And now, the rest of Durbin's tale

Sen. Dick Durbin gave a heartwarming speech about Jose, an illegal foreign national, who washed dishes for Chicago City councilman Tom Tully's family restaurant. Jose eventually went to college and found "The American Dream."

Now successful, Jose returned Saturdays and worked for free at the restaurant in appreciation for the "opportunity" provided.

Great story. But Durbin left out a lot. As a docile illegal alien, Jose worked for whatever wage was offered. Jose was not going to complain to anyone about work conditions or pay, even if forced to work around the clock. That restaurant and Tully violated the 1986 Simpson-Mazzoli Act, making it a crime to hire an illegal alien.

Durbin left out that Jose took a job from an American. He also brought in family members and friends to cook meals, who replaced $15-per-hour Americans with $7-per-hour illegal aliens. Jose sent money home, that money not being spent in America's economy.

That hurts an economy dependent no longer on manufacturing, technology, or innovation to pump the economy, but instead consumer spending. And many Joses out there brought children with them that overburdened school systems. Just look at District 300, for an example.

Anthony Bravos

Woodstock