Breaking one’s word makes a politician untrustworthy. But does it also make a politician go crazy? If not, why is Colorado Congressman Tom Tancredo talking so crazy? Tancredo won his congressional seat promising he would not go to Washington for a career. After six years, outta there. But once in office he found plenty of reasons for continuing to enjoy the perks and prestige in the Congress.
Today, his bountiful importance has rendered Tancredo prostrate with awe. The need for immigration reform makes him especially indispensable, he says. But Tancredo’s reform agenda seems to have been hijacked by scapegoating and bigotry. In a recent interview Tancredo says, “There are places right now in East LA and southern Texas that you would honestly think there is absolutely nothing that you would say makes them part of the United States of America. They are a separate country it is a separate country right now, at this moment.”
Uh . . . how about a desire for freedom and to build a better life, Congressman Tancredo? Isn’t that what makes these people Americans regardless of the language they speak or their race or creed? Then Tancredo adds, “Now how many people in their heart of hearts in [the Islamic Community] want to see the demise of this country? How many would cheer, not out loud maybe, but in their hearts when things like 9/11 occur? . . . I’ll tell you; it’s a majority.” Cripes. I guess if you can’t prove your lineage going back to the Mayflower, you’re some kind of traitor.
This is Common Sense. I’m Paul Jacob.