When Does America stop Being America?

The Statue of Liberty stands in New York Harbor welcoming the world's huddled masses. Now the House GOP, apparently led by Elton Gallegly, the representative from the area in which I pastor though not where I currently live (I think you know how that works).

It is draconian and ultimately unworkable. It focuses on deportation and essentially closing borders. It takes away wage supports for agricultural workers and other supports that allows workers to live. It essentially denies any hope for legal status for the 12 million undocumented persons currently here.

Other aspects of it, including the declaration of English as the national language go against our national history. Conservatives talk a lot about the Founders, well had the Founders wanted, they could have declared a national language, but they didn't -- just as they didn't establish a national religion.

It won't go anywhere, but it does suggest that the GOP is being tempted by our worst xenophobic instincts. George Bush has gotten a lot of things wrong in his presidency, but at least here he's on the right side of the issue.

To read more from the LA Times click here.