Clarion Ledger – Bryant should drop immigration issues
Gov. Phil Bryant’s attitude on getting a state immigration enforcement bill passed seems to be one of “my mind’s made up, don’t confuse me with the facts.”
Fact is, state immigration bills are hot-button issues that work more on voters’ fears and resentments than their rational judgment of the facts.
When jobs are scarce, why not blame a scapegoat? Like illegal immigrants?
Flogging the immigration horse has been good for Bryant politically. He rode that issue while state auditor, coming up with a claim that illegal immigrants were costing state taxpayers millions. Illegal immigrants probably were costing some state services, but there was no hard evidence to Bryant’s figures, and the services and taxes they provide in under-the-counter, low-wage work probably outweighed the cost.
Clarion Ledger
3/29/12
Magnolia Tribune
