Op-Ed Immigrants Strengthen our Country

In the op-ed article “The Immigration Dividend” by Ted Widmer of The New York Times (October 6, 2015), Widmer conveys how our nation prospers and strives as a result of immigration over time. As well as how over the course of past events, history has taught us how a nation welcoming diversity groups has strengthened our country.

Widmer effectively provides his argument on how immigration is truly beneficial to American society through historical examples. By acknowledging how the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 “was a success when measured by a more conservative calculus of hard power” and “increased American security” it gives the Widmer more creditability to his argument by alluding to the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 and how immigrants have shaped America’s success today. It proves how if we forgo on lowering restrictions on immigration now it will bring those benefits that the acts of 1965 brought to American society. However, what Widmer fails to provide, is how illegal immigration benefits our American society. There’s a difference between legal and illegal immigration, and the acts of 1965 act upon legal form immigration, which neglects the actual ongoing controversy of the illegal immigration coming to the U.S.

Widmer, Ted. "The Immigration Dividend." The New York Times. The New York Times, 05

Oct. 2015. Web. 28 Feb. 2016

Argument Essay

In Henry David Thoreau’s memoir Walden, Thoreau advocates the concept of simplicity; how society should live through only necessities rather than pounding their lives into hardships for gaining luxuries that are not vital to one’s being. Thoreau states that the four main components of necessity are “Food, Shelter, Clothing, and Fuel”(11). Thoreau implies that if someone lives a life through only these necessities, they can live a simple life where they can achieve the real meaning of what life has to offer. Therefore, in today’s materialistic world, Thoreau’s ideas of simplicity should be implemented to present day society.

         Society today values our success through the things we own and our wealth instead of our individual progress. As a result of new innovation in technology, we seek to obtain them because of our desire to have what society has rather than just having what’s only vital to us. “Why should they begin digging their graves as soon as they are born?” (5) Thoreau demonstrates a perfect example how today we condemn ourselves through hard work in labor so we can obtain luxuries. However, towards the end, these luxuries wont satisfy us leading us to pursuit for more.

         Despite Thoreau’s idea of simplicity, it can be argued that due to the fact that we live in the 21^st century, the evolving technology surrounding us are an aspect of our daily lives and is merely impossible to get rid of to live a life of simplicity that Thoreau conveys. However, as Thoreau states, “Our life is frittered by detail” (81) it demonstrates us how our materialistic way of view makes us focus on every little problem we have which blocks us from enjoying what life offers. 

Is Obama abusing his power based on his executive action?

In the Los Angeles Times article "Supreme Court to render a verdict on Obama's use of executive authority"(February 7, 2016) by David G. Savage, acknowledges how as Obama and his administration couldn't coincide on an immigration reform with Congress, he went further ahead and made an executive order without the approval of Congress. Now the Supreme Court will take on the controversy whether Obama has exceeded his powers as executive to take on his executive order on immigration that will grant working permits for merely 5 million illegal immigrants.

As it comes to Obama's final year in presidency, his daring action to push forward an immigration reform has heavily criticized him for "acting as a king" and "damaging presidency." However, as the topic of immigration has been one of the nation's top issues, without the support of Congress, Obama has been left with "no choice" but to go ahead and use his capabilities as chief executive to execute an immigration order. Furthermore, as the Obama administration seek to help millions of families living in the shadows who help boost our economy and seek to deport criminals, outraging republicans want to revoke the executive order Obama has placed on immigration.     

Savage, David G. "Supreme Court to Render a Verdict on Obama's Use of Executive Authority." Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles Times, n.d. Web. 08 Feb. 2016.