[Ohioan]

Do you really think the hardships of those sneaking over an undefended border--or those legally admitted, either--have or will triumph over hardships remotely equivalent to crossing a tumultuous ocean in slow moving wooden sail boats, clearing a wilderness, holding their own against hostile Indians, and building communities literally from the groundup, with absolutely no shred of a "safety net," for the first several generation.

Talk about "genes!" Give credit to the genetic heritage of those whom Billy Kristol insults.

[Tammy8]

No social services met them handing out freebies either. They used to talk about being born with a silver spoon, today illegals and refugees are met with a support system like no other, pretty close to a silver spoon.

[aquila48]

We may be splitting hair.

The wave of immigrants that came in the early 1900s were officially welcomed, they did not have to evade dogs, immigration agents, go through miles of deserts, and be in fear of being deported.

I understand that things have gotten easier the last decade, but before that it was definitely a challenge for Mexicans to come here.

I agree with you that since we started giving them benefits and coddling them, it has reduced the challenge and thus the “quality” of the immigrant.