The Balance of Morality in Immigration

One massive element to this debate is the issue of depriving families desperate for a better life from coming to an obviously better country.

Many ask the question, "How can someone deny another person or family the right to be in a country that constantly claims to be the freest country in the world?"

In consideration of this matter, people have to realize one important thing - the word free has more than one meaning. This issue alone can reshape how people view this issue.

In simple terms, 'Free' means both 'without bondage' and 'at no cost.' Now, those two definitions can seem mighty similar, but when one puts both into perspective, its obvious they differ greatly.

As anyone who has studied slavery - whether American, British, Roman, Chinese, Egyptian - knows, the free was not 'at no cost.' There is always great cost to acquire one's freedom. People die, both the enslavers and the enslaved. A price must be paid continually so that those who seek to oppress cannot do just that. To hold the evil at bay, the righteous must rise and hold fast to their beliefs that each man is individually responsible for himself, and has the freedom to go where he pleases and do the job he pleases according to a greater system of rule and law, by which all who are free agree to follow so that all can live in harmony with each other. i.e "I won't steal your crops, you don't steal my cows. I won't kill your family, you don't set my house on fire."

The other form of free is used so often in society (i.e. Free Backrub when you buy a new Kia! or You can get a FREE new iPod if you sign up for this contest today!) While there often is some form of cost involved to get this kind of 'free,' it's not advertised as being so, and many people begin to confuse what each means.

This country is free, but by no means does it come at no cost. While compassion is often a good trait, to offer this country to all who seek it 'at no cost' are damaging the greater harmony and sense of unity that the rest of these 'free' people enjoy. We enjoy that 'free'dom because either we have, ourselves, or our fathers and their fathers have paid the very high cost so that we can have it. To give that 'free' away is an insult and a disservice to all of those who have died, or given up so much of their lives to that beautiful red, white and blue.

Be compassionate, but stand for our rights and rules of life, liberty and pursuit of happiness as essential elements of what it means to be an American, which means all immigrants who wish to come to our fair country must abide and adopt those elements into themselves. They must become American.

What immigrant in their right mind would come to a country 'at no cost' and feel in any way obligated to adopt that lifestyle?

So save your morality speech if all you're looking at is one side of the picture. To give this country away 'at no cost' cheapens the country, devaluing it for my children and my children's children. How dare you claim I have no heart when you choose not to exercise your mind.

Shame on you all,

Johnathan Cross
Marietta