So, the President told four congressional malcontents if they were unhappy and hated this country they should go back to where they came from, and suddenly we have a D.C. meltdown with accusations of racism, xenophobia, and a host of other pejoratives more befitting the bottom of a bird cage than the mouth of a U.S. Congressman.
Although the House has accomplished nothing insofar as the border crisis is concerned, so aggrieved was Nancy Pelosi and company at the president’s remarks, they managed to pass a resolution containing the accusation of “racism” that even Steny Hoyer said violated the House Chamber’s Rules — at which point “the gentlewoman from California” stormed off the House floor. Following that performance, they attempted to pass a resolution to impeach the president, which even the majority of Democrats had the good sense to reject.
By now all of us should know that we are not dealing with a “conventional” president in the White House. What we have is a president who has clearly had his fill of these anti-American neophytes (“it’s all about the Benjamins, baby”) who dish out slurs and insults (“we don’t need any more black faces that don’t want to be a black voice”), and anti-American remarks complete with callous notation (“some people did something”) about 3,000 dead Americans.
When someone finally calls them out, their indignation soars and immediately they retreat into their victimhood proclaiming they are the epitome of the American patriot while at the same time spewing accusations: “Racism!” “Xenophobia!”
These people need enlightenment: Their race, nationality, religion, etc. have nothing to do with the issue; the issue is the “content of their character.”
As Americans, we understand our country isn’t perfect, but we always strive for that “more perfect union.” We are, however, weary of American citizens who are continually carping about this country, dissing our flag and national anthem, and promising to “leave the country” every time their candidates of choice are not elected or confirmed. They inspire us with the joyful hope that they might actually go, only to disappoint us when they don’t.
Frankly, we don’t care if they leave. For every one of them there are millions of people across the globe who would give everything they have to replace them and become US citizens — people with just as much intellect, just as much talent, and considerably more loyalty and appreciation.
This nation is the most generous on Earth, and we welcome legal immigrants with open arms. We celebrate with them the day they become citizens. We are filled with pride as we watch them take the Nationalization Oath of Allegiance: “I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty . . . that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same . . . that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God."
What we ask in return for placing these newly adopted citizens on the same level as the native-born American is that they abide by that oath and appreciate the opportunity they’ve been given to be a part of this great nation, that they respect and become one with our people. But they should also understand that if at any point they become disenchanted with their new country, there are no guards at our borders to prevent them from leaving.
If those comments smack of xenophobic rhetoric, then someone should pass along that information to my four immigrant grandparents — all of them legal, loyal, and eternally grateful. But be prepared for their response. My Hungarian grandmother’s eight children were born here; nevertheless, she impressed upon them that she expected them to behave like Americans, and she accepted nothing less. Grandmom Kate loved this country, and she tolerated no one denigrating her America. Accordingly, she prayed for her country daily because she understood what every American, whether native-born or adopted, should understans — it is solely by the grace of God that we have the coveted privilege of being an American citizen.
M.K. Sprinkle writes from Hampstead.