An Open Letter to Congress: Rule of Law
by Tom Buchanan
April 3, 2006

When you were elected to your position you took an oath to defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic.

What I am most concerned about is the principle that every member of a society, even a ruler, must follow the law. This is commonly known as “the rule of law.” We are a nation of laws, not men. That being said we must enforce all of our laws. This includes those that come across our borders without invitation or consent.

When you pass a law, surely you must consider the cost of enforcement for those that would break the law. If not, then the law is lame and useless. The law becomes a toothless tiger. What concerns me more is the staggering quantity of laws that are passed on whims that lead to selective enforcement of the law at the convenience of government.

There are many issues revolving around the issue of rule of law that rouses my passion as a law abiding citizen. The one in the forefront in the present moment is illegal immigration. Apparently you do not have the fortitude to enforce the immigration laws that are now on the books. It is quite obvious that your solution is to create another set of laws that you will not enforce either. So I ask, why are you wasting your time?

A few years ago you passed the Brady Bill that effectively made law abiding citizens jump through government enforced hoops to buy and sell legal property. Ever since then there has been an ever tightening vice of laws to close every loop hole for the legal transfer of property. I would ask that you apply the same tenacity to those who would break our laws and enter this country illegally.

Recently in the news are countless stories of illegal immigrants and their supporters taking to the streets and taking down the American flag and hoisting up the banner of another country in its place. The Stars and Stripes fly freely because of the blood spilled by the Armed Forces from the first time it was flown until this very day.

Instead of being outraged at this act of disrespect by those who come here illegally you cower back in your offices and consult the polls to see how this will affect your chances for reelection.

It is obvious that when congress wants to do something it can make it happen. I am sick and tired of watching you base your voting on what is politically correct, thinking more of what will keep you in power than voting on principle.

It is also quite obvious that you take great amusement in making laws that restrict the liberties of law abiding citizens. You pass laws and then hold news conferences patting your collective backs on getting legislation passed. How about doing something hard for a change and standing up to those who make a mockery of our great nation by coming here with no intention of assimilating to our culture, but instead want to eventually take a part of this nation and claim it as their own. If we are truly a nation of laws and not men then we must realize that the law is color blind and every law ought to apply to every person regardless of race, creed, color or gender. This applies even to members of Congress.

Our borders are being overrun by illegal immigrants from countries that are not friendly to the United States. Venezuelan dictator Hugo Chavez has condemned the U.S. for trying to enforce its immigration laws. This fact alone should alert you to take action, but you sit and wait. The fact is and was made apparent that many illegal aliens do not want to assimilate to our culture or even become documented. If they remain undocumented then they stay under the government radar and pay no taxes. We require those who choose to come here legally and obtain citizenship to take the following oath.

Oath of Allegiance To become a citizen, one must take the oath of allegiance. By doing so, an applicant swears to:

• support the Constitution and obey the laws of the U.S.;
• renounce any foreign allegiance and/or foreign title; and
• bear arms for the Armed Forces of the U.S. or perform services for the government of the U.S. when required.

The President has called for a civil debate on the matter, but it was he who threw the first stone by calling law abiding members of the Minutemen vigilantes. They are sacrificing their time and money to assist the Border Patrol in doing their jobs.

If you are going to offer any amnesty to anyone who breaks the laws of our nation because you do not have the spine or resources to enforce the law, then offer amnesty to all fugitives from the law. Either stand up and defend this country and its laws or get out of office.

It is my belief that I should not merely complain, but also offer a solution. So here is my plan.

Tom's Simple Plan for Solving the Illegal Immigration Problem.

The plan is simple, but will require a change in attitude. Get government out of the business of micromanaging our economy.

1. Get rid of the minimum wage and the false pride mentality that it brings. Illegal aliens come here to do the work that Americans won't do. Americans won't do the work because government has created a false level of what is a proper wage. It would be beneath our false sense of pride to work for less.
2. Get rid of every last welfare type program that is sponsored by the government. Make no handouts for the able bodied worker the law of the land. This is not as cruel as it seems. Government needs to trust the people. Churches have done charity work for centuries. It is the government's job to provide a level playing field not be a sugar daddy. We need to separate Church and State by stopping the government from competing with church's charity missions.
3. Get rid of government bureaucracy for new and expanding businesses. We have an abundance of creative, enterprising talent in America that is being held back because of government regulations.

Once these three things are eliminated there will be a new incentive for Americans going to work; hunger pangs! Any illegal aliens that are here for the welfare benefits will leave and hungry Americans will do the work.

Sure people are going to grumble and complain, but it will be the fault of the failed policies of congress that have propped up the economy for decades with two by fours, bailing wire and Band-Aids.

Perhaps you are intimidated by being dealt the race card. The law is colorblind and justice should be administered equally no matter a person's race, color, creed or gender.

If you choose not to secure our borders then please do not try to convince me that you are doing anything in the name of “Homeland Security” It makes you look rather foolish when you ignore the obvious.

Oh, and in case you forgot here is your oath of office.

"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God."

Sincerely,
Tom Buchanan
Loveland, Colorado

Email Tom