[Flying Dutchman]

I don't know if it is a thinking "it is ok to abuse the system" as much as it is taking something because you can. If the system was set up as a first come, first serve type with a limited fund then they should be held accountable for taking away from someone who needs it. The system is not set up that way. As it is no one gets turned away from welfare because somebody else is using it, they just add that person to the rest. The government allows the abuse, so who is to blame? If I told you that I have a way for your family to make the same amount of income that two people working make, but only one of you has to, would you not take it? If I told you that you do not have to learn the common language, we will accomodate you and make sure we can communicate with you, would you change? I see people everyday, every single day, who can legally collect social security but can't speak english. They have been here, and worked here, for years and years and still can't speak english. It is humiliating to work in a Federal Government office and have to speak Spanish just so you can do your job. It is even more humiliating that the policy of our government is that even if a known illegal (false papers, false ID etc...) applies for a Social Security card, the workers and office are not allowed to secure those documents or report the person. Sad aint it?
So, who do you go after and target........the employers. It is easier for them to verify a worker ( all it takes is a phone call) than it is for the government to track them down. If the employers do not hire them, or make it a policy to hire them, then the numbers of them will drastically reduce. Illegals do not live off of welfare, they supplement their income with it. If the population of illegals in Dodge City were to suddenly find themselves without work, they would not stay here, they would move on. The businesses that thrive on them would also shut down. The housing market would be flooded with empty houses and landlords would suffer. Our local economy would take a blow, but not a knockout one. It would force our leaders to deal with the economy, instead of them just sitting back and letting the town become a cesspool that is becoming now.