Only in California...

The undocumented students also have long-standing ties to California and have worked hard to make a better life for themselves and their families, often overcoming substantial obstacles, said Nicholas Espiritu, staff attorney for the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, also involved in the case.

"They have earned the right to be there," Espiritu said. "These are students who are coming from, oftentimes, very low-income areas and underperforming schools, who are finding ways to really achieve and succeed in education despite almost every roadblock imaginable being put in their path."

The Los Angeles Times yesterday had a story on a lawsuit in state court by out of state students who must evidently pay higher college tuition than illegal immigrants.  I don't know why we are subsidizing the education of illegals anyway, call me a heartless bastard.  I guess in the broadest terms I can see educating young children in elementary school on an occasional basis but that has become a tremendous burden on the taxpayer as well. But no way is it right that an illegal gets subsidized before an American taxpayer.  And a secondary and college education for those who are in this country illegally should never be on the government or my dime.

Have we just given up and said "no more borders"?  Do we really have the financial stability  to function as the world's benevolent godfather? Can you imagine going to Mexico and demanding the same treatment and largesse? Do you think they are ready to open up their educational and welfare system to the Guatemalans or Hondurans?  For free? If a Mexican American or Japanese American or Franco American wants tuition aid, fine.  I think most ethnic american populations would agree as well. There is a privilege granted to those that are here legally and who have spent a lifetime paying into the system.

I am not trying to be a grinch or contrarian here - I just think we have taken leave of our common sense.  The Mexican Legal Defense Fund says that they have earned the right to be there. Who made that decision?