Should a poem be used against us

This is a poem, written by Emma Lazarus, it's titled "The New Colossus"

The New Colossus
Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she
With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

Emma Lazarus, 1883

It is inscribed on the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty. From everything I have read and researched, Ms. Lazarus was a very patriotic American. At the time she wrote that poem or sonnet, America and the world were very different. From the research I have done on her, I do not think she would approve of her poem being used against us every time we try to defend our country from invasion.

We do and always have accepted people here from other countries. However, there are rules we have set that they must abide by. As American citizens, we are not allowed to get by with picking or choosing which laws we want to obey and which ones we don't.

Most of us have ancestors from other countries. They settled in and learned the language and customs of this country. They set aside specific dates to celebrate their heritage, and enjoy keeping certain customs. But with every one I have checked with, their families were proud to become Americans.

They didn't march in our country - against our country, carrying the flag from a different country. They didn't try to take over our country. Or, if they did, we didn't think twice about fighting back and defending our great country. Remember the Alamo? Those used to be sacred words to us. Now that honorable phrase is considered a racial slur.

It is offensive to me when I learn that someone has lived here for many years, and refuses to learn our language - or admit they even understand it. If you hate the U.S.A. - Go Home! Can you imagine how much money it costs to have to print everything in two or three different languages? I wouldn't move to France or Germany or any other country and not learn their language. I don't go on vacation without trying to learn all I can. There is no way I would go over there to dis-respect them.

I prefer the Pledge of Allegiance over a poem.

I Pledge Allegiance to the Flag of The United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, ONE Nation UNDER GOD, Indivisible with Liberty and Justice for all.

For those of us that grew up reciting that, those Exact words mean A Lot to us. It has been updated a couple of times, just as FDR thought our constitution should be. He died before he could make the changes. I agree with him. When our forefathers made plans for our country, there is no way they could have conceived of just how much change would take place.

Is it Justice for all when some people come here and go through the right channels and proudly become an American, while so many others disregard our laws and values? It is not wrong to feel the need to Stand and Protect our country. It is not politically correct to stand by and let our real citizens - old or new, have to do without because it is costing us so much to support people that have come to stay illegally.

The truth is, I don't think most of this would bother me so much, if more of them would show us more respect.

Drive Safely,

KT