Michael Johnson’s letter of June 4 castigated me and the Republicans for my letter published May 25 regarding the response to illegal aliens by both the Democratic governor and Democratic majority in the Legislature.

What part of “illegal” doesn’t Johnson understand? Does he not know federal law? What about national security? We must all do our part.

A direct quote from Gov. John Baldacci’s 2004 executive order said that state agencies should not inquire about immigration status when someone is seeking services. The governor must now deal with the federal Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 to be in force July 1, 2006, and compels anyone seeking Medicaid coverage to provide proof of legal residency in the U.S.

Democratic votes defeated L.D. 1079 (reporting illegal alien suspects to authorities) and amended L.D. 501 (by removing the requirement of proof of legal presence in the U.S. in order to obtain a driver’s license). The Democrats used their numerical superiority. Legislators’ votes were recorded.

What to do about illegal aliens is another matter. The governor and the Democrats have chosen to look the other way.

Since when is it patriotic to allow our country to be overrun by illegal aliens? If the best argument Mr. Johnson has is to refer to me as “practicing demagogery [sic] to the normal Republican low,” he should verify the facts stated in my letter and tell me where they are not accurate. His use of the words “laughable, nauseating, irksome and tiring” replace his absence of facts.

Rep. Thomas F. Shields, Auburn