Gar Joseph | A nightmare election born of immigrant dreams

0 Comments | Philadelphia Daily News, November, 2006

ON THIS Friday before Election Day, drowning in TV attack-ads, vile pamphlets and uncivil discourse, let's pause for a moment to reflect on the American Dream. Because whoever wins the U.S. Senate race on Tuesday is a product of that dream: come to America, work hard, make a better life for your children and grandchildren - one of them might be a U.S.

senator someday. Pietro Santorumimmigrated from Italy in 1923. He went first to Detroit and later to Tire Hill, near Johnstown. He took coal out of the ground with his hands. By 1930 he'd become a citizen. He saved enough money to bring his wife and son from his hometown of Riva del Garda. Pietro's son, Aldo Santorum, grew up to become a psychologist. Pietro's grandson, Rick Santorum, is a U.S. senator. In 1851, Edward Casey...