A little paraphrasing from the GOP's favorite icon, Ronald Reagan, as he commanded Mikhail Gorbachev to tear down the Berlin Wall in 1987.The Bush Administration moved boldly today to address the issue of Immigration Reform. Did they come up with a progressive, thoughtful solution that the majority of Americans can support? Did they consider the aspect of human dignity and the reality of poverty? Did they think about the history of this nation as a place of opportunity for all? Did they send a message that moves beyond the fear and distrust; from a victim mindset to a place of innovation and hope; to the mindset of a leader?
Nope.
They came up with a solution that reflects the limited thought process of your average five-year old - a big wall to keep the bad guys out.
Yes, let's keep all of those immigrants making $4 cooking our meals, cleaning our toilets, and trimming our hedges out of America! Those criminals must take responsibility for all the havoc they are wreaking on American security and the economy. They don't deserve our respect, empathy, support and certainly not any benefits at all! Because by golly, my grandparents didn't get that when they came over from Yugoslavia! God knows, we don't want to make anything one iota better than what our grandparents experienced 75 years ago!
That's how much we've evolved in our humanity - everyone has to suffer just like me - then maybe they'll get my empathy - as long as they look like me, practice the same religion as me, eat the same food as me, and have the same political beliefs as me.
Never mind acknowledging that the existence of immigrants led to an evolution of legislation that supported the dignity of the America worker from the 40-hour work week, to child labor laws, to the National Labor Relations Act. I wish Americans - especially American lawmakers - were interested in the history of this country.
This law and this manner of thinking are a disgrace to the lady that stands in the New York harbor offering words of hope, encouragement, and welcome to all who wish to call America home.
(I know a little dramatic - but honestly, a FENCE?)
The New Colossus
Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
"Keep ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she
With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
"Keep ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she
With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
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