Illegal Immigration Backlash - Against Politicians

All the worry about backlash due to the protests was wasted. Very few people want to personally attack the illegal immigrants. Most of us understand what motivates them, and we’d be glad to have them become Americans. On our terms. Not theirs. That’s what this whole fight is about.

The backlash was saved for the politicians who spent their time serving people who can’t vote for them and ignoring those who could. In Herndon, the mayor and two town council members felt the wrath of the voters and will now be looking for gainful employment. They were warned last summer after a local radio show discussed the day labor center. So many angry people called Town Hall that they had to turn the phones off. Let’s hope on their next job, they remember who provides their paycheck and act accordingly.

The council voted 5 to 2 last August to establish the center, but yesterday’s vote created an apparent 6 to 1 majority in opposition. Steve J. DeBenedittis, 38, a health club operator and political newcomer, defeated Mayor Michael L. O’Reilly with 52 percent of the vote. Council members Carol A. Bruce and Steven D. Mitchell, who voted for the center, also were turned out of office. Jorge Rochac, a Salvadoran businessman who supported the center and was seeking to become the town’s first Hispanic council member, also was defeated.

Elected to the council were challengers William B. Tirrell, Charlie D. Waddell, Connie Haines Hutchinson and David A. Kirby, all opponents of the facility, which was created to help immigrants connect with employers each day.

Two incumbents were reelected. Dennis D. Husch, who was one of the two council members to vote against the center, received more votes than any of the eight other council candidates.

Ken Mehlman, I hope you’re listening.

Judith M. Markbein, 59, a second grade teacher, said she voted the incumbents out because “when we put money into a day-labor site, we are putting money into people who are illegal. I’m not trying to be prejudiced, but when people are given rights that they haven’t earned, it makes me angry.”

The most interesting thing about many quotes in the article were the sense of inevitability of it all. Several people were NIMBY-types. Only a few people seemed to think that only employing people who are here legally is a valid option. Nevertheless, the GOP should read that story and learn the lesson the Herndon politicians did not - or they’ll be seeking new employment soon as well.