The colorful Pat McDonough, who considered a run for Governor but instead will bid to retain his seat in the House of Delegates, is using his bully pulpit to blast a resolution to be introduced by Baltimore City Councilwoman Sharon Green Middleton.
McDonough's staunch opposition to illegal immigration extends to a pledge to introduce a bill similar to Arizona's SB1070 if re-elected to the General Assembly next year. In contrast, Middleton's proposal codifies the City of Baltimore's opposition to the law.
In a press release, McDonough cites the following reasons for his oppostion to Middleton's resolution:
- A City Council resolution does not have the power of law, but is simply a suggestion.
- Baltimore City's law-making authority is superseded by the supremacy of the state and federal government legislative powers.
- Using the term "Anti-Immigration Law" is misleading and inaccurate. The Arizona Act is not related to immigration, but addresses violators of the immigration law, accurately referred to as "Illegal aliens" in lawful language.
Pat concluded that, "Councilwoman Middlebrook is determined to continue to make sure Baltimore City remains a 'sanctuary city.' She is hurting the taxpayers, crime victims, and neighborhoods she represents. She and other politicians like her are part of the problem, not part of the solution."
This brings up a larger issue, though. The Middleton resolution smacks of symbolism over substance and places the Baltimore City Council in a position where more pressing issues are placed on the back burner over a law which barely, if at all, affects the City of Baltimore. Obviously, should Delegate McDonough be re-elected and able to introduce his bill into the General Assembly then Councilwoman Middlebrook and any of her resolution supporters will be free to express their disgust with the idea as private citizens - heck, the SEIU would likely be happy to bus them into Annapolis on the day McDonough's bill is heard.
But as it stands the Middleton resolution is a waste of time for a city with more pressing issues - some created by those illegal aliens the Councilwoman seems to support.
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