Hispanic Lawmaker Condemns Cain’s Electric Fence Joke

Presidential hopeful Herman Cain’s comment about installing an electric fence on the U.S.-Mexico border has drawn the ire of the chairman of the Hispanic Congressional Caucus.

“Words have consequences, both in shaping ideas and inspiring actions,” Rep. Charles Gonzales (D-Texas) said in a statement Monday. “Mr. Cain’s words show a lack of understanding of the immigration issues our country is facing and a staggering lack of sensitivity.”

While campaigning over the weekend, Cain remarked that the U.S. should use an electrified, barbed wire fence to kill anybody attempting to enter the country illegally. When confronted over the remarks during an interview on NBC Sunday, Cain dismissed the comments as a joke.

However, Gonzales finds little comfort in Cain’s justification.

“I see nothing funny about killing other human beings,” Gonzales said. “Leave the comic routines to the professional comedians.”