An Open Letter to John McCain

Senator McCain,

I am a liberal who has always liked you, and, before the immigration issue, would have voted for you in a heartbeat even though I usually vote Democrat. I like it that you stand up for your beliefs and don't back down from your own party. I truly appreciate your service and sacrifices for our country.

Unfortunately, your stance on immigration is a "deal breaker" for me. I can't understand why you think it's okay to give people who haven't given their time, energy, and the money it takes to become true citizens some sort of free ride? Those who truly want to be citizens and live as Americans take classes, attempt to learn the language, pay taxes, earn honest wages, exhibit patriotism for their new country, and are exemplary citizens. They are proud of their efforts, culminating in an Oath of Citizenship. Why should others just be handed something that other people don't take for granted?

In fact, why should those with no interest in citizenship or assimilation be given free access to the programs I have paid for? I don't get food stamps or go to the emergency room for "free" non-emergency medical care or get government hand outs, and I expect the same from others who are capable of earning a living. I don't even have kids, but my local property taxes pay for the schooling of children in my area. Why should I be paying for children whose parents don't contribute to the system? Why should my Social Security benefits go to those who haven't paid into that same system all these years? Why should my health and car insurance go up every year to cover those who are getting free medical at emergency rooms, getting free prescriptions, not paying for medical treatments, and those who are getting into driving even though they have no driver's license or insurance? Why should our taxes go up every year to house the thousands of illegal immigrants in our jails and prisons rather than sending them home?

Frankly, before President Bush offered to give these people a free ride, I hadn't thought much about it. I won't lie and say I haven't employed illegals because I have on three different occasions (for day jobs, not long-term employment). But that was before someone told me they were just all of a sudden going to be citizens and get the same benefits I have paid for over the years. Sorry, but I'm not going for it even if that makes me sound like a hypocrite.

Don't expect something for free while others have worked hard their whole lives and paid into the system, or who have spent the time and effort to learn and to become United States citizens, or who have fought and died to ensure our rights and freedoms.

I'm proud to be an American, and yes, I got it the easy way. I was born in this country, and so were my relatives going back more than a hundred years. My family is conservative (I'm the anomaly), and they've always worked hard and taught me to do the same. We may not always like some of our government's actions, and we may not always agree with their rhetoric, but we respect each other's right to an opinion. My opinion, Senator McCain, is that you should do the right thing and not encourage the granting of amnesty to people who don't respect the responsibility of citizenship.

Sincerely,
Sunny