Roger Gitlin: Rick Perry’s flawed position on illegal aliens

Will Gov. Rick Perry’s flawed position on giving benefits to the children of illegal aliens doom his quest for the presidency? I think it might. During the recent Republican debate in Orlando, the Texas Governor sounded a great deal like his predecessor when he attempted to explain his position on the issue of tax payer-generated benefits afforded to the children who parents have illegally entered the United States. Perry went so far as to accuse those who disagreed with him as “having no heart.” I can assure candidate Perry, he and all the eight other candidates for the nomination have all their cardiac parts in order and they function quite well. If the Texas governor was referring to his competitors for the Republican nomination of lacking compassion, well…. I would respectfully disagree with the gentleman from the Lone Star State…

Governor Perry is appearing and sounding much like George Bush 43. That would be a mistake. I hope Governor Perry revisits his position on the devastating effects illegal immigration has wrought on this country. According to Congressman Steve King (R-Iowa), 13 people a day are killed by unlicensed, uninsured illegal aliens driving drunk. Another 12 people a day are murdered by illegals. Many of those victims are Texans.

When Governor Perry states he wishes to offer in-state college tuition rates for the children of illegals, it is the tax payers of Texas who must pay that tab. It is patently unfair. When Perry states he offers benefits to these children so “they won’t be a drag on the people of Texas,” he misses the point. These children are already a financial drain on the State. Though I do not have direct corroboration from Austin, I can tell you the children of illegal immigrants in Los Angeles County cost taxpayers $1.5 billion per year, according to 5^th District Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich. The Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAPS), aka the Food Stamp Program currently serves the needs of approximately 47 million people and growing at the rate of 20,000 per day, nationally. Approximately 25 %, an astounding one in four recipients is an illegal alien family securing benefits for the native-born children. I see no evidence that the children of illegals in Texas are any different than the children of illegals in California or any other State.

Governor Perry needs to re-address his position. Though I appreciate his strong stand on border security I am confused by his polar opposite position that if you can sneak into the country, the State of Texas will feed, clothe, and educate you.

I am uncertain how Governor Perry’s position on illegal immigration will ultimately play out but his current position will not help his candidacy. I am certain Americans are not in step with depressed wages caused by underemployment, the flagrant disregard for American law, and the high crime rate and the loss of American lives, directly caused by people who should not be here in the first place.

Roger Gitlin is a retired teacher and member of the National and Del Norte Tea Party. He also founded the Santa Clarita Valley Independent minutemen. He lives in Crescent City, California and can be reached at [email protected]. His commentaries represent his own opinions and not necessarily the views of any organization he may be affiliated with or those of the West Ranch Beacon.