A big-family squabble

Re “6 + 4 = 1 Tenuous Existence,” Column One, July 28

This family is the poster child for what’s wrong with illegal immigration. The mother and father have been here 22 and 28 years, respectively, and can’t speak English. Their six children were already a drain on our economy because of their health problems -- and now four more? Why is it the responsibility of U.S. taxpayers to foot the bill for people who make irresponsible decisions on family planning? How much healthcare or education could be provided to U.S. citizens -- either native-born or legal immigrants -- if taxes were to benefit only legal residents?

Every nation that fosters illegal immigration should foot the bill for the healthcare and education their citizens receive on U.S. soil.

MARY RIEWER

Glendale, Ariz.

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The comparison of Magdaleno and her siblings is a textbook example of the benefits of community tough love and self-discipline. One set of siblings moved to Kentucky, where there are “fewer Mexican immigrants bidding down the wages for unskilled jobs,” and they learned English because “few people in Lexington speak Spanish.” The Kentucky siblings “talk about California the way they used to talk about Mexico.” English is not needed in Los Angeles, and a family that can’t make ends meet takes fertility drugs to have three children before later having four.

There’s blame enough to go around, from lack of self-discipline to a community failing to exercise tough love on immigrants. The greatest evidence of that failure is the number of Californians leaving the state -- because California has become Mexico.

LINDA NOON

San Marcos

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Should I send my tax payment to the California Franchise Tax Board or directly to this couple with the 10 kids?

BOB CASTANEDA

Hacienda Heights