I had to shake my head at Debbie Revely's letter concerning illegal aliens ["Illegal immigrants do the jobs too many won't do," July 25]. Sadly, Ms. Revely has fallen victim to two common misconceptions.
First, they are "illegal aliens." That is the accepted term, the one used in congressional bills and legal writings. They are not migrant workers, temporary workers, displaced immigrants, or the like. They are illegal aliens, period.
Second, this country was not magically produced. We managed to dig ditches, build highways, construct houses and skyscrapers and bridges--all without illegal aliens being paid pennies an hour.
They do not do jobs we have shirked. To the contrary: They take pay that no one with any common sense would take. Why? It is what the contractor, superintendent, or restaurant owner gets away with paying them.
If these illegal aliens were not here breaking the law by their mere presence, employers would have to pay minimum wage or better to legal, taxpaying Americans.
When we stop regurgitating incorrect information about illegal aliens and start throwing them out of the country, you'll see how many Americans are ready to step in and fill their shoes; and employers will step up to the plate, albeit reluctantly, to pay what the work is worth.
This is the only path back to the great nation we have slipped away from.
Joe Schlatter, Spotsylvania