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.

 

There are plenty of Native born folks that would fit into the "un-American" category you describe. And even worse, there are many that go out of their way to villainize the poor and the immigrants with the assumption they are all freeloaders and lazy. I find that just as disturbing and "un-American".

I may be way off base here, but I feel strongly that people from other countries should not come here to live and try and force their former countries laws and rule into our culture. We definitely have a culture here and it's not what they had previously. They don't want to assimilate, they want to BYOC. Totally disagree with that mindset. If I moved to another country, i think it would be so arrogant of me to form a pocket of like minds and try to change their culture and ignore what they have had in place for hundreds or thousands of years.

There are plenty of Native born folks that would fit into the "un-American" category you describe. And even worse, there are many that go out of their way to villainize the poor and the immigrants with the assumption they are all freeloaders and lazy. I find that just as disturbing and "un-American".

 

Maybe I should have said you do your best not to relie on government. There are those who need help, yet we all do know some who are leeches. And sir, all I said that people should work hard and be responsibible. I listed positive attributes for all to follow.

I may be way off base here, but I feel strongly that people from other countries should not come here to live and try and force their former countries laws and rule into our culture. We definitely have a culture here and it's not what they had previously. They don't want to assimilate, they want to BYOC. Totally disagree with that mindset. If I moved to another country, i think it would be so arrogant of me to form a pocket of like minds and try to change their culture and ignore what they have had in place for hundreds or thousands of years.

 

I agree with this and this is exactly part of what got me to this point. Not all, but part. Good post.

 

^Kenny Powers is a real American

I may be way off base here, but I feel strongly that people from other countries should not come here to live and try and force their former countries laws and rule into our culture. We definitely have a culture here and it's not what they had previously. They don't want to assimilate, they want to BYOC. Totally disagree with that mindset. If I moved to another country, i think it would be so arrogant of me to form a pocket of like minds and try to change their culture and ignore what they have had in place for hundreds or thousands of years.

 

What other country's laws or style of government have we adopted here? Culturally, we've always allowed other cultures customs and religions to be practiced and even celebrated. St Patrick's Day, festivals celebrating Italian, Greek, German (and many many other nationalities) cultures and foods are found in every city in the country. Aside from a few of our National Holidays, many of our celebrations are based on traditions or celebrations from other cultures and nationalities.

The immigrants of years ago did not have all the "out" avenues if things didn't work out.

 

"Out", being welfare, government assistance, ect, ect you dug in an worked harder to try to make it. If they became disenfranchised with the American way they didn't fall back on an ideology like radical Islam and become violent.

 

Comparing today's immigrants, legal or illegal is very hard to do.

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.

 

I don't think you should be blasted. Just means you aren't a Dead Rabbit and you're a Native.

I don't think you should be blasted. Just means you aren't a Dead Rabbit and you're a Native.

 

I have Irish/English/Cherokee blood.....

What other country's laws or style of government have we adopted here? Culturally, we've always allowed other cultures customs and religions to be practiced and even celebrated. St Patrick's Day, festivals celebrating Italian, Greek, German (and many many other nationalities) cultures and foods are found in every city in the country. Aside from a few of our National Holidays, many of our celebrations are based on traditions or celebrations from other cultures and nationalities.

 

I think celebrating customs, cultures and food is very different than coming to the USA and not speaking English, treating women like scum and wanting their laws to be recognized here is the issue I refer to in my post. If our law requires you to remove your burka for a photo for example, then you need to remove it. Why do we allow Muslim students in our public schools to pray 5 times/day in private rooms, yet we remove prayer, the pledge and the flag from our public schools? I have no issue with legal immigration, but I feel those who get citizenship have a responsibility to properly assimilate to the United States.

I think celebrating customs, cultures and food is very different than coming to the USA and not speaking English, treating women like scum and wanting their laws to be recognized here is the issue I refer to in my post. If our law requires you to remove your burka for a photo for example, then you need to remove it. Why do we allow Muslim students in our public schools to pray 5 times/day in private rooms, yet we remove prayer, the pledge and the flag from our public schools? I have no issue with legal immigration, but I feel those who get citizenship have a responsibility to properly assimilate to the United States.

 

Our schools can't force students to pray....students are however, allowed to pray as they wish. And I haven't seen a school that doesn't have American Flags. Treating women poorly is something that isn't specific to any race or religion....we have plenty of folks who were born here that treat women poorly. I agree if you live here you have to follow the law. But I also don't believe you have to give up your beliefs to live here, and that everyone should respect each other's beliefs, customs, religion, etc....whether born here or not.

As 'new' or 'unique' as the issue of immigration and 'Americanization' seem its not a new issue. As I indicated earlier in the thread the issue has been with us since the founding.

 

A quick snippet related to the Immigration Act of 1903 (113 years ago):

 

Immigration Act of 193 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

 

"Anarchism came to public attention in the United States with the Haymarket Affair of 1886. On May 4, a policeman was killed and several others were wounded, of which six later died, after a bomb exploded in Chicago's Haymarket Square.[1] Eight members of the recently formed International Working People's Association (IWPA) were found guilty of the bombing.[1] The IWPA's 1883 manifesto called for the "destruction of the existing class rule, by all means, i.e., by energetic, relentless, revolutionary and international action""

 

"On September 6, 1901, Leon F. Czolgosz, an American-born son of Polish immigrants and a self-proclaimed anarchist, assassinated President William McKinley."

 

Roosevelt's comments:

 

"I earnestly recommend to the congress that in the exercise of its wise discretion it should take into consideration the coming to this country of anarchists or persons professing principles hostile to all government....They and those like them should be kept out of this country; and if found here they should be promptly deported to the country whence they came."

 

Action taken - first deportation under act was challenged and went to SCOTUS. From link:

 

"Chief Justice Melville Fuller wrote the Court's decision holding that the Bill of Rights does not apply to aliens and that Congress had the right to deny entry to anyone they deemed a threat to the country. Turner became the first person deported under the act."

 

Control and screening of who is let into the country is not new, though some want it to be so and act like there are no precedents or previous debates on almost the same issues. Those who forget history, or chose to ignore it, often repeat it, as they say.

What about persons who come to this country to infiltrate and with a mission. To maim, kill and to be a enemy of the United States? This has/is happening and alot are 100% United States citizens by law. Till we understand the problem or problems our nation faces we will never fix anything. Our country is not on the most stable ground in its history right now. Those that choose to ignore that fact, live in a dream world that if you live long enough will prove you wrong. History is a great teacher.

What about persons who come to this country to infiltrate and with a mission. To maim, kill and to be a enemy of the United States? This has/is happening and alot are 100% United States citizens by law. Till we understand the problem or problems our nation faces we will never fix anything. Our country is not on the most stable ground in its history right now. Those that choose to ignore that fact, live in a dream world that if you live long enough will prove you wrong. History is a great teacher.

 

You also have the other side when the govt and public feel a group of people is here to do harm and they unjustly place them in internment camps. History is a great teacher .

The debate about the definition of "Melting Pot" as it applies to this country has been around for decades.