The "Melting Pot" is an early 20th century LIBERAL invention. It was advanced at the time that the racialist Right/Logical Positivists/Social Darwinists, etc. were arguing that the large numbers of Jews, Southern and Eastern Europeans would cause a dilution of genes in the country and spread communism/socialism as well. The liberals at the time argued that those immigrants should be embraced and made to be good "Anglo-Saxons."
The "melting pot ideal" became popular in the 1920s and continued on as the ideal until the late 60s/early 70s. It was succeeded initially by "pluralism" and eventually "multiculturalism."
I personally have no problem with people carrying on their own cultural traditions as long as they leave me alone and don't ask me for a handout.
Yep. I agree.