Finally got a chance to read this email I received. Very thought provoking and quite a stance on immigration, which is definitely something widely talked about here in DC.
We know Dick Lamm as the former Governor of Colorado. In that context his thoughts are particularly poignant. Last week there was an immigration overpopulation conference in Washington, DC, filled to capacity by many of American's finest minds and leaders. A brilliant college professor by the name of Victor Hansen Davis talked about his latest book, Mexifornia," explaining how immigration - both legal and illegal - was destroying the entire state of California. He said it would march across the country until it destroyed all vestiges of The American Dream.
Moments later, former Colorado Governor Richard D. Lamm stood up and gave a stunning speech on how to destroy America. The audience sat spellbound as he described eight methods for the destruction of the United States.
He said, "If you believe that America is too smug, too self-satisfied, too rich, then let's destroy America. It is not that hard to do. No nation in history has survived the ravages of time. Arnold Toynbee observed that all great civilizations rise and fall and that 'An autopsy of history would show that all great nations commit suicide.'"
Here is how they do it," Lamm said:
"First, to destroy America, turn America into a bilingual or multi-lingual and bicultural country." History shows that no nation can survive the tension, conflict, and antagonism of two or more competing languages and cultures. It is a blessing for an individual to be bilingual; however, it is a curse for a society to be bilingual. The historical scholar, Seymour Lipset, put it this way: "The histories of bilingual and bi-cultural societies that do not assimilate are histories of turmoil, tension, and tragedy." Canada, Belgium, Malaysia, and Lebanon all face crises of national existence in which minorities press for autonomy, if not independence. Pakistan and Cyprus have divided. Nigeria suppressed an ethnic rebellion. France faces difficulties with Basques, Bretons, and Corsicans.".
Lamm went on: Second, to destroy America, "Invent 'multiculturalism' and encourage immigrants to maintain their culture. I would make it an article of belief that all cultures are equal. That there are no cultural differences. I would make it an article of faith that the Black and Hispanic dropout rates are due solely to prejudice and discrimination by the majority. Every other explanation is out of bounds.
Third, "We could make the United States an 'Hispanic Quebec' without much effort. The key is to celebrate diversity rather than unity. As Benjamin Schwarz said in the Atlantic Monthly recently: "The apparent success of our own multiethnic and multicultural experiment might have been achieved not by tolerance but by hegemony. Without the dominance that once dictated ethnocentricity and what it meant to be an American, we are left with only tolerance and pluralism to hold us together." Lamm said, "I would encourage all immigrants to keep their own language and culture. I would replace the melting pot metaphor with the salad bowl metaphor. It is important to ensure that we have various cultural subgroups living in America enforcing their differences rather than as Americans, emphasizing their similarities."
"Fourth, I would make our fastest growing demographic group the least educated. I would add a second underclass, unassimilated, undereducated, and antagonistic to our population. I would have this second underclass have a 50% dropout rate from high. school."
"My fifth point for destroying America would be to get big foundations and business to give these efforts lots of money. I would invest in ethnic identity, and I would establish the cult of 'Victimology.' I would get all minorities to think that their lack of success was the fault of the majority. I would start a grievance industry blaming all minority failure on the majority population."
"My sixth plan for America's downfall would include dual citizenship, and promote divided loyalties. I would celebrate diversity over unity. I would stress differences rather than similarities. Diverse people worldwide are mostly engaged in hating each other - that is, when they are not killing each other. A diverse, peaceful, or stable society is against most historical precedent. People undervalue the unity it takes to keep a nation together. Look at the ancient Greeks. The Greeks believed that they belonged to the same race; they possessed a common language and literature; and they worshipped the same gods. All Greece took part in the Olympic games. A common enemy, Persia, threatened their liberty. Yet all these bonds were not strong enough to overcome two factors: local patriotism and geographical conditions that nurtured political divisions. Greece fell. "E. Pluribus Unum" -- From many, one. In that historical reality, if we put the emphasis on the 'pluribus'. Instead of the 'Unum,' we will balkanize America as surely as Kosovo."
"Next to last, I would place all subjects off limits; make it taboo to talk about anything against the cult of 'diversity.' I would find a word similar to 'heretic' in the 16th century - that stopped discussion and paralyzed thinking. Words like 'racist' or 'xenophobe' halt discussion and debate. Having made America a bilingual/bicultural country, having established multi-culturism, having the large foundations fund the doctrine of 'Victimology,' I would next make it impossible to enforce our immigration laws. I would develop a mantra: That because immigration has been good for America, it must always be good. I would make every individual immigrant symmetric and ignore the cumulative impact of millions of them."
In the last minute of his speech, Governor Lamm wiped his brow. Profound silence followed. Finally he said,. "Lastly, I would censor Victor Hanson Davis's book Mexifornia. His book is dangerous. It exposes the plan to destroy America. If you feel America deserves to be destroyed, don't read that book."
There was no applause. A chilling fear quietly rose like an ominous cloud above every attendee at the conference. Every American in that room knew that everything Lamm enumerated was proceeding methodically, quietly, darkly, yet pervasively across the United States today. Discussion is being suppressed. Over 100 languages are ripping the foundation of our educational system and national cohesiveness. Even barbaric cultures that practice female genital mutilation are growing as we celebrate 'diversity.' American jobs are vanishing into the Third World as corporations create a Third World in. America - take note of California and other states - to date, ten million illegal aliens and growing fast. It is reminiscent of George Orwell's book "1984." In that story, three slogans are engraved in the Ministry of Truth building: "War is peace," "Freedom is slavery," and "Ignorance is strength.".
Governor Lamm walked back to his seat. It dawned on everyone at the conference that our nation and the future of this great democracy is deeply in trouble and worsening fast. If we don't get this immigration monster stopped within three years, it will rage like a California wildfire and destroy everything in its path, especially The American Dream.
I think this really fueled some thoughts that I was mulling over. I find it a bit hard to talk about, especially around here. Seems some people are very well versed on the subject. I know how I feel, but am anxious about phrasing it in a PC way. I enjoyed this article and Lamm's frankness.
I'm sure on May 1st, when so many people were protesting, not one person thought twice about walking into U.S. hospitals and asking for a handout. In turn, driving my insurance and tax money higher.
I was especially interested in his points of education. Why would we encourage a very uneducated minority to bombard our already fragile education system? We need to fix our problems before we add to them. It seems that other immigrants in our history have embraced our language and added to our melting pot. Don't hide behind your flag and fly our's upside down to get my attention or sympathies.
I think I'm doing myself and my other Americans a disservice as I hide behind my political correctness. I'm encouraged to have some more thoughts to share in the next conversation that I find myself talking about this very important issue.
Thoughts??
3 comments:
How pleased I was to read your thoughts on Gov Lamm's speech. I was so impressed when I read it I sent a copy by email to several others - that I know share my thoughts on what Bush is doing to our country. I'm very proud of you. XOXOXOX Grandma
i am torn by this. the latin american culture is one i love and embrace, and all in all, is quite beautiful. i understand the negative impact that illegal immigration is having, but there just doesn't seem to be any balance to this. i can't turn my nose up at the people or the culture. i have two families in my class who have refused to assimilate (been in the US for 5+ years and speak little English) but their children, US born and raised, deserve a chance just like the rest of us. i can't really come to any conclusion. i'm just very torn by this whole thing. i hate to hear people bash the culture. (not that you did)
*Vinnie will enjoy this... I'll be passing it on...
i know what you mean by your statement "i understand the negative impact that illegal immigration is having, but there just doesn't seem to be any balance to this."
that's why i think it's hard to talk about. people are so fired up and passionate about it.
also, i think a lot of Americans are torn too.
and like your families... immigrants want to be here but don't want to assimilate?? it makes no sense. it's like they are only half trying. they work to get here, get a job, and maintain it, but have no desire to even try to learn what we have to offer. i don't get it. it's like they only want to "halfway" better themselves.
i know there were several instances at the bank where Hispanic speaking people would come in. I'd tell them goodbye in English and they'd turn and say (in clear English)... "in Spanish?" wanting me to say goodbye in Spanish. it just bugged me. it's like going to Italy, having an Italian tell you goodbye in his language (which you understand) and then turning around and suggesting he tell you goodbye in English. i mean... please, it's just insulting. you came here, right?
my roommate was talking about europe when he said that he wants to study abroad, immerse himself in the culture, and learn the language. he said, "you can only truly understand a country when you know their language." it's true.
we have some a wonderful country, with a strong foundation that was fought hard to claim, and pride that supercedes most of the other nations. i think Americans (including myself) are upset because immigrants want to be here, but many don't really want to know us. therefore, they don't really want to BE us. so, what's the point??
and, i'm not meaning to include everyone. this is not a broad umbrella, but i'd say that the majority of people who are protesting fall under my thoughts.
Mallory tells me every time we get started on this that many LEGAL immigrants are angry because of the sacrifices and time they had to make to EARN their citizenship. they are disgusted with the people trying to take what they truly waited for. one appreciates more fully what he waits for.
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