As Minnesota legislators consider a bill to allow the children of illegal aliens to receive in-state tuition, I hope consideration is paid to the bigger issues here, even though proponents of the bill do not want people to think about them. Legislators must consider all of the issues related to this bill.

These children of illegal aliens, complicit or not, have benefited from the illegal actions of their parents. They have been very fortunate to have lived in the United States and have hopefully learned to dream the American Dream. I hope these young adults decide to attend college because education is key to building a successful, stable future. They should acknowledge the error of their parents ways and not seek to take any more from the system than they already have.

In state tuition serves a purpose: it recognizes the contributions law-abiding, tax-paying citizens have made to their home state. When the children of those citizens prepare to go to college, the system says "Thanks for your help strengthening our state. In return, we will discount your child's tuition to recognize your contribution. And by the way we have reciprocal agreements with some states because we are good neighbors."

While some illegal aliens have paid taxes, we know that most do not. These people work off the books and do not contribute to our tax system, which funds state universities and colleges. We also know that illegal aliens take advantage of our health care system. They rarely have health insurance so have forced taxpayers to pay for their care, often provided through emergency rooms rather than primary clinics, thus driving the costs up further. Illegal aliens have forced our public schools to expend increased funds to provide interpreters, materials in foreign language and a lower quality education to citizens. Illegal aliens often don't speak English and their children come to school ill-prepared to learn. While I am happy some of these children want to go to college, the taxpayer has subsidized enough of their lives, including their education.

ENOUGH ALREADY!

These young people should be as able to pay non-resident tuition as would any American citizen from a non-reciprocal state. They should not whine about it, they should be thankful that we don't deport them for being here illegally.

Oh, and they should tell their parents to return to their home country and then go to the back of the line where they belong.

Governor Pawlenty has a great opportunity to show conservatives, locally and nationally, that he understands their concerns. Be a leader. Veto this bill.