Only Citizens Deserve Right To Vote
This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.
Given the recent events in France and the Netherlands, one would think that our City Council would recognize the danger of encouraging multiculturalism. But noooo! Once again, council member Bill Perkins is attempting to push through legislation that would allow non-citizens to vote in local elections. This pandering to immigrant groups in his district is both misguided and dangerous. Mr. Perkins is joined by eight other council members who need to do some research before committing themselves to this foolhardy strategy.
The three Staten Island council members, two Republicans and one Democrat, have responded responsibly to the Perkins bill, correctly labeling it “ridiculous.”
“We might as well let the folks in Libya vote in our elections,” council member Matthew Lanza said. My own council member, Democrat Michael McMahon, agreed with Mr. Lanza that citizenship should continue to be a requirement to vote. “And those who want to vote should become American citizens,” he said.
Mr. Perkins introduced the bill on behalf of the estimated 1.4 million non-citizen adults who work and live in the city. He reasons that because they pay taxes, they should have a voice in how the city is governed. What hogwash! These individuals get benefits for their taxes. What does he think pays for services like police protection, fire departments, schools, and sanitation? Making the effort to become a citizen would demonstrate the desire to become assimilated into American society. Any lesser effort does not merit the reward of citizenship privileges. For heaven’s sake, look at what’s happening to the oh-so-tolerant European countries.
While the recent riots in France have been described as the result of the French neglect of the Arab immigrants, which has resulted in poverty and destitution, it is actually the truth that is being neglected. The majority of the rioters are Muslim youths who, one French official said, have made no effort to assimilate into French culture. They do not speak the language, which means they cannot gain employment. Most are on easily obtained social benefits, which is another disincentive to achieving gainful employment. The same can be said for the Netherlands.
Earlier this year, I attended a dinner with two Dutch conservatives who were here seeking advice on how to turn around their liberal country beset by radical Islamists. Dr. Bart Van Spruyt and a Parliament minister, Geert Wilders, were making the rounds in America to publicize what is happening in Holland. Because he has called for a moratorium on non-Western immigration, Mr. Wilders has received death threats and has been forced to live with armed guards.
The Netherlands and its citizens bent over backwards welcoming these immigrants to their country. They used government funds to build mosques and special schools. These Islamic schools discouraged assimilation into Dutch society, which gave them such generous social benefits. In return, this country has been the victim of brazen jihadists who threaten the lives of any public figure they perceive as hostile to Islam.
Exactly 911 days after the popular Dutch figure Pim Fortuyn was murdered, the grandson of Theo van Gogh (Vincent’s brother) was slaughtered. Mr. Wilders described the murder: “In broad daylight, van Gogh was shot eight or nine times, then he was stabbed several times. His throat was cut and he was almost decapitated. A five-page anti-Semitic rant was found held in place by a knife through van Gogh’s body.”
Television reporters went around to moderate Muslim communities, and “we heard them say things like, ‘he deserved it,'” Mr. Wilders said. Van Gogh’s crime was making a short film called “Submission,” which dared to criticize the Islamic treatment of women.
Although press coverage of the French crisis seems to promote the idea that its cause as the disenfranchisement of these immigrant youths, it ignores the fact that the rioters are yelling to Allah while burning cars. This is not about the minimum wage or poor housing. This is about anarchy fueled by misguided liberalism disguised as tolerance.
As an American of Hispanic lineage, I thoroughly resent the city’s bilingual programs and other patronizing efforts to cater to new immigrants, because this intimates that we’re not quite as smart as the other immigrants who built America. I have no problem with English being made our official language. This is a melting pot of many cultures but the stew is still all-American, and if the members of our City Council can’t recognize the importance of citizenship, then we American citizens need to vote them out while we still can.