My roots are European, English, Welsh, French, German, maybe a little Irish or Scottish. My family presence in north America has been traced back to about 1612, with the latest immigrants arriving here about 300 years later. In the overall timeline of the world, just the blink of an eye. Mankind was here on this land for hundreds of thousands, maybe millions of years before us, and will be here for hundreds of thousands of years beyond us.
Yet some think that because their family has been here for a generation or three, that they should control what happens, who is allowed in, who can stay here, who can be forced to leave. I am relatively confident that some of the inhabitants of this land were welcoming of my ancestors, and some where not. But we stayed.
History tells us it was not always easy. In fact some pretty horrible things have happened, and continue to happen - the US Government continues to treat native Americans as incompetents in their own lands in many ways.
I am also a believer in the rule of law. A key to a safe and secure community, is an unspoken agreement to act in ways that protect all from harm. Among those laws, is a control on how people enter the country. There is a legal process. Ours is outdated, and has been for decades, but it is still the law. Congress should update it, maybe when the orange plague has passed they will. In the meantime, like it or not, it is the law. If you want to live here, comply with the law, failing to do so, is failing to be a participating member of society. A breach of the compact that holds a civilized society together.
I fully understand why people might want to live here. Though the current administration makes it less attractive in many ways. North America is still a land of great beauty, natural resources, and opportunity.
When I visit places like France, Italy, and Spain I often think, I would love to live here. But I know if I want to do so, I need to follow the process to do so legally. And that process can be archaine and challenging. Entering as a tourist, and staying beyond the time allowed for tourists, a breach of the trust that is granted to tourists, a breach of the unspoken agreement of the land to live together for the mutual benefit of all. A breach of the law. Not a good way to try to become a member of the society.
Not the way I would want to become a member of new community. If I treat the community like that, how can I expect the community to treat me?
Added note, it appears that bloggers comment system is not working today. I am reading, and thinking about your blogs.
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