What’s it like to live in America? I don’t think I
specifically spoke to that question before in over 6 years of blogging, but of
course much of my posts provide a good reflection on what living in the US is like.
It isn’t all pretty. We have our problems and we tend to
them sporadically. Over the long haul, most of the problems that matter are
fixed. Time helps the process along; change, after all, is a constant component
of life everywhere on the globe. Faster rates of change eventually
revolutionize much of what we live with. Problems one day become ignored and
fade away. Often we think something is a major concern when, in reality, it
isn’t.
And so it goes, living our days one at a time and
encountering whatever comes our way. We have learned to dodge big issues and
embrace the fun ones. We find joy in our being among our boisterous citizens.
Not all are current with the news. Some are, and most aren’t. when news items
grow in importance we usually do something about it.
Meanwhile, current events break down into weather, sports,
celebrities and advertising for consumer goods. This is a constant barrage of noise 24/7. It is perhaps the most negative piece of being an American. Some get lost in it and enjoy it; most likely
the youth do this; older adults naturally focus attention on more important
matters. Busy adults stick to their routines. Still, the noise continues.
The issues shift from view in a whirling mass of
announcements, news reports, documentaries and books. Today it is immigration
irregularities and unfairness. A public school teacher with 30 years living in
the US and teaching most of those years, is arrested on his front lawn when he
left his house to accompany a daughter to school. He was detained, processed
and shipped onto a plane to return him to his native land. Midway there the
plane laid over in Hawaii and authorities removed him from the plane, and took
him back to the mainland for further processing. Seems a public outcry may have
spared this good man from deportation. The details are not yet fully known, but
we can hope this injustice is fixed very soon and apologies offered to him and
his family.
Immigration. Fresh new citizens streaming to our shores. It
is a good thing. They are welcome by most of us. Oh yes, we sometimes fear the
dislocations caused by a large influx of immigrants. Housing for them is
hurriedly arranged, but not always very nice. Transportation to communities
better able to welcome them is also arranged. Sponsors are identified and
transition plans are made for the new family. Some jobs may be taken by these
newcomers; that may mean citizens in a job will lose a job to the immigrant.
However, that possibility is not automatic, and certainly not a tidal wave of
change.
Change takes time. Dislocations in employment patterns and
the fate of entire industries take years to develop. Those paying attention
make new plans for the future. They are free to explore other possibilities and
discover new potentials for themselves. Normally this means better jobs and a stronger
standard of living. For those asleep at the switch, a job may be lost. And a future.
At least we have someone willing to do the work. We need
such workers. And no, not all immigrants toil at menial jobs. Most are well
employed and fairly paid. You see, America does not produce enough workers to
fill all of the jobs available. Often, immigrants come to the US with the
education and training to perform jobs Americans can’t do. We need immigrants
to keep our economy functioning.
Yes there is unemployment among long-time citizens born in
the USA; these are people who have allowed their skills to lag the pace of
change in the employment market. They have not kept up and do lose their jobs.
Nothing is guaranteed. In America life is good for those who want it so and are
willing to work for it.
That’s precisely why immigration is good for America.
Immigrants want to be here and struggle to get here. They put up with a
dizzying array of immigration rules, regulations and laws. They survive despite
all of it. And they find their way in a new land.
They keep us current. They keep us brave. They are part of
the promise of America. Thank God for our immigrants and their courage! There is room for one more, and maybe...
February 20, 2018
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