Fellow columnist whatizname stole my column idea and used it yesterday, so I am forced to fall back on a topic that is not exactly timely, but just the same, it is extremely important it be addressed.

In 1991, 830,000 legal immigrants came to the United States, costing U.S. taxpayers $30.6 billion. An estimated 300,000 illegal aliens cost an additional $11.9 billion. I'll do the math for you and let you know we are spending $42.5 billion more than we should.

Immigration is a big problem in this country. Unless major reforms are implemented on the distribution of funds to the parasites of our economy, limits have to be set on how many people we let into this country.

Immigration is a very sensitive issue for America. An argument can be made that we are a nation of immigrants. I agree completely. My great-grandfather came through Ellis Island when he was four. If it was not for that, I would not be here. Unfortunately, we were also a nation of slave owners, so the "we are" argument has its holes. We can not live in the past. We must learn from it so we can create a better future.

There is a limited amount of space inside our boarders. I wish we lived in a world that would allow everyone the shot at the American Dream my great-grandfather had. He grew up around the turn of the century and supported a family during the depression. He understood the value of hard work and was the epitome of the American Dream. It is a shame not every immigrant and alien can obtain the same goal.

Just like Americans, some immigrants are fine, hard-working individuals and some are lazy moochers who expect to be handed money simply because they are poor. Unfortunately, even those who are hard working have a hard time finding jobs.

There are immigrants who come to this country and succeed at setting up businesses and blending into our "melting pot" culture. It is not these immigrants who are the problem. The problem lies with those immigrants who, as well intentioned as they may be, are not skilled enough to work their way into society.

America is a high-tech industrial society. The need for hard labor is decreasing at a rapid pace. Computers and robots are replacing assembly line workers and large corporations move factories across the boarder to compete in an increasingly competitive global economy. Adding more people to the labor pool will not help the situation.

I believe in the equality of opportunity not only for every American, but every person. This is not to say that everyone deserves something in life. Rather, everyone should be given the opportunity to better their life. If they fail, however, they should not be given any compensation.

I am a strong believer in Darwin's theory that only the strong survive. If someone wants to come into my country and compete with me for my job, then let the games begin. If I win, though, I do not want to be asked for some of my income becuase my competition is unemployed, and I would not ask for money if I lose.

Government should not spend taxpayer's money on those who fail to make it in this country. The figures I mentioned earlier are net figures. Even after the contributions of taxpaying immigrants, there is still a check in the billions that you and I will have to pick up.

There will not be reform in government payments to individuals. Entitlements empower most of the politicians in our government. Cutting entitlements decreases votes, and that just will not do. So the solution lies with decreasing the number of people we allow to cross our boarders.

An ideal situation would be an almost complete ban on immigration, cutting the number of immigrants by 90 to 95 percent of the current quotas per country. The odds of that happening are just as slim as Congress cutting spending, so the closest alternative is Senate Bill 1351.

Known as the Immigration Reformation Act of 1993, Senate Bill 1351 would set a legal immigration limit of 300,000; only let in 50,000 refugees; prevent those born to illegal aliens from becoming citizens; expand the list of felonies carrying the consequence of deportation for aliens; add 9,600 more Boarder Patrol officers and impose a boarder crossing fee to help with the funding of these measures.

There are other bills dealing with immigration, but they do not offer real reform. They are merely symbolic gestures to appease the electorate. Senate Bill 1351 is the real deal, and it (or something like it) needs to pass if we are going to have our children and grandchildren grow up in an America similar to the one we are accustomed to having.

The Statue of Liberty sends a message to bring America the tired, the poor, the huddled masses yearning to breathe free. It would be wonderful if everyone who wanted to could accept that invitation. However, something has to give. Since Congress cannot control its need for government to be entrenched in our lives, we have to turn people away.

We need to put the sentiment aside and support the Immigration Reformation Act. The problem will not go away with wishful, idealistic thinking. If steps are not taken, the America we know -- and the dream that comes with it -- may slip away.