We Need Honest Discussion on Immigration Reform

letter to the editor of the Hendersonville Times-news:

Last Saturday I attended what was billed as a town hall meeting at BRCC sponsored by Congressman Charles Taylor. The subject was immigration reform and Congressman Tom Tancredo was his guest. Obviously, I failed to get the memo about this not being an open discussion, as I so naively expected a town hall meeting to be. It was nothing more than a right wing pep rally, highlighting Tancredo's extremist views on immigration reform. The "moderator" for the evening was a Taylor lackey who fed the two congressmen only questions that fit their script. Needless to say, my question was not considered!

I heard only extremist views and applause from the audience for those views. I even heard a racist statement added by one politician as a cute phrase attached to an illustration; the audience laughed with glee at the statement!

We need an honest discussion on immigration reform! Where are the voices of reason and tolerance? Where are the voices of people of faith who understand the Biblical call for compassion and concern for the stranger among us?

I challenge this community to have a real town hall meeting where all voices are heard!.