“America” …. why do they come??

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~~August 2, 2014~~

I walked into my family room, the TV was on. A movie was playing: “The Jazz Singer” with Neil Diamond.

This brought back so many memories. This movie was one of my favorite ones. I remember playing the LP version of the soundtrack over and over and over again. This movie fascinated me because of the theme and the music.

Interesting to note that when I caught what was left of it, the last song brought to mind the current crisis with illegal immigration.

I don’t pretend to be an expert on this issue. However, I see and read about what is going on. This country was founded through immigration of many people from many countries.

Why do they come here? Catch the lyrics to “America”.

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“America”

Far,
We’ve been traveling far
Without a home
But not without a star

Free,
Only want to be free
We huddle close
Hang on to a dream

On the boats and on the planes
They’re coming to America
Never looking back again,
They’re coming to America

Home
Don’t it seem so far away
Oh, we’re traveling light today
In the eye of the storm
In the eye of the storm

Home
To a new and a shiny place
Make our bed and we’ll say our grace
Freedom’s light burning warm
Freedom’s light burning warm

Everywhere around the world
They’re coming to America
Ev’ry time that flag’s unfurled
They’re coming to America

Got a dream to take them there
They’re coming to America
Got a dream they’ve come to share
They’re coming to America

They’re coming to America
They’re coming to America
They’re coming to America
They’re coming to America
Today, Today,
Today, Today, Today

My country ’tis of thee (today)
Sweet land of liberty (today)
Of thee I sing (today)
Of thee I sing
Today, Today, Today
Today, today, today……

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What else could be written to express the reasons and the feelings of those coming to America?

We’ve been traveling far, Only want to be free, Hang on to a dream, Freedom’s light burning warm, They’re coming to America ….

Map

Immigration is the movement of people into another country or region to which they are not native in order to settle there, especially as permanent residents or future citizens. Immigrants are motivated to leave their countries for a variety of reasons, including a desire for economic prosperity, political issues, family re-unification, escaping conflict or natural disaster, or simply the wish to change one’s surroundings.

Immigration to the United States is a complex demographic phenomenon that has been a major source of population growth and cultural change throughout much of the history of the United States. The economic, social, and political aspects of immigration have caused controversy regarding ethnicity, economic benefits, jobs for non-immigrants, settlement patterns, impact on upward social mobility, crime, and voting behavior.

Imm

~~SOURCE~~

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immigration

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immigration_to_the_United_States

Ellis

This didn’t start now. It’s been the reality for many, many years.

~~Neil Diamond’s America~~

~~Uploaded on Jul 4, 2011~~

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The song’s theme is a positive interpretation of the history of immigration to the United States, both during the early 1900s and today. Combining Diamond’s typically powerful melody, dynamic arrangement, and bombastic vocal, it ends with an interpolation of the traditional patriotic song “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee”.

In Diamond’s concerts, the song is a very popular number both home and abroad, with a large United States flag often displayed from the rafters on cue to the lyric, “Every time that flag’s unfurled/They’re coming to America.”

AMeric

We ALL are ONE!!

MP1

20 thoughts on ““America” …. why do they come??”

  2. Hi Horty,

    I know some people would like to change those words to something that drives them away instead of welcoming them here. To those people the American dream is a nightmare since Obama took office.

    Neil Diamond was good, I liked his music. But then I really liked all music. A week or so ago I posted a message on Facebook: I’m beginning to like rap music. I would not have said that 10 years ago. 🙂

    ❤ Jackie

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    • Hi Jackie!! Thx for your presence here, always!! Your comments motivate me.

      Music is very important to me. I don’t know about the rap, though.

      Agree … some would like to turn them back. You know why? Because there are too many of “them” … “they” are going to take over. That’s why those people are “scared”. Hugs …. ❤

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  4. I believe you have the correct American ideals but in this case – not looking at the entire picture – and I may make you angry here, so delete the comment if it does – Our other immigrants came, learned the language, got jobs and became citizens. Nowadays, they come and expect us to provide food, shelter, medical treatment, etc. That means the government pays – but the government is broke – borrowed up to their eye balls from China because we don’t have enough working, tax-paying citizens to cover ALL of our benevolence. We can only try to be the world’s big brother, we don’t have to feel guilty when we can’t be there for every single person on the planet. That’s my opinion about the current situation – I could go on, but I don’t want to lose your friendship over (of all things) a political discussion!

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    • I don’t want to delete your comment because I respect you & because I think you have made valid points. No need to worry about the friendship. I respect your feelings and opinions. You call is as you see it.
      I agree in part. You’re looking at the other side of the coin & I respect that.
      I think, now that you mention it, that I went down the idealistic road …. the one I knew America to be.
      I think the problem is the “huge” wave coming in. I also think that America is “broke” because of many other reasons.
      There are many who do come, work, get a job, learn the language …. and there are many who don’t do any of these things. I feel one shouldn’t generalize. In any given group of people you will see “good & bad”. In my humble opinion, America needs to regroup, come back home, get out of expensive wars & take care of her own.
      Keep the $$ here rather than give gazillions to other countries & fix the problems at home … Immigration being one of them.

      I think the compassionate America that I knew, with a genuine, working government, in spite of some “bad apples” should rise.
      Are we going to stop immigration? I don’t think so.
      This problem is drowned out because of the many other things on the table. Is it easy to fix? No .. Can it be fixed? Don’t know. Will the immigrants stop coming? I don’t think so.
      I could go on too but it’s a complex problem with no clear answer. I hope you can also see this point of view.

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      • Thank you for trusting my opinion, though you did correct my statements – justifiably so. I did not mean to generalize that this group would not work and become part of America, I should have clarified that we already have too many not working.- which makes it difficult to support the ones trying to come in. Without workers, there’s no tax money to support – anything – hence, the borrowing from China. The foreign wars are supposed to be on the same wave-length, saving people and giving them their freedoms back. But, as you mentioned (and I agree), those wars are costing the US way too much and our own citizens are suffering. (Plus – our men are dying trying to do what history shows us is near impossible in that part of the world.) I don’t know how we are going to put our country back together, wish I did. And I thank you for not being upset with me.

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      • Would never be upset with you. I respect & admire your work. Where would we be without differences and being able to talk this way. Thank YOU for accepting my answer.
        I think we are both in the same page. Peace!!!

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  5. The movie was a favorite of my late husband. Your words are great and remind me that if we don’t take care of ourselves first, then we can’t help anyone else. This is true for individuals and countries. Hugs dear friend, Barbara

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