Does citizenship matter?

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | February 3, 2002 | Debra J. Saunders

[sarcasm]

"Governor," I asked Gray Davis at The Chronicle's editorial board meeting last week, "I've heard from readers who are very angry about the (University of California) Board of Regents' vote to let undocumented students pay in-state tuition and the passage of AB540. They wonder what citizenship means if you give a break to people who are here illegally. Could you answer that?"

[Own Drummer]

"If politicians don't respect the law, why should citizens respect politicians?"

We shouldn't, and we don't.

[nothingnew]

"If politicians don't respect the law, why should citizens respect politicians?"

We shouldn't, and we don't.

I would add "why should citizens respect the law?"

FMCDH

[glc1173@aol.com]

American citizenship is worth less than nothing - but a (real) green card is worth everything!

American citizenship frankly isn't worth having - as some laws only apply to American citizens, like laws on foreign military sales. But having a real green card means that you get to stay here - and often that you get welfare in some states, plus Bush's latest proposal to give welfare eligibility to anyone with a green card.

IMMIGRATION resource library: public-health facts, court decisions, local INS numbers!

[Dialup Llama]

When I was between IT jobs, I did a stint as a courier driver. That kind of job gets you a different look at business (loading dock vs receptionist desk). There were many Americans doing jobs that Americans won't do.

What gray-out Davis means is that there are jobs Americans won't do at the Mexican wage scale.

[Publius6961]

So here's another question: If politicians don't respect the law, why should citizens respect politicians?

I have become a single issue voter because everything else depends on it.
Give me an informed candidate committed to eliminating the illegal problem, an he's got my vote.

[LibKill]

Does citizenship matter?

It does to me. I am an American!

I stood watch for some years wearing the USMC uniform, and it was not fun all the time.

I did it for America. For every American.

If people want to come here and become American, welcome.

Otherwise they should stay home.

[Quix]

I have a tendency to be parochial and protective of legals etc.

But Davis has a point.

And, as a Christian, I'd much rather err being overly generous than prissy or self-righteous or stingy. God is my paymaster and He is generous in rewarding those of a generous heart. Can't lose with that.

[blackbart.223]

These days you don't even need the green card to recieve taxpayer funded benefits. A country without borders is no longer a country.

By the way, I'm not very crazy about people who where born here leeching the taxpayers simply because they don't wan't to work.

[Snuffington]

And, as a Christian, I'd much rather err being overly generous than prissy or self-righteous or stingy.

If someone forces their neighbors to contribute money to subsidize illegal immigrant education, it's not charity, Christian or otherwise. There is nothing in Christian theology that encourages people to be generous with other people's money, and that's what the state of California is enacting into law.

If someone wants to set up private scholarships for immigrants, donating their own money and time, that would be an example of Christian charity.

[CrossCheck]

So here's another question: If politicians don't respect the law, why should citizens respect politicians?

I loathe the bastards.

[Khepera]

They always say these folks do work Americans will not do. How many others out there think this is an absurd statement? I don't think it holds any merit and is equivalent to having bad gas expelled into the room.

[dvan]

Right on! Well stated!

[doc30]

Why can't the federal government say to the states "if you let illegal aliens into your university system, then you don't get federal dollars anymore?" If the Feds can threaten highway dollars if certain conditions are not met (e.g. mandatory 55 mph speed limits), then why can't the same logic be applied in this situation?

The other thing that isn't fair about this is that legal, foreign students always pay an out of state tuition rate, along with AMericans who are from out of state. It just isn't fair regarding California's decision.

[FITZ]

that they must pay the hefty tuition of $11,132 charged out-of-state residents, as opposed to the $4,229 charged to California residents.

How is giving in-state tuition to foreigners who came here illegally but charging a much higher rate to those foreigners who bothered to apply for visas and come legally to the US "fair"?

[FITZ]

California legislature would also endorse poor kids in Richmond, Ca.

That's true too ---kids from other states shouldn't be penalized for being honest. If illegals can be given a lower rate, certainly all legal Americans should have it and any foreign student who obeyed the laws in coming to the US should also.

[willyone]

Not to mention US military veterans who are discharged and decide to stay in Calif. They also must pay out of state tuition as doe's anyone from another stae who moves here. Those who the Gods would destroy they first make insane. Grey Davis and Ca. are well on the way.

[Jethro Tull]

"...he (Gov. Davis) noted that illegal immigrants Negro slaves benefit the California economy.

"The cost of food cotton.... (is) being subsidized by people 3/4 of a person who do the work that Americans will no longer do, no longer need to do", he said.

******

******************

Isn't the same mentality that fostered slavery in the 19th century?

Do the fat, dumb and happy "open border freaks" think that there isn't a 21st century Sparticus toiling in some Fortune 50 sweat shop at this very moment?

Some day they're gunna' rip your heart out, Jack...

[Jethro Tull]

"...he (Gov. Davis) noted that illegal immigrants Negro slaves benefit the California economy.

"The cost of food cotton.... (is) being subsidized by people 3/4 of a person who do the work that Americans will no longer do, no longer need to do", he said.

******

******************

Isn't the same mentality that fostered slavery in the 19th century?

Do the fat, dumb and happy "open border freaks" think that there isn't a 21st century Sparticus toiling in some Fortune 50 sweat shop at this very moment?

Some day they're gunna' rip your heart out, Jack...