Illegal workers costing U.S. taxpayers millions

David Keyes’ recent condemnation of a faction of the state GOP may have some merit. However, he failed to put the issue in the proper perspective and identify those factors that have contributed to the cultural issue.

By most accounts, the Bonner County Fair has become much more commercially oriented over the past two decades. The Sandpoint area has increasingly become a destination resort. The downtown business area is primarily a real estate and entertainment district for transplants and transients.

The demographic changes have resulted in very high increases in property taxes. This, couple with the loss of income, has forced many local residents to relocate as wages have not kept up with the cost of living in the area. There is certainly animosity toward illegal immigrants who have displaced U.S. citizens as well a costing U.S. taxpayers millions for services.

David Keyes needs to acknowledge that, during this difficult economic time, the average American worker is not having a “fiesta.”

PETER C. WAAS

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