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US Congressman Ted Poe: Hungary and the refugee crisis
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Lloyd “Ted” Poe is a Republican politician currently representing Texas’s 2nd congressional district in the United States House of Representatives. He is the first Republican to represent the Texas 2nd. Here is his speech about “Hungary and the refugee crisis”
“Mr. Speaker, before the Paris attacks, pundits sitting in far-flung capitals of the world were throwing lobs at Hungary for turning a blind eye to the plight of Syrian refugees. Now that we know that one of the attackers posed as a refugee to get into Europe and then stayed in a refugee camp as he made his way from Greece to Paris, I’d like to do something I know the pundits won’t do: go back to an old story to make sure they got it right.
First, the outside world’s opinions of what Hungary should or should not do are wholly irrelevant. Hungary is a sovereign country that ultimately will make its own political decisions based on its interests and concerns on a case-by-case basis. Whether Hungary lets in refugees from a conflict that it had absolutely nothing to do with is a purely Hungarian question. Just like we wouldn’t want Canada telling us what to do, nor does Hungary want countries like Germany telling it what to do.
The fact of the matter is that the refugee issue is complex. There are two sides to the morality argument. Yes, there is a moral argument to helping those fleeing war, but let’s not forget about the moral argument for a government keeping its promise to its citizens that it will protect them. Refugees pose serious economic and security concerns to the countries of Europe. Modest estimates suggest that Germany, who has touted a welcoming posture towards the refugees, will find itself spending as much as 10 billion euros in 2015 to accommodate these newcomers. If Hungary were to spend even half of that amount, it would cost the country upwards of 7% of its annual budget.
While Germany may be financially capable of weathering the financial storm precipitated by the influx of refugees, Hungary’s economy may not. Despite notable improvements in recent years in both trade and investment, Hungary’s unemployment rate sits now at 10.5%. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development notes that, although Hungary successfully exited from recession in early 2013, the recovery of its economy is modest at best. The OECD notes Hungary must “maintain fiscal discipline,” underscoring Budapest’s need to invest in its own people and economy–not spend billions accommodating others.
I admire Hungary’s stance on taking in refugees while some a genuine an others not the fact is most are Muslims an expect to be treated differently from other religions an everyone to cow tow to their way of life they do not integrate well and we are the infidel .Wish England had the same stance people going without food banks cuts etc but still money for refugees an housing this makes the host country’s people resentful .
Congratulations to the Hungarian government for making the well being its’ own citizens the #1 priority! That Ms Merkel should DEMAND other European countries feed & house millions of Muslim refugees, based on a decision that she alone made, is an absolute outrage. What gives her the right to dictate how other sovereign nations spend their national treasury? More importantly, if wealthy Middle Eastern countries (read: Saudi Arabia) will not spend their national treasuries to give asylum to their own Islamic brethren, why should Europe or the U.S.?
Hungary has always struggled in its history to exist. It’s geography alone lends itself to invasions. Beginning with the Turks and the Ottoman Empire Hungary Was occupied for nearly two hundred years. Then came the Hapsburg empire where the Hungarians struggled to maintain their identity. Under the Nazi regime, Hungarians were never trusted on the battle fields. And then there was the Communist occupation which continued havoc upon the Hungarian citizens and their culture. In spite of all this Hungary survived. In 1989 Hungary breathed for the first time in years to a welcome of fresh air. It wasn’t an immediate transition but the beginnings of a new life and a preservation of its culture once again…in spite of its powerful neighbors. Economically, as the article above points out, there needed to be a different direction unique to a Hungarian way to adjust to the free world.Victor Orban was criticized heavily for not following the demands from western institutions in his attitude toward western institutions and immigration. Yet, he was a responsible leader of his Country when he followed his own conscious. He was responsible to his own people first . Sometimes I believe that the United States needs to listen and consider more and understand the histories and circumstances of Countries which we called collectively east Europe. It remains a struggle yet they believe strongly in the ideals that founded our own Country.
Der Fueherrn Merkel wants to infringe and press her policies on other sovereign states like a tyrant did in the 1930’s. Democratic societies and organizations do ascribe to this, yet Germany and the E.U. press on, causing rifts in the Union.
@Lloyd “Ted” Poe ‘Republican’
Sir, since no comments have been made on your speech, i thank you. With my American cousins ‘Hungarian origins’, i’d like you to know that you are right on in saying what you did. Why you came out and said it, tells me that you are a real educated American, many mind you that i personally know exist. It’s intelligence and intellect that will eventually win in this matter, it’s just when and with how much loss.
Check out this other article on why Hungary stands what it stands on;
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/20/opinion/ronald-lauder-who-will-stand-up-for-the-christians.html?_r=0