August 29, 2006

Addressing Illegal Immigration

Tennessee Senate District 21 candidate Bob Krumm: I will propose legislation to make it a criminal offense to knowingly rent to an illegal alien.

That's a good proposal, and one that will address many of the societal ills caused by illegal immigration. Krumm is running against state Sen. Doug Henry, an entrenched incumbent who was first elected to the Senate two years after the first manned moon landing. I searched Henry's campaign website for his position on illegal immigration.

Here is what I found: Nothing. Nada Zip. Zilch.

Krumm's website, by contrast, is loaded with information - detailed information - as to where he stands on a variety of issues, including illegal immigration but also taxes and government spending, education, healthcare policy and more. He even posts all of the "candidate questionnaires" he has received from various special-interest groups and organizations, so you can see where he stands on their issues.

If Sen. Henry is aware that illegal immigration is both a problem and a hot issue, it certainly isn't evident on his website. But, then, there is no "issues" tab on his website at all. Just press releases, pictures, a bio and a "contribute" button. Vote for Henry - why? Because he's been there forever? That's a vote for the past over the future. And in these fast-changing modern times, where the issues are more complex and different than they were in 1971, longevity is hardly a reason to vote for someone who doesn't have a position on one of the year's hottest and most important issues.

Speaking of illegal immigration, Juan Borges, Republican candidate for the Tennessee 60th House district seat, is having a fundraiser event focused on illegal immigration policy, with special guest U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn, tonight at Maggiano's Little Italy, 3106 West End, Nashville. It's from 7-9 p.m., and the suggested minimum donation is $100 per person or couple.