Quote from Martinghoul:
Yes, I do appreciate and, to some extent, agree with the strategy of picking the cream of the crop, which, incidentally, every nation is eager to pursue. However, it's, unfortunately, a bit more complicated than that, especially in formerly colonial nations, such as the UK or France. And no, far be it from me to argue in favor of any sort of a lofty social agenda. I am just saying that some countries, for historical reasons, don't have a lot of choice in the matter and it's not really about the guilt complex. As to heavily taxed countries, you know my views on that, I believe. It works for some societies and it doesn't work for others. I don't think it's correct to generalize.
In answer to your question, I am originally Russian.
Finally, I would like to be provocative again, if I may. Can I remind you of the inscription on the Statue of Liberty? I guess you'd say it's all a thing of the past?
"...Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"