In Mortal Danger
By Jamie Glazov
FrontPageMagazine.com | August 3, 2006
Frontpage Interview's gust today is Congressman Tom Tancredo, who represents Colorado's 6th district in the U.S. House of Representatives. Prior to his election to Congress in 1998, Tancredo worked as a school teacher, was elected to the Colorado State House of Representatives in 1976, was appointed by President Reagan as the Secretary of Education's Regional Representative in 1981, and served as President of the Independence Institute. He serves on the International Relations Committee, the Resources Committee, and the Budget Committee, and is the chairman of the Congressional Immigration Reform Caucus. He is the author of the new book In Mortal Danger: The Battle for America's Border and Security.
FP: Congressman Tom Tancredo, welcome to Frontpage Magazine.
Tancredo: Thank you.
FP: Lets first begin with the Israel-Hezbollah conflict right now. What do you make of it?
Tancredo: I believe that the Israel-Hezbollah conflict has been instigated by Iran in order to divert attention from their expanding nuclear arms development program.
FP: The evidence seems to suggest that. It is incredible how Israel is not allowed to defend itself in the eyes of the international community.
So overall, what is the key issue that is concerning you?
Tancredo: The United States – and Western Civilization itself – seem to be on the downhill side of history because we have lost our ability and desire to appreciate the value of both. In the Vietnam War era, college students would chant “Ho Ho Ho. Western Civilization has got to go.”
FP: Now it appears the academic Left is lost in Hezbollah and the Radical Islamists. What do you make of the Left and its clear siding with our enemy in this terror war, whether it be with the enemy in Iraq or with Hezbollah and the enemies of democratic Israel?
Tancredo: As I mention in the book, the cult of multiculturalism really hates America – at least the America that exemplifies any aspect of Western civilization. That hatred spills over into their foreign policy positions.
FP: So expand a bit on the ways you think America is heading down the road to ruin.
Tancredo: Well it is going. Today students are being taught that the word “America” defines the continent/s and not a nation. Western Europe is becoming Islamasized while the US is becoming a bi-lingual nation. The ties that hold us together as a nation are becoming frayed and our ability to assimilate millions of immigrants is severely diminished. Add to this the fact that millions of those same immigrants do not wish to assimilate and you have a prescription for balkanization. If all this were not bad enough, we have are in the middle of a clash of civilizations that pits the West against Islamofascism. We are in mortal danger.
FP: So how do we solve accepting certain immigrants with our tolerance when these certain immigrants are intolerant?
Tancredo: There is no way to square that circle. We cannot allow people into this country – or allow them to stay – if they are committed to its destruction and replacement with a Caliphate.
FP: What is part of your prescription for repairing the damage?
Tancredo: The pathway back from the precipice on which we find ourselves will be found by doing several things including taking back our schools and the curricula therein. Also we must make it difficult to live in this country if you refuse to learn how to speak English and especially if you are here illegally. And of course, we need a President who will challenge us to reaffirm our commitment to the idea of a unique American culture and the sovereignty of the nation state.
FP: What are some ways we can enforce the learning of English?
Tancredo: [1] Repeal all bilingual education mandates. Replace them with requirements that non-English speaking children be provided English immersion classes
[2] Register your concern with any company that provides bi-lingual menus, directions, or any other messages directed to non- English speaking customers.
[3] Start a consumer movement to patronize any business or service that respects idea of English language primacy.
[4] Support any political candidate who has the guts to support the above.
FP: Please reiterate exactly why this will help the nation.
Tancredo: A bilingual person has an asset in his or her linguistic ability. A bilingual nation is disadvantaged – especially one that is already culturally fracturing. Because America is unique in that it was founded by a set of ideas and ideals instead of tribalism or ethnicity, it is imperative that we demand allegiance to them – and a way to communicate them – to all who live here. There are few things that hold us together as a nation. One of the most important is a common language.
FP: What are some more effective steps we can take to curb illegal immigration and to safeguard our borders?
Tancredo: The single most important step that could be taken to curb illegal immigration would be to create social security cards that are far more reliable than those in use now and then aggressively go after employers who hire illegal immigrants. If an employer is found to have done so, the penalty, among other things should be to have the IRS disallow all deductions for labor expense previously claimed by the employer. There should be a stiff penalty imposed along with interest charges. Egregious violators should be jailed.
Jobs are the magnet for illegal immigrants. End the practice of hiring illegal aliens and few would venture into the country and millions would return to their country of origin. Those who remain would have to be deported. The borders would be more easily defended under these circumstances.
FP: What are your thoughts on Hillary winning in 2008, as John Podhoretz has warned is very possible? What might happen to the security of this nation in such a scenario?
Tancredo: There is no doubt in my mind that another Clinton in the White House would be disastrous for America in many ways but I think the possibility if that is remote at the present time. Mrs. Clinton remains popular only in left wing circles and cannot seem to attract centrist voters no matter how many political u turns she makes.
FP: Mr. Tancredo, thank you for joining us, it was a privilege to speak with you.
Tancredo: My pleasure Jamie.
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Jamie Glazov is Frontpage Magazine's managing editor. He holds a Ph.D. in History with a specialty in Soviet Studies. He edited and wrote the introduction to David Horowitzs new book Left Illusions. He is also the co-editor (with David Horowitz) of the new book The Hate America Left and the author of Canadian Policy Toward Khrushchevs Soviet Union (McGill-Queens University Press, 2002) and 15 Tips on How to be a Good Leftist. To see his previous symposiums, interviews and articles Click Here. Email him at jglazov@rogers.com.
