Thread: Collapse of In-State Tuition Bill "Bad" for North

The Charlotte Observer had the unmitigated gall to publish this garbage in their editorial pages today. After reading it, I had to do some deep breathing exercises. The writer is the editor of La Noticia, a Spanish Language newspaper. She is listed as "Special to the Observer." See how "special" you think she is after you read this ode to stupidity. They should have entitled it "Clueless in Carolina."


Posted on Thu, Jun. 02, 2005
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Collapse of in-state tuition bill bad for N.C.

Making college more affordable for `illegals' was a sensible step

HILDA H. GURDIAN

Special to the Observer

The Observer reported May 27 that the N.C. bill that would allow undocumented students to attend college at in-state tuition rates died before it had a chance to be voted on in the legislature. According to the article, talk radio shows spelled its death knell.

I simply don't understand why Americans -- who themselves are descendents of immigrants -- have such angry, resentful attitudes toward those who come here to improve their lives and the lives of their children.

Yes, I understand that many people contend that "illegal" immigrants are just that -- in violation of the law -- and therefore shouldn't be rewarded for it. But using that line of reasoning, shouldn't we then punish any person who has ever broken any law -- or the children of such a lawbreaker -- by refusing them affordable college tuition?

Some people fear that accepting undocumented immigrants to our state colleges will mean other citizens won't be able to get in. But the proposed bill is not guaranteeing a college education to every undocumented student. Students must meet the colleges' admission standards. We're looking at a relatively small number of admissions. No one qualified for college is going to be left out.

Some people equate this bill with giving a handout to an undeserving group of people. But it's not a handout. In-state tuition means that parents have to come up with more than $11,000 every year (out-of-state is more than $20,000). For someone who makes around minimum wage, $11,000 is a lot of money. In addition, the children of illegal immigrants can't receive federal grants or other financial aid that other students get, so these families' out-of-pocket costs are even higher than for most other citizens.

And how can people paint this group as undeserving? Immigrants, especially undocumented Latinos, make a tremendous contribution to the economic development of our state. They work in menial, low-wage and often dangerous jobs that most citizens don't want. Taxes on their wages contribute to our state and federal coffers. They are a tremendous source of cheap labor, which in turn keeps the price of goods and services down.

I know many people believe that undocumented immigrants don't pay taxes. But they do. They pay sales taxes, payroll taxes and even Social Security taxes (which they will never see a dime of in their old age).

I know there are many who think that if you don't offer any benefits to undocumented immigrants -- in-state tuition, driver's licenses, welfare -- they will simply leave. But they won't. They have risked everything to come here. Even if they have to continue to live in society's shadows, it's preferable to what they came from. Then we have a different problem. If our country doesn't try to help these people, they will be more likely to break laws -- forge identity documents, drive without a license and without insurance -- and turn to a life of crime -- drugs, robbery, etc. -- in order to survive.

Despite their parents' illegal status, the children of undocumented immigrants are not bad by association. Many of these students are valedictorians, honor students, award winners, class presidents and student leaders. They have excelled in our schools and show every promise of excelling as adults in our workplaces and communities if just given a chance. In most cases, this country is home. They grew up here, they speak the language, they know the culture. If they are smart and well-rounded, but their parents toil in minimum wage jobs, what are their prospects without higher education? Not good.

And that's not just their problem. It's a problem for all of us. These young people will have to work in menial jobs. They will not pay as much in taxes. They will not be able to afford health insurance or school lunches. They will tax our social services and health care systems. They may become tempted to a higher-paying life of crime, therefore burdening our criminal justice system.

I know many Americans are distrustful of all immigrants because of the terrorist threats our country has experienced. But to paint all undocumented immigrants with the same terrorist brush is counterproductive and simply wrong. Denying children a higher education is not an answer to the terrorism problem. The solution is comprehensive immigration reform. We must identify and protect law-abiding immigrants so can we begin a process of identifying those who wish our country harm.

The bill proposing in-state tuition to undocumented students was a sensible, compassionate step toward helping those who have incredible potential. It stood to benefit our society, not hurt it.

After all, a better-educated immigrant will be less likely to turn to crime, more likely to make a better income and more capable of contributing to our tax base and to the betterment of our world.
Hilda Gurdian is the publisher of La Noticia, The Spanish-Language Newspaper, and proud to be a U.S. citizen. Write her at hgurdian@lanoticia.com.

This drivel is so full of holes it makes swiss cheese look like concrete.
How do you answer somebody who is so clueless and ignorant of the relevant facts?
For example:
If you let one ILLEGAL into a college, regardless of tuition rate, then you are letting one less citizen in. That is Common Sense 101.

I will send her a response when I think of a nice way to call her an idiot.

https://www.alipac.us/ftopic-4287-0.html

Scarecrow...the article is outrageous. Click above because someone else posted the same article. We've emailed Ms. Gurdian and some of us have cc: the Charlotte Observer. Go to this article and get the email address in one of my posts for JMorrill@charlotteobserver and see what everyone had to say.

Thanks, Judy. I looked around but I did not see the other post before I posted it.

You know she is not going to read our emails. Besides, I could not write a coherent email to such a cretan. As angry as I am with her, I am furious at the Observer, who refers to her as "Special to the Observer." I wrote a 400 word letter to the editor of the Disturber a few weeks back about this pitiful excuse for a bill, and they published about 40% of it under a headline of their creation which diminished the seriousness of the topic. I hate these vermin. I wish I could afford to buy them out. I would fire everyone on their left wing, bed wetting, hair faced, slimeball, Mexican kiss up, staff.



I went on La Noticia's web site. The only thing in English is a page on how you can place ads in the paper. Gee, whatever happened to the concept of bilingualism?

I just regret she did not give ALIPAC the "blame" we deserve in throwing down this bill. No matter what else happens this session, we know what we did in that fight.

W

Hoorah, William!

June 3, 2005


Dear Ms. Gurdian:

The point of the matter is that illegal Aliens (Intruders) of any sort are not going to trample into North Carolina and then rudely demand compensation, demand special law changes to suit their illegal needs -- that's called invasion not immigration. Immigration is about adapting. If you were an Immigrant, Ms. Gurdian, then you wouldn't be writing a Spanish language newspaper and their wouldn't be a problem. So, really your a rude Invader that aids and abets illegal intrusion.
Illegal Alien kids not being educated is not a problem for all of us, IT'S A PROBLEM FOR YOU. Because the illegal PROBLEM IS YOUR FAULT and laws simply have no place helping illegality. SO Crime is it, you say?? Is that a threat Ms. Gurdian??
Go Ahead, illegal Aliens doing more crime will be more laws upon mexican/latino/hispanic backs and deportations. Won't leave, then enjoy the illegal life in the sewer as they sit,sit,sit,sit in fear. Too Bad. Illegal mexican/latino/hispanic Intruders now have to actually think about coming to America to be thieves.
Unwelcome illegal Intruder wants are going to continue to be thrown into a coffin with more nails driven in because it violates Americans and Legal Immigrant communities of the United States.
Same tired excuses jobs schmobs, money, taxes (not paid by illegal Aliens), contributions. Money here, money there, jobs that ends up being $$$$$ losses to services, thieved money back to mexico, and unwelcome social ills such as schools and healthcare. You know the lies your pushing. There isn't any useful contribution possible by illegal Invaders. Americans paying for rude unwelcome belligerent action is a non-friendly one fingered gesture.
So do you like America (with its great benefits), Ms. Gurdian, or do you hate it-- which is it?? Myself and other Americans support legal immigration to the U.S. as well as adapting to support the U.S. Flag. Many American Immigrants do so legally with no problem - Russians, Chinese, Germans, Irish, Arabs. BUT that is NOT the case as quite evident from the rude Intruder populous known as Mexicans/Latinos/Hispanics.
Please consider what you are doing as you try to promote illegal violation of the U.S. Country and spread Spanish everywhere (which is unwelcome). You may be upset with this message but think about it and adapt to become an American. If your concern is for illegal Aliens and a broken mexican culture then you need to go down to mexico (or wherever it is) to where you belong to improve your Country instead of being a rude thief in the United States. Illegal immigration is no longer to be tolerated.