Former Republican Congressman Tom Tancredo's 2008 presidential bid was an admitted opportunity to speak against current immigration policy. And while immigration reform remains in Tancredo's sights, his new policy stomping ground may come as a surprise: marijuana legalization.
Since retiring from Congress in 2008, Tancredo has founded the Rocky Mountain Foundation, a non-profit think tank with policy centers and scholars in three primary areas: Immigration and customs reform, energy policy, and the Center for Individual Liberty, focused on marijuana legalization and the failed "war on drugs". In a speech earlier this year, Tancredo says the issue may be seen as "political suicide," but he nonetheless believes it is time for a change in drug policy.
"Everyone jokes that we should just give in and call it the Center for Drug Legalization," Tancredo told Face The State. "What we're really worried about is the government intrusion into our personal lives and private decision making."
The Rocky Mountain Foundation has been compared to the Independence Institute, where Tancredo served as President in 1993. He was elected to the U.S. Congress from Colorado's 6th Congressional District in 1998. Tancredo, who spoke to limited-government activists Monday, was ribbed by current Independence Institute President Jon Caldara, who shouted: "He just wants his job back!"
"Think tanks should do more than just think," said Tancredo. "We have to fight [The Colorado Democracy Alliance], be a response to the left and show that there is an alternative. They have got more money than God. We can't match that. But we can beat them with intellectual power in the marketplace of ideas."
Tancredo said he is looking into placing one, or possibly two, initiatives on the 2010 ballot dealing with immigration and energy policy. He is hoping to collaborate with Caldara and the Independence Institute on future ventures.
Tancredo's name has also been floated as a possible Republican candidate for governor in 2010. Asked about the rumor, Tancredo said it "probably isn't true."
News Hawk- Ganjarden 420 MAGAZINE ® - Medical Marijuana Publication & Social Networking
Source: Face the State
Contact: Face the State
Copyright: 2009 Face the State, Inc.
Website: Tancredo Sets Sights On Drug Legalization
Since retiring from Congress in 2008, Tancredo has founded the Rocky Mountain Foundation, a non-profit think tank with policy centers and scholars in three primary areas: Immigration and customs reform, energy policy, and the Center for Individual Liberty, focused on marijuana legalization and the failed "war on drugs". In a speech earlier this year, Tancredo says the issue may be seen as "political suicide," but he nonetheless believes it is time for a change in drug policy.
"Everyone jokes that we should just give in and call it the Center for Drug Legalization," Tancredo told Face The State. "What we're really worried about is the government intrusion into our personal lives and private decision making."
The Rocky Mountain Foundation has been compared to the Independence Institute, where Tancredo served as President in 1993. He was elected to the U.S. Congress from Colorado's 6th Congressional District in 1998. Tancredo, who spoke to limited-government activists Monday, was ribbed by current Independence Institute President Jon Caldara, who shouted: "He just wants his job back!"
"Think tanks should do more than just think," said Tancredo. "We have to fight [The Colorado Democracy Alliance], be a response to the left and show that there is an alternative. They have got more money than God. We can't match that. But we can beat them with intellectual power in the marketplace of ideas."
Tancredo said he is looking into placing one, or possibly two, initiatives on the 2010 ballot dealing with immigration and energy policy. He is hoping to collaborate with Caldara and the Independence Institute on future ventures.
Tancredo's name has also been floated as a possible Republican candidate for governor in 2010. Asked about the rumor, Tancredo said it "probably isn't true."
News Hawk- Ganjarden 420 MAGAZINE ® - Medical Marijuana Publication & Social Networking
Source: Face the State
Contact: Face the State
Copyright: 2009 Face the State, Inc.
Website: Tancredo Sets Sights On Drug Legalization
