I was disappointed in the Deseret Morning News' recent editorial piece, "Don't kill tuition break" (Jan. 7). Rather than addressing the issues on merit, the editors unfortunately resorted to name-calling, i.e. June Cleaver, and using the "race" card.

The Deseret Morning News editorial board is out of touch with most Utahns. Various issues were important to my constituents — education, transportation, rising health care costs and maintaining a moral environment for our children — but the most emotional was illegal immigration. Frankly, most Utahns are sick and tired of being called "heartless," "not understanding" or "racist" when they oppose illegal immigration. Dozens of my constituents spend weeks of their time and their own money on medical missions to Hispanic countries — my parents among them. Having a wife from the former Soviet Union and a business partner from Ethiopia, I can testify that race has nothing to do with it. The rule of law, fundamental fairness and the long-term survival of our nation are at stake.

If we do not like the law, we should try to change it. But it is our responsibility to follow the law until we succeed. This is a requirement of a civil society. The fact of the matter is that the 182 students in higher education are not the real concern but a symptom of a greater problem. Our heath care, social services and educational systems are at a breaking point. Estimates range from $70 million to $200 million to educate the children of illegal aliens in Utah. Talk to any hospital administrator and learn the costs illegal aliens place on the health-care system — costs that are subsidized by other taxpayers. When my wife first came to this county, I didn't have the assets to sponsor her, so I had to ask my father to help. He signed an affidavit that he would be responsible for all her costs to society, and so he made sure we got health insurance. We need to enforce current federal immigration sponsorship laws.

Concerns about the innocent victims (children) are often used in defense of illegal immigration, but the same excuse was used against welfare reform. Besides, who is better off, the children who received free education here and must return briefly to their parents' native country or the children who never left because their parents obeyed the law? Who is more destitute — a child from Mexico or one from Darfur? Who deserves a scholarship more — an illegal immigrant or an orphan from Ukraine who at 18 is forced out of the orphanage and often must work the street to survive?

There are practical concerns as well. Where are the illegal students going to work when they graduate? Should the state perpetuate the problem and promote additional illegal behavior? As recent headlines suggest, nothing good comes from ignoring our laws.