John Ashbaugh’s piece titled “Huddled masses” (Sept. 29) is the first and so far very best thing I have ever seen with nearly a half dozen positive strategies for the U.S. embracing the latest immigrant influx from mostly the southern border states.
I only hope it can be reprinted and circulated widely among other states’ officials at all levels of government.
Most Americans recognize that immigrants just want an opportunity to work hard and get ahead and are willing to play by the rules of American society. I would caution, however, that bringing fentanyl into the country should remain an absolute no-no. And, of course, guns.
I say all this from the perspective of a white American whose ancestor on my dad’s side (a William) arrived in the colonies from New England in 1632. He wasn’t “illegal” and wasn’t looking for a handout other than a parcel of land to get established. Anyone crossing the ocean “border” in those days had to be ambitious, and ultimately hardworking.
William Seavey
Cambria
This article appears in Oct 6-16, 2022.
Thanks o much for this feedback! I too have roots on my mother’s side that go back to the Mayflower, and I found it interesting that conservative Governor DeSantis chose to send those Venezuelan immigrants from Texas to Massachusetts. Our people throughput this nation are noted for a commitment to hard work, faith, and the rule of law… all solid values that first found root in the Enlightenment and still hold fast. There are enough people with those values even in Florida.
We conservatives don’t hate the illegal immigrants. I admire the ones who endure dangerous trips to get here. I hope that I would have the drive and initiative to do the same thing if I was in their shoes. But they will cost a lot to support, at least initially, with schools, medical care, housing, etc.. And we’re full. Check our local housing and highways if you question me, or go to LA or the Bay Area. As the writer says, each just wants to work hard and achieve the American success story. That will mean additional housing, more cars, more RV’s and boats for the immigrants. And then their children will want all these things. Where will we get the water? The additional energy? To put it in a stark analogy, we Americans are lucky to be in the lifeboat while much of the rest of the world is drowning. The lifeboat is getting more and more full, and at some point soon, the additional occupants will swamp the boat and everyone will drown. Allowing everyone into the boat may be “fair” but allowing everyone to drown in the interests of “fairness” is not reasonable.