America, Culture, and Conservatism
Some comments have caused me to think a bit further about what these things mean ...
Just as the majority of Americans voted for Obama so Latinos did. Jews despite swinging in increasing numbers towards Republicans earlier, went as heavily for Obama as they did FDR. Catholics increased their vote for Obama. Yadda. What demographic did not? White Anglo Males from 45-60?
That, if anything is a clear warning sign to Republicans.
How did Latinos vote in 2000? 2004? 2006? Historically?
America is NOT WASP.
WASP decline began as early as the immigration waves of the 1840's.
The Irish were not regarded as 'anglos'
The German immigrations which resulted in complete divisions and corps of the Army of the Potomac which could barely speak and communicate (O.O. Howard's at Chancellorsville, for example) was regarded as a sign of decline
The eastern europeans were certainly not regarded as white anglos.
I also take exception to the idea that lots of immigration means socialism and third world-ism.
This is all very similar to the argument which began the day Andrew Jackson ran for president supported by (at the time) the western undereducated, ignorant, uncultured, 'untermenschen'
Those who are attracted to become Americans (as distinguished from those who just want a buck and to return home) do so for a chance to SUCCEED and thrive for themselves and their progeny.
America is a better life, or one free from oppression.
REGARDLESS OF COLOR, RACE OR BACKGROUND.
The very ideas that IMMIGRATION means open borders (when I am clearly calling for secure borders) ... IS THE DEATH KNELL FOR THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, ICONIC FOR IT, AND WILL ACCELERATE THE OUTCOME SOME DON'T WANT WHILE ENSURING THAT IN THE END - CONSERVATIVE MEANS RACIST IN THE PUBLIC MIND, AND PERHAPS IN OBJECTIVE REALITY AS WELL
Conflating these issues GUARANTEES DEMOCRATIC RULE
Precisely what the most left leaning dangerous persons in this nation desire.
MY ANCESTORS, I assure you, did not come as WHITE MALES.
In fact they were 1 male and 9 women arriving here on my dad's side. On my mother's side, an orphaned woman, with 2 girls and a boy. Not one had a cent. Just an address to go to. Not an anglo cultural idea among the lot.
They created 11 who served in WW2 - the from the pacific to D-day at Normandy. 3 more in Korea. 4 in Vietnam. 1 in civil rights. Among them they created tailors, radar developers, bus drivers, hospital admins, teachers, and one cardiac research scientist type.
They all came from the late 19th century to the 1920's. I state all that because I bet IT IS TYPICAL.
Today the Americans who happen to be Asian DOMINATE the high achievement levels in high schools (certainly on the west coast where many attend after school schools in order to ACHIEVE as adults), and form pluralities in many graduate, law and medical schools.
As Christine's fine post points out wordlessly, America's 'culture' is culture less.
Ironically it is PRECISELY that which has held us together amid the forces which have destroyed other nations, and made many more weaker and unable to thrive.
But no matter - I mention the idea of the 1924 immigration law as an idea, and icon of closure. Quotas. Exclusions.
The idea is that conservative, if it means anything must mean BLIND to all but adherence to a set of ideals .. a set which define our ability to thrive as individuals, and rise to the level of our intelligence, hard work, and risk taking guts, unhindered by govt.
But maybe that is too liberal a definition?
Just as the majority of Americans voted for Obama so Latinos did. Jews despite swinging in increasing numbers towards Republicans earlier, went as heavily for Obama as they did FDR. Catholics increased their vote for Obama. Yadda. What demographic did not? White Anglo Males from 45-60?
That, if anything is a clear warning sign to Republicans.
How did Latinos vote in 2000? 2004? 2006? Historically?
America is NOT WASP.
WASP decline began as early as the immigration waves of the 1840's.
The Irish were not regarded as 'anglos'
The German immigrations which resulted in complete divisions and corps of the Army of the Potomac which could barely speak and communicate (O.O. Howard's at Chancellorsville, for example) was regarded as a sign of decline
The eastern europeans were certainly not regarded as white anglos.
I also take exception to the idea that lots of immigration means socialism and third world-ism.
This is all very similar to the argument which began the day Andrew Jackson ran for president supported by (at the time) the western undereducated, ignorant, uncultured, 'untermenschen'
Those who are attracted to become Americans (as distinguished from those who just want a buck and to return home) do so for a chance to SUCCEED and thrive for themselves and their progeny.
America is a better life, or one free from oppression.
REGARDLESS OF COLOR, RACE OR BACKGROUND.
The very ideas that IMMIGRATION means open borders (when I am clearly calling for secure borders) ... IS THE DEATH KNELL FOR THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, ICONIC FOR IT, AND WILL ACCELERATE THE OUTCOME SOME DON'T WANT WHILE ENSURING THAT IN THE END - CONSERVATIVE MEANS RACIST IN THE PUBLIC MIND, AND PERHAPS IN OBJECTIVE REALITY AS WELL
Conflating these issues GUARANTEES DEMOCRATIC RULE
Precisely what the most left leaning dangerous persons in this nation desire.
MY ANCESTORS, I assure you, did not come as WHITE MALES.
In fact they were 1 male and 9 women arriving here on my dad's side. On my mother's side, an orphaned woman, with 2 girls and a boy. Not one had a cent. Just an address to go to. Not an anglo cultural idea among the lot.
They created 11 who served in WW2 - the from the pacific to D-day at Normandy. 3 more in Korea. 4 in Vietnam. 1 in civil rights. Among them they created tailors, radar developers, bus drivers, hospital admins, teachers, and one cardiac research scientist type.
They all came from the late 19th century to the 1920's. I state all that because I bet IT IS TYPICAL.
Today the Americans who happen to be Asian DOMINATE the high achievement levels in high schools (certainly on the west coast where many attend after school schools in order to ACHIEVE as adults), and form pluralities in many graduate, law and medical schools.
As Christine's fine post points out wordlessly, America's 'culture' is culture less.
Ironically it is PRECISELY that which has held us together amid the forces which have destroyed other nations, and made many more weaker and unable to thrive.
But no matter - I mention the idea of the 1924 immigration law as an idea, and icon of closure. Quotas. Exclusions.
The idea is that conservative, if it means anything must mean BLIND to all but adherence to a set of ideals .. a set which define our ability to thrive as individuals, and rise to the level of our intelligence, hard work, and risk taking guts, unhindered by govt.
But maybe that is too liberal a definition?
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