I am a lifetime Republican, although I consider myself to be a moderate. I recently picked up a copy of John F. Kennedy’s Pulitzer Prize winning book, "Profiles in Courage ," which cites eight cases of people who took proper positions rather than expedient ones. Kennedy quoted Dante: “The hottest places in Hell are reserved for those who in a period of moral crisis maintain their neutrality.” As a result of reading that quote and my continuing disgust with the current gentleman who occupies the White House, I feel compelled to write.
Twice we have rescued Europe from disastrous wars. For three centuries this country has been looked upon as a beacon to the world. My family came to the United States in the 19th century because of better economic opportunities than what were available in Norway. It worked, as the next generations have prospered and given much to North Dakota and the United States. My grandparents did not speak English upon arrival. My family spoke Norwegian at family gatherings. My grandparents were extremely poor and tried to eke out a living in a small North Dakota town and a small farm. We are a nation of immigrants.
The current administration with its constant lying is appealing to the darkest side of humanity. Using scare tactics to convince us that “they” are the enemy and “they” must be stopped has been used by demigods for centuries to place the blame for problems on others so that “we” can understand why bad things are happening. The United States is the greatest country on earth.
We are the wealthiest, the freest and we can grow as we wish in life. We have abundant resources. God has truly blessed us. And yet, I am reminded of Jesus’ words in Luke, “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required.” This does not mean that we should have wide open borders. We need security. But this vitriolic speech that comes from the White House does not solve the immigration issue.
We need calm, introspective discussion. We need to find a consensus among our leaders who need to give us a direction which will lead to immigration reform and allow those who are legitimately seeking refuge a place of safety. In the 1930’s a ship of Jewish immigrants from Europe was denied entrance to the United States because some in the State Department were anti-Semitic. The ship was forced to return to Europe. We know what happened to them.
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We must resist this anger and hate speech the emanates from the White House and those who follow his lead. We are a kind and generous people. The world must see that again.
