After much thought on the past few days and all thats happened leading up to this, I have come to the conclusion( or at least to me) that these two things are very different. Anyone can become a citizen of the United States if you follow the guidelines. But being a American is something that comes from the heart and a sense of pride. Alot of the issues we are having now and will have in the future are "citizens of the United States" not Americans. Two very different people.

 

I am sure I am gonna get blasted, but there is alot of truth in this if you will just think about it.

Others deciding "how American" I am is un-American.

After much thought on the past few days and all thats happened leading up to this, I have come to the conclusion( or at least to me) that these two things are very different. Anyone can become a citizen of the United States if you follow the guidelines. But being a American is something that comes from the heart and a sense of pride. Alot of the issues we are having now and will have in the future are "citizens of the United States" not Americans. Two very different people.

 

I am sure I am gonna get blasted, but there is alot of truth in this if you will just think about it.

 

This country was formed and built by immigrants. A large chunk of this country isn't more than a few generations removed from being "not American". Being "American" is a hodgepodge of ideas, standards, and customs of a multitude of cultures.

Assimilation of immigrants has been an issue since the beginning.

 

The difference or potential difference is an astute observation.

 

Teddy Roosevelt had specific interesting opinions in this area if one does some research.

"We do not accept Papists because they bow to a Roman dictator!"

 

That's what this is about, right?

I am not saying this against any immigrants in particular. I understand our country was built on that. This goes much deeper than that. Its a mind set. Some embrace this concept of being an American, some do not even though they are "by law" a citizen of the United States. But it seems the usual attack dogs come to the rush of something that I was not even thinking about with posts and likes. This isnt a right vs left or anti immigration thought either.

I love the show 'Hell on Wheels.' The overarching theme is how the creation of the railroad united America physically and ethnically/ demographically. Along the way at least 20 different characters talk about who the real Americans are...they always lose.

 

That kind of stayed with me. The winners/Real Americans are those who accept others and do their best to work beside anyone to make the country great.

 

I apologize for the anecdote.

I am not saying this against any immigrants in particular. I understand our country was built on that. This goes much deeper than that. Its a mind set. Some embrace this concept of being an American' date=' some do not even though they are "by law" a citizen of the United States. But it seems the usual attack dogs come to the rush of something that I was not even thinking about with posts and likes. This isnt a right vs left or anti immigration thought either.[/quote']

 

It's not right or left. It's un-American for you , me, or anyone to say someone isn't American enough or is lesser.

 

Who decides? What's the criteria? If I disagree with the majority or direction of the country am I in the "citizen" group?

It's not right or left. It's un-American for you , me, or anyone to say someone isn't American enough or is lesser.

 

Who decides? What's the criteria? If I disagree with the majority or direction of the country am I in the "citizen" group?

 

You seem offended by my thought process. This was not an attack on anyone or any race or nationality. I agree with Hellcats to the point that anyone who is trying to make our country better and is "all in to futher the American cause" are the true Americans. I just see that thats not always the case. Not everyone has the best interests of our country in their heart. That seemingly is a pretty simple concept and one that just struck me today. Big difference in being a American vs a citizen of the United States. Its a truth to me and thats all that matters.

Being an American means you accept the responsibility of being an individual who works hard to improve the status of your family and America. It means you will come to her defense in times of difficulty whether it be during an economic crisis or against potential tyranny. While you may live in an area of people of common ancestors, you are an American of a certain ancestry, not a hyphenated-American. Who by the 2nd, no more than the 3rd generation that speaks English. And you are willing to accept the consequences of your actions. While being of the mindset that you will do for yourself and not relie on government.

Wow, what an interesting thread.

Being an American means you accept the responsibility of being an individual who works hard to improve the status of your family and America. It means you will come to her defense in times of difficulty whether it be during an economic crisis or against potential tyranny. While you may live in an area of people of common ancestors, you are an American of a certain ancestry, not a hyphenated-American. Who by the 2nd, no more than the 3rd generation that speaks English. And you are willing to accept the consequences of your actions. While being of the mindset that you will do for yourself and not relie on government.

 

What does this say about third-generation German-Americans who still go out of their way to make sure their kids can speak HochDeutsch and Low-Saxon? As well as Midwestern English? Are they less American, even though Opa fought for the US after getting out of Germany just in time to avoid being conscripted into Hitler's Army?

 

I know what you're going to say, but it's really no different than today's third-generation Mexicans or, dare I say, Arabs, teaching their kids their native language. Just a different skin color.

Nothing wrong with a 'second' language. One could get a job as an interpreter. TR also said all should speak English as their first language. Since you know what I was going to say, would you mind giving the numbers for the next Powerball?

After much thought on the past few days and all thats happened leading up to this, I have come to the conclusion( or at least to me) that these two things are very different. Anyone can become a citizen of the United States if you follow the guidelines. But being a American is something that comes from the heart and a sense of pride. Alot of the issues we are having now and will have in the future are "citizens of the United States" not Americans. Two very different people.

 

I am sure I am gonna get blasted, but there is alot of truth in this if you will just think about it.

Sounds like something Ward Cleaver would say to Wally and the Beaver.

Sounds like something Ward Cleaver would say to Wally and the Beaver.

 

And you TTP are Eddie Haskell.........