[Gmountain]

Yes, yes, I know the usual answers. This isn't about the Tea Party, or Obama or anything like that.

What I've been thinking about lately is how we are losing America. How immigrants and other cultures are imposing their will on us. Why is that?

I think one of the reasons we were known as the melting pot was that other cultures and immigrants came here and assimilated and became American. People came here and took part in uniquely American customs- celebrating Thanksgiving, and Christmas and Independence Day, and Memorial Day, and even spending Sundays with the family. These were cultural touchstones.

We no longer have these traditions. It's now a void in American life. When there is a void, something else rushes in to fill it.

What has happened to our holidays. They used to have meaning. Now all they are is about shopping. Shop, shop, shop. It's no longer an American holiday, it's a sale at some store. Got to have it now. Right now.

Thanksgiving? Do we talk about about the Pilgrims and religious freedom and the Mayflower Compact or hell, even the Mayflower? Do we talk about Rockwell's paintings of the Four Freedoms? Nope. It's all about stores and who can ditch the thanksgiving dinner first to get in line to buy a TV. So sad. and we are doing this to ourselves.

It's not a libertarian idea, and it won't be popular, but I have become more and more convinced that in order to save our culture, it really should be illegal for stores (other than gas stations and maybe convenience stores) to be open on these holidays. I also think blue laws, requiring businesses to be closed on Sunday are a good thing.

Many of us lived during the time when there were blue laws. I think it made weekends a lot nicer, personally. More family time.

 

[pbsdaddy]

In a sense, yes. I think we have done it to ourselves. It matters not where one sits, with regard to politics, but rather that no one has stood up and said; "That's enough"! For my money, it's all about when we started to accept "progressive ideas". Things like Political Correctness and government support of families.
When a people is told, for a long enough period of time, they can or cannot do something, it becomes ingrained. Much like the family values we used to have. All of that has been replaced with "participation trophies and community acceptance. The concept of one being responsible for one's own actions was dismissed when we began our acceptance creed. Until we reverse this process and not only assume, but insist upon, personal responsibility we are destined to continue to ask why we, the productive, are the victim.

 

[sbubrick]

I agree, personal responsibility, to many on the public dole.There are more collecting benifits than paying in. Also people coming to this country for a better life, wants to change life here to what they grew up with. Such as sharia law! I think the Tea Party has a lot of valid ideas. Hopefully the majority in this country wakes up in time for the next election! After that it may be to late to reverse!

 

[Chuck43]

I promised myself I would quit expressing my feelings in posts like this. I get too worked up so I'm just going to say I completely agree with what I've read here.

PS If you happen to be in this country illegally, can't speak a word of English and want a drivers license go to Springfield, Illinois and ask for Governor Pat Quinn, he's passing them out.

 

[sbubrick]

So is Jerry Brown in Kalifornia!
I agree with Chuck all the way.
Untill we stop all of the freebee's that are handed out to anybody, and instill family values again. Till then we will keep circling round and round, getting lower all the time in the porcelain bowl. The flush is almost complete.......

 

[Gmountain]

I'm just surprised that no one wants to keep a few days of the year when the stores aren't open.

 

[pbsdaddy]

That would be offensive to those who are not Christian, (PC). The argument was and still is, why close on days of Christian holidays and not those of xxx?
On a very low level, I agree with this. However, when I see special consideration given to other religions for other reasons, it kind of eliminates the argument.

 

[Harleystoo]

America

The government has done it. Uncle Sam created hyphenated-Americans (assimilation is a PC no-no, with MLK rolling in his grave), government documents are in 20 languages, social promotion in schools, zero tolerance being enforced by idiots, schools feeding kids 2 & 3 times a day, clothing them, unenployment for life, political refugees and teenagers drawing social security without ever putting into it, Dr. Spock wants everyone feelings to be appreciated, Congress passing laws "so they can find out what's in it", and the idiots that continue to vote them in office (for the freebies).
Stats out just this week: 37% of teenagers do not EVER want to work.
Should I go on?

 

[Nellybelle]

Our Fore Fathers founded this country based on the premise of freedom of religion. Not Freedom FROM religion. They believed in a Christian God. Thanksgiving is a perfect example. The Pilgrims were thankful they found the New World and gave thanks to God. Not Allah, Buddha or what ever. It was a Christian God, so get over it liberals. I have no problem accepting the fact, that others have the right to worship how they please.

Madelyn O'Hara started this mess by causing the mere mention of God to be stifled in our schools. Maybe, just maybe there would be less issues in our schools today if the students were taught about God and stood to say the pledge of allegiance. If those of other cultures are offended they can always exercise their right to return from where they came.

 

[PatAz]

Simple and quick, yes we are.

 

[Harrison]

Gentlemen, You all have good ideas, values and most of all, the desire for Our Country to follow the path of those ideals. Unfortunately, "we" have become a minority in our own land and face the demands of those who are parasitic to the imperfections of the government.

 

[sbubrick]

You got that right, and I agree! I think you will see a big change come next election!

 

[Boscoe]

Get a grip. We are a nation of immigrants. Vibrant cultures change. Dying cultures stagnate.
Don't want to shop on Sunday? Stay home. Preach to your kids or family. Not to me.
Want to get all misty-eyed about Pilgrims? Go ahead.
No one is stopping you.
And while remembering those freedoms, don't forget to save a pray for the Native Americans who lost THEIRS so the colonists could expand.
Hate illegals?
Look at yourself and remember your own family roots.
Accept realty.
The one thing you can't stop is change.
And different doesn't mean worse. Just different.
Some change can be bad. But some is good.
Live in today, not the past.

 

[Gmountain]

Get a grip. We are a nation of immigrants. Vibrant cultures change. Dying cultures stagnate.
Don't want to shop on Sunday? Stay home. Preach to your kids or family. Not to me.
Want to get all misty-eyed about Pilgrims? Go ahead.
No one is stopping you.
And while remembering those freedoms, don't forget to save a pray for the Native Americans who lost THEIRS so the colonists could expand.
Hate illegals?
Look at yourself and remember your own family roots.
Accept realty.
The one thing you can't stop is change.
And different doesn't mean worse. Just different.
Some change can be bad. But some is good.
Live in today, not the past.

Well, I'll be happy to look at my own family, who came here and settled in the US after having to pass through immigration. Then they all worked, and supported themselves. Didn't expect the government to provide for them. Then they all learned English. Then they wanted to become part of the existing culture, not change it to become part of where they came from. Then they insisted on children speaking English. They did not demand special accommodation.

And yes, sometimes different is bad. And sometimes change is not good. And yes, sometimes the past is the right place to look.

We are a nation of Laws. We are a nation of legal immigrants. Illegal immigrants are criminals. They are breaking the law every second they are here. How can you justify that?

 

[pbsdaddy]

Oh please! Not the old, "look what you did" routine. The Indians were assimilated after conquest. They are damn lucky it was primarily Northern Europeans who did the job. All one needs to do is look to Mexico and further South to see what would have happened had say, the Spanish been the main regime. Can anyone actually say The American region called The United States would have been better off had things been done differently? I defy anyone to show evidence of that theory.
Now, to support the overturning of a government by those claiming to want what that government has is stupidity. Again, look at Mexico and Guatemala. Is that what anyone wants for this country? If they can't make their own country better, how in the world are they going to do any good for this country? We give them assistance, every day, to help them make their own countries better and yet they fail. But, they want to come here and make this a similar failure. Sorry, not in my lifetime. I'm neither living in the past or even today. I look to the past to make the future better. Living for today means you haven't planned for anything.

 

[Nellybelle]

"On Soap Box"

I have no problem with anyone coming to our country to better themselves like all of our fore fathers.

Just do it through legal channels and I am fine. Pay taxes contribute to society and you are good to go with me. Any other means is not fair to the millions of immigrants, who have come before or the ones trying to follow our laws now or in the future. To pass a wand over millions of illegals for the sake of securing a block of new voters is wrong.

"Off Soap Box"

 

[Boscoe]

Well, I'll be happy to look at my own family, who came here and settled in the US after having to pass through immigration. Then they all worked, and supported themselves. Didn't expect the government to provide for them. Then they all learned English. Then they wanted to become part of the existing culture, not change it to become part of where they came from. Then they insisted on children speaking English. They did not demand special accommodation.

And yes, sometimes different is bad. And sometimes change is not good. And yes, sometimes the past is the right place to look.

We are a nation of Laws. We are a nation of legal immigrants. Illegal immigrants are criminals. They are breaking the law every second they are here. How can you justify that?

Ever read about this:

No Irish Need Apply.

How about those great patriots who wrote SLAVERY into the Constitution?

The past ain't really that glorious. The entire globe was a third-world shit hole of disease and poverty.

No rose-colored glasses for me thanks.

 

[sbubrick]

A lot of the globe still is a shit hole!

 

[Sonofagun]

Hmmm...?

I wonder if Sitting Bull, Crazy Horse and Geronimo asked these questions while we immigrants, "you included" swarmed in, took over and Squamished the traditional ways of life here? Get over it pal...it ain't your "our" land. The good news is, we'll all be dead soon and the next generation can decide weather to criticize or follow us. Do you pay taxes by choice? Or do you complain about that too and pay simply because we all must. I'm sorry, but our self-centered, hypocritical "immigration" cannot be defined by "legal or illegal". The difference is bullshit!

If you want to talk truth about history, we are Africans. How do ya like that?

I myself am happy and appreciative of what I have, how I got it and I'm willing to share even if I've seen hard times, bad times and challenges I thought I'd never overcome.

Oh look, it's almost lunch time! On Friday! And I don't have to work Saturday! So tonight, Red Stripe for everyone!!! Life is good...For now.

 

[sbubrick]

A great many of the people coming to America are looking for a better life than they left behind. They want to prosper with this great country.Then they want to change our laws, to the laws of there former land (sharia law ) Go figure................ I understand some parts of Michigan, have it in place! I think if thats what they want, they should go back to the shit hole they came from!