exactly are "American values and ideals" if not a hodgepodge of many different things and a CELEBRATION of diversity -- given we all are essentially mutts who came here from all over the world?

For example, I recall you saying that you are Jewish, so I would assume you take some umbrage to talk of the US being a "Christian Nation" where courts and legislatures should consider "Christian values" as law. As if "American values" somehow equals the religious beliefs of protestant Christians. The same goes for language, IMHO. There is no requirement that everyone who lives here speaks English nor should there be. Yes, we don't make special accommodations to barbaric cultural practices like genital mutilation, polygamy, subjugation of women, etc. but that is based on human rights not necessarily "American values." And it certainly doesn't mean someone who moves here from India, China, Honduras, or Afghanistan can't bring parts of their culture here. IMHO, diversity is what makes us us.