Published in USA Today May 4th, 2006 - but still a timely message

Angry aftermath

Well, the illegal alien marches are over and America is still standing — a bit angrier. Angry over a group of lawbreakers and their misguided supporters with the audacity to protest in our streets. Angry at seeing the fruit of this and other administrations' inaction over the past 30 years, which has allowed the number of illegals to swell to millions. Angry at seeing our tax dollars fund the education of children of illegals and pay for their medical care, while U.S. citizens are denied. Angry at how they thumb their noses at our laws, crossing our borders and evading our limited border patrol, then setting up their homes and businesses, taking over various areas of the USA. Angry with the felons and gang members among them, spreading violence and drugs and the unscreened sick. All this, while Homeland Security worries about Code Yellow.

Yes, the march is over, but the lawlessness continues. Fake driver's licenses, fake green cards, fake Social Security cards — fake citizens, fake patriotism. Some exploit the sympathy of well-meaning and religious Americans who take in the poor and weary.

Meanwhile, the righteous immigrants who went through proper channels, diligently waiting and working to gain acceptance are befuddled. American citizens are befuddled in general. Where are the immigration agents? Where are the police? Who is enforcing the laws? Did they take a vacation? The answer is: Yes, a paid vacation.

Douglas Roy, Lexington, Ky.