The high cost of illegal immigrants

Today we hear so much about the dire straits our Social Security is facing. In the not too distant future, the fund will become insolvent.

In 1980, 100,000 Cubans entered Florida via the Muriel boat lift.

No. 1, they were illegal. No. 2, a good percentage had criminal backgrounds. No. 3, although contributing nothing, they all received a monthly check taken from your Social Security dollars.

Guess what? In 2008, there has been a change made for Social Security.

The United States voted to extend Social Security benefits to illegal aliens.

Like the illegal Cubans in Florida, today's illegal aliens will also receive your Social Security dollars without contributing anything.

Our two Illinois senators, Durbin and Obama, both voted for this measure.

I always assumed that we voted and sent individuals to Washington who would represent our wishes.

Perhaps President Theodore Roosevelt was correct when he stated that when they call roll in the Senate, the senators do not know whether to answer present or guilty.

Both senators Obama and Clinton have said they would not raise taxes if elected. They are pulling a real bait and switch. By repealing the Bush tax cuts, they will raise your taxes. Wake up.

There is a continuing, constant clamor regarding the war in Iraq concerning the tremendous cost in dollars.

Yes, Iraq is consuming a lot of dollars. I have yet to hear one voice, however, spreading alarm concerning the cost regarding the illegal alien problem.

There are many reasons: $11 billion to 22 billion each year spent on welfare of illegal aliens by state governments; $12 billion a year spent on education for children here illegally; $90 billion spent on illegal aliens for welfare and social services at taxpayers' expense.

Then there are billions spent yearly for food assistance programs, incarcerating illegal aliens, who have a crime rate 2½ times that of legal citizens.

All told, the total cost is a whopping $338.3 billion a year. Compare that with Iraq, you would be surprised.

Robert Gosch

Arlington Heights