[paul544]

Oh please. You know as well as I do that if those things were available at the time they would have taken advantage of it. Or do suggest that they would have let their children die instead of utilizing whatever free health care was available?

[bluefish]

If they were available, America wouldn't exist today because it would have brought the lazy rather than the hardworking. Given that they weren't available, and an entirely different type of person came over here, your argument comparing present day Mexican immigrants to those coming from Europe in this country's early days is an apples / oranges comparison and has no bearing whatsoever. Are you really this blind or are you simply trolling for arguments?

[Terriergal]

You know as well as I do that if those things were available at the time they would have taken advantage of it.

Oh please. This is a really moot point since neither of you were there. HOWEVER judging by the writings of the founding fathers their intent was NOT to come here to set up a government that would give handouts to the downtrodden. If they wanted something like that they would have had a better chance staying in Europe and grovelling at the feet of wealthy powerful men. Instead they chose the hard route of self sufficiency. So of the two assertions, paul544 yours holds much less water in the face of FACTS.

[in the Arena]

"instead of utilizing whatever free health care was available?"

That's the problem: "free" is not free. Liberals, democrats, non citizens of the United States feel that social programs in the US are free.

How ignorant do you have to be to believe that these social programs exist with no cost ? These programs are paid for by the American people.

How about this:

Stop Foreign Aid Now!!!!

[sweetliberty]

"Or do suggest that they would have let their children die instead of utilizing whatever free health care was available?"

That is without a doubt one of the most ignorant statements I've ever heard. This land is rich and fertile. It produced good crops and most of the people farmed from the very beginning of America. Our ancestors were proud people and many would do without before taking charity although neigbors shared amongst themselves.