November 5, 2024, 89.9% of eligible voters in Lake County showed up. Let that sink in for a moment. The first three words of the preamble to the Constitution and the most important words in the entire document, “We the People” highly participated in our democracy. We the People made our voices heard and We the People voted, and the only way we keep our democratic republic healthy is by showing up. Because without engagement, or involvement, or voting, our government becomes an autocracy. A government of and for the people means the leaders are We the People. That’s right! In our republic, leadership comes from the bottom, and We allow it to move up.
We the People? Who are We? When the Constitution was written, We were the persecuted souls from England fleeing to a new world for freedoms. Yet, we were not first to America. Palio-Indians from Asia came over many generations before. In the 1600s, We forcibly immigrated here making us secondary immigrants paralleling Central and South Americans of today.
We are immigrants. In fact, every single citizen in this country is from somewhere else. Some 22,000 years ago Native Americans crossed Asia and Alaska to become the first American immigrants. Around the 1700s, English, Scots, Irish, and Germans formed the 13 colonies. Without their permission, Africans became the next generation of immigrants. Soon came more Irish and Chinese as laborers to build the transcontinental railroad. Then came the Italians, Pols, Jews, Russians, Japanese, South Americans, Canadians, and Cubans. As of today, Haitians, Venezuelans, Mexicans and Nicaraguans seek asylum and a safe place they can call home, just like our ancestors. We the People are We the Immigrants.
In this divisive social climate, our words have become mirrors. Historically, We the People have disparaged immigrants, except when it was us as the ones seeking refuge. This demonizing immigrant trope has been used since the formation of our country. Those who do not speak like us, look like us, or act like us are marginalized and considered second class invaders of our sacred homeland. So why do we Pidgeon hole immigrants as anyone who is not us, yet we were on the same boat they came in on generations before?
The need for workers in our country is immense. Economically, immigrants supply a vital workforce to our economy, performing jobs many American refuse to do. The human capital, the sweat and tears that immigrants give to this county make our HOA manicured lawns beautiful. They pick fresh fruits and vegetables for us to eat, and they put billions of dollars into our economy and social programs. We need immigrants to expand our economy and without them our economy will fail. Just ask any farmer.
The melting pot of American is 100% pure immigrant. We the People are all from somewhere else. We the People are all immigrants whether forced here or welcomed. So, the next time you hear someone disparage an immigrant collectively referring to them as thugs, unwanted free loaders, rapists, murderers, remember they are referring to you. We the People are We the immigrants.
Link to article here.
Banks Helfrich
Candidate for Florida House,
District 25
As a native Floridian, I love this state. As a resident of South Lake County, I love farming and teaching sustainability to this community. As a Candidate for State House, I love finding solutions to the issues of our time.