Thread: Our National Identity

http://www.meridianstar.com/opinion/loc ... 32215.html

Our National Identity

By Craig Ziemba / guest columnist

Much of the anger over the current immigration (amnesty) bill before Congress is based on deeply felt frustration over America’s future. Giving immigrants the chance to come to America to better their lives and pass along a brighter future for their children is an instinctive national reflex. But most Americans are increasingly uneasy with the current trend of immigration because of its disrespect for our laws, our language, and our shared ideals.

America has always been a melting pot of immigrants from around the globe. Some came as pilgrims in search of religious freedom, others were brought as slaves, some sought treasure, and others fled wars, famine, and oppression abroad. In spite of our incredible differences, we still managed to fashion a national identity that transcended our varied backgrounds. Out of many came one.

This national identity isn’t a color. It’s an ideal of personal freedom, rule of law, and free enterprise that birthed the most powerful, prosperous, and free nation this world has ever known. That’s why citizenship in our country is something to be proud of, to be protected, and a privilege to be earned by those who demonstrate a respect for our laws.

The idea that hordes of people (12 million illegal aliens by most count) who stole across our border, flouted our laws, never paid taxes, and burdened our social and medical systems would be given a shortcut to citizenship is beyond the pale. And legislation that would allow the immediate families of those 12 million illegals to be granted citizenship as well is irresponsible to the extreme.

It is incomprehensible that President Bush and our own Senator Lott would join forces with Ted Kennedy to foist such a bill upon the American people. Have our politicians become so out of touch with reality that they don’t see what adding scores of millions of low income workers would do to our economy, to Social Security, and to Medicaid? Are they so concerned with passing an immigration reform bill before the next election cycle that they don’t care what affect it will have on our schools, our hospitals, and our culture? Are they so enamored with their carefully crafted grand bargain that they refuse to listen to the common sense of their constituents?

If illegal aliens wish to become citizens, they should respect our sovereignty enough to return to their homes and apply for either guest worker status or citizenship through the appropriate channels. And when they come to America to pursue citizenship, they should move not only their belongings but their hearts as well and begin to think of themselves as Americans, period.

Modern sociologists pay homage to ethnicity as an important part of developing and maintaining a “sense of communityâ€

It is incomprehensible that President Bush and our own Senator Lott would join forces with Ted Kennedy to foist such a bill upon the American people. Have our politicians become so out of touch with reality that they don’t see what adding scores of millions of low income workers would do to our economy, to Social Security, and to Medicaid? Are they so concerned with passing an immigration reform bill before the next election cycle that they don’t care what affect it will have on our schools, our hospitals, and our culture? Are they so enamored with their carefully crafted grand bargain that they refuse to listen to the common sense of their constituents?

I believe the key phrase here is, "out of touch with reality".

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