I've spoken of the shining city all my political life, but I don't know if I ever quite communicated what I saw when I said it. But in my mind it was a tall, proud city built on rocks stronger than oceans, wind-swept, God-blessed, and teeming with people of all kinds living in harmony and peace; a city with free ports that hummed with commerce and creativity. And if there had to be city walls, the walls had doors and the doors were open to anyone with the will and the heart to get here. That's how I saw it, and see it still
I don't want or need your cred Lusty. You're not on solid ground when you toss around illegals casually or use criminal out of context.
It's cute, but we've strayed very far from the vision. And that's not been my doing.
He recognized the will and the heart, and the humanity of people. Tough, but fair. Firm, but welcoming. He didn't see illegals everywhere and around every corner like some of you do. He saw opportunity and the American dream. The capacity to adapt and improve. To grow. To assimilate. To wield power responsibly.
The shining city on the hill. AND not OR.
The reason people with the will and the heart brave the journey, while soft folks with hard hearts turn a blind eye toward our purpose and responsibility. Lacking will and integrity. Relying on fake emergencies to justify ignorance, intolerance and xenophobia. Turning allies into enemies. Pretending we win instead of winning.
My, my, aren't we having fun?