The “Dream Act” is now reality: undocumented students may now pay in-state (as opposed to out-of-state – not free -) tuition rates at community colleges, if they meet certain criteria. Part of the criteria is that they must be graduates of a high school in the same county in which they have been living for the 3 years before graduating. As a retired St. Mary’s County Public Schools ESOL teacher (English-for-Speakers-of-Other-Languages) I can attest to what an accomplishment it is when a student whose first language is not English graduates from high school. It is a triumph for both student – and teachers – when this important milestone is achieved.

In Al Cardenas’s postelection review “Republicans Too White, Male, Old” in the Commentary section of November 20’s The Washington Times, he states that …”Republicans failed to recruit voters from growing demographics and concentrated too heavily on the old, white and male populations.” – and he says this is the reason Republicans lost the 2012 election.  He goes on to say “…The greatest gains to be had are with Latinos – the fastest-growing voting bloc in our country. In fact, 23.7 million Hispanics were eligible to vote in 2012, and most of them were young voters.” (italics mine).

Well, fellow Republicans, here’s our chance. If we view the Dream Act in its most positive light, then this is a true opportunity for the Party. As Mr. Cardenas further states, “We need support and votes from a larger share of youth, women and minorities.” And those affected by the Dream Act represent a sizable portion of that youth, women’s, and minority vote.

There must be a way for Republicans to seize the day, so to speak, and to make the Dream Act work for the entire country. The potential here is to cultivate citizens – tax-paying citizens. Perhaps these Dream Act students could be fast-tracked to citizenship, with their in-state tuition privilege being tied to the successful completion of citizenship classes within a certain amount of semesters. A budding Republican constituency awaits; Republicans – embrace the dream!!!!

Out and About with Conservative Events…

-The Republican Central Committee’s Third Annual Food Drive for St. Mary’s County’s Helping Hands began Friday, November 23. The drop-off location for non-perishable foods will be in Hollywood. If you have items to deliver, you may contact marybr@smcgop.org