WHAT IS THE SOUND OF ATLAS SHRUGGING? Commoditization of populations.

Twenty years from now, what might the world’s most precious, depleting, natural resource be? Oil? Steel? Lumber? How about working-age adults who are still contributing to a nation’s entitlement programs rather than receiving benefits from them?

Read the whole thing. Pay close attention to the concluding paragraphs.

In addition to continually expanding the number of high-paying jobs that are available in our nation, America is going to also have to quickly come to grips with its illegal alien problem. Controlling who enters the country and realizing that an appropriate mix of talent can make immigration a strong contributor to our ability to grow our workforce and enhance our international competitiveness. As a result, the U.S. must not make the same errors that Europe appears to be heading toward with regard to its Muslim population.

As working age, productive members of the society will continue to command a high premium around the world, American immigration policy should be taking advantage of the apparent biases that are surfacing elsewhere to once again make our nation the preferred vocational destination of desirable people from all parts of the globe.

The policy challenge: screening applicants for legal status while not making legal admission so burdensome that otherwise ambitious people become illegal immigrants, at the same time identifying and weeding out terrorists masquerading as job-seekers.

The Europeans appear to be cooperating by making their countries (customs union?) less attractive to high achievers.

We're taking back our earlier suggestion that the rats are leaving the sinking ship of the Netherlands. The reported emigration of Dutchmen is reminding us more and more of our own forebears' emigration from all over the world to "our sea-washed, sunset gates.

That "earlier suggestion" ends with the observation, "Incentives rule." Ayup.

SECOND SECTION: Illegal immigrants make Laura's neigborhood work.