Outright Liars and so called Civil Rights Activists in
bed with Loose Liberals, Pinko Democrats and the ACLU
Mass immigration supporters often wave the flag of tolerance. With their self-proclaimed
open minds and open hearts, they urge the rest of us to accept open borders. But woe unto
him who disputes their advice. The wrath of the "tolerant" can be quite
terrible, as anyone can testify who has stood on the receiving end of their name-calling.
Many of these "tolerant" people live in sheltered worlds, far from the madding
crowds they wish to admit. In such comfortable settings they can indulge blissful
ignorance of human nature.
The truth of the matter, proven through human history, is that tolerance among people,
even countrymen, requires the most careful cultivation. Pleas for goodwill and brotherhood
simply aren't enough. Human beings of all creeds, colors and nationalities are
contentious. When they do get along it's usually when they share common values, and
respect and obey equitable laws.
These precisely are the conditions that have made America a relative haven of peace in a
strife-torn world. But it is a mistake to take them for granted. Some Americans pridefully
believe that our country is "exceptional," one not subject to the strains and
divisions of other countries. They forget the sad memory of our Civil War and fail to heed
what it could suggest for our future.
Just as North and South once divided, multi-culturalism, given clout by mass immigration,
is pulling us into factions. It is clear to most perceptive people that the strength of
our common values is weakening. "The legitimacy of America's basic institutions and
practices," notes political scientist Stanley Renshon of City College of New York,
"are no longer a matter of fact, but rather of debate."
As this debate goes on, an unprecedented diversity of cultures is arriving. Several years
ago President Clinton noted this consequence of immigration and said it could mean the end
of our "dominant … culture." He said not to worry, however, because we
would not "disintegrate" on account of it. Few thoughtful Americans were
reassured.
Many immigrants today come from countries with values sharply different from ours. In
those countries there is little tradition of tolerance in political life and little
experience with the rule of law. Given time, if mass immigration continues, these
characteristics will remake our national character. Of particular concern is out of
control illegal immigration, a situation that directly undercuts our rule of law and
debases our citizenship.
Ironically, the ethnic lobbies that facilitate and encourage illegal immigration
often style themselves as "civil rights" groups. Nothing could be farther from
the truth. Genuine civil rights activists in our history claimed their rights as citizens
under our law. In contrast, illegal alien advocates claim for foreigners the right to
break our law and reap the benefits of citizenship. With law undermined, citizenship
becomes a second-class status for everyone, leaving it little power to inspire unity.
What can Americans who still value their culture of civic order do to stop the social
disintegration they see so plainly? Perhaps the best answer is to practice the values they
see passing away and work through our legal and political system for change. Today,
unfortunately, change is difficult due to the corrupting influence of vested interests
which extract cheap labor and cheap votes from immigration. To prevail against these
interests, citizens must revive citizenship by taking it seriously.
This revival will require intense organizing and activism. It will exact a great deal of
frustration and become a test of our tolerance. Some Americans, feeling betrayed, might
also feel tempted to lash out in hostility against immigrants. This would be wrong. The
proper response is to criticize and reform bad policy, not attack people, whether legal
immigrants or illegal aliens. Once again, the best hope for preserving American ideals and
values is to practice them. At the same time it would be helpful if those who identify
tolerance with high immigration could extend at least some tolerance for the concerns of
their fellow citizens who favor restriction.
The stakes are truly high. The type of diversity flourishing today is not our strength,
but the weakness of cultural anarchy beginning to unfold. By working lawfully and decently
to reduce immigration to reasonable levels, we can preserve our country as a land of peace
and harmony.
By John C. Vinson
http://www.immigrationcontrol.com/newsletter.htm#fortolerance
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