Editor
The magazine Social Contract is very interesting. I enjoy reading the articles and the points being raised. Because the language used is often quite complicated, I really have to study the articles, but that is a good way to improve my English as well.
I see quite a turning point in my country lately toward immigrants. Until very recently the general idea was that immigrants have the right to stay in their own language and culture. And quite some money was spent on education, television, etc. in their own language. Now in a government committee it has been put forward that it is better to use the extra money to speed up the process of integration. One city recently decided to force immigrants to learn our language by reducing their social money in case they refuse to participate in language classes.
Another point 1990 had the highest increase in population growth since 1969, due to immigration and large immigrant families.
I find it hard to discuss the matter without being called a racist. I know I am not, but this country is already populated enough. And the presence on the borders is very large, especially from Eastern Europe and Russia, but also Northern Africa which is very near as well.
Yours,
Bram Vreugdenhil, The Hague, Netherlands
[Editor's note to Mr. Vreugdenhil
As to being called a racist, welcome to the club! That charge comes with the territory and is used to close off discussion.
And to our general readers
The Netherlands has a dry-land area of about 13,000 square miles with a population of almost 15 million people or about 1200 persons per square mile. It is one of the most densely populated nations on earth, lending credence to Mr. Vreugdenhil's statement that this country is populated enough.]