Theodore Roosevelt's Speech on Immigrants  

I read this quote by Roosevelt not too long ago and wondered "what happened?" Our country has totally lost it when it comes to immigration. The amount of illegals here sucking our resources dry is staggering, and the powers that be talk of "fixing" the problem, yet nothing appears to be being done. I believe in America as a melting pot, but I also believe that you should know English to be here. It was a sad day when my boss told me i needed to learn Spanish to be able to communicate with Hispanic clients. I told him no way was I going back to school to accomodate people in an English speaking country, our agency is in Illinois, not Mexico City, and if they want to be here they should accomodate us. He wasn't happy, but I didn't have to take that class. Good discussion, there's nothing you said that I could've said better.

I am Canadian.So my view on this subject are slanted towards a Canadian view.I thought when someone decided to immigrate to a new country,it was to leave the old country behind.It would seem then that they would want to fit into their new country.Maybe it is time to look at the reason WHY people come to US and then do what they can to stand out(in a negative way).The US is a country of possibilities.I thought it would be a blessing to be allowed to live there.But some come in illegally and start trying to undermine the country.And some legally enter the country but also try to undermine it.Instead of just allowing immigrants to enter based on whether they can afford it or on allowing only a certain number of refugees per country,maybe they should become more selective and do a little research into the past of the immigrant?

That was 100 years ago.We USA as a young country stold the culture or should I say tried to stomp the culture of our own native people away to be replace by something else.
We are so much richer for the differences of the peoples of America.
I think a country has to have loyality from it's people but loyality doesn't mean to be disloyal to the country of their origin.
I do think it would be good for all here to speak the same language .My parent and grandparent did but my husbands Italian Grandparents never did speak fluently.They were hard working business people that had one child that became the mayor of our town and the other 3 were people that helped build alot of this town.
I think we have to think about our origin...
These people from other countries came here...kicked around the locals...took their lands...fought with other people from other countries...Then finally deciding that we would fight with the country who finally won to be independant...A brand new country!Isn't it a bit hyprocritical to say no more after immigrants built the country in the first place....
I don't know what the answer is.Our country is getting soft and too fat...maybe we need new blood..
I consider myself a citizen of the world as much as an American..
I hope I haven't offended you...you did ask for opinions and this is my honest one.
The problems of this country is alot bigger then immigrantion.

I don't mind immigrants in the US BUT they need to not only learn the English language but speak it clearly so I can understand them. They can speak their native tongue all they want to their family and friends but please speak English otherwise. I'm tired of going to the store and finding signs in Spanish when this is an English-speaking country. They want to know what they are buying, learn English, simple as that. If not, then go back to your country. I'm also tired of hearing/reading about ppl not wanting GOD spoken in our schools or prayers or anything. I may not practice/preach the Catholic religion but I sure would like to pray whereever I want to without being degraded by ppl who don't like it. I also want GOD on our money and on anything else HE should be on.

Well said! Roosevelt's speech could have been said by someone today! The problems are still relevant. I feel everything he said is true. If you want to live here and become a citizen...you should embrace our culture and language as your own.

I have read these words a few times and I agree with Teddy Roosevelt on them. This country was founded by immigrants, we were founded by people coming here and then working together to make this country great. That is what has been lost. Not the cultural differences but the ability to meld together and working to make the best for our country. At one time when people came here they wanted to be here, they wanted to make their lives better and thought that the USA would do that for them. They came with the intention of becoming citizens, of adapting to the country and to merging in with society. That doesn't happen today. Many come here and do not want to adapt. They want us to adapt to them. To speak their langauge, to make allowances for them, and to give them what ever they want. They come and complain about this country. They knock it down and belittle it and it's people while still demanding that we accomadate them. My thought is if you come here you must want what this country is if not don't come.

I agree we need to go back to some basics. We need to speak one language. We need to be Americans and leave all the enthic names off it especially when it comes to people who were born here.

To be honest I think relgion is a part of a person and not the nation. That is my view point. Church and State are separate and should remain so. I think that is part of the problem in the last hundred years is we have allowed religion to move into the laws and legal system. We've allowed made it an issue when it shouldn't be. Religion, faith, beliefs or whatever you may call them should be a personal issue and not one for the government to deal with.

Our countries are still young compared to the history of some European and Asian cultures. What gets me is that most of us are still 1rst, 2nd or 3rd generation immigrants. Yes, some of you Americans came over on the Mayflower, but my point is that countless immigrants have come across the pond to North America eager and willing to become Canadian or American citizens.

They came steerage for petes sake. Some nearly starving before reaching our blessed countries. My grandmother tells the story of how when she first came over from Holland, the families main goal was to learn to speak English. She and her mother and sisters went to a restaraunt and asked for a lemonade on a hot summer day. The new immigrant owners misunderstood and brought out "ham&eggs", so much for the language barrier.

As more and more families moved into the area after the First and Second World Wars. English and becoming a Canadian was first and foremost in their minds. Our area was heavily populated by the Dutch, but the English language was taught by those who had been here the longest. School was taught in English, Business was conducted in English, Church was in English.

I don't think that anyone has to forsake thier religion, but When in Rome......!

Tradition is being upheld for the wrong reasons. Why can't my husband wear a cowboy hat if he joined the Royal Canadian Mounted Police? The RCMP is a Canadian tradition. But no longer! Now it seems that if religion is involved you can wear cerimonial head dress and still be called a mountie. I know some folks will disagree with me here, but WHY did we have to give up OUR tradition?

Being an immigrant and being allowed to live in either of our countries is no longer seen as a priviledge.

I should quit while I am ahead since I get fairly vocal on this subject.

I'm tired of political correctness. My family knuckled under and left the wooden shoes in Holland and assimilated very well. I am proud to be a Canadian.

I would agree, mostly. I do have an issue with the "Christianity" being the basis of religion since the Jewish religion was here almost as early as the other. Of the 13 colonies, only one was open to non persicution of jews & catholics - Maryland.

I think that the "Golden Rule" and the "Freedom of Religion" is really more important. I've got friends from many faiths, a good person can be from any of them. I have certainly meet bad "Christians" in fact, more of them, because they are so self-rightous & more populous here in the states.

From my point of view, when we are in Rome do as Rome do,
My families are Lao, they immigrated to the different countries around the world such as U.S,Canada,France, Switzerland, Holland, Germany. They changed their nationalities to those countries, they do follow as those government's speech and the countries' regulation,but they still keep their traditional for their ancestors. People can't forge to change into another religion when they don't want.

I read that quote and I think that is basically what people want this country to be. However I think other countries will tell you that there are many battles to overcome. For example, the people that come here and do not become citizens but do not speak English well. I would like to see us speak one language, and become united. However I think there are some challanges we face. I think it is nice to see other languages here in USA because the world is more than English. Have a nice day.

Pablo