By Jesse Jose

A Cup O' Kapeng Barako

I am fuming.  I think it's disgusting and obscene! 

Because this DREAM Act is a dream for illegals, but a would-be nightmare for America's college-bound sons and daughters, if this bill is passed. Whoever thought of this Act, is, I think a MORON, who needs to wake up from his moronic dream.

I know that most of my Fil-Am journalist-colleagues, the PNS (Pinabili Ng Suka) type, as well as the non-PNS type, have written and commented and hallelujahed (sic) this DREAM Act.  Because they said this Act would help young Filipinos come out of the shadows as TNTs of this country.

May I beg to differ, mga pare? 

Mahirap naman kung lahat tayo nakalublub in one common carabao pond.  Dahil kung ganyan, lahat tayo would all be wallowing and suffering the common carabao mentality. 

As we all know, the DREAM Act as proposed by Congress would provide amnesty to the children of illegal immigrants ... that would result in displacing American citizens from the limited college classrooms throughout the country, and giving "conditional non-immigrants" an opportunity for federal financial aid.

In other words, this so-called DREAM Act would, once again, hand out free money and more benefits to the PALAMUNINS and PARASITES of America (and ILLEGALS, at that), courtesy of U.S. taxpayers.  

And to think that most of my colleagues are for this Act, is, to me, an OBSCENE, DISGUSTING thought!  Because, it perpetuates the image of the Filipino as one of the many ethnic mendicants of America.

The American Legion, which I am a member of, opposes, with vehemence, the passage of this bill. "By resolution, our membership is opposed to illegal immigration into this country," said Jimmie Foster, the Legion's national commander. "We don't understand why so many members of Congress feel compelled to provide amnesty for a portion of illegal immigrants before securing our borders and tackling the broken immigration system."

"Our states and communities are struggling to meet the needs of tomorrow's generation forcing increased tuition's and fees on those already attending.  So why is Congress putting even more pressure on the universities and colleges by pushing these children into our already crowded classrooms?" Mr. Foster said.

Right on, Mister Foster, sir.  Here in the state of Washington, tuition at the University of Washington and other state universities would jump 11-percent a year for two years, and 9-percent a year at state community colleges.  But the increases still wouldn't be enough to make up for cutbacks in state higher-education funding. 

The state of Washington is broke. The whole country is broke. We are in recession. We have a huge deficit. In trillions, in fact, thanks to BHO. YET we still want to give federal grants and free college education to ILLEGALS? Susmaryusep! No wonder The American Legion and many other service organizations are all up in arms in shooting down this "illegal dream."  

A BOUT THE AMERICAN LEGION: Y'all might perhaps ask, Dear Readers: So what's the American Legion? This huge organization, with millions of members, nation-wide, was chartered and incorporated by Congress in 1919 as a PATRIOTIC veterans organization devoted to mutual helpfulness. It is the nation's largest veterans service organizations, committed to mentoring and sponsorship of youth programs in our communities, advocating patriotism and honor, promoting a strong national security, and continued devotion to fellow service members and veterans. 

And may I add that I am a proud member of this organization. Compared to NaFFAA-A,  na sa paanan lang ang NaFFAA-A, ah. 

W HAT IS THE DREAM ACT?: The Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act of 2010 was passed Dec. 8 by the House and awaits a vote in the Senate. This bill would grant "conditional non-immigrant status" to those who entered the U.S. illegally before their 16th birthday and have been here for at least five years.  They must be persons "of good moral character" who are not deportable under the Immigration and Nationality Act., and have to be younger than 30 when the DREAM Act is passed.

To qualify for the bill's provision, ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS must have a high-school diploma, be enrolled in a college or university, or be a military service member for at least two years.

T HE NEW VERSION OF THE ACT: Under the new legislation, "conditional non-immigrant status" would be granted to those illegals who qualify. And in this status, these illegals would be eligible for student loans and federal work-study grants.

What a country, I tell ya!  

These illegals, if this bill is passed, would be getting all the breaks that my two boys had not gotten, when they were students. My two boys were born in this country, they were not illegals, they are "of good moral character," both have graduated from high school and both were enrolled in college ... but they didn't qualify for federal grants and loans because my wife and I daw had "enough" income to send our two boys to college.

Kasi, we were not illegals. We were merely hard-working and law-abiding citizens. So, our children didn't deserve those federal grants and loans – and subsidized education that are now being offered to ILLEGALS and to children of ILLEGALS. 

Only in America, I tell ya! 

It's a good thing my son, Chris, who is now a broadcast journalist in Denver, Colorado, was offered scholarship money by two TV stations here in Seattle, through the Asian-American Journalists Association (AAJA) and that somehow made it possible for us to send our boys to college. But that money wasn't enough. Getting a good education here in this country is VERY, VERY expensive.  

So I went to a bank and borrowed money to put both my two boys through college.  Money, huge sums of money, that I am still paying and will be paying, until I am a hundred and five years old! 

"Every parent wants the best opportunities for their child, yet the DREAM Act forces us to provide opportunities for the children of those who entered the country illegally at the same level of our citizens," said Tim Tetz, the legislative director of the American Legion. "It is unfair the American taxpayers would be forced to subsidize the education of children of illegal aliens.

Right on, Mr. Tetz. This DREAM Act for illegals and for the children of illegals is not only unfair!  It's disgusting and obscene! The PALAMUNINS and PARASITES of America seemed to be the biggest beneficiaries of the BHO Administration. And, I am fuming.  JJ

PS: The quotes and some of the factual portions of this column were taken out from The American Legion's on-line magazine issue of December 13, 2010.  But the opinions based on those quotes and factual portions are mine alone. # # #