It seems strange to me to train children to use the common sense and reasoning skills God gave them while schools are not requiring the use of those skills like they used to.  And in todays’ upside down world those who use common sense and reasoning skills are ridiculed and called names and accused of being haters.  Who wants to be called a hater or a racist just because you question the reasoning of proposed policies?  Not many.

With the myriad of issues that seem out of control around the world, controlling our own border has become one that causes much heated vitriol from those who prefer not to obey or enforce the laws of the land. It is like watching out of control children disrespecting the rules and those who make them.  As a parent, separating the offending parties and placing them in “time out” has proven very effective.  But, how does that relate to our border issue?

Well, I believe we need to take a “time out” from illegal immigration in order to make the changes necessary to update, modernize and streamline our legal immigration system.  We all know that it is old, outdated and highly inadequate in a high tech world.  So let’s take a “time out” to fix it!  That means seal the border and stopping the invasion of those who choose to ignore our laws at their own risk to come here.  Some come for the right reasons but others are criminals and others are coming from nations that are our enemies and will at some point create great destruction on America.  That’s right illegal doesn’t mean Hispanic/Latino because they are not the only ones breaking our laws crossing our borders illegally.

Stopping immigration is not something that has never before been done.  Between 1925 and 1965 all legal immigration was put on a “time out”.  It’s funny how we never hear about that period of our history.  The purpose then, as it is now, was to make necessary changes to the process and to allow those legal immigrants time to assimilate into the American language, way of life, fully embracing the values that have made America great.  It allowed time for them to become Americans.

The difference now is that we have had forty plus years of celebrating and promoting the different cultures that have come to America for a better life.  Not that this is a bad thing.  When put into proper perspective it can be a very good thing.  However, this notion of multiculturalism has been done at the expense of whole groups of people integrating and assimilating into American society.  Whereas, in the past, immigrants came here to become American and contribute fully as citizens, the recent trend is quite the opposite.

We now have large numbers coming here to take advantage of the benefits of our economy and freedom but who retain their allegiance to their home country.  These tend to self-segregate into communities where they own businesses, have churches, have their own banks and they never have to speak English or participate in traditionally American activities.  The schools, in many cases, even accommodate the language differences with teachers who speak the language so even the children are not being immersed into what it means to be an American.  Those born in America know very little about their birth country because the public schools teach very little about what it means to be an American.

Instead of promoting unity this cultural inclusion has instead created a divide.  Everything is divided into groups and about color and race which creates resentment and contempt instead of promoting cooperation and unity.  We are turning the motto E pluribus Unum – Out of Many One- into quite the opposite – out of one many.  Recognizing that this is a problem was the reason behind the 1925-1965 “time out” on immigration.

Given the state of the economy, our massive debt and unsustainable social systems it is time to pursue the wisdom of our past. America needs a Time Out!

Next Week: Unifying Solutions Can Work to Rebuild a Fractured Nation Part I

Dinner Table Discussion Questions: How can we seal our southern border? Then how do we turn all those who have immigrated over the last twenty years into true Americans?