Why stupidity? Stupid because conservative CA taxpayers have been watching this development like hawks. Stupid because CA has the ability to have direct democracy in amending the State Constitution via the Proposition process and people are already gathering signatures for the effort. Stupid because the Propostion will likely qualify for the summer elections where Obama will not be part of the primaries and Republican voter turn-out will likely be higher than Democrat voter turn-out.
But, IMHO, the most stupid thing is advertising another incentive for illegal immigration. Illegal immigration is an extremely contentious topic and has received much of the blame for collapsing the public hospitals, due to the overuse of emergency rooms by the illegal aliens. Some California residents feel that the State cares more for the children of illegal aliens than it does for the children of the legal taxpayers.
So, is the giveaway of taxpayer funds an incentive or lure that encourages illegal immigration?
http://www.daily49er.com/brown-signs-dream-act-1.2650206
Gov. Jerry Brown signed the second half of the California Dream Act on Saturday, making Assembly Bill 131, legislation that grants undocumented students the opportunity to receive state financial aid, law.
Starting Jan. 1, 2013, non-resident immigrants who have attended a state high school for at least three years and have no criminal record will have the opportunity to apply and receive government financial aid to attend public state universities and community colleges.
Cal State Long Beach President F. King Alexander, who was lobbying for the bill's passage, said it is welcoming news and hopes it will eventually be proposed at the federal level.
Denying educational opportunity to anyone is "bad economics," Alexander said.
The CSULB president explained that it is beneficial for California to invest in higher education. Students who receive degrees because of this law, he said, will eventually become taxpayers who give back to the economy.
"We're fine if they want to send them to Afghanistan, but they want to deny them higher education opportunities as well," Alexander said.
Those who oppose the act believe non-residents will be taking funds offered to current students who live in California, but, according to Brown, only about 1 percent of Cal-Grant funds could be affected.
"I think it's nice — I'm excited," said Steven Singer, junior criminal justice major. "I feel like we are distributing justice, giving it to people who need it from other countries."
Other students on campus are more concerned about the effect the Dream Act will have on their financial situations, class sizes and their ability to pursue their own degree.
"The school is already impacted, it just doesn't seem fair to us, " said Lynae Cassidy, a senior health care administration major. "There will be so many people applying for school and financial aid that there will be less of a chance to get ours covered."
Parents are also concerned about how the Dream Act affects their children's futures.
"I disagree with illegal immigrants taking advantage of our country's resources without going through with the whole process," said Kim Dilallo, parent of a prospective student. "It may even indirectly affect where my child chooses to go. What if she can't get into her classes because of how many more students will be there?"
An aside to my main topic, the CSULB president is a little nuts, because these students can’t legally work in the U.S. or join the military, so they can’t “give back to the community.
