I was a decent math student up until 9th ​​grade. It was able to quickly and efficiently add, subtract, multiply and divide into your head. Most of that talent was through delving into baseball box scores on my local paper every afternoon.

Basic mental mathematics was pretty simple for me, but algebra was different. Algebra has several nuances. This is the depth of thinking needed to reach the final answer.

I didn’t think much about mathematics until a recent bill sponsored by Rep. Chris Todd and Sen. Brent Taylor passed the House Subcommittee despite legitimate concerns from faith-based organizations and nonprofits.

invoice Create a Class A misdemeanor to “port or hide” someone who is illegally present in the United States, and then a $1,000 penalty, hidden, hugged or protected in prison for up to a year. “Human smuggling” attacks also tackled the already established laws of human trafficking. At first glance, it was another example of Todd’s basic political mathematical formula. Add another law to existing law to resolve the “problem.”

Three years ago, Todd, a Jackson Republican, sponsored a legislation that “creates crimes.” Where people engage in adult cabaret performances on public property, or non-adults can see adult cabaret performances. ”

Tennessee bill criminalizes immigrants without legal status

Tennessee already had laws on public decency, including obscene exposure, disorderly conduct, even public blur, and urinating even in public. Todd’s bill targets the LGBTQ+ community and adds another measure to deflate already marginalized groups.

Basic Political Mathematics: Add laws that directly affect the groups of people you oppose, and hope that it will push them back into the shadows.

After a massive shooting at Covenant School in Nashville two years ago, Gov. Bill Lee called for a special legislative meeting to create some protective measures for responsible gun ownership. However, Todd sponsored measures that allow employees at certain schools to openly carry firearms at schools and school events.

Basic Political Mathematics: Better People with Guns Solve the problem of bad guys with guns.

For a long time, I have choked these bills to the Todd. He knows exactly what he’s doing and does it well.

On the surface, there are many parts of current laws and pending GOP laws that can be supported by Republicans, Democrats, or independent people.

No one should come out as a simple target for anyone who wants unprotected children at school and has firearms. Don’t want children to be exposed to the sly acts of inappropriate sexuality in public places. No one should believe that it’s okay for a person to commit a violent crime – a US citizen or non-citizen. No one should want to be “smuggled” or exploited by an industry or company that wants cheap labor. Adults and children should not want human trafficking or prostitutes.

But that’s why the “basic mathematics” approach of law is so insidious. All Tennessees need problematic issues to avoid and present false solutions, by advancing a fundamentally conservative agenda while using exaggerated or blatantly false narratives to hurt the vulnerable people in our state.

The latest laws by Memphis Republicans Todd and Taylor are seemingly easy to follow, but the most concerning addendum threatens misdemeanor claims to help immigrants without permanent legal status.

This is where the basic mathematics approach runs the course, and requires some much-needed algebraic nuances.

Immigration is a complex subject with more grey areas than black and white. If there are more questions than answers, the above addendum generates valid concerns and concerns based on the rhetoric of President Donald Trump and lawmakers who openly support him, if not redundant, or almost non-rational.

I teach at school along with many newborns who don’t speak much English. I will be attending a church that supports nonprofits that help undocumented immigrants find a way to full citizenship. If I knew that one of my students or their family was not a citizen, would I be fined a thousand dollars? More importantly, what will happen to migrants who are on the path to citizenship rather than complete citizenship? Is the intention of this bill to truly protect the vulnerable population of immigrants in Tennessee, or is it another way to promote a malicious move to eliminate children and families from our state and country?

Based on recent voting patterns by our vast majority, I already know the answer to that question. It’s as easy as one plus one.