What it means to be an American

This is an editorial written by an American citizen (published in a Tampa newspaper) after hearing that the state of Florida changed its opinion and let a Muslim woman have her driver's license photo with her face covered.

It is my opinion that the following is exactly correct, as apposed to politicly correct!

IMMIGRANTS, NOT AMERICANS, MUST ADAPT.
I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending some individual or their culture.   Since the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, we have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of Americans.   However, the dust from the attacks had barely settled when the "politically correct" crowd began complaining about the possibility that our patriotism was offending others.
I am not against immigration, nor do I hold a grudge against anyone who is seeking a better life by coming to America.   Our population is almost entirely made up of descendants of immigrants.   However, there are a few things that those who have recently come to our country, and apparently some born here, need to understand.   This idea of America being a multicultural community has served only to dilute our sovereignty and our national identity.   As Americans, we have our own culture, our own society, our own language and our own lifestyle.   This culture has been developed over centuries of struggles, trials, and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom.
We speak ENGLISH, not Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or any other language.   Therefore, if you wish to become part of our society, learn the language!
"In God We Trust" is our national motto.   This is not some Christian, right wing, political slogan.   We adopted this motto because Christian men and women, on Christian principles, founded this nation, and this is clearly documented.   It is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools.   If God offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world as your new home, because God is part of our culture.
If Stars and Stripes offend you, or you don't like Uncle Sam, then you should seriously consider a move to another part of this planet.   We are happy with our culture and have no desire to change, and we really don't care how you did things where you came from.   This is OUR COUNTRY, our land, and our lifestyle.   Our First Amendment gives every citizen the right to express their opinion and we will allow you every opportunity to do so.   But once you are done complaining, whining, and griping about our flag, our pledge, our national motto, or our way of life, I highly encourage you take advantage of one other great American freedom...
THE RIGHT TO LEAVE.




Theodore Roosevelt's ideas on Immigrants and being an AMERICAN in 1907.

"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