Very interesting insight into the mind of Tom Tancredo

[journalist3072]

So I was listening to Road to the White House on C-span Radio earlier this evening. And they featured one of Tom Tancredo's events.

Of course, knowing Tom Tancredo, you know that he focused heavily on the issue of immigration.

And then he started ranting and raving about how when you call different places, you might encounter the option "Press 1 for English," "Press 2 for Espanol," etc. And then he went ranting and raving about bilingual ballots at election time, saying that if someone hasn't been able to understood the issues raised during the campaign, they have no business voting.

There are some aspects I agree with him on. I do believe those foreigners who come here, need to make every effort to learn the English language. I must admit that sometimes I feel like a foreigner in my own country, when I encounter, for example, a cashier who really doesn't understand the English language and can't understand when I say "meat well done, please."

However, Tancredo doesn't seem to want ANY accomodations for those coming here who are trying to acclomate and learn the English language. And what makes him think that just because English isn't someone's primary language, that they don't understand what's at stake in an election? On the websites of many of the candidates, there is an "En Espanol" option so that people who speak Spanish can click that, and read the candidate's website to know where they stand on the issues. So he's wrong to say that if someone doesn't understand English, they haven't understood the issues in the campaign and have no business voting.

The other comment I found very telling, was when Tancredo was talking about securing our boarders. And he said that was the only promise he could make: that he would secure our boarders. He said that stuff like health care, we would have to figure out ourselves. His job was to protect the American public.

He seemed to be saying that he would be a single-issue President: securing our boarder. And forget every other issue that needs a President's attention, such as health care.

If nothing else, it's very interesting to listen to someone like Tom Tancredo, and get some insight into how their sick, twisted mind works.

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

1. I live next to Tancredo's district. He comes off all smart, but humble.

He's an embarrassment for most of our state.

He's another Romney, only worse. If possible.

MKJ

[BlooInBloo]

2. Just you're average run-of-the-mill American bigot.

[cynatnite]

3. Tancredo wants stupid people...they only speak one language...

and has no tolerance for other languages because he's a racist mofo.

I don't expect anyone to learn the language I speak. It's a free country and people should speak however the hell they like. We're supposed to be a country of acceptance...a country of respect and a country that's built on immigrants. We should learn other languages to make those who come here feel welcome...not tell them to do it our way.

[journalist3072]

5. Sorry, I just disagree with that

I do believe that people wanting to come here, should learn the English language. As the old saying goes "when in Rome, do as the Romans do." You can best believe that when Americans go to other countries, they expect us to speak their language.

And I shouldn't be made to feel like a stranger in my own country. Like I said in my original post, I expect that when I good to a fast food restaurant, and say "meat well done," the person taking my order should understand that. That's a frequent problem I encounter.

However, I do believe we need to make accomodations for people while they are trying to learn the language. I do believe in things like bi-lingual ballots, for example.

[cynatnite]

6. You feel like a stranger in the US because someone speaks another language?

Sorry, but that's complete bullshit. I bet the Native Americans felt the same way when the whites invaded with their English language.

[BlooInBloo]

7. It's par for the course. Americans are stupid, mean, and bigoted.

[journalist3072]

8. No, I'm fine that they speak another language. I have a problem, though,

when they are working in our stores, restaurants, etc, and they haven't bothered to learn the English language. And so when you say "how much is this" or "no tomatoes" they don't have a clue what you are saying.

And I think THAT is unacceptable. I think especially if you are trying to be employed in this country, you need to speak the predominant language--English.

[cynatnite]

9. Our stores and our restaurants?

They belong to the business owners and it's up to them. Besides, they could have another segment of the population besides the English speaking folk they cater to.

Also, we have so many people here who speak other languages that we NEED people who speak something besides English.

Here's a little Spanish for you next time that might help...

Habla English?

I hope it didn't hurt too much for you to learn that. :eyes:

[journalist3072]

13. You and I will just have to disagree on this. I stand by my statement

I think it's absolutely wonderful that we have such a diverse country.

However, I do believe that when people want to come here to live, they need to learn how to speak English. I can't tell you how many times I've been in stores or restaurants, have a cashier not understand what I am saying, and they have to get one of their English-speaking colleagues to find out what it is I want or am asking.

And I believe that is unacceptable. You want to live and work in this country? Learn the predominant language.

I expect that if I were to go to Ethiopia to live, I would learn learn the language there.

[BlooInBloo]

14. And they do. It's just a lie made up by white folks that they don't. Just a lie.

[cynatnite]

16. You like the diversity as long as it doesn't infringe on you...

:eyes:

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

10. How did you end up here? "A stranger in my own country" because your fast food servers don't

understand "well done"?

You have a good life if that's your biggest gripe.

MKJ

[BlooInBloo]

11. I don't know what everyone's all up in arms about. This is *typical* American attitude.

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

12. We've seen it here plenty, that's for sure.

And we're supposedly the party of the working class.

MKJ

[saltpoint]

4. Tom Tancredo has a mind? Who knew?

[mitchtv]

15. Sad, that's all I can say Sad

I just love Spanish and speak itwhenever I can. Time for Americans to wake up and realize the Karma involved in the Mexican Cession

[UTUSN]

17. Undocumented immigrants canNOT vote, for starters.

#1 - the few Hispanics who vote have been here many years and speak ingles.

#2 - the undocumented persons are so busy running, hiding, and otherwise surviving that they have NO idea who is on their side. Previous generations of THEM are still adoring RAYGUN for HIS immigration law.

#3 - Anybody whose surname ends in a vowel ought to be more tolerant of other vowel-endings.