Ever Stop to Consider What We are Protecting Ourselves Against?

  Ever stop to consider what we are protecting ourselves against?
  Protect our borders? From what? From whom? Is it the immigrant we are afraid of?
  Secure our borders? This implies that national security is at risk, that we need to secure our borders against a foreign power.
   You couldn't be referring to the immigrant could you?
   Are we kidding ourselves? Who are we protecting ourselves from when we lock down the borders?
   The poor of other nations. The starving of Honduras. The oppressed of Venezuela. Those who flee from Columbia and Guatemala in search of better lives.
   We "secure" our borders against the poor, those seeking freedom, and those who would join their family members here in America.
   These are those we "secure" our border against. These are the monsters and devils and villains in our minds. These are the enemy. Cast up a wall. Send out the National Guard. Stop the poor from coming into our land.
  Yeah, I see: We must secure our borders -- against the poor.. It is the greatest of priorities. Elect a president who will get it done.
   This is viewed as our most urgent need?
   Forgive, but I do so wonder if we haven't gone a little crazy. The urgency of locking out the poor and helpless fails to gain traction with me.
   It seems so ironic, working ourselves into a frenzy over the need to lock out the poor and oppressed. This is our nation's number-one priority? It is ironic because they come not with guns and cannons and missiles and warplanes. No. These are the poor.
   Securing our borders makes a great rallying cry. Who would oppose such a thing? Of course, every American wants to protect and secure and defend our borders.
   But, while those bandying this rallying cry of defending our borders make that cry, should we not tap them on the shoulder and point out what they are wanting to protect us against?
    Fear knows no greater mirage than running from the poor and helpless.