Opinion: Xenophobia reigns on both sides of the pond over immigration

To the editor: I share the surprise of most of the world that the British voted to leave the European Union. (Re “When is a boycott not a boycott,” Editorial, June 27, and “Britain’s migrant debate preceded ‘Brexit,’ ’’ June 30, and “A great divide,” July 1)

In fact, I am simply stunned that such a complex decision affecting so many aspects of governance, security and trade was left up to single majority vote by the public.

If the average British voter is anything like the average American voter, he or she knows little about how the machinery of government and global finances actually work — and so is poorly equipped to make such a momentous decision. Granted, the noble purpose of democracy is governance by the consent of the governed, but that assumes that the consent is based on more than emotions and hunches.

As we are experiencing here in America, political ignorance leaves a void that can be exploited by a demagogue playing on irrational fears and stoking the fires of isolating nationalism. Perhaps the Brexit vote will serve as a warning for us as we choose our next president.

Brian J. Goldenfeld, Woodland Hills

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To the editor: I agree that the same nationalistic, anti-immigrant sentiments propel both the Trump and Brexit campaigns.

However, I am more sanguine about American voters not making the same xenophobic mistake as the British for one simple reason: the United States has materially more people of color.

When Trump loses the November election, we will all owe a debt of gratitude to America’s people of color. At least someone has some sense.

John Lazar, Los Angeles

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