Veterans Before Illegals

Dear Editor,
   Here are some basic truths as I see them: The illegal immigrants in this country are making minor contributions to our economy, as they always have in the past ["Page Two," April 14]. They have become a larger economic burden on our public health, education, and welfare systems. Like so many of the working poor in this country, they cannot afford private health care. These economic refugees (what they truly are) have exposed the greatest failure of our foreign policy of the 20th century: economic justice. China and India have booming economies now and have done so largely without much aid from the USA. The culture of Latin America has yet to throw off the strict patron/peon caste system inherited from Spanish colonial rule. Until they do that, their economies will continue to flounder and fail.
   Mexico is a country rich in both natural and human resources but yet it has failed to develop economically so that most of its people can look forward to a better life. There's now a huge double standard in this country. Working in this country without a permit is a crime. An illegal immigrant is allowed to walk around free in this country without fear of prosecution with gov't benefits but 200,000 troops are kept in harm's way protecting foreign oil fields in the name of economic stability. If a GI commits a crime in that country, he will be prosecuted but an illegal alien won't in this country. I feel it's the greatest betrayal of our military veterans who have served our country to spend a penny on assistance for illegal immigrants or foreign aid of any kind. Let's take care of our vets first.