‘We Need a Courageous Revolution’ of Humble Action

Like many Americans, I watched the State of the Union address last week with eyes and ears wide open. I paid particular attention when President Donald Trump spoke about the need to curb illegal immigration. I hope you did, too — and I hope you are able to think clearly about what’s at stake when it comes to securing our borders, regardless of what you think about the president.

America does not have an immigration problem. We have an illegal immigration problem. We cannot afford to let that fact be clouded any longer.

Swiss cheese may be great for a submarine sandwich, but it’s terrible for border security. A country with holes in its borders will face significant economic and safety issues, placing undue, unfair burdens upon its citizens. That’s fact, not emotion.

I married a Canadian. My grandfather, Alfonso, was a legal immigrant from Arpaia, Italy. At Ellis Island, where he got off the boat, he had to possess the proper immigration paperwork, money for his own sustenance, and an address of where he intended to stay. If he didn’t have all three, he would have either been quarantined until he could provide them, or run the risk of being sent back to Italy.

My grandfather came prepared and made America his home until he was 100 years old. Though born overseas, he became a great American, exemplifying a great work ethic, solid morals, and a desire to contribute and be a positive role model. He succeeded.

In the new, politically correct America, the immigration requirements my grandfather had to fulfill would be touted as discriminatory. In reality, smart immigration is a matter of ensuring the safety of the people already living peacefully within a nation’s borders. Border security is a matter of common sense. Thinking otherwise is nonsense. But nonsense has become the new common sense in America. This is a trend we all need to work to reverse, now.

People on the far Left work hard to make sure the word “illegal” gets drowned out in the immigration and border safety discussion, so they can paint anyone concerned about illegal immigration as a hater, a racist, a bigot and a xenophobe. For those concerned with illegal immigration, it’s time we recall what we learned in grade school: Sticks and stones may break our bones, but names will never harm us.

Our fear of being called names could end up hurting far more than our feelings. It could, in the end, destroy our nation. It’s time we all start caring less about our personal feelings and more about our collective well-being.

Do you lock your doors at night? In most parts of the country, people do — for good reason. What if you knew there were people in your neighborhood who wanted what you had and were intent on getting it? Locking your door wouldn’t be an act of hatred. It would be an act of wisdom. It’s no different with our borders, whether with Canada or Mexico. America has known enemies who would love to enter, take what we have, and undo us from within.

More than 90 percent of America’s foreign nationals who are incarcerated in federal prisons got here illegally. It costs approximately $30,000 a year to care for each prisoner. You know who pays for this? Taxpaying Americans, that’s who.

Related: The 12 Best Lines from President Donald Trump’s State of the Union Address

And what about the illegal foreign nationals who are not incarcerated but should be due to their criminal activity and threat to society? Should we turn the other cheek? Add to this the fact that Americans are footing the bills for the health and education costs of illegal immigrants — and the problem is obvious.

The primary purpose of government is to protect its citizens, not endanger them. When politicians welcome illegal immigrants into our nation, they invite the exact opposite. Swiss cheese borders violate that fundamental objective from the get-go. Remember this the next time someone belittles border security in the name of “compassion,” forgetting the fact that America is not just a nation of immigrants, but mostly a nation of legal immigrants.

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It’s time for the level-headed logical thinkers of America to stand up and speak out.

We need a courageous revolution of humble courage that treats people with dignity without compromising on our safety.

It’s about our children and grandchildren. It’s about whether or not America will continue to exist.

No, President Trump is not the poster child when it comes to courageous humility — but this is not about Trump. It’s about our national security and economic viability. It’s about our children and grandchildren. It’s about whether or not America will continue to exist.

We must no longer allow ourselves to be intimidated or concerned about being called names for securing our borders. Names will never harm us, but the lack of courage to call things as they are — and to make fundamental changes – most certainly will.

Michael Anthony is the author of “A Call For Courage” a speaker and blogger at CourageMatters.com, and lead pastor of Grace Fellowship in York, Pennsylvania.

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