Readers React: Cantor’s defeat shouldn’t kill immigration reform

Is it possible that a few thousand people in a single suburban district in Virginia will determine the nation’s future policy on immigration? The notion that outgoing House Majority Leader Eric Cantor’s defeat will “send a shudder through rank-and-file lawmakers” due to the outcry in this one district over his support for limited immigration legislation is alarming. (“Eric Cantor defeat by tea party shakes Republican politics to its core,” June 10)

There are many reasons Cantor lost his primary to a tea party-backed conservative. Perhaps he simply ran a poor campaign. But this should not upend the our entire legislative process.

Surely Cantor’s defeat sends a message from that district, but what about the rest of the nation’s overwhelming support for immigration reform?

Carolyn Dingus

Oceanside

Individuals elected to Congress are repeatedly presented with opportunities to achieve great things. With the help of Republican Sen. Everett Dirksen, President Lyndon Johnson was able to get the Civil Rights Act through an intransigent, Dixiecrat-influenced Congress.

Cantor, as the House majority leader, had the opportunity to pass comprehensive immigration reform, increase the minimum wage, begin this nation’s work on climate change and do meaningful and long-lasting work for the American people. And on every issue he was the Dixiecrat.

He’s out now because he hitched his wagon to the tea party that ultimately, and ironically, turned on him. The worst part is that after all that time in Congress, he has nothing Dirksen-worthy to show for it. What a shame and a waste.

Eugene Sison

San Dimas