Common Sense About America’s Appeal - The American Spectator | USA News and Politics
Common Sense About America’s Appeal
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President Johnson signs immigration bill on Liberty Island on Oct. 3, 1965 (Wikimedia Commons)

Here’s a suggestion for thought: Constantly, nonstop, on the social media (really should be called the “anti-social media”) there are endless stories about how famous geniuses like Al Sharpton and Hillary Clinton have accused the United States of America of being a racist, fascistic, white skinned privilege super state.

We see this supposedly in the alleged police butchery of blacks, in the drastically different standards of living of blacks, “Anglos,” Asians, and Hispanics, and in the wildly different levels of academic achievement of different races. All of this is laid at the feet of intentional white domination and discrimination in work, public housing, education, and every other form of life.

This all results, again, say the critics, in a neo-Nazi nation cruelly masquerading as a free country. Meanwhile, “socialist,” really “Communist” states enjoy paradisal conditions of prosperity and equality. So, many in this glorious America would spin it.

But then, my dear pals, riddle me this: why do men and women and children from all over the world take grave risks, travel in all manner of death trap boats, clamber over deadly walls and fences and walk for months and sometimes years to get into the USA, almost always illegally. That means they are also risking prison in one of our vicious prisons where the guards would kill you in a second if they could if you were not white. No one is risking life and limb to get to Cuba or Venezuela or Vietnam.

Why? If the USA is that horrible, why do millions from all over the world travel painfully, exhaust themselves and their kids and parents, risk and lose life to get here?

The answer is that the USA, with all of its faults, is still paradise on earth. We have the most opportunity for a comfortable, prosperous life with all the protections of law, that exists or has ever existed on this earth.

Just recently, boatloads of Haitians have been coming here at great risks of every kind. They are black people. Why would they be coming to this racist, Ku Klux Klan dominated nation if that were even remotely true?

What is true? We have faults and flaws, including all human faults of tribalism and violence. But far beyond that, we are the most generous, kind-hearted, inclusive nation in human history. We are all blessed beyond words to be here. Those of us who were born here are especially blessed.

Let’s remember our faults and work to do better. But let’s also be proud. America is the greatest place there has ever been on earth as a nation: Say it loud: I’m an American and I’m proud! The state of the world puts the exclamation point in there.

Ben Stein
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Ben Stein is a writer, actor, economist, and lawyer living in Beverly Hills and Malibu. He writes “Ben Stein’s Diary” for every issue of The American Spectator.
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