Reader differs with Standard-Examiner columnist's take on immigration
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By KENN HELZER
Guest commentary
Rep. Glenn Donnelson's ideas may seem to be a bit tame by Doug Gibson's point of view, and maybe they are (Feb. 21 commentary, "The illegal immigration issue rears its head and lets out an impotent roar"). But at least Donnelson is coming up with something. The subject of illegal immigration is controversial. But make no mistake, it will take hard decisions and a tough stands to solve these problems. Compassion is a great thing, but it can be costly when fighting a war. And the problem of illegal immigration is very much a war.
Let's take a closer look at each field of battle. First, driving cards: Illegal aliens don't seem to be required to have insurance, so if they have an accident that is their fault the victim gets a double whammy. The courts cannot or will not do anything to prosecute the alien, it seems (because of their noncitizen status, most likely), and the best we can hope for is that they are sent back to their own countries at the taxpayers' expense, of course.
Wow, can you feel the compassion there, Mr. Gibson? They are here illegally, so why do we give them driving permits in the first place? Why are we breaking our own laws and, in doing so, condoning the problem?
It is simple: Cheap labor means more profits for business. We all know that the federal, state, and local governments bow to the whims of the business class and business lobbies, not the constituents.
So we, the constituents, need to let our wishes be known to our legislators and the business community in the only manner that they will understand -- their pocket books. For example, the American consumer could boycott all businesses that employ illegal aliens, whenever and wherever they can, and as their circumstances allow. Then we could compel our elected officials to expediently deport all known illegals back to their own countries. Furthermore, legislators need to immediately establish and enforce laws and regulations to control the flow of aliens into America. Those wanting to work here must pay into Social Security and other taxes just like the rest of us.
They also need to be made to understand that our laws will also apply to them and they will be held accountable under those laws just like anyone else, in spite of the nonresident or noncitizen status.
The law must deal with all businesses caught employing illegal aliens -- swiftly and severely. After all, they are breaking the law as well as the illegal alien -- usually with full knowledge of their actions.
Is this compassionate? Maybe not by some people's standards. But it is fair. Is it being hard-nosed?
Yes! But it is this type of hard-nosed attitude that will be required to fix these problems.
Will this or anything like this actually happen? I doubt it. Why? No. 1, because, as I said before, we all know that businesses and their lobbyists and money control government, not the constituents. And No. 2, are we, as Americans, willing to leave our little comfort zones and hit businesses in their pocket books? Well, only you can decide that for yourselves; I already have.
Just a note to Mr. Gibson: Is it showing compassion to deny in-state tuition to the children of illegal aliens? I believe so, yes. It is showing compassion to the children of Americans who want to get that same education and a good-paying job (that you spoke of) and who could pursue it if their chance wasn't given to an illegal alien living in our country.
If the Illegal aliens really want an education, they can go back to their own countries and work just as hard and attend one of the many fine colleges that are in their own countries. Or, if they want to attend college here they can go back to their own counties and arrange to come to America legally, then work and get and an education like our own bright, young men and women who want to graduate college do.
Remember, Mr. Gibson, things like compassion and loyalty begin at home.
Helzer lives in Layton.
Reader Comments
Mr. Helzer state, incorrectly: "It is showing compassion to the children of Americans who want to get that same education and a good-paying job ... and who could pursue it if their chance wasn't given to an illegal alien living in our country."
This sounds good but is blatantly dishonest and incorrect. No Utah student has been denied an education because of that given to children of undocumented parents. The educational benefit - in-state tuition - only allowed students to pay the same in-state tuition that other Utah students were allowed to pay who also met the 'resident' requirement set by the Utah Board of Regents and the Utah State Legislature. In-state resident requirements state that any student who graduates from a Utah High School and has lived and attended Utah schools for the previous three years before attending a Utah institute of higher education will be allowed in-state resident tuition.
No one has ever found a Utah student displaced or prevented their education by any of these students to whom Mr. Helzer is so concerned about denying the same educational options.
BrownViews: You are correct in a way, but also wrong. No Utah student is DENIED that benefit, not specifically one. ALL are denied it, this is why. There is only a certain amount of money allotted to our students in Utah. So if you are giving money to illegal aliens then that money is taken, a little at a time, from each student. Eventually cents turn to dollars turn to hundereds, and then everyone is affected by it and we share our nations taxes with children of NON TAXPAYERS.