Ranting about government and citizens looking out for illegal aliens and ignoring American citizens

I don't understand it. President Bush will sign into law a bill to authorize $289 million during the next five years so that states can train volunteers and provide respite services to families caring at home for family members. The government says that anyone not related to someone can be paid nurse wages to help out with daily activities. But a person that provides care to a family member in medical need of full-time care can not even get a break on their taxes or assistance with medical or anything?

Why is it that family members that provide care for their loved ones in need are left with nothing toward their own health and future, but illegal aliens are given money hand over fist because they are in the country illegally? We have churches and other groups jumping up and down going all bleeding heart about the picked on illegal aliens that might be deported and how they have to have full medical and food stamps and money for housing and on and on, and yet the family caregivers have nothing.

There is a place on the public assistance applications that specifically says:

*Ethniticity
(optional)

Hispanic
or Latino?

Yes
No

That is EXACTLY how it is laid out. All they want to know is "Yes or No" are you Hispanic or Latino. They don't want to know if you are Native American, or Native Alaskan, or African American, or anything else. Just a whole column that is asking "Are you Hispanic or Latino? Yes or No".

Their little asterisk takes you to a disclaimer that says:

"*Disclosure of your Race and Ethnicity information is voluntary and will not affect your eligibility or level of benefits. This information will be used to assure that program benefits are distributed without regard to race, color or national origin."

Okay, first off, I need to note that in a separate column they do ask about race. Again it is optional to answer, and their choices there are: Alaskan Native, American Indian, Asian, Black/African-American, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, White.

Now, why do they have to know, specifically, if you are Latino or Hispanic? Aren't there other ethnic groups out there? Why not ask if you belong to one of them?

Sorry, rant off. It just annoys the heck out of me that the government and citizens of this country are so dang wrapped up in making sure that the people that are in this country illegally are taken care of that they neglect the people like me that were born here, that provide needed care to a WWII veteran, and can not even afford to go see a doctor or dentist myself or take my cat (that may have busted his leg) to a vet.

(Note to animal lovers: Harry is doing okay, curls up in my lap and purrs, but his ankle is still swollen and hurting him and he's keeping it up off floor when he walks. He spends most of his time in a soft cat bed with food and water beside it. He's not being abused other than his owner don't have the cash upfront that vets demand to even look at, much less take care of, hurt animals.)