But what hasn't been proven, Riginslinger, is that the illegal aliens cost the taxpayers a significant amount of money. Most studies seem to show that what they cost is about the same as what they contribute.

The fact the voters in California had the perception that they were paying lots of money for illegal aliens is immaterial. What matters is whether they actually do cost the taxpayers money - and the answer to that question is buried in rhetoric.

It's true, though, that most illegal aliens are very poor. For all of human history, it has always been the practice of demagogues and bigots and politicians to make scapegoats of the poor - the bible story of dives and Lazarus is a good example. Why should our modern age be any more compassionate? We have a proud tradition of disdain for the poor to uphold.

-Joe-