Thanks to Pie for bringing the thoughts of Richard D. Lamm to our attention in comments. The ideas put forth by Lamm, former Governor of Colorado, as to how our nation could easily fall have been shared by a number of people.
I hope our readers will follow the link and give considerable thought to Lamm’s warnings. Our leaders will be making important decisions in the coming decade that could very well make the difference between failure and success for our Republic. Will they heed the warnings of history and enact legislation and regulations that support American unity or will we embrace widespread diversity and become a nation divided on the road to destruction?
Thanks to World Net Daily for the transcript from which I will excerpt key points. Visit Speakers Platform to learn more about Richard D. Lamm who began his provocative talk with the following:
I have a secret plan to destroy America. If you believe, as many do, that America is too smug, too white bread, too self-satisfied, too rich, let’s destroy America. It is not that hard to do. History shows that nations are more fragile than their citizens think. No nation in history has survived the ravages of time. Arnold Toynbee observed that all great civilizations rise and they all fall, and that “an autopsy of history would show that all great nations commit suicide.”
What followed was a six point plan which Lamm describes in detail. A short list is enough to peak interest and perhaps start a conversation on Post Scripts? See what you think about the basics of the plan to destroy America.
1. Make America a bilingual-bicultural country.
2. Invent “multiculturalism” and encourage immigrants to maintain their own culture.
3. Celebrate diversity rather than unity.
4. Make our fastest-growing demographic group the least educated…add a second underclass, un-assimilated, undereducated and antagonistic to our population…have this second underclass have a 50 percent dropout rate from school.
5. Get the big foundations and big business to give these efforts lots of money. Invest in ethnic identity…establish the cult of victimology…(encourage) minorities to think their lack of success was all the fault of the majority…start a grievance industry blaming all minority failure on the majority population.
6. Establish dual citizenship and promote divided loyalties…”celebrate diversity…a wonderfully seductive word (that) stresses differences rather than commonalities.
Whether we have openly advocated for these key ingredients in the culture, or have mindlessly stumbled upon them thinking we were just being nice, it would be wise to stop and take some time to consider how better to assimilate the people who come to America that we may continue not just to enjoy the melting pot but to appreciate and celebrate that which unites us as a nation of free men and women. The fate of our nation depends on our of the value of freedom and understanding that a nation divided will not stand.
Our leaders are contemplating legislation to reform our immigration laws. What should they be incorporating into the plans being discussed so that American unity, as well as security and defense, will be foremost in new legislation?
Still linking to birthers, huh, Tina?
And you wonder why people like this are accused of being racist and xenophobic.
Lamm’s letter wreaks of the same well-worn scapegoating that has been used to make people afraid of immigrants for decades. These dogwhistle words aren’t even subtle.
More importantly, his argument isn’t accurate. The evidence shows that today’s immigrants are assimilating at a similar pace as previous generations:
“Partly as a result of the slowdown in new immigrants, the overall measure of assimilation is higher. Immigrants are more assimilated, on average, than at any point since the 1980s.”
http://news.sanford.duke.edu/news-type/news/2013/higher-rates-immigrant-assimilation-may-shape-policy-reforms
“All of this follows the traditional three-generation model of linguistic assimilation that characterized European immigrants in the last century. Typically, English is the dominant language of the second generation, and by the fourth generation fewer than a quarter can still speak the immigrant tongue.
Educational progress among Latino immigrants is also evident, and it too fits a pattern shown by previous ethnic newcomers. Nearly half (47%) of foreign-born Hispanics lack a high-school diploma, but that number falls to 17% among their offspring. And 21% of second-generation Hispanics are college graduates, compared with 11% of foreign-born Hispanics residing in the U.S.”
http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424127887324787004578495393859698964
Reactionaries have always blamed disadvantaged and disempowered groups for the country’s problems, and probably always will. It’s a shame so many people have such a need to feel superior that they buy into such tired, xenophobic myths.
Tina, if you don’t want to be seen as racist and xenophobic, I have a sure-fire solution that I guarantee will help: stop approvingly citing articles from racist xenophobes.
You know exactly what to do to help your party’s image. Why won’t you do it?
Actually Chris, I don’t wonder at all. I know from whence your constant focus on race comes.
Nowhere in the six points does Governor Lamm suggest, even subtly, that any of the people who immigrate to this country are lesser. What’s with the words, racist, superior, xenophobic, disadvantaged, disenfranchised?
Are you capable of thought that doesn’t include race or class assumptions about the motives and intentions of others?
Do you think its important for any country to be able to manage immigration so that resources and security are not overwhelmed and so that people have a chance to assimilate?
Do you think it has hindered education in our schools since teachers often have to deal with children who speak as many as 100 different languages?
Do you think it’s important that people who come here have a strong desire to be Americans and to adopt the values expressed in our constitution?
Do you think they might want to adopt those values rather than being encouraged to cling to the values of the governments in the countries they escaped?
Do you think it is important that we have a common language, share common values, and celebrate national holidays and events that help to create a sense of unity in the people?
Do you think it is important to have reasonable controls about how people enter our country?
Do you think its important that immigrants come legally through the legally prescribed methods set up by our government?
Are you in favor of your government upholding the laws of the nation?
Do you make a distinction between those who come to this nation legally and those who cross over or thwart our laws by overstaying visa’s?
The only thing useful about your nasty little post is that I can be assured you are still incapable of thought outside that PC box and you continue to live in that resentful, “we vs them” universe.
Give it up…join us in the real world where people actually find it necessary to both ask and answer the difficult questions.
Alex Nowrasteh of CATO suggests “Three Steps for Successful Immigration Reform”. His ideas make sense to me. For instance he writes, “Immigrants will continue to follow the laws of economics and come to America illegally if a better system is not included in immigration reform.” Hello! Who wouldn’t? It’s basic human nature to want to go where there is work. The three points include:
1. “…a workable legal immigration system for low-skilled guest workers.”
2. “…fixing immigration enforcement, which would automatically be made more effective and less expensive by completing the first guest worker visa component. By funneling the vast majority of peaceful applicants through a legal channel, immigration enforcement could focus entirely on security and health threats.”
3. legalizing at least some of the peaceful unauthorized immigrants already here. This is a difficult but essential portion of reform. Unauthorized immigrants could come forward, pay a fee and a fine, and get checked against criminal and national security systems. If they are peaceful and pay some fines and fees, they should be able to work and live without fearing deportation. A long path to citizenship is preferable, but permanent residency, work authorization and no recourse to welfare benefits are the minimum conditions that should be met.”
Lynette M. Parker writes in her paper “The Ethics of Migration and Immigration: Key Questions for Policy Makers”:
One of the reasons we have not been able to move forward on reforms to our immigration policy is that the honest considerations that some American have are automatically dismissed and the people who raise them denigrated.
Historian Victor Davis Hansen examines the opinions and conclusions of two noted authors in a book review for The New Criterion. The review is well worth reading just as a reminder that the challenges presented by a broken immigration policy need to be considered thoughtfully. He concludes:
One fundamental question for me is this: Will the Democrats and Republicans find a way to work together to do what’s best for the nation as a whole or will radical elements continue to use this issue to divide the nation for political gain and/or to paint their opponents as racist?
I don’t know about you but I’m fed up with the PC BS that clutters and taints honest discussion about real problems that impact the lives of Americans and the lives of those who honestly seek to come to this nation. We need solutions; we don’t need or want divisive, denigrating game playing and political posturing.
Some people (make that liberals) seem to forget this one import [word] when it comes to immigration…that word is (drum roll please) illegal!
Yes, boys and girls there is such a thing as illegal immigration, no matter what your President calls it and those who immigrate here illegally are, well, illegal! You can spin it all you want, but the fact is we have a legal immigration system for time tested honest and sensible reasons. They are the same reasons employed by countries around the world who have adopted an immigration system. Name one country without an immigration system and would you want to live there?
Included in those good reasons are, a sovereign nation must be able to control it’s borders. Otherwise it’s open to invasion by belligerents (military forces), criminals and usurpers of safety nets and other undesirables. Therefore, the USA joins the nations of the world by reserving the right of admittance to those who will best serve our needs and not weaken the nation. A simple premise that seems lost upon low information liberals.
The blame for our immigration problem is manifest. The GOP and Democrats have both failed their constitutional mandate to protect our borders and keep us free from invasion. This is quite serious and informed, well adjusted people, know we’ve paid a great price already for our immigration failures.
To obfuscate the reality and steer clear of the issues far left liberals attempt to divert attention to red herrings, such as racism and xenophobia. This is a blatant tactic designed to undermine the oppositions credibility, polarize opposing sides, and dupe the most stupid among us into believing their false argument. And they’ve been quite successful, especially when it comes to duping the stupid and we sure have a lot of stupid to dupe!
The best thing the GOP could do right now is nothing. Only about 3% of America sees the need to solve this through concessions, like a road to citizenship. We would be better served to focus on a simple deportation process for ALL criminals, citizen or not, to some needy country like Somalia. I don’t think those sneaking across the border would like to be deported to Somalia and neither would our career criminals…but, it’s a wonderful place for them. Bet you would see a huge reduction in crime and an end to the revolving door at the border if we did that. But, we don’t have the courage for something that bold do we?
Tina: “Do you think its important for any country to be able to manage immigration so that resources and security are not overwhelmed and so that people have a chance to assimilate?”
Irrelevant, since as I already showed, current immigrants are assimilating at a similar rate as their predecessors. You completely ignored that evidence.
Jack: “Yes, boys and girls there is such a thing as illegal immigration, no matter what your President calls it and those who immigrate here illegally are, well, illegal!”
No. You are butchering the English language. People are not labeled “illegal” for any other transgression. Illegal immigration isn’t even a criminal offense, it’s a civil offense. It makes no sense to label offenders “illegal immigrants,” or even worse, “illegals;” that language is inaccurate and dehumanizing, and does make it sound like they are lesser beings.
‘No. You are butchering the English language. People are not labeled “illegal” for any other transgression’
Really!, why?, because back in 2009 Secretary Napolitano went on CNN’s “State of the Union” and proclaimed that crossing the border illegally is not a crime. This statement left a lot of folks scratching their heads given that U.S. law, the law Napolitano is sworn to uphold—says quite the opposite. Section 8, Title 1325 of the U.S. code clearly states that those who enter the U.S. illegally are committing a crime.
This ‘interpretation’ of the law by Secretary Napolitano seems to be the latest in an effort by the Obama Administration to scale back interior immigration enforcement efforts in the United States.
So either a civil or criminal violation of law are both crimes. Now I offer, if anyone wishes to violate the laws of the USA immigration policies, be those laws State or Federal and those laws are subject to prosecution when violated, and fines or penalties are leveled against them when found guilty, they are in fact criminally responsible for their actions. By the very nature of their action they are and should be considered criminals who preformed an “illegal”act.
illegal alien
noun
1.
a foreigner who has entered or resides in a country unlawfully or without the country’s authorization.
2.
a foreigner who enters the U.S. without an entry or immigrant visa, especially a person who crosses the border by avoiding inspection or who overstays the period of time allowed as a visitor, tourist, or businessperson. Compare resident alien.
IRS definition – Illegal Alien
Also known as an “Undocumented Alien,” is an alien who has entered the United States illegally and is deportable if apprehended, or an alien who entered the United States legally but who has fallen “out of status” and is deportable.
Harold: “By the very nature of their action they are and should be considered criminals who preformed an “illegal”act.”
That’s fair, but again, we don’t label *people* illegal even if they have committed illegal actions.
Chris, sometimes it is helpful to call it for what it is, especially if society was united in doing that. Peer pressure acts as a deterent, in fact it may be the best deterent. If we (as a society) were more intolerant and outraged by crime and we shunned those who committed crime, there would be almost zero crime. But, there’s a whole lot of people with confused ethics, ignorant thinking and misguided loyalties that act as enablers for criminals and of course I am not just talking about illegal immigration, but all types of crime. I recognize what you are saying, but I think the greater point is to label when it’s necessary and helpful to correct something gone very wrong.
Semantics, what should we call them, how about just plain “Criminals’. Playing with PC words of description isn’t worth the argument of recreating a descriptive label for those who break our laws. It is not any less a crime.
Nor is proclaiming “that crossing the border illegally is not a crime” Political BS!
“Semantics, what should we call them, how about just plain “Criminals’.”
Along with the Republicans who employ them? We start to hear some more of this, and we might be willing to lend a little more credence to your position.
Libby, you won’t hear me defending the criminals who exploit illegal labor. They are far worse than the illegals.
I know…I know…How about we call the suspected illegal immigrants just like we do with burglars, robbers and others who are accused of breaking our laws but haven’t been found guilty or innocent yet?
I know it sounds like more PC BS, but hey it’s a compromise. The left just may agree unless it opens that huge door again of possible profiling those suspected of crossing our borders without the proper documentation and approval.
Other countries dealing with the same issue:
Australia
http://www.nationalobserver.net/2000_summer_ed2.htm
Germany
http://blog.gmfus.org/2013/03/07/germanys-skewed-immigration-debate/
The EU
http://www.isn.ethz.ch/Digital-Library/Articles/Detail/?id=174715
It’s a world wide problem no matter what it’s called.
Libby: “Along with the Republicans who employ them?”
So you have proof that all farmers, manufacturers, restaurant and fast food owners are Republicans?
Yeah right. LA is full of them!
Peggy: “How about we call the suspected illegal immigrants just like we do with burglars, robbers and others…”
Got it…they are alleged border breachers, alleged fraudulent document users, and alleged nation sitters?
I guess we could call them pretend guests or fake citizens.
Is there a nice way to say that someone, or someone’s family, broke the law without stretching the truth?
Alleged border breachers…lol that’s perfect!
Jack: “Libby, you won’t hear me defending the criminals who exploit illegal labor. They are far worse than the illegals.”
Indeed. Most undocumented immigrants come here because they think it’s the only way to make a better life for themselves. Their employers are just out to get cheap labor. Unfortunately we hear a lot about how the “illegals” are stealing our jobs, and virtually nothing about how those who employ them are stealing our jobs. Why is that?
I don’t know Chris, but if these employers were not hiring them they wouldn’t be coming. So I have a problem with those folks, they’re not being good Americans! I hate it when they say it’s not their job to enforce immigration laws, but they are the cause of this illegal immigration. The Bracero Program worked great because Mexican labor had temp work permits to come here and work the crops during the summer, make good money and go home with enough money to last them for the rest of the year. Everybody was happy. Now, it’s all screwed up and we’ve got one #$% of a mess on our hands with a huge underclass (subculture) that is very angry with their situation.
Because these are jobs that Americans won’t do?
Tina: “Because these are jobs that Americans won’t do?”
Ah. As usual, you are more than willing to make excuses for employers’ illegal activity, but not for their employees.
Chris: “As usual, you are more than willing to make excuses for employers’ illegal activity, but not for their employees.”
In fact I was doing neither! As usual you let your assumptions and attitudes about me form your response.
My point wasn’t to make excuses for the laborer or the employer. These blanket assumptions about people don’t really help. Here’s the reality:
Some businesses have hired illegals and exploit them. If we’re going to uphold the immigration laws then these businesses, of course, they should be fined. But they should also be helped. E-Verify doesn’t always work and since we aren’t enforcing the border and so many people say we should just put out the welcome mat, it makes it very difficult to determine who is legal and who is not.
If government takes a sympathetic position…giving them welfare and food stamps, free education and medical, sanctuary cities, drivers licenses (voter registration), housing…why is the business person looked down upon for giving them a job? Isn’t that a bit hypocritical? Isn’t it practicing a double standard to punish the business?
Some people hire them without thinking about it at all.
Some hire them, having used use e-verify, but they slip through with fake documents.
Some are Mexican American or Vietnamese American or Cambodian American, etc. and they hire within their own community because they know the people really need the work.
Some people live in neighborhoods where immigrants have been mowing lawns and doing house keeping for many decades…it was a mutually acceptable agreement until it became a political issue.
A lot of farmers and growers have a long history of working with migrant workers and often work with the same returning people year after year.
Some business owners have trouble getting Americans to apply for the jobs they have. See the article in Businessweek.
I remember in California when college and high school students worked the canneries and picked fruit and vegetables…at some point they quit taking those jobs. You can’t blame the farmers for hiring people who show up willing to work and happy to get the job.
So my thought is that the situation isn’t solved by demonizing the business person any more than it is solved by demonizing people who just come here because they need to feed their families.
The problem likewise isn’t solved by deciding that anyone who attempts to speak honestly about the situation is a racist or a charlatan business owner.
Our politicians have a problem. They can’t pass any legislation that will truly serve the American people. I think there are three main reasons for this. 1. They have forgotten the Constitution. 2. They have distinct differences in their approaches to solutions: big government vs smaller government, socialism vs capitalism. 3. Who gets credit for solving a “problem” is more important than solving a problem.
About now I think most Americans wish they would back off and let us solve most of our own problems…it’s their job to secure the border and design a workable immigration policy that they are also determined to enforce.
“So my thought is that the situation isn’t solved by demonizing the business person any more than it is solved by demonizing people who just come here because they need to feed their families.”
Well on that, we agree. It’s just that on the right, I DO hear a lot of people demonizing people who just come here to feed their families.
“They have distinct differences in their approaches to solutions: big government vs smaller government, socialism vs capitalism.”
But tightening border security IS a big government solution.
Chris, you’re right, tightening the border is a big government solution. It’s one of the few reasons we have a federal government. Feds are charged with protecting our borders from invasion. also, the construction of interstate highways, bridge, maintaining a standing army for national defense, regulate commerce between nations and secure treaties with nations. Lastly…The Congress shall have power to dispose of and make all needful rules and regulations respecting the territory or other property belonging to the United States… These are all obligations of big (federal) government. Now look at what the feds do today…talk about mission creep!
Chris: “It’s just that on the right, I DO hear a lot of people demonizing people who just come here to feed their families.”
Chris I can’t speak for all people on the right but I can tell you this. It is incredibly frustrating to be called a racist just for objecting to nonchalance and excuses about our laws not being upheld. It is frustrating to see citizens creating in your face sanctuary cities thus sending the message that it is perfectly fine to ignore our laws about entering the country. It is frustrating to see our government encouraging/collaborating with Mexico to instruct their citizens in how to take advantage of our SNAP and welfare programs. Does it occur to anyone on the left that the Mexican government is excused the burden of caring for its citizens needs in terms of jobs and medical?
It’s also incredibly frustrating to be labeled racist, especially after 911, when you believe the border should be secured for security reasons. It’s frustrating that the problems have been growing and have not been sufficiently addressed over three decades.
I believe the attitudes about the right being racist are reactionary and political and for the most part untrue. The attitudes represent a terrible injustice, not just to conservatives who must endure false the charges but to the millions of foreign people who are convinced that half of America hates them! That’s a terrible injustice that does nothing positive for the country or for those seeking a better life.
Unfortunately, this represents a favored tactic of the radical left to divide along race and class lines as a means to garnering political power. Ultimately this evil deception creates a toxic atmosphere for problem solving and unnecessary chaos/animosity among the people.
“But tightening border security IS a big government solution.”
Yes…under the Constitutional authority concerning national security and naturalization law.
Some people try to say that the phrase “promote the general welfare” gives the federal government the power to create entitlement programs. The sentence in Section Eight of Article One reads: “The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States”
“…general Welfare of the United States.
The cherry picking of “promote the general welfare” ignores the phrase “of the United states. The intent was not raising money to promote the welfare of the people but the welfare of the nation. Had they meant to promote the welfare of the people they would have written, “and to promote the general welfare of the citizens”.
Words mean things. When we blur the meaning to promote an agenda we are not doing ourselves or the nation any favors. When we purposely demonize political opponents to promote an agenda we also do great harm to our nation, our citizens and to people who look to America as an example.