Do Americans believe in the spirit of the constitution and the dedication on the statue of liberty?

Answer 1

Sadly, most Americans only believe these things selectively.

Americans will accept the ideas of limited government and individual liberty so long as it agrees with their desires. When the Constitution becomes an obstacle to their schemes for power, suddenly it becomes "the dead hand of the past".

As for the dedication of the Statue of Liberty, the situation is the same. Americans will be in favor of immigration when it is to their advantage; when it is not, they suddenly become concerned about protecting our "national culture" or wage rates or something else.

Answer 2

The Statue of Liberty was erected in 1886, when world population was little more than one billion and the U.S. population was 60 million. Many do not realize that the Statue of Liberty was a gift to the U.S. from France, with the title, "Liberty Enlightening the World".
The statue and its symbolism had nothing to do with immigration, but rather hope that the rest of the world would adopt Democracy. The Emma Lazurus plaque (it is not chiseled in the base), "send me your huddled masses" was added ten years later during the immigration peak of that age.

The sonnet, "New Colossus", was written by Emma Lazarus in 1883 as part of a literary campaign to raise funds for the completion of the Statue's pedestal. Not much attention was paid to it until the tide of immigration surged at the turn of the century. Proceeds that were raised from its auction were used to complete the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty. This plaque memorialized the sonnet in 1903 and was placed on the inner wall of the Statue's pedestal. It currently is displayed inside the Statue of Liberty museum.

It helps if you know the facts

Answer 3

We believe in the Constitution but think of it as a set of internal laws, not for foreigners except in specific circumstances. We can not enforce our Constitution in Mexico or Russia, and don't apply its rights to their citizens, either, except as we simply choose to, in essence. We think the poem on the Statue of Liberty is a sweet thought memorializing a time in our history that was pretty plainly over at the time that due to terrorism people were forbidden from going up in the Statue of Liberty any more.

The poem is a private thing, you know? It was not government action.

Answer 4

I really do not think that MOST Americans know what is in the constitution. Except when the gun topic comes up and prob. not even that. The majority of the typical American male is too consumed with either watching TV ( sports ) or cars. Man I really hate to say that. That is really sad. The people that occupy space in this country should really wake up and read more than the comics or the sport section. Sorry to offend anyone but only YOU can change this sterotype.

Answer 5

Did you know that the constitution and bill of rights was biased and that the statue of liberty was built on an ideal that was not an actual concept. Words written by some men did not reflect the opinions of all men and and at that time, did not include all of mankind.

Answer 6

The constituion yes. The Statue of Liberty is not law and was a gift from the French.

Answer 7

America is a nation of almost 300 million individuals. We believe a lot of different things. I believe in those things you mentioned, as well as a very open immigration policy.

But hundreds of millions of people will never agree on one thing. Even at the time those were written, everyone did not agree. We did have to go to war to form the country, and many many colonists were loyal to England at the time.

Answer 8

We are a Nation of laws guided by the Constitution and expect everyone to obey the laws. No one is above the law!

That is why millions of Americans are opposed to illegal aliens. The are lawbreaking illegal alien foreign nationals that need to be deported!

Answer 9

Yes, I think most Americans believe...

That answers your question, but I think you are trying to state that those beliefs, and immigration-control are mutually exclusive...

The dedication plaque on the Statue of Liberty is a POEM "The New Colossus"... an advertising gimmick to raise funds for the statue... was a wonderful, hopeful, and welcoming idea... HOWEVER, it is NOT a legal document or part of United States Law.

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 Constitution of the United States, and the attendant laws entered under United States Code are the LAWS that regulate immigration...

The Constitution and our laws are flexible documents, NOT a suicide pact to allow whomever that wishes into our country... they permit changes to reflect the changing nature of time.

Also, "The New Colossus" was written in 1883... in a different age with regard to the needs of this nation for immigrants to fill this nation and build it.

Perhaps a US artist-engineer should design a statue to entice and welcome immigrants to certain OTHER nations.

Answer 10

I support LEGAL immigration ONLY, all else is an unacceptable situation. Mexico and other countries need to pull their socks up...