Is this america or not???!!!?

Question

Teddy had it so right! Not Kennedy, but Roosevelt!
Theodore Roosevelt's ideas on Immigrants and being an AMERICAN in 1907.
"In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the person's becoming in every facet an American, and nothing but an American...There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn't an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag... We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language... and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people.

TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK!!!

Answer 1

I'm an immigrant, I've assimilated, learned the language, etc. But immigrants can't stay away from their native culture, they should be allowed to have some of their culture, after all, this is what the country is all about - a melting pot of cultures. I do agree with the language thing, though, I think everyone SHOULD speak the language. By the way, I'm also a very patriotic American. One flag - stars and stripes. But I still have to have my chicken adobo.

Answer 2

"In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin." is so true. but the whole "Only english languge" i'm not to sure about because that is a little too far, America has a diverse population of people and should be treated equally even if we don't all speak the same language.

Answer 3

Teddy was... an interesting man to say the least. I like a lot of his domestic policies, certainly, but his international policies bugged me. (Spanish American war was ****.)

Now about immigration, I think the rabid nationalism he is advocating only damages our country. If you are forced to like it, does that make it democratic? Of course not. We always knocked the Soviet Union for people's dedication to the Mother Land, and said they were under a dictator. Well, we have a strong sense of nationalism here too, where does that leave us? Like most Russians who just have pride in their country or are we under a dictator?

Anyway, that conflict aside (and the language thing is pretty high on my **** list... I hope somebody else will tackle that because I really need some sleep), I can tell you that Teddy had something going here. Immigrating people really don't "take jobs away" from us. They largely take up the low-end service positions that nobody "wants". I know I really don't want to ******' work at Taco Bell, but I am sure there are plenty of people from outside that wouldn't mind it too bad.

Think of it this way. *If* capitalism is right, then having more labor only means it will help the economy grow. Wealth continues to grow and we can move up in the world. So, from a business model, immigration isn't a problem. I think all this hubbub is culture. We have a mean streak of nationalism going on.

Answer 4

I agree.. just let me add one thing..

Whoever here said that this "stuff" is 100 years old.. lets also look into what illegals vital foundation statement is for upholding their "amnesty dream."

The English settlers... from years ago happened far over 100 years ago.. The war fought to take over Mexican territory was fought waaaaaaaaaaaaay over 100 years old.

By the way, this "stuff" IE: Speech by President Theodore Roosevelt of 1907 is American history. And did not take place over 100 years ago. (Simple math... moral: Go to school and get an education. When Americans start screwing up in math, we will then come to focus on the possibility that American schools need to require the passing of the Spanish language to graduate)... Deal? Deal!!

Answer 5

I don't care how old this is. This should be upheld. Roosevelt was a legend in his own time. How relevant those words are to true Americans now!

I agree with everything he said, especially the part about the flag. There is only room for one flag- the American flag!

STARS AND STRIPES FOREVER.
AMERICAN TIL THE DEATH

Answer 6

There are LOTS of American Jews who feel they owe their allegiance to both the US and to Israel. I don't see ANYONE complaining about it.

Many Mexicans have enlisted, fought and died in Iraq, in the name of the USA. Most of those heroes have been frowned upon and discriminated against in the very US soil, simply because they hold Mexican barbecues in their yards and DARE to fly the DREADED Mexican flag!

I don't see anyone complaining when they see the Irish flag on St Patrick's Day.

Customarily, punks wear the Union Jack on Tshirts, leather jackets and other clothes, and I don't see massive protests anywhere against this.

So? This is what I think about it: Many Americans, especially those complaining against illegal aliens, can't help adding a racist hue to their complaints. It's more than clear. Whenever the subject comes up, MOST people have Mexicans on their minds.

So quit your nagging and whining, and before you display your anti-illegal outrage, think of just how many of those illegals have built and died for your home nation. I also suggest you bear in mind how many times you yourself have bypassed the law and broken the rules, Mr. Goodbar!!!

Answer 7

Theodore was the right man for his time but times they are a changin'.
We need more immigrants. More immigrants for the purpose of enlisting in our military. Our government is promising citizenship if they serve. Pretty pathetic but true. Our "home grown" young people would rather show their patriotism with a bumpersticker than a salute.

Answer 8

He's talking about european immigrants that invaded indian and mexican lands, Not people native to the lands!
Does he want mexico to speak english too.
You moron you moved to a country that spoke indian and spanish, so assimilate!
And the american flag stands for all people with all nationalitys united, Just so you know.

Answer 9

Makes me long for days of old.

Wanna a balloon has the right avatar, he is a clown!
It is not racist to want the federal government to enforce our immigration laws.
It is not racist to expect immigrants to speak English.
And It is not racist to be a patriotic American and expect ALL peoples in this great country to respect the American flag!
People like this clown pull the race card because there argument is weak.
Illegal is illegal is illegal. What part of ILLEGAL do you not understand?

Answer 10

You don't want to know what I think. I'm a halfbreed as it is called.
As far as I am conserned this is not america but it is the United States , The land was invaded by white man swo long ago and stolden now it is worth nothing to the NA people