RUSD Dreams

The following is a sentence by sentence rebuttal of Al Levie's letter to the JT. Levie is a teacher at Horlick High School.

Al: RUSD supporting the DREAM Act is the right thing to do.

Me: How so Al?

Al: Our country was based on the guiding principal of liberty and justice for all.

Me: For illegal immigrants as well? Do you really teach this nonsense to your students?

Al: Students who work hard in school should be given an opportunity to pursue their dreams of a college education.

Me: Really Al? I had to pay for my college education. Besides, are the illegals really prevented from attending our universities or are they just required to pay the out of state tuition rate?

Al: As a society, we tell our children if you work hard in school and do the best you can will be rewarded with a good education and a bright future.

Me: I don't recall society ever saying such a thing to me.

Al: RUSD needs to advocate for those students who society has made false promises to.

Me: Who are they Al?

Al: Undocumented students do not have access to student loans and in many states have to pay out-of-state tuition.

Me: When did society ever promise in-state tuition to people who have broken our immigration laws?

Al: Upon graduation in order to get a good job they must lie about their status.

Me: What a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive.

Al: Do we really want to put our best and brightest in that position?

Me: Our evil society didn't put them there Al, their parents did.

Al: Is it fair?

Me: Its more than fair Al. Despite breaking our immigration laws, they were given a free elementary and high school education. This costs the rest of us in the neighborhood of $12,000 per illegal immigrant.

Al: Is it just?

Me: Yes, but let me tell you what would be unjust. It would unjust to subsidize the college education of illegal immigrants with in-state tuition while legal residents of other states have to pay the full amount. Giving more rights to illegal immigrants than to legal citizens is very unjust.

Al:There are those who qualify their application of the ideals embodied in our Pledge of Allegiance by not extending the rights of citizenship to hardworking students.

Me: The Pledge of Allegiance reads: "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." Now if the pledge read: I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice and in-state tuition and citizenship for hard working students who have disregarded our immigration laws" .... well, then I would concede the argument.

Al: RUSD do not be pressured by them. They need to be educated, not catered to.

Me: RUSD does catering? I'll have sloppy Joes, tator tots and sugar free desserts for our next tea party planning session. Want to join us Al?

Al: If the mission of RUSD is to educate all children, then we need to advocate for them and help them realize their dreams.

Me: Educate all children Al? Even citizens of foreign countries? Better double check that RUSD mission statement.

Al: Support the DREAM Act.

Me: Dream on.