By Steve Neavling
ticklethewire.com
Frustrated with the fear-mongering rhetoric of Republican candidates for president, Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson said it’s time for more “responsible dialogue,” the Washington Post reports.
“All of us in public office, those who aspire to public office and who command a microphone owe the public calm, responsible dialogue and decision-making,” Johnson said at a conference hosted by Latino lawmakers. “Not overheated, over simplistic rhetoric and proposals of superficial appeal. In a democracy, the former leads to smart and sustainable policy. The latter can lead to fear, hate, suspicion, prejudice and government overreach. These words are especially true in matters of homeland security and they are especially true in matters of immigration policy.”
Johnson said illegal border entries continue to fall, despite public opinion that it’s on the rise.
The rhetoric, Johnson said, is causing unnecessary fear and calls for extraordinary measures.
“Building a wall across the entire Southwest border is not the answer,” Johnson said.
