 Accept the Founding Principles
Regardless of what some people are saying in more current times about the
thoughts of America’s founding statesmen that they were “secular” or “deist”
or worse, “atheist,” their actions and writings seemed to indicate that they
believed in God and the strength of His influence on the affairs of people
and governments. Indeed, even the Declaration of Independence declares,
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal;
that they are endowed by their Creator with inherent and inalienable rights;
that among these, are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; that to
secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their
just powers from the consent of the governed; that whenever any form of
government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people
to alter or abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its
foundation on such principles, and organizing its powers in such form, as to
them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness."
--Declaration of Independence as originally written by Thomas Jefferson,
1776. ME 1:29, Papers 1:315
In his farewell address George Washington, the first President of the United
States told the people:
"Of all the dispositions and habits, which lead to political prosperity,
Religion and Morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man
claim the tribute of Patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great
pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of Men and
Citizens. The mere Politician, equally with the pious man, ought to respect
and to cherish them. A volume could not trace all their connexions (sic)
with private and public felicity. Let it simply be asked, Where is the
security for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious
obligation desert the oaths, which are the instruments of investigation in
Courts of Justice? And let us with caution indulge the supposition, that
morality can be maintained without religion. Whatever may be conceded to the
influence of refined education on minds of peculiar structure, reason and
experience both forbid us to expect, that national morality can prevail in
exclusion of religious principle."
Obey the Constitution
At the time of his inauguration the President of the United States of
America takes an oath.
"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office
of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability,
preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."
(Article II, Section 1, of the US Constitution)
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If the President of the United States swears or affirms to
“preserve, protect and defend the constitution of the United States”
is not it just as important for each citizen of the United States to
obey the US Constitution as well?
When an immigrant is ready for citizenship of the United States he
or she takes an oath to obey the US Constitution. In fact, that
person is not a citizen of the US until they take the Oath of
Allegiance. An officer reads out each part of the oath and the
person is asked to repeat his/her words. To become a citizen, one
must take the oath of allegiance.
By doing so, an applicant swears to:
• Support the Constitution and obey the laws of the U.S.;
• Renounce any foreign allegiance and/or foreign title; and
• Bear arms for the Armed Forces of the U.S. or perform services for
the government of the U.S. when required.
If a person is in the United States illegally, they have already
demonstrated their contempt for the US Constitution as the
foundational law of the country into which they have illegally
entered. By remaining outside of the legal status of the
requirements of entry, each person not only does not take the oath
of allegiance, but denies the support of the Constitution and
obedience of the laws of the U.S.; Remains allegiance to their own
country of origin; and refuses to bear arms for the Armed Forces of
the U.S. or perform services for the government of the U.S. when
required.
Integrate into the Culture
A person who seeks residence in the United States and wants to
complete the legal process for doing so should strongly consider
becoming a part of the culture of the United States. For sure
America is “Multi-cultural” because of its “Melting Pot” status of
generations of people immigrating from other cultures. But America
has become a strong nation through integrating cultures and customs
into an identifiable “American Culture” that is known around the
world. It is a land of freedom, laws and justice; a land that
celebrates every religion, every creed, every culture and every
custom from proud people everywhere that represent their “old
country” but still embrace the culture of their newly adopted
homeland.
It is truly a culture that embraces assimilation, yet distinct
cultures, that build on the foundation of a national motto that
emblazes each of our coins, e pluribus Unum, from many, one.
[By JIM KILLEBREW]
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