By Mark Fowler

“Responsibility walks hand in hand with great power.” —J. G. Holland

No responsible citizen would deny assistance to the needy, the homeless, or anyone based solely on skin color or ethnicity. But developments in Minnesota, France, and England warrant a closer examination on the boundaries of compassion and the responsibility of self-protection.

Liberals in England and France, out of a sense of guilt (their stock in trade), allowed millions of immigrants into their countries from their former colonies. It was a mistake. Immigrant in France tended to congregate in large areas. As Muslims, they incorporated Sharia law, with all its horrors. There are now places in Paris where French police will not and cannot go. It’s too dangerous. Similar things have happened in Germany and England.

However nice it might be to extend a welcome to neighbors, there has to be a hard judgment about compatibility. To sustain a culture, there must be shared values and a commitment to community. Diversity is not and has never been a strength. The Basque separatists in Spain, the French-speaking provinces in Canada, the tension between Muslims and Hindus in India and Pakistan, and the strife between Israel and the Palestinians all testify to that.

Which brings us to the fiasco in Minnesota. For decades at least, Somalia has been riven by clan rivalries, mistrust of government, and a culture of piracy. Civil wars have killed thousands. Some, but not all, have brought that same attitude to America.

One attribute of Somalians that “succeeded” was gaming a generous welfare policy to bilk American taxpayers out of unknown billions of dollars. This became apparent when services for autistic children ballooned in cost from about $2 million to almost $100 million in a relatively short period of time. At one point, the scheme resulted in one in 16 Somali children being diagnosed with autism, a rate three times the rate of non-Somalis. Parents were paid kickbacks to enroll children for whom little if any services were received.

Similar theft took place in programs for homelessness and food subsidies. That money didn’t help anyone but the fraudsters who took it.

It is not racist to identify Somalis as the principal offenders in this madness. If Icelanders were at fault, it would be appropriate to label them as offenders. But Somali activists threatened Minnesota politicians, and Minnesota politicians cowered under their desks when the matter was brought to light.

Enough of cowering before claims of racism. Solutions to problems can only be found by identifying it. Now, it is obvious that illegal immigration has imposed significant costs on Americans in lives, blood, pain, and treasure. Immigrants must come to live as Americans. It is essential to preserving American culture that only those immigrants who wish to assimilate be allowed in. They must be able to provide for themselves. They must bring skills we need. There are only so many jobs for motel maids, gardeners, and landscapers. There is only so much money for assistance. And Americans have a prior claim to that money.

England, with its glorious history, is in danger of becoming a Muslim nation, as is France. What will happen to the cathedrals, churches, and historical buildings that might offend Muslim sensibilities? Will the same happen to France? To us?

This is not a screed against Muslims per se, but it is a warning that Western culture generally, and American culture specifically, can be lost without careful regard for who comes in.