Americans are funny people.

I consider each and every one of us mutts.
My German, English, Dutch, Scottish, Irish background qualifies me as a mutt.
I’m okay with that.

I know that there are some Americans who don’t have that type of heritable background, but that’s okay.   They’re mutts by association.  They may not know it, but they are.

No one can really claim that they’re 100% from anywhere because way back in the day we wondered.  We followed the food and chased the seasons.  Everywhere was our home because we made it so.

Maybe this is a simple way to look at it, but I can be a pretty simple person.

But America is kind of like the oldest adopted child.
We’re not happy unless we’re helping, defending, or fighting – even if we’re fighting ourselves.   Some of the most deepest and most meaningful arguments are with the people that we care for the most.

So, yes, we’ll fight ourselves.  We fight with passion.

But, there’s always some sort of underlying respect.  At the end of the day, I like to believe that we’d buy each other a beer, share experiences about parenting, and compliment on the fight.  Okay.  It’s not always like that but it would be if people would actually admit it.

Through arguing, fighting, clashing, new ideas are born.   America was conceived in controversy and thrives in debate.

The thing about the wall really didn’t bother me – at first.
Some people think that Trump is a pompous ass and the wall would just be an everlasting monument to him.

Maybe, he is a pompous ass.  A lot of people are.  Sometimes, I am.   I know my dad was.  Most of us probably have that aspect in our personalities and, even if we don’t, some people perceive that we do.

I don’t believe that the wall is part of that.  It won’t have a neon sign that says “Trump.”  His face isn’t going to be carved into the slates… or whatever they’re using.  He’s bound to know that he’ll probably have a stretch of highway, an airport, or a park named after him just like the other presidents.   He’s not advocating to have his likeness carved on Mt. Rushmore.

In the great scheme of things, building a wall will be little more than a footnote – even if we can’t see it now.  It’s just something that will be a note in the history book – or not.   It depends on who writes the book.

Any, I really don’t believe that he wants to build a wall because of being a pompous ass.   Trump sees that illegal crossings are draining a lot of economic sectors in America and wants to stop it.   Kind of like cleaning an infected wound and stitching it up with dental floss.

Sure, dental floss probably isn’t the best thing to use, but it’ll get the job done until something better comes along.

Yet, the opposition is also Americans.   The illegals are portrayed to be homeless, helpless, and prosecuted.  Being the older adopted child, it’s our duty to take them in, feed, provide clothing, and education.  That’s what we’ve nearly always done.  Even in war, after America is declared the winner, she makes payments, special deals, and economic compromises to help a nation that was just defeated.

Helping the stout and good-hearted migrants make some Americans feel good about themselves.  It provides a warm and fuzzy feeling.   Others may gain a feeling of superiority….  “If it wasn’t for my taxes, you’d never reach college… ”

But, Americans sometimes don’t think that far ahead.
We are struggling with a homeless problem.  It’s not safe to walk alone.   Our veterans tend not to be treated well.   As a nation, we tend to be obese, undereducated, and lack critical thinking skills.    Social media, news, and talk shows are the main sources of information.

As long as there’s some sort of awareness, even if it’s incorrect and doesn’t bother daily activities, Americans are pretty content.    It’s easy to fuss, but not to take action.  —  Lack of critical thinking skills contribute to this, I think.  Either that or lack of confidence.

Some Americans don’t have ideas or are afraid to express them.
Or, maybe, they think someone else will think of what they thought.  Logical fallacy.

When I was in the House, I was told over, and over, and over, and over…. and over and over again that I could not take care of others unless I take care of myself first.

How can the United States take care of others – no matter where or who – when we can’t take care of ourselves?

If the plane is crashing, you’re supposed to put your oxygen mask on first before helping anyone else.

Given the lack of utopian status, I strongly think America needs to think of America first and — not — try to be the sibling that everyone looks up to and relies on.  Or, at least —  thinks —  that everyone looks up to.

Maybe Trump thinks that way, sorta.
Or maybe not.   He is a pompous ass.  =)

But, sometimes, we have to trust in someone to know what’s best – even if we don’t agree with it.

Trump was fairly elected.
For better or worse, we decided to trust him.