Sioux City Journal

Tancredo's comments make him divisive candidate

Posted: Friday, August 10, 2007

SIOUX CENTER, Iowa -- I was shocked to read the Journal's report of Tom Tancredo's comments in Sioux City. His comments regarding undocumented immigrants assume that Iowans are ignorant and bigoted. There are reasons to control illegal immigration, but not the ones presented by this candidate.

Tom, if you haven't noticed, America is already multicultural and always has been. For centuries, immigrants, including my ancestors from Holland, have added their knowledge, skills and traditions to the potluck. The life of my family has been greatly enriched by our relationships with Latino immigrants in Sioux Center and international students attending Northwestern College. Homogeneity is not a desirable condition.

And Tom, if America becomes bilingual, hurray! Citizens in most developed countries grow up learning more than one language. To be compassionate world citizens and just players in the world economy, we should all increase our knowledge of other languages and cultures rather than huddle around the misnomer of an American "common culture."

Wow . . . one more divisive candidate for whom I will NOT vote. -- Kim Van Es

Story Comments

Dick wrote on Sep 3, 2007 4:21 AM:

" for the good of us all, you didn't have to make this personal. That says much about your character, or lack thereof. These things that you mention have been going on for years, why all of a sudden is it the most important issue on the table? Pull your head out and open your eyes, there are more Americans working the welfare system and defrauding it than anyone else. One thing I can say for the people that you have such a distaste for, they work, they want to work. You may want to consider counseling to deal with the fascination issue that you seem to have with my name. "

for the good of us all wrote on Aug 20, 2007 1:46 PM:

" DICK, Can I call you "DICK" for short? Are you stupid? This is the biggest issue on the table! Our wages social services, and even social security is in at risk. Check out the new "FRAUD" cases with mexicans and the Mediciad Program. If you looked at the facts "DICK" you would understand what threats this "invasion" poses. There are drugs that will allow you to lead a normal, productive life "DICK". Call 1-800- A.D.H.D. pil "

Dick wrote on Aug 18, 2007 7:00 AM:

" Tancredo is a single issue candidate which eliminates him from consideration in my opinion. The man is a bigot and a hate monger. There is no room for candidates like himself in the race for President of the United States. He does not even come close to representing what this country stands for. Immigration is not the biggest problem we face, not even close. "

USA Steve wrote on Aug 16, 2007 4:09 PM:

" HEY MIKE, That fringe you speak of was the same that ousted the 2007 immigration reform bill. Sorry you are so out of touch with Americans. You will see on election day if this is an issue or not. "

Mike wrote on Aug 16, 2007 3:27 PM:

" Only in a Republican primary would anyone give credence to the rantings of Tom Tancredo. This guy is a wacko one issue candidate, who runs mean divisive adds that appeal to the very fringe of our society. It is very illustrative that Congressman Steve King counts him as a friend and shares the same narrow minded view. "