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it seems like you’re not really understanding the “point” of the United States and what makes it different from other countries. That’s a shame. Is america on

it seems like you’re not really understanding the “point” of the United States and what makes it different from other countries. That’s a shame. Is america only for the white descendants, the former slave owning class? Perhaps former Nazis who fled Germany after the war? Who is america _really_ for? Why should Trump and the GOP get to decide who the undesirables are? This narrative of “giving away citizenship” quite literally makes zero sense. Even as a child growing up it was clear to me (from teachers, textbooks, books, movies) that what makes america special is its ability to integrate immigrants from various backgrounds into 1 working nation. It’s a land of immigrants from the start. The founding fathers didn’t “belong” here either. The land was stolen from native americans and other tribes that lived here. It’s in the DNA of the country. Some Americans need a big mirror and a heaping spoon of empathy IMO.

ljsprague 1y ago
That's not the "point" of America. >Even as a child growing up it was clear to me (from teachers, textbooks, books, movies) that what makes america special is its ability to integrate immigrants from various backgrounds into 1 working nation. It’s a land of immigrants from the start. Is it possible you were fed propaganda from a very young age?
- lurking_swe 1y ago
  well, i’ve discussed this topic with my family that lives in europe every year when i visit, and they don’t disagree. Our immigrant culture in the U.S. is what makes us different. We don’t have a single ethnicity, a single culture, etc. the way most countries on the globe do. I also think it’s hilarious when americans, who are (almost always) americans because one of their ancestors immigrated to the U.S., try to “pull the ladder up behind them” by hating on immigrants or treating them poorly. Letting others seek a better life like their ancestors did? Inconceivable apparently…hence my comment about most americans needing a mirror. Enough about me. Since you disagree, what do YOU think the point of the US is? What makes us unique and mostly successful as a nation? Since you claim i read propaganda.
  - ljsprague 1y ago
    The point of any country is to serve the interests of the people in that country. Pulling up the ladder behind yourself can be rational; imagine a lifeboat scenario where you're about to sink. Settlers are different than immigrants. America is unique for the most part because it was created by a unique set of settlers from England. The same reason Canada, Australia, and South Africa are unique places.
    - lurking_swe 1y ago
      I think a more rational response would be to tightly restrict what _type_ of immigrants we want, instead of making them seem like the bad guy. To “serve our needs” as you say. I also just think it’s in poor taste to hate on immigrants if that’s how so many of us got here. Anyway, thanks for the honest response. Gives me something to think about…

ljsprague 1y ago

That's not the "point" of America. >Even as a child growing up it was clear to me (from teachers, textbooks, books, movies) that what makes america special is its ability to integrate immigrants from various backgrounds into 1 working nation. It’s a land of immigrants from the start. Is it possible you were fed propaganda from a very young age?

lurking_swe 1y ago
well, i’ve discussed this topic with my family that lives in europe every year when i visit, and they don’t disagree. Our immigrant culture in the U.S. is what makes us different. We don’t have a single ethnicity, a single culture, etc. the way most countries on the globe do. I also think it’s hilarious when americans, who are (almost always) americans because one of their ancestors immigrated to the U.S., try to “pull the ladder up behind them” by hating on immigrants or treating them poorly. Letting others seek a better life like their ancestors did? Inconceivable apparently…hence my comment about most americans needing a mirror. Enough about me. Since you disagree, what do YOU think the point of the US is? What makes us unique and mostly successful as a nation? Since you claim i read propaganda.
- ljsprague 1y ago
  The point of any country is to serve the interests of the people in that country. Pulling up the ladder behind yourself can be rational; imagine a lifeboat scenario where you're about to sink. Settlers are different than immigrants. America is unique for the most part because it was created by a unique set of settlers from England. The same reason Canada, Australia, and South Africa are unique places.
  - lurking_swe 1y ago
    I think a more rational response would be to tightly restrict what _type_ of immigrants we want, instead of making them seem like the bad guy. To “serve our needs” as you say. I also just think it’s in poor taste to hate on immigrants if that’s how so many of us got here. Anyway, thanks for the honest response. Gives me something to think about…