Immigration is a topic debated in our country since its inception, with the events of 9/11 making it a pressing issue for this generation. The laws in place seem ineffective, and the topic deserves intelligent discussion aimed at striking a balance between accepting productive citizens and defending ourselves.

Which is why I find Rep. Thomas Shields partisan letter of May 25 irksome.

Immigration is a national issue, affecting some states more than others although, ultimately, it touches all Americans. Our citizens and leaders need to set parameters for legal and illegal immigration without repeating past mistakes. The state laws Rep. Shields writes about are part of this debate and merit consideration

What’s tiring is his tying this issue to Maine Democrats and Gov. Baldacci.

Beating the drum of the patriotic, law-abiding American, Rep. Shields takes his practice of demagogery to the normal Republican low usually reserved for issues such as abortion or gay rights. Polarizing the voting public while labeling his political opposition weak on a “serious criminal issue,” Rep. Shields takes a very gray issue and tries to make it black-and-white, wrong or right.

That tactic is eerily reminiscent of his legislative counterparts’ attempt to convince Mainers that raising the minimum wage would result in welfare mothers making $50,000 a year – laughable, yet nauseating at the same time.

Michael Johnson, Windham