Colorado Lawmaker Calls it Like it Is and Faces Punishment

The debate over illegal immigration probably rages as strongly (or more so) in Colorado as it does in California, and one Colorado lawmaker is in trouble for properly describing most of the illegal alien workers to flood into his state:

DENVER (April 21) - A Colorado legislator known for kicking a photographer was ordered to leave the podium of the state House of Representatives on Monday because he called Mexican workers "illiterate peasants."

State Rep. Douglas Bruce, who has a history of provoking controversy, made the comment during debate on a bill that would allow the state to help immigrant workers get temporary federal visas. The measure is intended to ease a shortage of farm workers in the state.

"I would like to have the opportunity to state at the microphone why I don't think we need 5,000 more illiterate peasants in Colorado," Bruce said.

His outburst drew an audible gasp from the House.

"How dare you," said state Rep. Kathleen Curry, a Democrat who was serving as chairwoman during the debate. She told the Republican lawmaker he was no longer recognized to speak.

House Minority Leader Mike May, head of the GOP caucus, said legislative leaders were trying to determine what action to take against Bruce.

Rep. Terrance Carroll, a Democrat, said the remark could result in a formal ethics complaint that would require a hearing and possible suspension, censure or expulsion.

Bruce later defended his remarks.

"I looked up 'illiterate' in the dictionary and it means somebody who is lacking in formal education or is unable to read and write," he said. "I don't think these people who are planning to come over here and pick potatoes or peaches are likely to have much of a formal education. I looked up the word 'peasant.' The word 'peasant' means a person who works in agricultural fields.

"These people, most of them, don't speak English. Most of them haven't had any formal education, that's why they're coming over here. I don't blame them for trying, but I don't think we should pave the way for more aliens to come here," he said.

If they try and punish him for his words I hope he sues them on First Amendment grounds. No question, he'd win. The country is lost if you can be thrown out of government for uttering the words "illiterate peasants".

The AP is showing their own bias in this story. The fact that at one time he had kicked a photographer is totally irrelevant to this story, but the AP chose to include it in order to paint the guy as some sort of hothead and thus devalue his comments.

And what about that response from the Democrat chairwoman: "How dare you!" You could almost see her retreating to her fainting couch with the vapors. Libs don't like it when you quit using politically correct language to describe someone or something.

What's interesting is that AOL ran a poll along with this piece. The question was "What Do You Think of Douglas Bruce's Comment?" So far only 39% have called it offensive, while 61% said they don't have a problem with it. Put me in the 61% category.