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What do you think about this article on Immigration?

So many letter writers have based their arguments on how this land is made up of immigrants. Ernie Lujan for one, suggests we should tear down the Statue of Liberty because the people now in question aren't being treated the same as those who passed through Ellis Island and other ports of entry. Maybe we should turn to our history books and point out to people like Mr. Lujan why today's American is not willing to accept this new kind of immigrant any longer. Back in 1900 when there was a rush from all areas of Europe to come to the United States, people had to get off a ship and stand in a long line in New York and be documented. Some would even get down on their hands and knees and kiss the ground. They made a pledge to uphold the laws and support their new country in good and bad times. They made learning English a primary rule in their new American households and some even changed their names to blend in with their new home. They had waved good bye to their birth place to give their children a new life and did everything in their power to help their children assimilate into one culture. Nothing was handed to them. No free lunches, no welfare, no labor laws to protect them. All they had were the skills and craftsmanship they had brought with them to trade for a future of prosperity. Most of their children came of age when World War II broke out. My father fought along side men whose parents had come straight over from Germany , Italy , France and Japan . None of these 1st generation Americans ever gave any thought about what country their parents had come from. They were Americans fighting Hitler, Mussolini and the Emperor of Japan . They were defending the United States of America as one people. When we liberated France , no one in those villages were looking for the French-American or the German American or the Irish American. The people of France saw only Americans. And we carried one flag that represented one country. Not one of those immigrant sons would have thought about picking up another country's flag and waving it to represent who they were. It would have been a disgrace to their parents who had sacrificed so much to be here. These immigrants truly knew what it meant to be an American. They stirred the melting pot into one red, white and blue bowl. And here we are in 2006 with a new kind of immigrant who wants the same rights and privileges. Only they want to achieve it by playing with a different set of rules, one that includes the entitlement card and a guarantee of being faithful to their mother country. I'm sorry, that's not what being an American is all about. I believe that the immigrants who landed on Ellis Island in the early 1900's deserve better than that for all the toil, hard work and sacrifice in raising future generations to create a land that has become a beacon for those legally searching for a better life. I think they would be appalled that they are being used as an example by those waving foreign country flags. And for that suggestion about taking down the Statue of Liberty , it happens to mean a lot to the citizens who are voting on the immigration bill. I wouldn't start talking about dismantling the United States just yet.

Public Comments

1. Well put,I doubt anyone can dispute what you said
2. WOW! what a statement that article makes. I LOVE IT. I completely agree with it's entirety. SHORTY!ISBACK. your comments were completely ignorant. The article was not speaking of those like yourself who have assI'milated. It was talking about those who choose not to and really have no respect for this country. That being said I say to you GET OUT. your comments sucked and you ended up offending the people of this great nation. BTW: im sure you come from a very ugly race seems how you had to bring that up.
3. Thank you for some TRUTH! The only problem I have is I can't give you more stars!
4. trust me buddy we are going thru the same dammn thing just becasue you want classify and profile some bad apples does not mean that we are all like that and u know what my grandparents were in WW2 and i have cousins that are in iraq right now so dont bring this bull shit to me and u know what they dont even have papers they are in progress of fixing them but you know what they are out there defending this country too
5. The article holds true - but the answer is strictly to fine all employers who heir undocumented employees and fail to withhold taxes and social security. Perhaps requiring a passport identification and a knock off proof social security cards are needed. Illegal immigrants will return home if they can't get employment. While mandating English is not logical we do more harm than good making dual language available from phone service calls to signs and directions in business establishments and retail products.
6. Enough said, maybe all should forward this article to every congressmen we have local and federal. Good job. Fill every email box with it.
7. I am an immigrant-- I've never been on welfare, had free health care, had free education (went to a "religious" school my parents paid for) or free food! I did in fact change my name to 'blend' in when I became a naturalized citizen. English is the language I speak the most but it's not the only one I speak, in fact I speak 4 different languages and I'm proud of that. Both of my brothers were in Iraq and fought for "America".....So where did you ever get that people don't come here to assimilate to the American culture? I don't wave the "Mexican" flag --- I wave both of them because I am a part of both countries. Mexico is far from being the perfect country to live in but who would ever forget where they were born? Would you forget your parents when you move out of your house? I am proud to be an American but don't come bashing in on all the immigrants like you really know them personally. I think you lack brain cells for believing all the stupid stereotypes you hear from the media. Did you ever think that not everyone is like that? If I said that all white people are racist, cannot dance, boring, ugly, egotistical, greedy and undesirable ---- would you be offended?
8. I couldn't possibly agree with this article more - I already saw it in my e-mail box once or twice. Problem is, we have congressmen who are either trying to get votes from Latinos (Democrats) or get votes from corporate chieftains who see a cheap source of labor (Republicans). We obviously have a crying need for a third party that will represent what WE THE VOTERS actually want!
9. That is fantastic and soooooo true!!. I'm going to send it to all of my friends and family!
10. Exactly...people seem to forget that we have these things that are called HISTORY books that show the truth in how people have indeed been treated coming here to the USA as immigrants. My great grandmother had to do it, so the illegal aliens need to do the same. There are REASONS why there are laws about health in the immigration laws!
11. WQW ,that's great , the best question and answer I've seen yet on immigration . Should be sent to every Senate in Congress and to the President also , everyday till they get it through their heads , The American People don't want Amnesty for the illegals and we want the borders closed , NOW !!!!