by Pam Baker
It wasn’t until national news sources and indeed a Texas Congressman made a public comment about Becca Balint’s incredible statement at a Town Hall meeting in Newport on May 28th talking about if we don’t get more immigrants, there will be no one to “wipe our asses” that someone finally thought it would be a good idea to check in with Ms. Balint. Per VT Digger: “In a June 2 statement responding to an inquiry from NBC5 News about Dame’s critique, Balint did not directly refer to her choice of language in the comment in Newport.” Rather, she drew comparisons between her and President Trump.
“In the last four months, President Trump has repeatedly wrongfully detained, deported, and disappeared people — an immoral violation of fundamental human rights,” Balint said in the statement to NBC5 News. “He has made immigrants, regardless of status, feel unsafe and targeted all around the country. As Vermonters, we’re so proud that we are seen as a safe place to land. I’m unwavering in my position that immigrants and refugees are welcome in Vermont and that every worker in every job deserves dignity and fair wages — from doctors and scientists to carpenters and farmworkers. I’ve relentlessly condemned the Trump administration’s cruel practices targeting and separating immigrant families, and I will continue to stand up for the rights of every person in this country.”
Three days later, on June 5, in an interview with VTDigger, Balint apologized for the remark. She called it “sloppy and insensitive,” the online news outlet reported.
“I want to apologize to anyone who was hurt by my comments, and I want Vermonters to understand that my position hasn’t changed,” Balint told VTDigger. “It has been and always will be about protecting immigrants and fighting for dignity and fair wages for every single person in this country.” End of VTDigger reporting.
And yet, that apology seems utterly lacking in sincerity. Indeed, she immediately goes on to say her position hasn’t changed. Does this mean she still thinks we need immigrants to wipe our assess? I mean, the only response should have been a sincere and shameful mea culpa. Something like, “I don’t know what possessed me to say such a heinous thing about immigrants. I love immigrants and want to protect them from the government, but in the moment, the comment just slipped out. I am terribly sorry for my words, and my thought processes.” See… there is no getting around that mindset. That is what she really thinks about immigrants. She can’t even apologize sincerely.
Illegal aliens need to be deported. They broke the law, were not properly admitted to this country. It hurts legal immigrants who worked so hard to get here only to be sidestepped by people breaking this country’s laws. Plain and simple.
And Becca Balint needs to be voted out of office. Election cycle has already started. She is running around the state shaking hands and being her scrappy little self. It’s time for us to get on it. What are YOU doing to ensure she doesn’t get reelected?
We need a Representative who is working for all Vermonters. Not running around being an activist. She can do that on her own time. Not on ours.