The problem is complex. We are not living in the same country or under the same conditions that existed during former waves of immigration that essentially stopped in the 1920s and we stayed at fairly low levels of immigration, 250,00 to 300,000, for 40 years. The current huge numbers help form a critical mass that inhibits assimilation and acculturation. As an outgrowth of the Civil Rights movement, our political "betters" decided that we needed an America that looked like the rest of the world and not just Europe. Thus, we had the Immigration Act of 1965 that abolished national origins and made it easier for Third World immigrants to enter. It has changed the demographics of this country forever. In 1970, non-Hispanic whites comprised 89 percent of the population; today they are 66 percent; and by 2039, they will be 50 percent.
The 1965 Immigration Act: Anatomy of a Disaster
Our schools have become infected with multiculturalism and diversity. American exceptionalism is no longer considered to be a virtue. Our history has been revised so that we view this country as being founded by white racists and a nation that is the cause of most of the world's problems, not a force for good.
Huntington: "In the past, immigrants originated overseas and often overcame severe obstacles and hardships to reach the United States. They came from many different countries, spoke different languages, and came legally. Their flow fluctuated over time, with significant reductions occurring as a result of the Civil War, World War I, and the restrictive legislation of 1924. They dispersed into many enclaves in rural areas and major cities throughout the Northeast and Midwest. They had no historical claim to any U.S. territory.
"On all these dimensions, Mexican immigration is fundamentally different. These differences combine to make the assimilation of Mexicans into U.S. culture and society much more difficult than it was for previous immigrants. Particularly striking in contrast to previous immigrants is the failure of third- and fourth-generation people of Mexican origin to approximate U.S. norms in education, economic status, and intermarriage rates."
The education problem originates with those at the top of the system, just as the immigration problem largely originates with similar people. We dont have to have schools that predominantly produce failures. We dont have to have unlimited immigration and large numbers of people who dont assimilate linguistically or culturally. We dont have to have a permanent, uneducated, unemployable welfare class. And yet ... thats what we have.
No, we don't the current immigration policies or schools. But unless we have engaged, informed citizens who are willing to get involved to change things, we will lose this country. Have you been involved with the Tea Party movement or other grassroots organizations that are trying to change things? If not, then get involved and not just leave the other side a free pass to continue to shape and destroy this country. We get the schools and country we deserve.
I'm involved in producing the next generation of "non-minority" Americans, such as it is ... one adult child in the Coast Guard, eight at home, and one to be born next year.
I'm active in town, county and state-level elections: I see a candidate I like, and I call or email him and say, "I want to help your campaign, with my (6, 7, 8) children." Batty Pat, age 9, has been working the polls since infancy, and he's a heck of a campaigner ... fixes his huge, crazy, green eyes on the voter and says, "Have a MINT! You WILL VOTE for Mr. Blackwood for State Representative! And HERE is a ticket about the JUDGES! VOTE for the judges!"
Nonetheless, it doesn't seem to make much difference. Certainly there's nobody running for school board who believes the whole concept of government schools is Totally Dead Wrong, as I do. The best I can do is support the one who's not a crook trying to make a fortune of school-contruction real estate finagles, or the local union boss.