| The negative consequences of HB56 -- lawsuits, bad publicity, racial profiling, school absences, long lines, denial of water, power and sewer service, an exodus of workers, rotting crops, business losses, a $40 million economic contraction, etc. -- are not unintended consequences. This is official, from a Republican mouthpiece: Derek Trotter, a spokesman for Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh, R-Anniston, said Monday evening both House Speaker Mike Hubbard, R-Auburn, and Marsh would be willing to look at changes in any law if "unintended consequences" developed from the statute. "As far as I know, there are no unintended consequences that have been brought to the table at this point," he said.
Mo Brooks said the same thing a few weeks ago; these negative consequences are exactly what Republicans intended when they passed HB56. Scott Beason, Mickey Hammon, Robert Bentley and all the rest intended to cause this mess. In fact, they were warned about virtually all these negative consequences, but proceeded with HB56 anyway -- even though there was a much better immigration bill on the table. I hope the farmers, small business owners, church members and every other Alabamian hurt or offended by HB56 remembers this fact when legislators are next up for election: The consequences of Beason-Hammon (HB56) are exactly what Republicans intended them to be. |
