The Challenge of Nationalism

In my last column, I wrote that the Nationalist movement threatens to create a third party that will challenge the GOP in 2008. In this column, I turn to address the dangers that the new Nationalist movement faces.

First, the most obvious is the need to keep nuts out of positions of leadership and prominence. In any type of movement on immigration, there’s always going to be a few racists thrown in the mix of a lot of good, decent folks. Its also a good idea to encourage Hispanic Advocates of Immigration Reform to be front and center on the issue.

The second problem that nationalists face is the lack of a positive vision. Nationalists have plans to fix our borders and get illegal immigrants out of the country. What is lacking is a positive vision. There’s plenty of anger, but little of those qualities that win elections. Where are the positive ideas and a vision of the country? Without these elements, a Nationalist Party will be pure angst on display and angst doesn’t win elections or leave a lasting legacy behind.

I’d love to hear some of the leaders of the anti-immigration movement talk about American greatness, about embracing those immigrants who are here and bringing them to the American dream. I’d like to hear about positive stances on issues outside of immigration. Single issue candidates sound like broken records and fail to speak to the concerns of all Americans.

I do not say that a Nationalist Party is an unavoidable outcome of our current impasse. It need not be if the Republican Party wakes up. Sadly, it appears that a cloud of cluelessness hangs over our party’s leaders as they push plans that are good for big business and bad for American society. John McCain suggested those outraged by hundreds of thousands waving Mexican flags in the streets of America, blocking highways and flying the Mexican Flag over an upside down Old Glory were racists. If this man is to be our nominee and our leader, then whether we like it or not, the party will be over.

Our national leadership must come to their senses and face reality. It is idiotic to blither on about us being a nation of immigrants when the current mass illegal immigration runs counter to the Spirit of America’s immigrant forbearers. Past Immigrants came to become part of America’s culture and society and embrace its highest values. Today’s illegal masses come to get cheap jobs, welfare, and to force American society to adapt to their culture and language. Some dream of Reconquista, the idea of Mexico retaking the Southwest. To compare the current wave of law breakers to hard working America-loving Immigrants from all nations is an insult and those who understand the situation in America’s Southwest aren’t buying it.

As I look at the GOP, I see a Party that is fractured and stretched to the breaking point, whose field of candidates includes no one who understands the situation we’re in. We’re in desperate need of a leader who understands these issues and can appeal to the entire party, such as Indiana Rep. Mike Pence (R-In.)

If the GOP is to survive, it must stand firm for our nation’s sovereignty and border security. If it doesn’t do that, it will not only face extinction, it will deserve it.

Immigration