235 Years and Still Going Strong

Today is a day we celebrate our Independence from Britain.  After a long revolution, the battle cries, the tea parties, the midnight rides, the letters and speeches, a final decision was made and a letter was written to our favorite penpal of yore; the Declaration of Independence was signed and sent to Parliament in Great Britain.  On July 4, 1776, it was adopted by Congress.  Democracy was established, a Constitution was written, and the Thirteen United States of America were in full swing.

Today is our 235th anniversary as a nation.  I read about the days when our founding fathers were laying the foundation of a powerful nation (no, they weren't working hard to abolish slavery, Ms. Bachmann), independent and strong, with a vision for a land of opportunities.  They had a vision.  Would they be proud of where we are today?

Let's think about it.  We have a Bill of Rights, permitting us such liberties as Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Religion, and the Right to Bear Arms.  We fought a Civil War.  Slavery was eventually abolished.  Women can vote.  People "of color" can vote and use the same facilities and services as the "Whites."  We have grown to 50 States.  We have our first black President in office.

While our nation may be young, we have come a long way over the last 235 years.  I'm not sure if the founding fathers would be proud of where we stand, but they would definitely say that we have grown.

Sure.  There are things that need work.  Our immigration policy, our foreign policy, and a handful of freedoms that have yet to be granted.  Is our government too strong?  Without it, we wouldn't be where we are today.  What do you think?

What would you change if you could?  

Closed Borders, Closed Minds

Wasn't our country, in her early days, nothing but immigrants?  Settlers from Spain, Sweden, France, Germany, England.  Catholics, Puritans, Quakers.  Rich, poor, successful, not-so-successful...People looking for a second chance.  An opportunity to make a difference.  To "be somebody."  To be free from persecution by their former governments.  To create an ideal settlement, a colony, a new life.

You know, I read about our Nation's history and then I read about "Immigration Reform" and I get a little confused.  When did "Americans" decide to close our borders?  At what point did we forget that these United States happened only because other people left their own countries, seeking a better opportunity?  Seeking freedom?  Seeking domestic tranquility?

Immigration Reform is a term tossed around all over the news and internet these days.  People are arguing whether foreign nationals should be permitted to enter the US temporarily to do a job no American is willing to do.  (Have you ever been eager to pick tomatoes or okra?  It's not easy, nor fun.)

Now, people are afraid to try to enter the US.  Our border with Mexico is heavily guarded, and people trying to cross into our country do so in fear.  Why?  Why are we so against letting people from other countries come here for a better life?  If it weren't for settlers coming here in the first place, don't they realize that we wouldn't be where we are today?

Now, if you don't have a lot of money in the bank or a really good job in your home country, it is extremely difficult to get a visa to visit the Land of the Free.  Wasn't Georgia founded merely as a home for debt prisoners?  Didn't unsuccessful fisherman from France settle New Hampshire because they needed a better fishing spot?

Now, if, due to your religion, you dress a certain way, you pray in a different language, or read Scriptures that are not the Bible, you are persecuted.  Trying to get on an airplane in a turban?  Forget it.  Wearing a headscarf to class?  You better not be a terrorist.  That's the attitude in most places around the country.  What is that??  That's not Freedom.  Weren't Massachusetts, Maryland, Rhode Island, and New Jersey all settled by persons/groups seeking freedom from religious persecution?

Our differences are what define the United States of America.  We came together in the late 1700s to unite ourselves for a common cause - freedom.  What has happened to our country since then?  Why do we not allow others to seek the same liberty for which we have always seemed to struggle?