AMERICA The land of Immigrants.. New beginnings for my immigrant family and I think the time period was early 1900's. They came crammed on ships like cattle. They slept where they stood. Some with families and others alone. Many days of travel waiting to see the Lady. Finally the Lady appears. The smiles, tears and laughter was visible on everyone. What a beautiful site. The Lady of Hope, Freedom and opportunities yet knowing that Ellis Island wasn't far beyond. They knew that Ellis Island meant that some of the families would be separated and forced to go back to the old country. They held each other tightly like their final farewell. They were given a number that entitled them to their health screening. A mandatory that could separate them. Something as simple as an eye exam which could determine if they were sickly and possibly be sent back to their native land. A new life and new beginnings. They heard much about America the land of opportunity. They respected the land and obeyed the rules. They taught themselves English and were deep into their Christian values. They hung our flag with pride. I remember my grandfather telling the kids "We in America now, speak English" yet he usually spoke his native language. Amazing how well people adapted to others who couldn't understand a word they said. They had respect for each other. Words like yes sir, no sir, thank you were common back then. No matter what we did we had to be at the dinner table with family. A small glass of red wine finished our meal. They struggled for work and often ended up in breadlines. No welfare back then. Families and friends helped each other. My grandparents settled in Colorado in a small town called Secunda which was at the base of a mountain and coal miner territories. My granddad worked the coal mines. The nearest hospital was 40 miles away and my aunt rosie was only 12 years old when she had an appendicitis attack and they put her in the wagon and hurried her to the hospital and she died on the way. She was buried in secunda and I hear the cemetery is still there. Well that was then. Now is another story. You have to wonder what has changed our country to what we have today. What happened to democracy rule Government growth with different views on how to run a country? The people depend to much on Government for handouts and now they no longer work for "We the people" but against us. We are overcome by corruption and rule and in their opinion what's good for the country doesn't apply to them. Massive spending now in the Trillions. They vote on their own salaries, pensions and unlimited resources. The immigrants of today are not the same as before. They come to our country also known as the "land of the free" literally. Gangs and drug lords cross our borders freely carrying weapons, and drugs. Our Government ran a sting operation which allowed for hundreds of weapons to be given to drug lords which they used to kill 2 of our border patrol agents and countless other lives. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ATF_gunwalking_scandal To be Cont.