By Paul Allen
For the Journal-Constitution
Published on: 06/15/08

I would like to respectfully take exception to a few of [columnist] Rick Badie's recent comments surrounding two of Gwinnett's most serious and closely intertwined problems of the last several years. ("Politicians use fixation on illegal immigration," Gwinnett News, June

Illegal immigration has long been a very serious issue for many of us, and I have the worn paint brushes from covering up graffiti and even spent bullets collected from neighbor’s houses to prove it. In short, illegal immigrants have already broken several laws in order to get to my neighborhood, and I can attest that their penchant for lawbreaking did not stop at our borders. We have had murders, home invasions and burglaries galore, but we have exercised our choice to stay put and fight for improvement rather than to run elsewhere. Many of those who have tried to run have discovered that they could not hide, as this problem eventually finds us all in one way or another.

We live surrounded by this every day, and we are crystal clear regarding the primary source — yes, illegal immigrants. We have also remained well aware of those officials (both in public office and aspiring to be) who truly want to help us as opposed to merely helping themselves into elected positions.

I agree wholeheartedly with Mr. Badie that citizens tend to hang on for dear life to out-of-context, misleading quotes and outrageous vote-seeking ideas expressed by politicians. The majority of us find it easier to accept the rhetoric and half-truths fed to us than to expend the effort to separate fact from fantasy. THAT is the root of the problem. Many politicians routinely take advantage of citizen apathy and lack of accurate information to attain elected office, after which the amnesia immediately sets in. They do this simply because it’s the easiest route for them, and the voting public has allowed them to do it.

As one of only FIVE “just plain citizensâ€