The 16th Amendment (graduated income tax) and 17th Amendment (direct election of Senators) were originally ideas of what 1890s successful 3rd party
who never won a presidential election?

since most of current immigration into the u.s., both legal and illegal, is coming from latin america. it would be very difficult to imagine or rationalize a country my fellow citizens are trying desperately to flee into, would pose a threat to my prosperity or freedom. since the u.s. has a long history of intervention, but no record of permanent occupation, i would not feel oppression is the main objective.  

the largest free trade nation, along with the largest gdp in the world wanting to expand it's economic policy on us, and including us, could only be positive. the u.s. government has no interest in, or way of simply forcing american culture on us. and has no track record of it. other nations that adopted american social culture, or "americanization" did so voluntarily, mainly through the choice of allowing american businesses and u.s. citizens to come into their nations, as free operatives.

on the morning of  july 21,  1861, general mcdowell ordered the  unionarmy to attack. it was on this hill that  confederate  colonel thomas jackson and his forces held back theunion  troops.