Books & Reading

In Mexifornia: A State of Becoming, Victor Davis Hanson, a classics professor at California State University at Fresno, examines and exposes what is happening in California and the entire United States, as unchecked and illegal immigration overwhelms social services and the very social fabric. Where assimilation of immigrants was once the norm, our culture now advocates identity politics above the "melting pot" of old and self-identification above such old, non-specific labels as "American."

This book was a major subject of a speech by Richard Lamm in 2004, titled, "I Have a Plan to Destroy America." Lamm, a former Democratic governor, believes this book is required reading for anyone who values American-style democracy and liberal freedoms. I agree. Hanson's book is certainly political, but it is not easily pigeonholed as "leftist," "rightist," Democratic, or Republican. I would call it "realistic." America has a real problem, as this book makes painfully clear for those who were not yet aware. Hanson also proposes solutions to the immigration problems we face, even after 9/11.

All in all, an excellent book and a must-read for anyone interested in immigration, national security, or identity politics in America.

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