Cong. Tom Tancredo: Standing Out From the Fray
By Felicia (Fee) Benamon (04/17/06)
In the midst of all the flip-flopping by the Senate on illegal immigration, I have looked for future leaders in our nation who favor sealing the borders and aggressively acting on illegal immigration. Congressman Tom Tancredo (R-CO) has stood out to me, not only for his conservative leanings, but because of his tireless effort to remind Americans of the many problems associated with allowing illegals to work and live in America, and the problems along the border.
A recent TIME poll found that most Americans, 56 to 40 percent, want a border wall built along Mexico and America... all the way across. 62 percent of Americans want the military to guard the border. 51 percent want ALL illegals deported, and the border sealed.
I believe Congressman Tancredo is the type of man who Americans would consider as a possible candidate for President in the 2008 elections, if given the chance. Right now, other names in the Republican party are floating about and I'm surprised to hear there is rarely a mention of Tancredo. Probably perhaps because the "good 'ol boy" club of RINO's are trying to get their names in the spotlight. They, to me, are not the ones to watch.
Since 1999, for 4 terms, Tancredo has represented the 6th District of Colorado in the House. During that time, he has stood for tough legislation to curb illegal immigration. He is the founder/chairman of the Congressional Immigration Reform Caucus, a group which takes a look at current immigration policy, creating a "much-needed forum in Congress to address both the positive and negative consequences of immigration," as mentioned on the website. In the past, amnesty options have been reviewed and debated. However, they have become stale. I figure lawmakers in the House also consider the fact we are dealing with serious issues such as terrorism today, and have applied that to reasons for radically curtailing illegal immigration.
Tancredo is not in favor of guest-worker programs or favors for illegal immigrants. He is completely against illegal immigration. After the Martinez-Hagel bill failed, Tancredo issued several statements.
"Today is a good day for America. The Senate - in a rare moment of clarity - rejected its amnesty-now, enforcement-later approach to immigration," he said.
Tancredo shows that he is listening to the American public, something sorely lacking in the Senate.
"Over the Easter break, I will help inform the Senators’ constituents of what their representatives are doing in Washington. Hopefully, listening to their electorate will chasten these Senators so that they’ll put amnesty away for good,” he stated.
"No amnesty bill will pass the House of Representatives so long as Republican leadership holds to its promise to block legislation that doesn’t command the support of a GOP majority. Amnesty is a non-starter. If the Senate is serious about sending real security legislation to the President’s desk this year, it must take a different approach,” Tancredo stressed.
Congressman Tancredo continued to blast the failed Senate plan, Sen. Frist, Democrats, and "squishy" Republicans, saying they "squandered a great opportunity to secure our borders and gain control of our broken immigration system."
(see article below)
Yes, Congressman Tancredo tells it like it is, and doesn't hold back. He's the sort of strong person we need running for the next President. The U.S. cannot stand for anyone to take a wimpy approach on important matters. We need a fighter, and Tancredo delivers!
"Immigration reform is perhaps the most important challenge facing America. How America resolves this challenge will not only determine what kind of country America will be, but whether or not America will remain a country at all," Tancredo warns.
He points out, "The immigration issue has nothing to do with race, ethnicity, religion, or country of origin insofar as I am concerned. Rather, it is a simple question of numbers, costs and perhaps most importantly, social and cultural cohesion."
(see "immigration reform...most important challenge" below)
The reason our leaders in the House were so able to put together a strong immigration bill (such as H.R. 4477), is because of their willingness to listen to their constituents, to weigh the pros and cons of illegal immigration, and finally, to come together to make a sound decision to protect this country. I applaud Congressman Tancredo for instituting the Immigration Reform Caucus.
Tancredo has also kept his eye on worldwide events, passionately pleading the case for continued U.S. intervention in the drastic situation in Sudan. It isn't an area widely talked about, but nevertheless, Tancredo has been very vigilant in helping this war torn area of Africa.
"In the 107th Congress, I celebrated a great victory on this issue. The Sudan Peace Act, which I introduced to help facilitate famine relief efforts and a comprehensive solution to the war in Sudan, was passed by both the House of Representatives and the Senate and signed into law on October 21, 2002 by President Bush," Tancredo mentions.
He is a member of the House International Relations Committee, speaking out and working against human rights abuses around the world.
"Sudan is not the only country across the globe that has been plagued by years and years of human rights abuses. I am extremely concerned about the human rights abuses all over the world and will continue to focus a great deal of my efforts to fight against these abuses, especially in countries such as China, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and East Timor. People all over the world deserve the same freedoms and rights that we enjoy every day in the United States, and Congress should do its best to extend these freedoms across the globe," says Tancredo.
(see "human rights/international relations" below)
Congressman Tancredo is not afraid to deal with the ongoing issue of terrorism, and will face it with a no- nonsense attitude. He has been one to say that the U.S. could "take out" Islamic holy sites if terrorists attacked the U.S. with a nuclear weapons. Of course it was an option he was floating around, thinking of a worse case scenario. It was to basically to send a message that he isn't afraid to fight fire with fire, and he means business!
I believe Congressman Tom Tancredo, if given the chance to represent the Republican party for a 2008 Presidential run, would succeed in areas where former Presidents have failed. To me, he is someone who understands the challenges we face, as he tackles them with a realistic approach. The politics of Washington have not seeped into his head and made him mad.
With focus and strong beliefs, he will be that strong arm that will act and push for many issues that are neglected today... I believe we need his strong leadership. He is standing on the outskirts of the Republican party so to speak because I believe those seeking the Republican nomination fear he is the one to beat, and they should.
In the future, this country could really use someone who is bold, someone who will completely shun political correctness for the sake of preserving our country, and the ideals it was founded upon.
Presently, my vote is for Congressman Tom Tancredo for President in 2008!
Related Reading:
Congressional Immigration Reform Caucus:
http://tancredo.house.gov/irc/welcome.htm
Tancredo Hails Demise of Senate 'Amnesty' Deal:
http://newsmax.com/scripts/printer_friendly.pl?s=pf&page=http://newsmax.com/archives/ic/2006/4/7/153744.shtml
Immigration Reform: Perhaps the most Important Challenge facing America:
http://tancredo.house.gov/press/pressers/PolicyStatement.htm
Human Rights/International Relations:
http://tancredo.house.gov/issues/issue_humanrights.shtml
Congressman Tom Tancredo's position on important issues:
http://tancredo.house.gov/issues/
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