Is there anyone in the Arkansas legislature with any ability to think logically and use reason?  The disease began with the governor and now it is infecting the legislature. Apparently such abilities are now in short supply if the article in the February 23, 2005, Arkansas Democrat Gazette titled “House panel endorses college scholarship bill” by SETH BLOMELEY is any indication. Rep. Joyce Elliott, D-Little Rock says that denying the illegal aliens tuition benefits is akin to her being discriminated against as a child because she is black. She said that, “We’ve got the big boot of government on the backs of children.” Since the civil rights law helped her, she wants to repay the favor.

No one is disputing her right to enjoy the fruits that come with being born in this nation, and those who wanted to deny those rights to blacks, and who did deny them, were wrong and are still wrong. But she, like the governor, is wrong on the scholarship issue. It has nothing to do with discrimination against anyone.

This nation is supposed to be guided by the rule of law and that last time I checked, anyone who wasn’t born here or wasn’t a naturalized citizen didn’t have any rights to any benefits because they are in a word, illegal.  The children are here because their parents are breaking the law and that isn’t any excuse to help the children break the law too. With that attitude what incentive is there for anyone to obey our laws and become citizens as prescribed by statute as millions have done in the past?  Of course the children aren’t responsible. It is their parents who are responsible for them being here illegally, but that doesn’t mean we hand out the benefits because of it.

As for getting the big boot of government off the backs of children, if this attitude is applied across the board, then any law that denies benefits to anyone, legal or illegal, is subject to revision. That being true, then the rule of law is out the window and we can say good bye to constitutional government. Will we allow emotion and whim to rule us so everyone can feel good about whatever is done?

It gets worse when the statements of two educators are heard. Barry Ballard, president of Ouachita Technical College in Malvern, said Arkansas has had "a poor history in race relations. This is a new opportunity for us to do it right. Let’s send a message to Arkansas. Let’s send a message to the world." (Source: Arkansas Democrat Gazette). Do what right? Allow more illegals to join the parade to this nation? And the message is clear that a free ride to benefits is awaiting anyone who can make it to Arkansas. 

  Then Joel Anderson, chancellor of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, said the bill would "enable us to produce a few more college graduates. We need everyone we can get." (Source: Arkansas Democrat Gazette) Might I tread in deep water and say that we would have a few more college graduates if abortion wasn’t allowed in this state? We are replacing the aborted babies with illegal aliens. Shame be upon them for all of the wrong actions and statements in this scholarship matter.  

When our legislators and those of other states pass laws that give benefits to those who aren’t citizens, and who will most likely never be citizens, then their oaths to uphold the U.S. Constitution and the Arkansas Constitution were so many words disappearing into the wind. Such attitudes show utter disrespect for our type of government to the same degree that the illegal aliens disrespect our laws.

Legislative madness is the result of misguided ideas ruled by emotion about who should and shouldn’t be responsible for the actions of others. The madness of giving everything to everyone because of circumstance must end. It will when the people send a loud enough message to the legislature that their actions are wrong.

 http://www.ardemgaz.com/ShowStoryTemplate.asp?Path=ArDemocrat/2005/02/23&ID=Ar01301

 © 07/24/2011 DEC