What exactly is an AMERICAN?

Question

I mean I keep hearing people referring to themselves as Americans, to "others" who are in their country, legal or not, as "outsiders". It's such a consistent mentality that I just have to wonder if there are others who cringe when they hear people talk like that?

EVERY person in America is an immigrant, unless you are of aboriginal descent. So when did this "right" to segregate yourselves from others and plant a stakeholders claim come to be exactly? If you have a certificate in hand that says I'm entitled and you're not can you just pull that out please?

Maybe when that attitude changes, other things will start to change too...because right now it seems to me that most Americans and just digging themselves deeper into a hole with this "holier than thou" attitude.

Comments?

And if you plan to dispute this, I'd like for you to state how you can claim to be a multi-cultural nation at the same time.

Well the rules are no different in Canada...but I think Dave, maybe you're onto the true crux of the matter there.

Oh shut up Vince...with a name like VINCE I know you came from ***-land and not America...so your parents or grand parents were the immigrants...don't pretend to have a brain when I know you don't.

Oh I get it...there's one set of rules that apply to immigrants of 100 years ago...and another that applies today....right...it's a matter of who was here first.

Too bad you don't take that attitude when you go invade someone else's country.

Wow...this is better than any reality tv show I've ever seen.

And no, I wouldn't live in America if you made me a billionaire. Canada suits me just fine and dandy.

I was born here but my parents were immigrants. We respect people from all lands and would gladly accept all displaced Iraqis who would want to come here so they can have a better life too. They can live in peace here without having to look over thier shoulder, and I would gladly give up some of my wealth so they could have a better life. That's the difference between Americans and Canadians.

I disagree Detailer, every person has a right to a smoke free environment. Parents who smoke at home should be charged with child abuse. No smoking in bars, or restaurants or public places. Why should people suck up everyone else's foul air?

Insurance companies won't even insure you in Canada for health care if you smoke.

Smoke free Canada for over 10 years. It was disgusting to bring a bus load of kids through a pizza stop that smelled like an ashtray...we took it all to go.

And by the way OVERPOPULATION is a global problem, not just American.

And if you are really concerned about it...don't go destroying these other countries...these people have to live somewhere and you should be more concerned that you have to rebuild thier countries for them than you are about their entering your country.

That is where all your money and taxes go too...not on healthcare or education where it matters.

I disagree howit..and why should the Mexican gal be proud to be Mexican? I'm proud of being Italian heritage, we celebrate our heritage yearly with dances and feasts as do all the other cultures.

Why should be made to feel ashamed of being Mexican? All the poor gal wants is a chance at a better life.

Get your military butts out there overturning the Mexican government if it's such a problem, I'm sure California would like to relocate to Cancun.

And not one person said a Canadian, a Brazilian, a Mexican is an American...you realize you do live in the Americas?

I'm not saying I have any answers but the time has come for US citizens to really wake up and smell the coffee--don't you think? I'm actually frightened for you all, and for this planet. We all should be working towards peace instead of spreading intolerance and hate. I'll never be ashamed of speaking out for that.

Yes I do M2 I have a lot to say..plus I type 100 words per minute....whooosh....

Answer 1

YOU KNOW YOU ARE RIGHT!!!!!!!!!


PROUD TO BE MEXICAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 2

I have yet to hear anyone refer to any immigrant here legal or not as "outsiders".. but whatever... an American is a US Citizen- I am not an immigrant because I was born a US citizen.. my family fought and died for this country so that their future generations (such as me and my family) would not be considered an immigrant but a US citizen and have every right, privilege, and freedom given to me under the US Constitution

edit:
That is because US citizens are considered Americans.. we used the term.. Mexico used The United Mexican States.. Canada used Canada- We used The United States of America and called ourselves American... nobody else on the continent used that term.... but hey if it makes you feel better to call yourself an American.. more power to you.. keep in mind though.. when you tell someone from another country "You are American" they are going to think you are from the US ... but go with that

Answer 3

Those rights you seem to want to challenge are part of our constitution and I think the holier than thou you have down perfectly, Canada is not affected in great numbers (as yet) by this situation but if the economy of the US starts to fail you can bet your Canadian snow you will be, we are just the first stop on the road across the border. It is a little easy for you to sit up there and judge the US when you have little if any experience with this situation, and as I actually like Canada and Canadians I hope you never do have to deal with it.

As for what is an American from the US, it is those who were born here and those who have enough respect to follow the law in order to become one. Our tax dollars are as important to us as yours are to you and when you are basically taking care of 12 to 18 million people from other countries and have seen the problems and the injury then we can have a real conversation about it.

Answer 4

An American is someone who beleives in the freedoms we have. Fights for them, argues about them, and defends them.

It doesn't matter where you were born at, it's an attitude....

Normally it also means that you were born here, in this country. Those that are Naturalized, or come here legally are alwayswelcome....those that sneak in, give everyone who follows the rules to get here, a bad name.

The Immigrant label doesn't last past the first generation born here.....those are native citizens. The parents were immigrants, but that's what we are...a country of immigrants, and people who chose to fight for a better life than the one we left behind.....

PS: There were no aborigines here......they are Native Americans, aka Indians.

Answer 5

I am not an immigrant as I was born in the United States. That makes me a citizen. Now my fathers great grandfather was an immigrant but all after that were citizen. The certificate I hold that says I'm entitled to all rights of a legal citizen is called my birth certifcate. I dont want all immigration stopped just the illegals. Obey the laws and US welcomes you. The attitude that needs to change is the illegals attitude that they have a right to ignore our laws.

Answer 6

Eve, go wave that white flag that you Canadians are so used to waving. You being Canadian should not talk on how to run this country. I am an AMERICAN (born in America) with a 1/4 Dutch, 1/4 English mostly German and a little Native American (in process of researching) BACKGROUND. My husband is AMERICAN with a Irish/Scottish BACKGROUND. My entitlement is the fact that I am legal and have been paying taxes since I was 15. Do you refer to yourself as Canadian or North American? Please answer holier than thou Canadian.

PS EVE-Maybe you should lead by example. Calling someone a ***-Italian is hate as well. You are the biggest hypocrite maybe you should read what you posted to refresh your memory, at least I stand by what I say. You yourself is spewing out anger and not staying true to YOUR words of peace etc, or maybe you were typing to fast to figure out what you posting. Thanks for playing and have a nice day!

Answer 7

How's this, I'm an American. I was born in this country, I HAVE BEEN IN THE US MILITARY AND FOUGHT FOR MY COUNTRY, I am proud of my country and when I go to other countries I still return home, the country I am proud of.

Sorry but I read someone was proud of being a Mexican and I don't see how that's true when they don't go back to Mexico. My family is German and I am proud of my family but I have no desire to go to Germany or even call myself German.

My grandfather and grandmother came from Germany and he joined the Union Army for America. My father was in the US Military. All my brothers were in one branch of the US Military or another and I was in the US Marines.

Now, DAMMIT, I can say that I'm an AMERICAN!

Answer 8

In todays world, you are only American if you are hear ilegaly, a minority, handicapped, gay, or on welfare. They are the only ones getting the free handouts. Every other hardworking American pays full taxes. We work for everything we have. Political correctness has gone to far! We are having our rights nickle and dimed away from us everyday! I am a no-smoker, but I do not agree with all the smoking bans going on all over the country. Boroughs and townships telling home and land owners what they can and cannot do to thier property is another loss of freedom.

If you were born in America, or came to this country legaly and work plus pay taxes, you should be an American.

I say it is time to close our borders with a sighn that reads, " NO ROOM AT THE INN "

Answer 9

An American is anyone who lives in the continents of North America or South America. You are probably referring to "Estado Unidenses" as we are known in South America. I would not consider most members of our country immigrants as that should be a term reserved for people who have themselves transfered from one culture to another. I think our tendency to segregate is deeply embedded in our culture. We have experienced the same immigrant segregation when waves of Irish and Scottish immigrated. Eventually, these people were accepted and became a fiber of our cultural blanket. I believe the same is happening with these new waves of immigrants.

Answer 10

First all counties are make up of immigrates. Lets say you are a citizen of Mexico, would you not say that Spanish is the language of your country, English is the language of the USA and we hold it dear, as Mexicans or other counties that have their languages dear to them. That is only one that makes us Americans. As for being holier than thou, we have the right to be any way we choose, and if others do not like it , stay home

Answer 11

I am a legal immigrant, going through the legal process, had blood drawn and I consider myself an american, because I choose to come to a country called america. If I was to go to Australia, that would make me an australian and if I migrated to Italy that would make me an italian. Get it?

I pay taxes and love the oppertunities this country gives and I am proud to be a part of something good (eventhough it has alot of bad - just like lots of other countries)

Oh yeah and I support the troups!


Reading your comments, you sound like a bitter yealous old hag without a clue.