Love it or Leave It!

Once again, I admit to being at least somewhat confused. Maybe you’ll understand this better than me. Here’s my problem. People who immigrate to America, legally or illegally, presumably do so because they believe the United States offers them something their previous country did not.

After all, if the country you left was so wonderful, why in the world would you uproot yourself (and possibly your family) to come to America?

So this begs the question: once you arrive here, why in the world would you want to change things so it no longer resembles the country you went to all that trouble to enter? No one forced you to come here. The customs and culture shouldn’t be a surprise. And the relative strength of the economic system is probably the main reason you chose to relocate.

Look, no matter who you are, or how you got here, there has to be some non-negotiables we as a society all agree with. Here are a few I’d suggest.

First, America is a Democratic Republic with a Constitution essential to our freedom, our culture, and our economic vitality.  It’s a crucial part of our history, and every bit as important to insuring a free and prosperous future.

Next, English is our language. While we love diversity, we have to expect those who make America home to learn English and teach their kids to speak English. France recognizes an official language. So does Great Britain, and Germany, and Japan. In fact, 175 countries have written into the law of their land one or more “official” languages. America isn’t one of them. Nevertheless, it’s important to our society and culture that everyone speak a common language. In America, that’s English.

Third, we believe in the right to believe and practice any religion you want. I’m a Christian. I believe it’s the only way. Muslims believe their religion is the only way.  But in America, we agree to disagree — peacefully and respectfully. That’s one reason Sharia Law has no place in America … it denies individual freedom, it prohibits people changing their religion, it violates the principles expressed in our Constitution.  

Fourth, we believe in the rule of law — we are not a theocracy, an honor-shame culture, or a blood feud society. You are innocent till proven guilty. You get a jury trial. And if you’re found guilty, you’re punished commensurate with the crime you committed. It’s a basic principle that applies to everyone who lives here, no matter what your income, occupation, or position in society … whether you were born here or came from somewhere else.  

Fifth, America is probably the most generous country in the history of mankind. If one of our’s is down and out we want to help. But if your goal is to milk the system and freeload off others (meaning the American taxpayer) we have little tolerance. And if you came here from another country intent on taking advantage of our generosity, then we have even less tolerance.

Finally, Americans celebrate personal success. We’re convinced that everyone should be given a fair and equal chance to succeed. We believe hard work should be rewarded … that a good education is key … and that profit is good and desirable because it leads to the creation of wealth and more jobs and opportunity for others.

These are the basics. So if you are here and for whatever reason you don’t agree with these beliefs, then please, leave. If you want to drag down our society because you prefer the customs and traditions of another, you should go live there. There are plenty of other countries where you’ll be more comfortable. Then again, there really aren’t. Frankly, if you protested the government in any other country that doesn’t share our beliefs in freedom and opportunity, you’d be put in prison.

Don’t believe me? I invite you to relocate to Venezuela, Cuba, China, North Korea, or just about any other country in the world without the habits of individual liberty outlined here. So, please, feel free to leave America.

I have no interest in forcing you to stay somewhere you don’t want to be. And you should not be allowed to force the rest of us who love America and embrace its values and way of life to give up the things that make this the greatest country in the history of the world. And the one country in the world where millions of others want to come.