Our homes are sovereign just like America. We control the door and lock it sometimes. Do we let people jump through windows to enter? Or, break down a wall to invade? Rarely, do we allow entrance to a stranger. If they are with a trusted friend, perhaps (think Green Card). When someone enters without permission, and they refuse to leave, we call the police (ICE). In America, when the government wants to enter, they can do so only for narrow and good reasons. There are strict procedures. An order must be signed by a judge. We wouldn’t dream of losing or given away control over who can enter our homes, would we?
Ironically, there are compelling reasons that we allow strangers into our American home. Immigration has been critical to the growth and development of America through history. This is still true. However, those who come should want to melt into our “melting pot” and work hard to realize what America offers, and their own personal potential. Immigrants should come for the American Way, not to create a fresh version of what they left behind. They should come for what America is, not what they want to make it.
So far, this is common sense, isn’t it? So why is there so much noise on the issue? Well, the immigration issue as we read about it in the media really has nothing to do with immigrants. It is about power and politics, not people. The currency of the discussion (argument) is lie and deception, not truth and sound judgment. Even voters who are in their 20’s, have lived long enough to see political leaders flip-flop on their positions. It’s hard not to notice that they shift to the position which they believe will earn them more power. At the same, as if on cue, the media seems incapable of helping to sustain a calm and reasonable national discussion. Rather, the media seems to inflame and divide instead of reporting the facts, which we voters need to make a choice. Perhaps, the politicians and the media have forgotten who chooses in America. It’s time to remind them.
Also, before we vote, we voters should recall the difference between legal and illegal immigrants. Legal immigrants enter through valid points of entry. Depending on their individual situations, there are numerous visas they can apply for. Because America is generous and sympathetic, we offer asylum to some who come from terrible places and terrible conditions. In all cases, a legal immigrant is properly taking their first steps to becoming American citizens and realizing personal dreams through one of these processes.
Illegal immigrants also want to enter America, but they choose to break our laws as their first step. They don’t use legal points of entry. They sneak across the wilderness. If they are lucky enough to make it to America, there’s a good chance they’ll be deported. Or, if they fall into the right category of illegal immigrant, they may receive more benefits than the legal immigrants, and in some cases then American citizens.
How to vote? Vote as you would for your own house on this issue. Don’t vote by party! Vote for Congress people who will use and apply common sense. Use your vote to affirm and renew the virtues of honesty and public service. Who will do the best job? If you are still hesitating, then vote for someone who sounds reasonable, isn’t filled will hate or disrespect for other people, and is new and fresh. Someone who has never served before.
In writing calmly and reasonably about immigration I hope by example we can all respectfully use our 1st Amendment right of free expression to add positively to the discussion. However, with the right comes the responsibility to listen. Even more, listening must mean we are willing to change. We must be willing to let the other person, or the other argument, or the other viewpoint change us. If we all come with that commitment, we will indeed meet in “the middle of the road,” and continue building an incredibly strong Common Sense for America.
. . . remember that America’s best days aren’t behind her. America’s best days are ahead of her. They always have been and always will be.
Dave
Copyright © 2018 by David William Wygant. All rights reserved.