No Cohones

I’m going to separate one of the Herald-Leader’s legislative issues out to talk about.

LEGISLATIVE PREVIEW: Issue 5: Immigration

Foes of illegal immigration are hoping that the high-profile attention the issue has gotten in the U.S. presidential race will translate into legislative victories in the upcoming General Assembly session…….

State Rep. Rick Nelson, D-Middlesboro, said the presidential race has kept the illegal immigration issue in the news. He said a growing number of people want the state to curb illegal immigration.

"I feel a growing concern and anger among the citizens," Nelson said. "I feel like there is a growing concern that they're about to get overwhelmed with illegals. I think the cork is about to pop off the bottle."……..

But Nelson acknowledges that his bill is not likely to pass. He said he has not received the support of House Democratic leaders, and he expects the measure to be controversial among urban lawmakers.

This bill makes Rick Nelson look like the same kind of pandering, self-serving xenophobe as Stan Lee. Notice in the quotes the key words are “I feel”, it’s all about Rick, not immigration. The “growing concern that they're about to get overwhelmed with illegals” makes great fodder for politicians who lack the cohones to take on the real issues facing the state.

Immigration is a national issue, the only purpose for Nelson’s bill, which he agrees won’t pass, is to play to the bigotry of his constituents. Rick gets to look tough by beating up on Latinos.

What a waste of time and effort not to mention our tax dollars when a legislator does this kind of grand standing.