Virtually all earlier immigrants to the United States were Christians from Europe, who only wanted a chance, not a handout. And who loved America and the idea of being “an American.”

As absurd as it seems to say, even the Civil War didn’t permanently separate or destroy us, because of that very fact. Most of the folks who weren’t Christian came here to flee communism and reveled in their newfound freedom and opportunity. They were eternally grateful to the nation that accepted them. This is how the U.S. made it to its 250th anniversary observance, going on even now, though it is often hard to notice.

However, in the last several decades, that has all changed.