Lee Levin is an icon of the community. Huddled in his cave on the extreme right of the political spectrum, he sends messages that attempt to unsettle the perspective of the general community. In his latest salvo, he has imagined a world distorted by the immigration at the southern border. He seems to argue that people who seek to enter the country have no skills, will make no contribution to the American way and will be content to survive on the charity of others. He contends that the rest of us support ourselves.
The only problem with his colorful tale is that there is no truth to it.
The would be immigrants will prove, as have their predecessors, that they will work and contribute to this country in many ways, including the enrichment of a diverse culture.
His depiction of an independent citizenry is inaccurate. Let me provide just two examples.
I have worked since I was 14 and have been for more than a decade the recipient of Social Security and Medicare benefits. While I contributed to the funds that support these programs, my contribution is long used up. My benefits now come from the contributions of millions of other Americans who work to maintain the system.
My family, and all of us, are protected by a police force. Yet all the local taxes that I pay will not provide the salary of a single law enforcement officer. But all of us contribute to make this protection available for everyone.
These are just two instances that demonstrate how the system works for all of us. And this also demonstrates that we do live up to the vision of Emma Lazarus engraved upon the Statue of Liberty. That vision is not available for amendment.
Joel Pelofsky
Kansas City, Missouri
