AMERICAN WAY

AMERICAN WAY

“We are still a country of immigrants, some of us have just been here a little longer than others”P,I,B.

I feel qualified to address this subject because I am the son of a son, of an Italian Immigrant.

Few things stir my heart like the stories of the American Immigrant, the architects of these United States. They had so little, often arriving here with only a few personal possessions, yet they have given and shared so much. Most Americans can easily trace our roots to the first of our relatives that made their way to the United States. They came here from every country, from every corner of the world to our shores. When I look back at the old pictures of immigrants as they arrived at Ellis Island, I can see a look relief, of expectation, and of hope in their eyes. They had reached their new home.

Everyone used to call the Unites States the “Great Melting Pot”, and it was. People from all over the world would risk everything just to come to our shores. Here they expected to find liberty, opportunity, financial success, and religious freedom.

These people left everything they ever knew behind to take a chance on this country. Many left friends, family, homes, and their way of life. They came here to share in the “American Dream”, however they also brought their skills, their ambitions, their hopes and dreams. Many of them succeeded beyond their wildest dreams when their hard work and imagination were turned loose on a vast and hungry new nation destined for greatness.

The truth is that America was called the “Great Melting Pot” because these people from all over the world came here to be Americans. Yes they honored and preserved the important parts of their individual cultures, but they gladly learned our language, our laws, and our ways. They Pledged their allegiance to our country and to our Flag, to our nation, their new home. With their sweat they helped build and shape this country. They help build our roads, our infrastructure, railroads, and our great bridges. Their contributions, their strengths and talents are what made this country great.

Today, I’m afraid that America is moving away from being the “Great Melting Pot”. We are moving from a homogonous mix of peoples to a multi-cultured and fractured society. Many people entering this country today are arriving illegally. They are not here to melt in with American’s ways. They want to retain their language, their ways, and their loyalties. We should all be proud of our past and our heritage; but put the emphasis on being Americans first and foremost. Especially today, we need more things that bind us together and fewer things that separate us. Unfortunately some are not here to bring their individual skills and contributions to make an even better America; they are here only to take from this great country. Worse yet some are here not to build us up, but to tear us down.
Instead of learning and adapting to our beliefs, ways and laws, they want us to learn and adapt to their beliefs, laws, and ways. Instead of “melting in” and becoming one with us, they want to separate us from them, and them from us. This is not the formula that made this country great. Our diversity has made us strong but our ability to assimilate these cultures has made us great.

We need to control our immigration and make sure that people who arrive here are here for the right reasons. All new immigrants should learn our language, our history, and our laws. People entering this country should bring a skill, willingness to work and study, they should pledge their allegiance. Their presence should strengthen American, not siphon off from it. If new entrants are not willing to assimilate, then we should not be willing to admit them. Period…

I think that once we enforce the proper policy for immigration, we can then open our borders once again, and attract the best and brightest, the hardest workers, the students and the dreamers of the world. Each group that has come here has made huge contributions to our nation and to our culture, in the form of art, science, literature, music, and sports. This mix, this random cocktail of peoples from around the globe, has helped make the United States the greatest country in the world. The glue that holds us together is not their wealth, but their burning desire to contribute and to be free.

"Give us your poor, your tired, your huddled masses longing to be free..."
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
THE STATUE OF LIBERTY

With each passing generation, we leave our foreign roots farther behind, not to be forgotten but to be part of our heritage. The heritage of our children, and our children’s children as they celebrate being true Americans.

Please feel free to contact me at: pooritalianboy@gmail.com

Also see my article: “An Immigrants Story”
P.I.B.

THE DEMISE OF AMERICA

THE DEMISE OF AMERICA

OK, let me start off by saying that I love this country. I have wanted to write this article for a while, but held off until now. I remained silent in fear that others would see me as anti-American, or somehow less than patriotic, nothing could be father from the truth. America has been the greatest country and social experiment in history. I could easily recount the epic battles and milestones that this country has survived and overcome, but things have changed. It is time for Americans with courage to speak up and take action. We need to put aside partisan politics and do what’s right for our country.

There will be those among you who after reading this will consider me a pessimist, a naysayer, or even worse. I can only say that the truth is sometimes painful. The greater danger, the real disservice to my country, would be for me to bury my head in the sand and keep waiving the flag, while uttering pleasantries about times gone by. I have written many articles expounding on my patriotism and love for these United States, but now my duty lies in illuminating the not so subtle signs of our demise. Without action by well meaning citizens, and if left un-checked; we will spiral downward. Freedom was never free, it takes action, it takes vigilance and commitment; it must be nurtured.

For those of you who won’t open your eyes, for those of you that don’t believe we have headed down a slippery slope; keep your head in the sand, go over a read a blog about Paris Hilton or the Easter Bunny. Let me be blunt, America is in a state of decay, both economically, socially, morally, and in the eyes of other world leaders. Our citizens are deeply divided on many issues. If we continue down this path, we will be nothing more than a hollow shell, a paper tiger, a third world nation. Military might alone does not make a nation right or great. We do not need to follow this path.

History is replete with the demise of great world powers that had risen to power and splendor, only to waste away from the inside. Yes, I said from the inside, not by military defeat, not by natural disaster, but by loss of resolve and cohesion. Great Britton, China, Germany, The Soviet Union, and Rome have all given up their dominant positions in the endless ebb and tide of World Power. Most of them had turned their backs on their faith, had over extended their sphere of power and their military, and many had overspent their budgets (sound familiar?) In general, these once great nations moved away from the principles, concepts, and core believes, that once made them great.

The fall from greatness is seldom a rapid plunge, but is often a more insidious descent down a slippery slope of failed policies, false pride, inaction, and misdeeds. In many cases the populace becomes complacent and allows leaders and politicians to go unchecked. They stand quietly by and comply with or acquiesce to, actions taken by the government that move the country in the wrong direction.

Allow me to use a metaphor to illustrate my point:

Imagine America as a great fortress on a hill. This fortress that we call America, has been our home and kept us safe for a long time, it has been like a shining beacon to the rest of the world, it has allowed us to grow and prosper. The founders of our country were the original architects and engineers. Their need was great, their blueprint was sound. The plans were well considered and laid out, the foundation was strong. The builders were careful to avoid the haste and missteps taken by failed architects from other times and other lands. Over the years many a brave and insightful man has given much and lent a hand in building this great fortress, and many, too many, have given there life’s to insure its strength. This dream was created carefully, brick by brick to be the greatest shinning example the world has ever known.

Over time, new generations were handed the keys to this great fortress, but they did not labor and toil over its construction. They did not fully recognize or appreciate the blood and sacrifices of those that came before them. These same people have not given weight to the service and loss of life that some of their own generation, willingly gave, to insure the future of the fortress. Over time, the mighty fortress on the hill fell into disrepair, yet the citizens could not see the gradual changes. The fortress is strong and will always be there, they thought. Besides, we are too busy with our businesses and daily life to attend to these minor things.

Everyone can see what is happening, but it’s like taking down a great building one brick at a time. Some of the bricks are taken away one at a time by the town’s people with no ill intent. Maybe they just need a brick or two for their own homes. They feel they deserve a brick or two, after all they are citizens, or maybe they have intentions of replacing the borrowed brick one day. Can anyone fault them for that? Then there is another group that hates America, and wants us to fail, they are also silently chipping away in the shadows at the great wall, brick by brick. They realize that a sudden frontal attack on the fortress would fail, but few will notice if they chip away inch by inch.

It’s strange because surely the people who loved this magnificent creation would revolt, if the building was subject to the sudden attack of a wreaking ball, but this method is much more subtle, more sinister and insidious. Like a thief in the night, each brick disappears with hardly a notice (its only one brick, hardly cause for alarm, the politicians would answer. The fortress is still strong, do not worry) The masses do not even notice, and the few astute observers that do, are ignored, ridiculed or silenced. On a daily basis the building still looks sound and strong. How can the loss of a single brick affect the strength and structure of such a massive building? Brick by brick, day by day, almost unnoticeably, the fortress weakens, and over time it’s strength and foundation are under minded and the once great structure collapses. Where once stood a monument to its creators now stands a structure in need of repair.

I believe we have taken a giant step backwards in several key areas: (to continue my analogy)

Economics: We lost a brick when we let our steel manufacturing business go under, we lost a brick when we let our automobile industry become a second class player (and now on the verge of bankruptcy). And now more damage when the American dollar and American credit are in doubt and decline around the world.

Oil: We chipped away at our fortress when cut back domestic oil production, we did not invest in new refineries, and let trumped up environmental concerns keep us from drilling in the Gulf and ANWR. As a result we became almost totally energy independent on foreign sources.

Laws: We weakened the mortar when we allowed some of our civil liberties to be watered down

Politics: When deeply divided we weakened our foundation. It harms us to elect self serving and inefficient politicians into office, that vote down party lines; right or wrong. (these guys negate the vote of the true civil servants)

World community: We destabilize our structure when we let much of the world doubt our word, our resolve and strength.

Moral decay: We can undermine our entire base when we forget that this country was established with a belief in God.

America is still the only place I would want to live. I love this country but can no longer stand quietly by, because we have real problems that need to be addressed. Can we come out of it, can we return to greatness, can we turn this great ship around? Can we once again become the shining example for the rest of the world to follow? I submit to you that it depends on each of us. I ask you to make a personal decision: Are you going to be vigilant, working at the front gate of our fortress? Will you pledge your efforts and add a brick to rebuild and strengthen our country. Or will you join those in the shadows who would see us fail, or thru apathy, take another brick away ?

If you agree, disagree, or if you have a solution write me at: pooritalianboy@gmail.com . I’d like to include your ideas, when I write my article on “How to Rebuild America”

P.I.B.

AM IMMIGRANT'S STORY

AN IMMIGRANT'S STORY

Authors Note: This is the story of one citizen, one immigrant that came to our shores, looking for a better life for their families, or to escape persecution. He could be my grandfather or your grandfather, for this is the story of many Americans. This is the story of the kind of man, that helped make American great,

This month, I have resolutely made up my mind. After years of thought, I am putting aside my fears, my loyalties, my uncertainty. It is decided, I am going to America. Something in my heart tells me I should go.
My family, friends, and loved ones here at home will be heartbroken. I will leave behind my home, my farm, and everything I’ve ever known. I may even have to leave behind the women that I was to marry. Her father has sworn to refuse his permission for us to marry, if I insist on leaving the country, without so much as a job waiting for me. Even at the risk of losing her, I had to do what my heart told me to do. I knew full well that the journey would be risky, and the future unknown, yet, I felt strangely and irresistibly drawn to the promise of this new place.
In some ways, I feel like a traitor to my own country. I wonder how I can leave my homeland, my place of birth, my memories, and everything that has meant so much to me behind. Can my allegiance to this new place ever surpass the love I have for my own country?
My mind has been tormented with the unknown. Where will I live there, how can I feed myself, will the people already there accept me. I don’t know the language and I have very few skills, but I having a willing heart, and I am willing to work hard, sacrifice, and learn.
I have heard that, in this new world, men can fulfill their dreams. I have heard that no matter what your lot in life was, it’s possible to become rich, to own vast tracts of land, to be respected. I’ve heard that the ideas a man has and what’s in his heart has great value there.
Now, my thoughts and dreams will be full with wonder and expectation. I have sold the few things I own to pay for the passage, I now have my ticket and I walk to the harbor each day to await the ship, the very same ship that I anxiously awaited to gather news on each trip back from its distant port, and now the ship that will carry me to my future home.
Many of my friends that had warned me, cautioned me, about leaving, are now full of questions. They are hungry to hear the stories I have to tell about the new land. I can see in their eyes, that they are now beginning to contemplate such a bold move for themselves, much as I had done months ago.
Tomorrow the ship leaves, I spend the evening with my friends and family, drinking, singing dancing. My girl wants to go with me, but cannot disrespect her father’s wishes. We talk and cried quietly, well into the night, out by the garden illuminated by the full moon. It was that night that I made a promise to send for her when I have made my fortune. She tells me she will wait for me and that she has a surprise for me tomorrow at the dock.
My excitement keeps me up most of the night, long after everyone has left, but finally I succumb to sleep. I find myself awake at the first sign of dawn, and I walk down to the ship. Within an hour there is a large crowd of passengers and well wishers gathered about. They crew lowers the gang plank as the ships steam whistle echoes thru the town.
The passengers all begin loading but I wait until the last minute because my girl is nowhere to be seen. This is the moment I have waited so long for, and yet now that it is here, I feel like my soul is divided. Half of me wants to stay here in the land of my family, yet the rest of me yearns to go to my new home.
The ship blows it’s huge whistle one more time, this is the last call and I must board now or be left behind. I stop halfway up the plank as I hear my name being called from the dock. As, I turn, I see my fiancée as she throws me a cloth sack, and sadly waves and blows me a kiss from afar.
I am the last one to board and as I walk onto the deck of the now crowded ship I notice I am trailing a long string of red yarn from a small hole in the back of the cloth sack. My eyes trace the string thru the crowd and back to the hand of my girl, who is waving slowly and solemnly as the ship begins to slowly pull away.
I wave good bye to her and to the place of my birth. Somehow I feel that our souls are still connected as the yarn feeds out of the bag. The wind picks up as the ship leaves the small harbor and reaches deeper water. Abruptly the yarn ball reaches the end. I hold on desperately to my end and then with a snap the tension suddenly is gone.
The dock and the town fade slowly from my sight as tears roll down my face and the red yarn floats and waves slowly in the wind behind the ship. The end of the yarn means a new beginning for me. Now, I know, I am truly on my own.
My life has been hard since I left that ship and a small island in New York harbor, but after 7 years of hard work in America, I finally made a success of myself. I had never forgotten my promise to my young fiancé and sent her a letter, along with enough money to make the journey, asking if she still had feelings for me. I must say I was surprised when she said she had not forgotten her promise either and would take the next boat over and gave me the details.

I will never forget that fine spring day when I waited for her with anticipation at the dock in New York. The years had changed me, and the way I looked, and I wondered if we would even recognize each other. When the boat docked, a great many people got off, yet as hard as I looked, I did not see my love. I was beginning to think that she had changed her mind, or that perhaps we walked right past each other, when one last person stepped off the boat. We looked at each other for a few seconds and I began to cry. You see, as if to remove any doubt, as she approached me, she slowly opened her hand and there was a small strip of the red yarn, faded and worn, that she had kept and treasured for all those years. I was now re-united with the one I loved and my life was now complete. That day marked the start of our family, here in the United States.
P.I.B.