Dream Act makes sense
The Dream Act is up for consideration in the lame duck Congress. This is a very controversial proposal with the vagarious support of Sen. Dick Durbin. With today's economy in such a state, this is not the most popular legislation with a politician's constituency. With this being said, my hat is off to Mr. Durbin for taking a stand for what is right vs. what is popular.
There is a simple lesson parents teach their children. Do what is right, not what is popular. This isn't easy to live up to as we get older. Life gets complicated and fair play might stand by the sidelines.
As for the issue of people who illegally enter the United States of America, when they get past border patrols and into the interior of the country, they're welcomed with open arms. They're allowed to buy cars, but can't have a driver's license. When they're caught driving, they are fined and released to be caught again. It's just a catch and release policy that generates revenue for the state.
These people have jobs and pay taxes. They pay into the Social Security system without hope of ever receiving benefits. They pay bills, start businesses, get married and so on.
They're seen in every government, financial and educational system we have. Why aren't they prosecuted as they pass through any of these systems? One conclusion to be made is that no one cares they are here. They're a benefit to our economic systems and society as a whole.
The Dream Act focuses on the innocent victims of the combined illegal parental decisions, society's indifference and governmental negligence. These are the children that have been here for a large portion of their lives.
They're not eligible for the scholarships, grants and loans. Sadly, they are banned from military service. They didn't choose their circumstances, but the chance of exile looms over them. This act doesn't give any child in this category a free ride to legal residency, but rather gives those well deserving a hope of the American dream.
The act won't benefit criminal elements or those that will burden society. It's straightforward legislation that actually does the right thing.
David B. Nichol
Elgin