WHO’S WHO

I have found that it is a good idea to know who is behind political candidates or political ideas. Far too often people and ideas on the first glance may seem like a good idea, but many times there are ulterior motives at work. Here in Oklahoma political candidates and political parties must report financial donors to the Ethics Commission. Much of that information is available to the public by simply going to their website and pulling up the information. While politicians and political parties must report this information, there is a flaw in the system that allows groups challenging issues in our courts to keep the public in the dark as to who their supporters are.

In the last session of the State Legislature the lawmakers passed House Bill 1804, which was authored by Republican State Rep. Randy Terrill. House Bill 1804 banned illegal aliens from obtaining official state government IDs - such as driver's licenses, terminates most public assistance and entitlement benefits for illegal aliens, grants state and local law enforcement officials the authority to enforce federal immigration law, and enacts employer penalties for knowingly hiring illegal aliens.

Recently the Tulsa World reported on the creation of the "Say No to 1804 Legal Defense Fund," which will spearhead the effort to overturn state law through the court system. We need to remember HB 1804 passed the Legislature by an overwhelming, bipartisan and veto-proof majority and was signed into law by the governor. On this particular issue Oklahomans from both political parties came together, listened to the people of Oklahoma and passed House Bill 1804.

Representative Terrill was quoted as saying, "This group is trying to use the judiciary to indirectly accomplish a goal they cannot achieve through the political process," and "They will try to forum-shop and judge-shop to look for a liberal activist judge who will overturn the law regardless of proper constitutional dictates.” This is an old tactic that has been used before. Recently a federal judge recently struck down a city ordinance in Hazelton, Pennsylvania, that would have penalized landlords who rent to
illegal immigrants and employers who hire them.

Evidently some people cannot understand what illegal means. If someone wants to become a citizen and enjoy the benefits of this country, let them go through the proper channels. We should have the right to know WHO supports rewarding those who violate our laws.