American Independent Party: Jim Gilchrist to run for Congress! (August 19, 2005)

Jim Gilchrist, founder of the controversial Minuteman Project, announces his intention to run as the American Independent Party (Constitution Party of California) candidate in a special election for the U.S. House of Representatives during Fall 2005. Broadcast live on KFI's "John and Ken Show", this event took place on August 19, 2005, at the Ayres Hotel Ballroom in Ontario, CA.

TRANSCRIPT:
"As you know, I'm the founder of the Minuteman Project, which has succeeded far beyond anyone's wildest imagination, because of you and millions of decent people all across this country who love America, and who have worked so hard to make this project get the attention of our political representatives.

I'm here today because, like you, I have grown weary and frustrated with the decades-long REFUSAL -- and I mean REFUSAL -- of federal, state, and local government to simply enforce U.S. immigration laws.

My friends, our enemies love to try and portray us as "single-issue" radicals, but they are misinformed and misguided, at best.

The truth is, this "single issue" veils a number of threats to the domestic tranquility of our nation -- the floundering public schools, bankrupt hospitals, an ever-increasing tax burden, traffic gridlock, runaway housing prices, and much more. That's just a handful.

Because of the failure of our elected leaders to enforce the law, we are facing a great threat to the security and safety of our families. We are seeing the infusion of criminal gangs like the MS-13 El Salvadoran gang into our communities, and, most seriously of all, the continuing risk of terrorist infiltration and attacks against U.S. territory and citizens by international saboteurs.

Simple enforcement of U.S. immigration laws is not too much to ask.

The fulfillment of our elected leaders' primary duty, which is to protect the lives and the property of the American people, is not too much to ask.

If you see fit to elect me as your congressman, I will never take my eyes off of these fundamental truths.

However, I will also be dealing with a broad range of policy issues that will greatly affect your future, and the future of our kids and grandkids.

Congress is spending like a drunken sailor. We can't afford them anymore, ladies and gentlemen. I will work to rein those people in.

Our current income tax code is choking the economic life of our people. That's why I support fundamental tax reform that is fair, simple, and efficient. My goal when it comes to taxes is to restore privacy and liberty to the American people by reducing those tax burdens.

Whether we are talking about out-of-control liberal judges who are creating law as they go along, or property rights, energy policy, local control of education, or any of a thousand other important issues, you will find me on the side of the traditions and the fundamental principles that have made this country great for the last two centuries, and which are enshrined in the basic law of our land -- that being the United States Constitution and our beloved Bill of Rights.

After all the battles I've been forced to fight in recent years -- as gratifying as it is to force cynical and self-serving politicians to take actions they don't necessarily want to take -- this is the conclusion I've reached: It is far better to have men and women in public office who do not have to be pressured to do the right thing.

That's why today I'm formally announcing my candidacy for Congress in California's 48th District.

I ask first of all for your prayers, and then of course for your vote. It is your continuing tireless labors on behalf of America that will, as with all preceding generations, win the day.

My friends, God bless you -- and I'll leave you with this final quote: Americans, "Let's roll!"

DISCLAIMER:
All material used falls under fair use of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (1998).
(Used under fair use, for commentary, education, criticism and satire.)

This video is for educational, entertainment and social commentary purposes only. The links provided are solely for copyright and sourcing purposes.

ATTRIBUTION:
* Gilchrist for Congress. "Jim Gilchrist to run for Congress!". JimGilchrist.com, 19 Aug. 2005.
* Constitution Party. "Constitution Party Congressional Candidate Jim Gilchrist Qualifies for Runoff". ConstitutionParty.com, Sep. 2005.