This is a response to Dr. Said Mohamud’s letter of July 15.

Since 1620, what is now known as the United States of America has served as a welcoming beacon to those looking for relief from political or religious oppression. Many others came to these shores, worked hard and gained wealth and affluence denied them in Europe due to their social status.

In 1776, representatives declared the country’s independence. A long, unpopular war created a great country with a unique culture which provides our citizens, even those on welfare, with a living standard superior to most countries in today’s world.

This is a country of immigrants, and I openly welcome any legal immigrants who want to assimilate into our culture – a culture that has made this country the best in the world.

It is not up to us to learn about other cultures. It is up to the immigrants, whether they come from Africa, Asia, Europe or South America, to learn about ours. Their cultures failed them.

The day we start down the slippery slope of Balkanization is the day we will join the ranks of the Third World.

The tolerant citizens of Lewiston have suffered unfair criticism due to presence of recent immigrants. It’s time for them to shed their former culture, learn English, embrace our culture, become citizens and live what many in the world desire – the American Dream.

Robert E. Macdonald, Lewiston