United we stand, divided we fall?

Question

Countries and great civilizations throughout time have crumbled because of diversity. Diversity means we are a divided society - languages, values, and even being "Aftican" American is divisive. I am NOT a German or Irish American. I am proud to be AMERICAN.
Diversity by it's very name...divides...
This is a melting pot where we should all have some common beliefs and goals. If we drift further apart this great nation will fall and this IS a GREAT NATION. I feel very blessed to live here.

Those of you who said respect "differences" while uniting under one language and certain values have it right! We can be different (look how many differences are in 1 family) but we all unite under common goals and values...oh, and yes - we all speak English and call ourselves Americans!

PANCHA & Just Me,
I am not AVERAGE - I think I am what SHOULD be normal. Married to one man who is the father of all my kids, speak English, have values, don't commit crimes, no one OWES me a living, persaonally responsible for my actions, and without a hyphenated blank-American identity!
My kids are not all blond haired and blue-eyed and I love them all the same (but that is a different topic of mine!). I love differences with a common goal and value system. You can be any color and any religion as long as you are a decent human being treating all with respect and following the rules of society - NOT wanting to change them when it doesn't suit your perverted, deviant, and or criminal selves!

Answer 1

I agree that there has to be some common ground or we will be destroyed. I also agree that certain groups CANNOT expect to call themselves_____________American. If anyone cannot call themselves an American, it is my opinion they need to reconsider their residence. That is not to say that people cannot disagree on policies, ect. The other option is for every group to refer to themselves as __________American, such as Irish American, German American, Scottish American, Polish American, Canadian American, Australian American, Bolivian American, and we could go on an on. Obviously, that would be a cumbersome identity. Just as no group should be singled out for discrimination, no group should expect to be singled out for special treatment or identity.

I, too, believe this is the greatest nation on earth and blessed beyond imagination that I was born here instead of any other place. I have a close friend who is black. She frequently refers to the government as "your president, your govenor,etc" saying they don't represent her as a black person (African American). I take great exception with that. If she doesn't feel she is Amercain, she needs to consider another residence. I'm sure there are some poeple who would love to take her place and be proud to call themselves an American

Answer 2

You make an interesting point. However, don't lose sight what made this country great and that is diversity. You cannot have a democracy without diversity. Hitler, also wanted an all white race, without diversity, its a slippery slide to fascism.

Some of the most educated countries in the world embrace diversity, look at Switzerland. They recognize three cultures and three languages, French, German and Italian. They have never been in any wars, one of the few countries who can claim that. They truly have a free system of govt.

I feel what is truly dividing our country are the culture wars. Culture wars on religion and class. We really just need to accept each other and learn to live with our differences. After all, diversity, according to Webster's dictionary means "the inclusion of diverse people", not exclusion....

Answer 3

Way to go Amglo1 !!!!!!
You come here to get away from your sucky country so why try to turn ours into what you left?
Our government is hardly perfect and NO president has ever fixed all the problems so enough with the Bush bashing.
Clinton sure wasn't a winner either.
Adapt to our way of life DO NOT expect us to adapt to yours.
We speak English and so should you.WE should not have to learn 20 different languages just so YOU can communicate with us.
If you want to live in AMERICA be an AMERICAN.
I agree you should never leave your heritage behind.That is a completely different thing all together but don't keep complaining about the country YOU chose to sneak into while getting a free ride on OUR dime.

Answer 4

I finally traced my family tree, and found out my ancestor was some dude in wooden shoes. But, that was several hundred years ago, and since he came to america broke, no family fortune. Oh well, he had the foresight to emigrate to a great country, one that admittedly has problems, but I wouldn't trade it for the world. It's where my family lives, and the place I call 'home', and I get sick and tired of people from other countries trying to use it as a leverage tool against their crappy, screwed up festering 3rd world cesspools.

Left to our own devices, I do believe that america, and americans, can make it from tuesday to friday with NO housekeeper, NO gardener, and NO one trying to ride Uncle Sam's coat-tails for all perpetuity. I'm with you, the hyphenated-american garbage has to stop. I read in the paper someone was calling themselves iranian-american. I'm sorry, doesn't work that way. Pick a country. Preferably, the better of the two. You left your old country because it was all screwed up. Too BAD you didn't leave the problems there, too! LOL

Answer 5

You are correct. If you want to be an American then you need to assimilate to our way of life, I don't mean give up your heritage, just don't come here and re-create your homeland in a section of our city. In the 20's - 40"s we had areas like Little Italy, Chinatown etc, these people learned English contributed to the countries growth and became Americans. Today groups are taking over parts of cities and turning it into what ever third world country they came from, no language skills, no outsiders and no desire to become Americans other than receiving the hand-outs.

Answer 6

you're making an extremely good element. In a perfect international, that should ensue. regrettably, it fairly is a a great way from ideal international and society. despite if the applicants SAY that they have the ideal financial and government concepts, it would not recommend that, whilst elected, they're going to truthfully grant on what they say or that they're going to even have the skill to place their appropriate concepts into place. Why do you think of the political speeches and massive recommendations are pronounced as "marketing campaign provides"? in case you vote for somebody who in simple terms SOUNDS good without bearing in mind their previous checklist, you will finally end up with a president who looks great on digital camera and might study nicely from a teleprompter; somebody who had an exceptionally abysmal checklist as a results of fact the main liberal senator in contemporary historic past yet one that sounds great; somebody who has no genuine political journey different than as a "community organizer". that's what's is the White domicile now. Even Democrats are commencing as much as gain that obama is a failed test. You sound somewhat youthful and naive or a minimum of not very "worldly clever". As you become older you will possibly desire to shop on your individual innovations what's significant to you and improve your individual cost structures inspite of what the media comments.

Answer 7

Nice one....I agree with you...I have never referred to myself as a hyphenated American...I am an American. People who refer to themselves in a hyphenated way (in my opinion) have an identity crisis. I think some Americans who hyphenate themselves think that if they got off of a plane they would have a crowd of people treating them like they were "home" ..the reality of it is that the rest of the world considers us Americans no matter which country we are in...I for one wouldn't have it any other way.

Answer 8

I have German and Irish ancestors. But I am not a German-American or a Irish-American. I am an American. This is and can be a great nation. Be proud of who you are, an American.

Answer 9

This used to be a great nation. Yes we have alot more rights and priveleges here than alot of other countries, but this country has alot to be ashamed of as well. According to all that I have read and learned from mutliple sources this country is reffered to as the Babylon of Revelations. This is not good read you might learn something new.

Answer 10

I wish that more people would realize this. English is a unifying language which adds to the argument that only English should be spoken in the U.S., and all public services should be provided only in English.