(Order in the Mess Series – Observations)
We’ve traced order from nothing to creatures, families to the Founding, and landed on three pillars for everyday life. But what does it look like when the chaos feels louder than ever?
Look around Saint Paul right now—division, protests, political shouting matches, people questioning the basics (borders, laws, trust in institutions). It’s not new. The 1787 delegates faced states acting like rival countries, rebellions over debt, foreign powers poking at weaknesses. Today’s mess echoes that: groups pushing for forced changes (open borders without assimilation, rewriting rules for power grabs), ignoring natural limits and voluntary choice.
Victor Davis Hanson recently reminded us on The Daily Signal: Japan’s Pearl Harbor attack wasn’t U.S. provocation—it was imperial ambition for resources and dominance. A classic forced assortment move: take what you want, force others in, pay the price later. History repeats when we forget the pattern—forced blending breeds conflict; voluntary bonds with limits last longer.
The pillars cut through it:
- Accountability: Demand leaders and neighbors play by the same rules. Call out hypocrisy (sanctuary policies while ignoring legal immigrants who assimilate). Fix the structure—vote, speak up, hold elections accountable.
- Assimilation: Own your place. Work hard, learn the ways, contribute. Immigrants who thrive here do this daily—adding value instead of demanding the system bend.
- Allegiance: Protect what works. Teach kids why liberty and self-reliance matter. Support communities that build instead of tear down. It’s not blind loyalty—it’s defending the setup that lets regular people raise families and pursue dreams.
Chaos feels overwhelming, but it’s not the end. Patterns are still there: autonomy seeking, chosen bonds, natural limits. The Founding gave us a way to work with them. The pillars are your daily tools—one choice at a time.
Even in the noise.
— The Grateful Immigrant from Saint Paul, Minnesota
February 14,2026
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Grateful Immigrant 