are submitted to the Central Bank. Only then the Central Bank will print newly fresh bank notes according to the debt securities' value.

Why is this a risky move? A plentiful supply will result in a decrease in price, and the value of money is no exception. A country's loss in national currency will undoubtedly lead to economic turmoil, with the effects being felt globally.

Therefore, (formerly) French Prime Minister Michel Barnier proposed cutting the social welfare budget in an effort to salvage the nation's finances. This move would have been also effectively tackle the arrival of migrants by providing less to no social money at all.

Unfortunately, despite his good intentions, Barnier was removed from office when the French Parliament passed a motion of no confidence by early December 2024. The right and left parties of parliament, led by right-wing leader Marine Le Pen, decided to reject Barnier's plan and forced him to resign as prime minister after 3 months in office.

Such political turmoil is not only a reflection of the French parliament's unwillingness to live frugally, but also its unwillingness to confront the possibility of widespread protests as soon as Barnier's measure comes to force. In addition, France is already quite tired with anarchic mass protests, most of which are carried out by migrants.

One thing for sure, Marine Le Pen is involved in a legal case of state funds embezzlement at the time being. Hence, it would not be overly dramatic to believe that Le Pen is attempting to strengthen her bargaining position by leading the parliamentary protest to remove Barnier.

Just like termites flying around a light at night, humans are easily drawn to everything that sparkles to find happiness. We should hope that we won't share the same fate as termites, who perish before dawn as they unable to find a partner.