Reform America - American Borders Forum

The American Dream: Left of Center View

According to Wikipedia: "the American Dream is belief in the freedom that allows all citizens and residents of the United States to pursue their goals in life through hard work and bravery” Today, it often refers to one's material prosperity, which is dependent upon one's abilities and work ethic, and not on a rigid class structure."

However as we look back at the past 8 years it quickly becomes apparent that there is a rigid class structure in place in America. The man exiting the White House in a couple of months became the leader of the free world in a "Democratic Process" in which at least one, if not both, of his opponents received more votes than he did. Yet somehow through family connections he got the job.

Getting cushy jobs through family connections is nothing new in America. The children of the wealthy expect to continue the life they were born into regardless of their individual talents or work ethic. The Paris Hiltons of the world are given opportunity and preferential treatment by the world simply because of their lineage. Now I ask you is that not the very definition of a rigid class system. Is this not exactly the type of aristocratic society that our forefathers came here to escape?

Yet here it is, and here it thrives. As long as you have idiots like "Joe the Plumber", who vote to allow those with incomes five times his to get preferential treatment on the off chance that he may one day become one of them. But what the idiot like “Joe” never seems to realize is that someone has to make up the difference, so as long as they get the break, he won't. Subsequently he will never join their ranks. That's not Socialism, that's common sense.

Seemingly "liberal" issues generally are meant to level the playing field, to give everyone a chance at a better life both for themselves and for their children. We are all sons and daughters of immigrants, so it is hypocritical to say the least to rally against the latest arrivals. Social assistance, foreign policy, Medicare, education, on every one of these issues the conservative stance seems to limit the general public's access to these valuable programs, while liberals attempt to increase both the program and everyone's access to it. Conservative Republicans loudly cut cultural and social programs here at home, but the deficit increases. Could this have anything to do with the trillions they are giving to themselves and for war and financial bail outs?

It is not un-patriotic to want more for your family. It is bad for the very few, on the very top, when their rhetoric falls on deaf ears. You don't have to feel guilty for not wanting to send a child into harm's way in service of your country - THEY DON'T. It's not un-patriotic to want to keep more of your tax dollars and ask others to help pay your share - THEY DO. It is certainly not un-patriotic to want to build better schools, hospitals and communities - HERE in the USA and not in IRAQ. It is time that we wake us from the nightmare and get back to building the Dream.

Kyle Pesonen - Staff Writer | E-mail Comments on this column. | Click icon to Digg this article

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Last Week's View from the Left:
The Election and Public Policy

Previous Weeks Views from the Left:
Should Americans Be Allowed To Buy Cheaper Canadian Drugs?
With Our Economy Failing, Will America Become the World's Next Cheap Labor Source?
What Does Trillions of Dollars in Debt to China Mean for Our Future?
Could the Bailout of Wall Street Lead to More Foreign Investment in America?
Could Open Borders Ever Be A Viable Option For America?
How Should American Immigration Policy Be Reformed?
What Would The American Economy Look Like Without Undocumented Workers?
Can International Trade Save American Jobs?
Would Harsher Sentences for Undocumented Criminals Lower Crime?
Will There Ever Be Comprehensive Immigration Reform in America?
Do Undocumented Immigrants Pose a Health Risk for Americans?
How Will the Oil Crisis Impact Foreign Policy?
What is a Fair Path to Citizenship for Undocumented Workers?
Which of the Presidential Candidates Will Bring the Best Immigration Policy Into Office?
Outsourcing, Bad Trade Policy and Recessions
Is America Capable of Breaking Free from Foreign Oil Dependency?
What Does the Globalization of Big Business Mean for America?
Are American Car Makers Ready for the Oil Crisis or Will Japan Reign Supreme Once Again?
Does Dependency on Foreign Oil Endanger America?
What is a "Real" American?
Racial Profiling - Is It Ever OK?
Who Wins When Undocumented Workers Come to America?
NAFTA and the Election
How Can We Curb Illegal Immigration?
Fear Mongering and Illegal Immigration
Border Security and the War on Drugs
Outsourcing or Undocumented Workers: Which Hurts American Workers More?
Sierra Club vs. Border Fence
Archives by Date

The American Dream: Right of Center View

What is the American Dream? For most of us it’s the promise that if we work hard and follow the rules we can one day live a better life than our parents had and pass on even better lives to our children. The American Dream is the idea that all things are possible for those with the courage and strength of will to embrace the freedoms we have fought and died for and to make the most of them. This dream of excellence is the idea that has sustained our brave soldiers in many campaigns risking life and limb for the ones they left behind.

When a soldier straps on their helmet and runs into the face of danger it is the dream that they are fighting for. They are fighting so their children will have the opportunity to find success and live free from the oppression of tyrannical dictators who would deprive them of their thoughts and beliefs. The American Dream is the dream of the immigrant who waits in long lines, fills out forms by the dozen, learns our language and sometimes even risks their life in our military simply to have a chance at a good life in America. It is the idea that if they can come here and become a citizen they can take part in the greatest system ever devised by man.

Sadly the American Dream is often taken for granted by many who were born into it. It is also trampled upon by those who try to skirt the system to reap the benefits of being American without doing the work to deserve them. Destroyers of the dream come from all sides and in many forms. From the drug dealer selling crack cocaine to children to the illegal immigrant working without paying taxes, those who hate the proper path to the fulfillment of the dream chip away at the dream. Through the actions of the destroyers those who try to follow the proper path to success have their efforts diminished and trivialized. The “get rich quick” folks always trying to get over on the system make it that much harder for honest people to achieve the dream.

In all of this there is hope however. For the first time in a very long time it seems that the American people are waking up and taking notice of the process and are deciding to become part of the solution instead of just moaning about the problem. From early voters to those coming out on Election Day it seems that once again America has taken an interest in taking control of our ship that has blown so far off course. Record numbers of voters have registered and voted in an election that has captured the attention of Americans quite possibly like never before in our history. We won’t know until the final numbers are counted but by all meaningful accounts it seems that more Americans will have taken part in the process than ever before.

The American Dream may have been damaged by some but it does seem to be getting new life these days. A new hope and a new President may be just the thing we need to get the dream back on track.

The Realist - Patriot at Large | E-mail Comments on this column. | Click icon to Digg this article

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Next week's subject: America - Under New Management

Send in your view from the Right to be our featured Right of Center View for the week.

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Last Week's View from the Right:
The Election and Public Policy

Previous Weeks Views from the Right:
Should Americans Be Allowed To Buy Cheaper Canadian Drugs?
With Our Economy Failing, Will America Become the World's Next Cheap Labor Source?
What Does Trillions of Dollars in Debt to China Mean for Our Future?
Could the Bailout of Wall Street Lead to More Foreign Investment in America?
Could Open Borders Ever Be A Viable Option For America?
How Should American Immigration Policy Be Reformed?
What Would The American Economy Look Like Without Undocumented Workers?
Can International Trade Save American Jobs?
How Much Impact Will Our Faltering Economy Have on Illegal Immigration?
Would Harsher Sentences for Undocumented Criminals Lower Crime?
Will There Ever Be Comprehensive Immigration Reform in America?
Do Undocumented Immigrants Pose a Health Risk for Americans?
How Will the Oil Crisis Impact Foreign Policy?
What is a Fair Path to Citizenship for Undocumented Workers?
Which of the Presidential Candidates Will Bring the Best Immigration Policy Into Office?
Outsourcing, Bad Trade Policy and Recessions
Is America Capable of Breaking Free from Foreign Oil Dependency?
What Does the Globalization of Big Business Mean for America?
Are American Car Makers Ready for the Oil Crisis or Will Japan Reign Supreme Once Again?
Does Dependency on Foreign Oil Endanger America?
What is a "Real" American?
Racial Profiling - Is It Ever OK?
Who Wins When Undocumented Workers Come to America?
NAFTA and the Election
How Can We Curb Illegal Immigration?
Fear Mongering and Illegal Immigration
Border Security and the War on Drugs
Outsourcing or Undocumented Workers: Which Hurts American Workers More?
Sierra Club vs. Border Fence
Archives by Date

A Legal Immigrant’s Perspective

If you are not a Native American, you are an immigrant, so am I. I came legally to this country at the age of five with my parents who worked hard, paid taxes (even Jesus paid taxes), lived by the rules of this great nation and never took or accepted a penny from the government. We came seeking FREEDOM from a communist country. It was months before we were able to enter the US legally. I remember us getting medical exams, shots (small pox), background check, references, and going through numerous interviews once we arrived. I also remembered people coming to the US from all over the world who waited years since it was based on "Quotas". Read more...

Solving Our Immigration Problem

The major problem our country is facing with illegal immigrants today is because of the exploitation of these immigrants. We believe the solution to this problem is two-fold. First, we should allow more immigrants in this country to cut down on the number of illegal ones. Second, all immigrants should be educated about their rights at the expense of the government. Below, you will find an in-depth look at our suggested reforms.

Reforms for immigration limitations:

-New immigrants can't equal more than 1% of the US population in a given year (the population being from the last recorded census). That 1% will be further divided up to allow only a certain number of immigrants each month.
-Each country of origin for immigrants will be allowed a certain percentage of that 1%. No country could receive more than 10% of the total amount and no country can receive less than .1% of it. The left over percentage will be divided up between all countries as follows: Read more...

Do Elements Within the La Raza Movement Pose a Threat to America?

La Raza means literally “The Race” in Spanish. The movement was formed in 1968 to promote the interests of the Mexican-American community. Like the NAACP and other affirmative-action minded organizations, La Raza has many members that are interested in being part of America and promoting equality for all Americans. The fundamental goals as stated by the movement are benign and represent the ideals of American diversity and cultural pride.

There is another movement affiliated with La Raza that has historically been more militant and still maintains documents within their organization that point to isolationistic views Read More

A Plan

The one major thing that seems to be lacking in the immigration debate is a real plan that addresses the legitimate concerns with illegal immigration. There are strong opinions on both sides and a lot of rhetoric but there isn’t really any solid plan being promoted to address the illegal immigration issue in a way that is both fair and logical.

So, that being said here is my idea:Read More

Trucking Cross Borders

This is mainly a concern for the trucking business. If we allow these people to come into our country, bringing cargo that we in America have, and can supply, then we are saying that the American working people are not needed, and have lost all say to legally enforced DOT (Department of Transportation) laws.Read More