Can Diversity Destroy Us?

[lazarus]

On the Great Seal of the United States, first suggested by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, there was to be emblazoned a new motto: "E Pluribus Unum" -- "Out of many, one."

It was in their unity, not their diversity, that the strength of the colonies resided. So Patrick Henry believed, as he declared, "The distinctions between Virginians, Pennsylvanians, New Yorkers and New Englanders are no more. I am not a Virginian, but an American."

National identity must supersede state identity for America to survive......

........America was settled by colonists from the British Isles. In 1789, two centuries after Jamestown and Plymouth Rock, we were 99 percent Protestant. Until the Irish came in 1845, there was almost no immigration. Even during the Great Wave of 1890-1920, the number of immigrants was a fraction of the 38 million here today. And all had come from Europe. By 1960, we were almost 90 percent European and more than 90 percent Christian -- of one nationality, American, one language, English, and one culture.

That America is gone forever.......

http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=23781

Its worth reading, I've given a couple of snippets.

[David Koot]

National identity must supersede state identity for America to survive.

Is Pat Buchannan right?

Hmmmm . . . Shades of Hobbes. Leviathan in the making? Or another Bismarck? Deutschland uber alles???

[Dr. Shane]

From what I understand, cultural diversity adds to our strength by adopting the positive aspects from various cultures but not the negative. For example some positive aspects may be caring for the ill, a hard work ethic, family values, academics, art, etc. Some negative things may be corruption, chauvinism, alcoholism, gambling, sexual immorality, etc.

The idea of America being a great melting pot is that we take the good out of many cultures and make it into one - out of many, one. That means immigrants retain what was good from their culture but leave behind what was bad.

[David Koot]

Shane, that may sound good in theory, but the historical reality may not be so good. One example . . . the Irish came over in great numbers, especially during the potato blight. (I am a good chunk o' Irish, so have a right to say this.) The effect on American politics has been mixed. The Italians came over in large numbers. They started the Mafia, which certainly has not been a blessing. Many Latinos have come here with the intention of taking back California for Mexico, for example. There is not integration, but a separate culture becoming ever larger, with that kind of intent. It does happen. Consider Miami.

Dave

[Dr. Shane]

Certainly diversity hasn't been a complete blessing but I think when examined throughly, one will find it has brought more good to the nation than bad.

Latinos that want to "take back" California and the southwest for Mexico do not grasp the issues at hand. Most of these immigrants coming to the US are uneducated peasants. Politicians play on their ignorance in order to gain power. Texas, for example, was not taken from Mexico. It fought a war of independence and won. The war was started when Mexico trashed their constitution and Texas didn't accept the new constitution. They were certainly within their rights to separate from Mexico. It was some years later that it became part of the United States.

[David Koot]

Most of these immigrants coming to the US are uneducated peasants. Politicians play on their ignorance in order to gain power.

Indeed. That is, without a doubt, what happens. It does happen. An article in a recent issue of Foreign Policy journal spoke to the danger of that very movement. Unless dealt with, I perceive the possibility of civil war within some decades.

[David Koot]

It was in their unity, not their diversity, that the strength of the colonies resided. So Patrick Henry believed, as he declared, "The distinctions between Virginians, Pennsylvanians, New Yorkers and New Englanders are no more. I am not a Virginian, but an American."

I should comment that Patrick Henry was a character, indeed. A Virginian saying such things????? Harrumph!!! Suffice it to say that his fellow Virginians had other views. Personally, I tend to believe in the Federalist system of government. Under that model, it is the very diversity of the sections, and their distinctive contributions, that give strength and life to the whole. Ever since the War Between the States, I see an Hobbesian tendency, championed by the *Democrats* (for Bravus' benefit). I should add that the Democrats did quite a volte face some decades after the War. They emerged from the 1920's under FDR as the champions of big government and paternalism. The Federal government in its present evolution would perhaps appall Jefferson, Madison and many of their contemporaries. In the end, it looks like Hamilton's views have won out. All that much easier for the image to the beast to come about.

Dave

[Gerr]

Oh, does Mr. Buchanan think I love the USA less than he does because I am brown?

Has he not just slapped millions of Catholics on the face?

The Europeans are of one color/race and essentially the same culture and are Christian, yet they have been responsible for more wars than any other in modern times.

Gerry