In the midst of the conversation regarding undocumented aliens in Rhode Island, I wonder why we hesitate to discuss those who truly cost us money on a daily basis.

Financial institutions squeeze fees out of us at each ATM transaction, or hard-sell us subprime loan products. We find ourselves barely able to afford to drive to work, while the oil industry reaps historic profits from the price of gasoline.

Our government gambles with the lives of our youth, our treasury, and our standing in the world on a war based on misstatements, misplaced fear and corporate greed (see “oil industry” above) — and it is losing on all counts.

Tax cuts primarily beneficial to the wealthy, in place for nearly seven years, have bankrupted our ability to make basic repairs and replacements to highways and bridges, weakened our educational system, and contributed to the drain of many other resources.

We do have the ability to find creative solutions to issues of undocumented workers in our state, and in our country. For example, a worker-registration process complete with taxpayer ID would make more sense than sending non-criminal wage-earners to prison and deportation, all at great expense to U.S. taxpayers. We would do well to accept “illegal aliens” as coworkers and neighbors who will raise their children and add to the richness of the American mix.

Let’s turn our righteous attention toward real criminals, including those wearing very expensive suits.

BARBARA A. GIANOLA

Providence