Turiano speaks about passion and politics

We must always seek to understand. Far too often we jump to extreme conclusions without taking the time to gain an understanding. Of course this is the easy way to negate someone and brand them unfairly. Or if you’re not liked for whatever reason, it is also the politically correct way to diffuse the legitimacy of someone trying to come into a race and have a meaningful impact for the voters.

Far too often nowadays, this is the “go to” response. This is also one of the ways hatred and racism is spread unduly by simply yelling “racism” or “hatred.” Come on, really? We can do better than that can’t we? I’m sure we’ve all heard it before, politicians going back and forth, taken expressed statements out of context and utilizing it to their benefit usually at the expense and good reputation of the other. But I’m not here to talk about good or bad politics.

I want to thank Jennifer Owen and all my constituents of the great Republican Party for causing me to become more aware of the direction I unwittingly paved. I, too, misunderstood your diligence on not allowing me to attend the Lincoln-Reagan dinner in Billings.

Let me say that I appreciate your message, I got it loud and clear. So thank you, and I welcome the opportunity to sit down and get to know each other better so we can avoid any misunderstandings. We are united in our message, I believe your leadership is forging the Republican Party to become stronger and most importantly united. For it is in unity we can cause great change.

Yes, I came out and announced my candidacy wearing my passion on my sleeve. Hey, I was fired up. I was determined to come out swinging for the voters, to make bold statements and be noticed. I don’t have deep pockets, and I don’t have a board of advisors carefully dictating my every speech. What I do have is a lot of passion and commitment to make a difference for the voters. I came on too strong. My statements were not articulate enough, and I understand why I was misunderstood.

Like a sprinter I dashed forward too fast, when I realize this is not a sprint but a marathon. I’m clearly the rookie in this race for congressman. I speak from the heart, not like a seasoned and polished politician, not that there’s anything wrong with that!

Many voters today loudly express that we need new leadership, fresh ideas and those passionate enough with strong convictions to truly impact change. I’m not talking about making open-ended promises that rarely see fruition. I’m talking about real change. Sometimes we need to look at our past, our history as the greatest nation on earth, and learn valuable lessons from those teachings.

Clearly one of the most relevant topics is immigration. Dating back to the 1900s, the Mexican government began discouraging immigration to the U.S. They needed their labor force to grow the industrialization of Mexico and grow their own economy. By 1954, under pressure from the Mexican government, a new law was passed to aid in curbing illegal immigration.

I didn’t invent the operation name; it came from both the Mexican and U.S. governments, the department of Immigration and Naturalization Service, under director Joseph Swing. Yes, the Mexican government was pressuring the U.S. to enact stricter laws and stop illegal immigration.

Hard to believe isn’t it? There were arguably some good programs in place for a short period of time. So to review those earlier policies, there is a lot to be learned. Look at the Bracero Program — there may be some merit to reviewing those earlier policies. Fresh ideas can be drafted from our past successes and failures.

This is where open dialogue plays a crucial part in enacting truly beneficial change. That’s what I’m here to do. Bring fresh ideas, with a nod to the past, and open clear dialogue that I’m hoping will have a meaningful impact for both parties, but above all, enact real change that is concrete and clear.

I am here for the voters, I hear you, and I understand your legitimate concerns. I want what you want — a strong small government, one that listens to the people, for the people, and hopefully in my case for election, by the people.

I look forward to meeting Montanans and their strong unwavering convictions to impact change that is truly meaningful and forward-thinking. Thank you.

Drew Turiano is a Republican candidate for the U.S. House in Montana.