Theodore Roosevelt’s ideas on immigrants and being an AMERICAN in 1907.

2015-09-22T14:34:02-04:00

“In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the person’s becoming in every facet an American, and nothing but an American…There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn’t an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag… We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language… and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people.”

Theodore Roosevelt 1907

What do you think of this simplistic approach to immigration?

Response by MSgt Keith Hebert made Sep 22 at 2015 2:39 PM

2015-09-22T14:39:17-04:00

100% agree

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Sep 22 at 2015 2:54 PM

2015-09-22T14:54:34-04:00

Nothing wrong with plain talk, simple and very understandable......only improvement would be to publish this as the standard so any immigrants would know ahead of time what the expectations were.

Response by Capt Jeff S. made Sep 22 at 2015 2:54 PM

2015-09-22T14:54:57-04:00

It's just plain common sense.

Response by SGT Jerrold Pesz made Sep 22 at 2015 2:56 PM

2015-09-22T14:56:56-04:00

I agree with Roosevelt.

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Sep 22 at 2015 3:26 PM

2015-09-22T15:26:53-04:00

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member - I agree with this 100%. Anybody who does not abide by these simple words does not deserve to be an American and share in the benefits of citizenship.

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 22 at 2015 3:39 PM

2015-09-22T15:39:12-04:00

I would agree with Roosevelt but add that one can assimilate and become an American and still have their cultural identities as well. The Irish, and Germans and Polish immigrants who came to our country in the 20s, 30s, and 40s, didn't call themselves Irish-Americans or German-Americans or Polish-Americans, they were Americans but each with their own cultural identities.

Response by Cpl James Waycasie made Sep 22 at 2015 4:03 PM

2015-09-22T16:03:44-04:00

I think Mr. Roosevelt knew EXACTLY what he was talking about.

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made Sep 22 at 2015 5:59 PM

2015-09-22T17:59:29-04:00

It is so simple and straight forward it will be lost on most and viewed as anti-immigrant, xenophobic and every other kind of phobic you can think to add. I would say that this is not a progressive view on immigration but a traditional view on immigration.

Response by SSG Billy Crosby made Sep 22 at 2015 6:03 PM

2015-09-22T18:03:19-04:00

I totally agree with Mr Roosevelt

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 22 at 2015 7:18 PM

2015-09-22T19:18:23-04:00

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member Too bad the left doesn't listen to or advocate this message.

Edit, I had to edit out FDR, i had the wrong generation.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 22 at 2015 7:20 PM

2015-09-22T19:20:53-04:00

I'm a simple kinda guy, this makes perfect sense to me.

Response by PFC Calvin Barger made Sep 22 at 2015 10:28 PM

2015-09-22T22:28:17-04:00

I agree wholeheartedly!!

Response by LTC Hillary Luton made Sep 23 at 2015 10:00 AM

2015-09-23T10:00:23-04:00

I think to put it just as simply as Roosevelt did 108 years ago, this is not to say we should forget our pasts, but that we should embrace our futures when we come to this country and ask to be included as a member of this country.