LETTER: Ending uncontrolled borders could save the American Dream

Professor Alexander Tyler's concerns that all great republics have lasted some 200 years is still a challenge about our destiny today.

The U.S. is the world's mightiest military power and the greatest economic power. Yet as a sovereign nation, our leaders — government leaders and political party leaders — appear to lack the willpower to control our own borders.

Thus, we permit uncontrollable borders.

I believe that a positive approach is the way to attack this weakness of leadership. It can be explained that:

1. Yes, most people seeking to become citizens are good people driven by dreams of the good life in America. Of course, there are criminals and drug dealers, etc., but we need not speak badly of those dreamers who are tempted to enjoy the great life. However, we can do something in a positive light to save this great society referred to as the American Dream.

2. To save the American Dream, we must cease uncontrollable borders and lack of enforcement of immigration laws.

3. Most American families stem from immigrants who sought freedom and the "American Dream." All immigrants, for the most part, have proven to be hardworking, good people and are proud to be Americans. They came here knowing that they would be accepted no matter what their religion or culture was so long as they were not hurting others or violating our laws. In other words, they came because freedom accepted being diverse; but today, we have permitted diversity or multiculturalism to go beyond the freedom to be diverse. We must have forgotten that people are normally united around common bonds, not diversity!

Highlighting diversity may be diminishing the necessity and challenge for immigrants to learn English. In earlier times, the mothers and fathers of immigrant families struggled to learn English, and some took a long time to be proficient. But one positive result was the urge for their children to learn English so they could be full-fledged Americans. Just look around at the second generation of immigrants who have found the American dream — see what they believe helped them. Is stressing diversity a help, or in the long run is it a hindrance?

4. All immigrants, new and old, surely desire to keep the American Dream successful. And surely, they can understand that uncontrollable borders and lack of enforcement of immigration laws can provide the seeds that can eventually cause the destruction or demise of that DREAM. It can "kill the goose that laid the golden egg" — tell your Congressman!