American Culture - Immigration

With all the talk about immigration - legal or otherwise - I found myself in a conversation with a friend about the subject. She told me that the process of immigrating to the United States is both positive and negative for the immigrant. The positive aspect is that they get a shot at the American Dream: Freedom, opportunity, security. On the other hand, they lose their cultural base. They are forced to merge with the American culture, leaving theirs, at best diluted - typically behind. They are forced to learn English. Our media and entertainment crush their innocence.

"Our media and entertainment crush their innocence."

I had to take a moment to process this statement. I didn't weigh the mentioned pro's and con's of the statement. I didn't even bristle at the temerity of an immigrant complaining about such a worthwhile trade-off. Rather, I was struck by the duplicity of it all. If one were to take a poll, would one find that more immigrants come to the US or would it be that more US citizens immigrate to other countries?
Why are Americans reviled worldwide? Why does every political "summit" result in third world countries demanding money from the US to pay for the wrongs and environmental damages we do? Why is every international organization attempting to limit our freedoms and prosperity, even though it would have little or no affect on their freedoms or prosperity?

Side bar: I find it interesting that a country with sewage running through a ditch beside a dirt road, its foul detritus making its way into canals and waterways to merge with natural water sources, can attack us. We spend, fully, a third of our corporate dollars adhering to environmentally sustaining guidelines. What isn't consumed by existing means is invested in newer technology to do it better.

"...a country with sewage running through a ditch beside a dirt road, its foul detritus making its way into canals and waterways..."

I lived in Europe for a number of years in my late teens. Then, as now, Americans were hated. The reason is clear - envy. We are the baby of developed countries - a mere infant. We are also the richest, best armed, most patriotic, toughest baby ever born. Most major cities in Europe are older than our country. For that matter, most of the buildings in major European cities are older than our country. Still, why do they come here by the millions every year? Why do immigrants risk life and limb to get here?

Going back to the conversation with my well-meaning friend: The loss of culture is a farce, by in large. Look at the boroughs of our greatest cities. Look at the cultural diversity which exists from city to city. I lived in Detroit during the race riots of the 60's: tanks in the streets and all that. We lived in a heavily Polish sector of the city now replaced by the GM plant. Cultural freedom? Oh yea, we've got it.

"You see, we typical Americans have no culture. "

Now take an American who immigrates to Europe, or any other region of the world for that matter. What does he face when he settles into their culture? Nothing. That's right - nothing. You see, we typical Americans have no culture. We have Thanksgiving, Independence Day and our birthdays (celebrated with a lighted cake). We don't have a separate language to delineate us. We have no 'old country' upon which to dote. We are the victims of 'what do they know from tradition' speeches. If an American is foolish enough to relinquish his citizenship, he gives up nothing of his culture or heritage to meld with the new country's ways. He has to learn their language. he has to learn their laws and customs. He has to dress as they do. he must work within their monetary and commerce guidelines.

Wow. That sounds a lot like what an immigrant to America would have to do. Sounds fair to me. The biggest difference is that where the immigrant to America is welcomed - and lately - deified, the American who immigrates abroad is a second class citizen - an arrogant, imperialistic, money grubber of the first order.

"...the American who immigrates abroad is a second class citizen..."

We live on an island of freedom in a world of poverty and strife. Our style of life and even our method of government is unique and impossible to duplicate. We welcome what we don't understand with a child like openness. We are willing to give the benefit of the doubt and forgive those who show there is doubt that there is benefit. The rest of the world doesn't understand how we prosper and even dominate when trust of their fellow man has gotten them into trouble from which they could not escape.

It ain't perfect, but it is better than the alternative, folks.