Immigration and National Identity...
I read an interesting story in the New York Times today. Its about immigration and President Bush's policy towards it. And most people would be shocked to learn that I agree with his policy or at least most of it. His deal is the "Guest Worker Program". Of course this has his usually loyal conservative base up in arms against him. Now this issue has many arguments on both sides and most of them are debatable. But there is one point mentioned in the article that I feel makes no sense.
The argument that an influx of Spanish-speaking immigrants would cause the loss of the American culture and "national identity". I really don't understand how the conservatives can argue this. I mean first of all they hate modern American popular culture. They are always protesting art and movies because it offends their delicate sensibilities and will warp their children's "fragile little minds".
And as far as their "national identity" all I have to say is "what national identity?" I mean if you ask other countries what they think of when they think of the U.S. they will probably tell you "cowboy". Well the only cowboys Americans invented are the gay ones. Cowboys are a Spanish tradition brought to the U.S. by way of Mexico. Some would say that they are afraid of losing their language but how can that be when for every Spanish speaking immigrant entering the United States there is an Indian or Chinese guy learning English so he can take one of our jobs*, so English will always survive. I think we should be teaching immigrants English and helping them integrate themselves into society. That would probably help American national identity. I mean Mexico is a younger country than the U.S. and it already has a much prouder national identity.
The argument that an influx of Spanish-speaking immigrants would cause the loss of the American culture and "national identity". I really don't understand how the conservatives can argue this. I mean first of all they hate modern American popular culture. They are always protesting art and movies because it offends their delicate sensibilities and will warp their children's "fragile little minds".
And as far as their "national identity" all I have to say is "what national identity?" I mean if you ask other countries what they think of when they think of the U.S. they will probably tell you "cowboy". Well the only cowboys Americans invented are the gay ones. Cowboys are a Spanish tradition brought to the U.S. by way of Mexico. Some would say that they are afraid of losing their language but how can that be when for every Spanish speaking immigrant entering the United States there is an Indian or Chinese guy learning English so he can take one of our jobs*, so English will always survive. I think we should be teaching immigrants English and helping them integrate themselves into society. That would probably help American national identity. I mean Mexico is a younger country than the U.S. and it already has a much prouder national identity.
posted by Oscar at 2:43 AM
1 Comments:
George Bush has always been compassionate with immigrants workers when he was governor of Texas. Unlike California governors who have been known for their exclusion and stricter laws towards the illegal aliens. So, amazingly enough, yeah, I also agree with some of what George Bush is talking about. Although he is getting a lot of opposition from both sides of Congress. Regardless of that, putting a large concrete wall is insulting to Mexico, especially when they work of lot of the low wage paying jobs that a lot of people aren't willing to work. And Because of this, they make a huge impact on american economics. Thirdly, this bill is filled with hipocrisy. There is no fence on the canadian border. Some canadian people even have houses built on the border. Some people in the north even believe the border patrol is completely useless. So, yeah i'm against this Bill.
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