Posted on 02/11/2002 6:40:47 AM PST by rightwing2
Solving the 'immigration problem'
© 2002 WorldNetDaily.com
Alan Keyes,2-11-02
If all has gone well, by the time you read this, the world will have gathered in Salt Lake City for the beginning of the 2002 Winter Olympics. Of course, there is nothing new about the world coming to America. Indeed, the Olympics seem an apt metaphor for the country itself. We are a community of people drawn from many nations, united in friendly competition, but united more in friendship and mutual good will. And like a permanent Olympic Village, Americans delight in a friendship and good will that – in defiance of the ages of tribal war and racial conflict around the world – transcend the divisions of race, creed and culture to be truly a community of human persons, as such.
America stands for more than herself in any time, but now more than ever. As the tattered flag from the World Trade Center concretely demonstrated in the opening ceremony, the American flag is a symbol of all humanity. In our diversity, America is of universal significance – all mankind is concerned in the fate of America, and we, in turn, have a concern in the fate of all mankind. For America is a community of all mankind. And our current conflict with the forces of terror is a struggle against a threat to all human beings.
For these reasons, it is ironic that some argue we must respond to the threat of terror – and to the longstanding challenges of immigration – by abandoning America's tradition of openness to the world. In this moment of unexpected renewal of America's significance for the world, we must take care above all not to lose sight ourselves of the legitimacy of the aspirations of millions of people around the world to participate in the dignity of self-government that is preeminently found in American citizenship. God willing, it will always remain true that the dream of becoming an American will inspire people everywhere, because it is one way to lay effective claim to respect for the dignity all men share. Immigration into America will remain a legitimate hope for millions, so long as America remains a beachhead of human dignity in a world of tyranny and oppression.
Successful incorporation of immigrants into the American body politic is important not just for their sake, but for the vindication it represents of the fundamental American faith that dignified self-government is the vocation of all people, everywhere. We take the tired, the poor, the huddled masses yearning to breathe free, and we turn them into free men and women. And each time we do so, the rulers they left behind are convicted again by this proof that it is not the people who are unfit for liberty, but the governments that are unworthy of the people.
The immigration "problem" in America today is not a question of numbers, but of our failure effectively to welcome those who do come by educating them in American principles, and evoking their real commitment of heart to the unique American way of life that represents a hope for the destiny of the world. We have largely abandoned the process of educating newcomers in the special principles of the American way of life. This failure, of course, is the natural result of the even deeper problem of our own retreat from these principles – for how can we demand of newcomers what we scarcely acknowledge in ourselves? Our own schools have retreated from our commitment to that special understanding of principle, of human dignity, of human justice and of free enterprise that constitute our unique identity and represent a universal appeal for the world.
A renewed dedication to civic education as part of the immigration process would solve a multitude of problems, and renew our national understanding that immigration is not a curse, but a blessing. It would help weed out those who are coming simply for economic reasons, and are unwilling to accept the real discipline of American citizenship – of responsible liberty. And it would, as well, provide a first broad form of security against those who wish to enter America to do us harm. Most importantly, a return to generous but disciplined extension of the citizenship privilege would renew our own hearts. For like the blessings of friendship in the pursuit of excellence that are the best fruit of the Olympics, we cannot extend the blessings of liberty to others without offering them more effectively to ourselves.
Just a side note: At least Dr. Keyes has never advocated the rewarding of law breakers who illegally cross our borders.
I don't believe Dr. Keyes advocates "unrestricted" immigration.
It's becoming more and more obvious to me that the driving force for "open borders" are multinational corp's who care nothing about local communities, the goal is profit at all costs.....and usually those costs are paid for by the suckers, er taxpayers. It's nothing more than a race to the bottom and we suckers, uh taxpayers are far ahead.
But would he (does he?) say that about today's work force.
The previous generations of workers were captive to both geography and station and at the mercy of local employment.
Today with cheap mobility and instant information, I don't think the image of a wage slave still holds.
As O'Reilly says...."Am I wrong?"
As to the amnesty bill Bush is pushing and the House passed this evening, I don't believe Keyes advocates rewarding law breakers. We'll find out tonight on his show.
By the way, does this amnesty bill apply only to illegals from Mexico? If so, why are these politicians discriminating against illegals from Europe, Asia and Africa? Why not just reward law breakers from everywhere, or isn't that politically expedient?
This bill is not based on principle, it is based on pandering.
Problem is Democrats work 24/7 to see people do not assimilate.
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