Taxes shouldn't pay for bilingual school

Your article about the bilingual (Spanish) preschool education proposal has raised my dander once again. It may be that Spanish is the largest minority group in the Chicago area, but it is not a reason to spend taxpayers money.

I live in Cook County and have always felt that the term "bilingual" is misleading. It should be told as it is, an English/Spanish program. Why don't we have English/German or English/Polish program? If you look at the numbers from the census you will find there are other minorities who should receive that benefit in the school system if at all.

In the past immigrants were expected to fend for themselves. That included bringing their children up in both languages. They sent them to school to learn English and expected them to learn their native language at home. Perhaps they had the funds for a private school as many communities still do.

Why is the general public expected to come up with funds for health and education for people of any nationality who have chosen to come to this country. We seem to have been on a long guilt trip regarding the Hispanic population that is now spilling over in Arizona and other border states reflecting the frustration in our own region. It's time to stop the epidemic of bail outs.

Iris R. Seefeldt

Arlington Heights