Remind Hispanics That it's About Freedom

One News Now ^ | 07.07.2008 | Star Parker

[Coffee200am]

John McCain is trailing Barack Obama by 30 percentage points in support from Hispanic voters, according to this week's polling from Gallup. Even among Hispanics that self-identify as conservatives, McCain and Obama are even. This is a far cry from 2004 when George W. Bush captured 45 percent of the Hispanic vote. At that time, Republicans were optimistic that Hispanics would become a majority voting bloc for the Republican Party.

The McCain campaign has two operative questions: Can ground be picked up among Hispanic voters? And if so, how?

I hope that the senator sets his sights on Hispanics. If he does it right, he can gain support from them and in so doing, also inject badly needed focus and excitement into his overall campaign.

A year ago, when it was far from clear that John McCain would be the presumptive Republican nominee, his defining issue was the war in Iraq. As public support for the war wavered, he put his popularity on the line, arguing that we must push on. "I'd rather lose an election than lose a war," he said.

Now, as the presumptive Republican nominee, McCain should take this same stubbornness and sense of principle and apply it to the broad agenda he needs to push.

Hispanics are the youngest major demographic group in the country. Their median age is 27, compared to 36 for the overall population. They account for 14 percent of our population today, but this is projected to increase to 29 percent by 2050.

As a population that is young and rapidly increasing, with a growing stake in the future of this country, Hispanics should be thinking hard about what kind of future that will be.

Long-term economic growth is vital. In the U.S. and all over the world, studies have demonstrated that low taxes foster growth and high taxes inhibit it. Hispanic citizens should be taught that keeping taxes low limits the growth of government and is essential to their economic future.

Hispanics should understand that today's entitlements crisis will fall disproportionately on them. Combined spending today on Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid is about 8 percent of our gross domestic product. By 2050, when almost a third of Americans will be of Hispanic origin, this entitlement burden will more than double to around 18 percent of our GDP. Our payroll tax burden will also have to double to meet these obligations.

Fundamental reform of entitlements should be of particular interest to Hispanics.

Consider the proposal, now at a standstill, of changing Social Security from a tax-and-spend program to an ownership regime.

According to the Heritage Foundation calculator, today's 27-year-old Hispanic male can expect a -.7 percent return on his payroll taxes at retirement. If he could keep those payroll taxes and invest long-term in a highly diversified portfolio of minimum risk, he'd more than triple his monthly retirement income.

In a 2005 survey done by the Pew Hispanic Center, 49 percent of Hispanics favored personal retirement accounts.

How about education?

Colin Powell's organization, America's Promise, released a study earlier this year reporting the nationwide graduation rate from our public schools at 76.2 percent. Among Hispanics that rate is 57.8 percent. The Los Angeles Unified School District, where the majority of students is Hispanic, had a graduation rate of 45.2 percent.

Hispanics should be clamoring for challenging the government school monopoly and pushing for change that Republicans and conservatives have been championing for years. School choice.

Hispanics should be reminded that they left countries like Mexico, Cuba, and Honduras, where excessive and oppressive governments limit growth and opportunity, to come to a country where opportunity exists. Why would they want to kill the goose laying those eggs of opportunity by supporting the same kinds of ideas about government that they left behind?

Individual freedom, limited government, and traditional values combine to create the American recipe for greatness. McCain must tell the story and provide stark contrast with the big government and moral relativism being sold again by Democrats.

Hispanics may grasp the truth when they hear it.

If not, at least he will have said what needs to be said. After all, everyone's future is at stake.

Star Parker (parker@urbancure.org) is president of CURE, Coalition on Urban Renewal and Education and author of three books. This column, originally published on July 4, 2008, is printed with permission.

[livius]

The Dems have always been aggressive at recruiting immigrant groups, playing on their ignorance about their new country, their fears, etc. to create yet another captive voting bloc.

In addition, as far back as the “Great Society,” the Dems made an attempt to lump American-born people of Hispanic origin in with blacks as a captive voting bloc, bought through government handouts and controlled through government programs. This worked among certain poorer populations, unfortunately, although many Hispanics since then have made an active effort to avoid falling into the clutches of the black poverty and grievance industry. They do not identify with lower-income blacks now and furthermore are not very well liked by them in return, because for one thing, their rate of success (particularly in starting small businesses) puts the lie to a lot of the dependency programs black leaders have bought into.

Hispanics are a very diverse group, so capturing them has not been as easy for the Dems as it usually is. The GOP, with a message of individuality, enterprise and stability, could do it.

The things that could be provided to all immigrants by the government are educational things, such as English lessons, citizenship courses, etc. I think taking a pro-active approach to American citizenship would be very attractive, and wouldn’t amount to an insulting handout program but simply be an encouragement to do what they came here to do anyway (get ahead). That might be attractive to a lot of new Hispanic voters.

[bcsco]

This is a ping list promoting Immigration Enforcement and Congressional Reform.
If you wish to be added or removed from this ping list, please contact me.

EU States Back French Plan to Stem Illegal Migration

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Man arrested, accused of molesting an 11-year-old boy (Illegal Alien)

Estupido: Juan Hernandez gives dumb advice; McCain takes it

Link between US and Mexico Important for Promoting Prosperity and Security: McCain

ASTOUNDING NUMBER OF TERRORISTS HAVE BEEN IN US PRISONS: Our Porous Borders

Hit & Run Victim Dies[illegal alien held in S. Texas jail]

Obama, McCain, Clinton at LULAC convention (illegal immigration supporters; "the border crossed us")

Estupido: Juan Hernandez gives dumb advice; McCain takes it [Separate thread from above]

Breaking News: Border Agent Assaulted, Shots Fired ( Vt- Canadian border)

Conservatives vs. McCain

Conservatives To Battle McCain Over Platform

[MBB1984]

McCain needs to keep campaigning in Mexico. I am sure that will turn the tide for him.

[normy]

The presumptive Democratic nominee held a 58% to 33% lead over Bush among voters who identify themselves as Hispanic

This is from a USA Today article from April 2004. It's no different than Obama being up amongst whites and up in swing states. It's early and the Dems are always up early and then they lose.

[Haddit]

Wow, 45.2 percent graduated High School and of that 65,000, about 50,000 went on to colleges and universities.
Source in LA Times this morning. http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-uclabox8-2008jul08,0,7258385.story

[Fundamentally Fair]

The McCain campaign has two operative questions: Can ground be picked up among Hispanic voters? And if so, how?

And, at what cost?

McCain should be careful about the trade off.

[Jabba the Nutt]

I'm coming more and more to the view that Bush was the proto-McCain. Both support "Comprehensive Immigration Reform", both attacked opponents as bigots, both are weak on Gitmo, both support the War on Terror as run by lawyers and Pentagon bureaucrats.

And to the point here, both are delusional about their support from minorities. Both received high percentages of support from Hispanics in their State campaigns and believe this can easily be transferred to their national campaigns.

[Ben Ficklin]

McCain, and/or any other GOP politician who tries to build bridges to the Hispanics, will be unsuccessful because a very large number of GOP activists will be burning those bridges faster than he can build them.

[livius]

a very large number of GOP activists will be burning those bridges faster than he can build them.

Well, that certainly seems to be the truth. It's a big mistake. I don't know if there's a lot of them, or if they're just more vocal.

[tumblindice]

“I don’t know if there’s a lot of them, or if they’re just more vocal.”

Oh, just 9 out of 10 Americans. I’d guess about the same here on FR.

89% of Americans think illegal immigration into the U.S. is a problem
http://www.fairus.org/site/PageServer?pagename=research_researchd74c

[penowa]

I’m positive there is some illegal Hispanic immigrant out there planning to take my place in Nov. and vote for McCain. If not, then I guess he made a BIG mistake with all his pandering, turning off not just the conservative base, but the majority of citizens against Shamnesty, in anticipation of realizing a big chunk of Hispanic voters. Who knows? Maybe legal Hispanic citizens don’t like illegal immigration any better than the rest of us.

[rrrod]

Cuban Americans as well as others from Latin America will vote McCain in large numbers. Voter fraud fromm illegals, union thugs and guv ‘employees will go to Obama

[Ben Ficklin]

You and many others have illegal on the brain.

Everyone is opposed to illegal immigration.

The issue is that the republicans have tried to influence public opinion by demonizing the illegal Hispanics and in the process have demonized all Hispanics.

The second issue is that these republicans say that they are opposed only to illegal immigration when they are actually opposed to legal immigration and guest workers as well.

[livius]

Just because they’re Hispanic, it doesn’t mean they’re illegal. Believe it or not, there are many legal Hispanic immigrants, and they come not only from Mexico but from all over Latin America, including places like Venezuela, where they are fleeing communism. Many of them are not only well-educated, but well off.

However, I suspect a lot of people here hate Hispanics not because they think they might be illegal, but because they know they’re Hispanic. This was a problem in the early part of the 20th century, when Nativists hated Italian, Irish and Jewish immigrants - and it drove these people right into the Dem party.

Let’s not repeat the mistake.

[Haddit]

Wrong Ben Ficklin, We are not opposed to legal immigration, we are opposed to the massive illegal immigration that has drastically changed our living conditions here in Los Angeles into a 3rd world Socialist slum and threatens to do the same to the rest of our country.
We are tired of our politicians catering to foreigners that don’t belong here.

[Haddit]

Today I will be going onto a jobsite. On that job site there will be 20 construction workers, 3 will be legal and the rest will not. I will use an interpreter to talk to the owner. Out of the 17 illegals working at this jobsite, not one of them will be able to talk English, read or write.

There will not be one legal contractor working at the site and not one person paying taxes. I will be invited to go out drinking with them and maybe to a cockfight or whorehouse. I will be invited down to their homes in Mexico.

I get along with all of them and some of them are my friends but that still does not make it right. I still live and work in a third world part of the United States. My daughter can not go to public school here. I won’t let her go to a diseased public pool and I will not go out to eat knowing the chances of getting sick again.

My family comes first.

[livius]

The point is, not all Hispanics are Mexican illegals who were peasants back in their homeland.

[dragnet2]

The issue is that the republicans have tried to influence public opinion by demonizing the illegal Hispanics and in the process have demonized all Hispanics.

No they haven't.

From Bush on down to the party insiders, they have either ignored this or actually aided and abetted, and publicly encouraged this invasion.

It's been the American citizens that have been begging, screaming, voting, protesting and demanding relief from this government sponsored lawless invasion, while being ignored by the party.

Why in h*ll do you think the party started fragmenting years ago?

[MBB1984]

The reason why Conservatives have illegal on the brain is because our President and Congress refuse to enforce the law and desire to give illegal aliens amnesty. You are wrong when you say everyone is opposed to illegal immigration. Bush and McCain and the multicultural Marxists are not opposed and desire open borders. Bush has refused to enforce the law and in fact prosecuted and imprisoned two Hispanic Border Patrol Agents who tried to do their duty. McCain teamed up with his fellow leftist, Ted Kennedy to offer illegal aliens amnesty.

Who is demonizing Hispanics? Name them. I will concede that if enforcing the law is demonization (an argument made by Marxists) then most on Free Republic are guilty. And, I will concede that I am opposed to legal immigration, whatever the country of origin, unless they clearly and richly can benefit our nation.

[Ben Ficklin]

Your political leader, Tom Tancredo, has said that legal immigration is just as big a problem as legal immigration. In fact, Tancredo had a big dust-up with the FL Guv on legals. Tancredo also supports eliminating legal guest workers. Many GOP politicians agree with Tancredo.

Fairus and all the other immigration groups want to end or drastically reduce legal immigration.

Go back to last year's attempt to pass reform legislation and count the number of GOP senators that voted with the unions to sunset the guest workers.

[Ben Ficklin]

see #21.

[colorado tanker]

However, I suspect a lot of people here hate Hispanics not because they think they might be illegal, but because they know they’re Hispanic. This was a problem in the early part of the 20th century, when Nativists hated Italian, Irish and Jewish immigrants - and it drove these people right into the Dem party.

Tom Tancredo criticized Miami because it "looks Third World." Now, Miami is a city with a majority of overwhelmingly legal Hispanic immigrants. My sons were born in Asia and were adopted. They "look Third World." Tancredo can backtrack all he wants, but I know exactly what he meant. And I don't like it one darn bit.

[Clemenza]

I lived in Miami (Doral specifically) for three years. Had a great time and met many nice people. Had GOP representation at all levels for first time in my life.

Tancredo can stick it where the sun don't shine. WTF is some idiot congresscritter from suburban Denver whining about South Florida anyway.

[MBB1984]

I know of no one on this board hating Hispanics. Most on here are against illegal immigration regardless of ethnicity, religion or race. And, we know that Hispanics come in a variety of colors, countries, socio economic status, religions, cultures, citizenships (including USA) and even dialects.

Our problem is that when we see an illegal alien who happens to be Hispanic, we see an illegal alien. Those on the left, however, only want to see a “victimized” Hispanic.

[Clemenza]

Here's how to preach to first, and especially second generation hispanics:

Emphasize upward mobility through capital accumulation and entrepreneurship (the level of hispanic-owned business in hispanic neighborhoods relative to black-owned businesses in black neighborhoods is astounding). Speak to their concerns as people trying to make it in America and draw a contrast between what Democrats want to do to small businesses and those who have accumulated even a "little" of the American dream.

Don't try and outpander the Dems on issues like immigration and don't try to push issues like abortion and god. Those that believe in the latter have already internalized these, and one thing most hispanics from any country tend to share is a suspicion of clerical influence in government (many of the wars of independence were fought AGAINST throne and altar). Don't apologize, don't condescend, emphasize the Republican way to UPWARD MOBILITY. It is more important to connect with the second and third generation on these issues, as they are the ones who will be voting.

[Ben Ficklin]

"No they haven't"

Ask Henry Bonilla of Texas, who was the only Mexican Hispanic elected as a republican and served for many tears.

The white republican voters in his district just stopped voting for him and his seat is now held by a dem.

When Bush tried to give Bonilla a job at the OAS, southern state republicans in the Senate wouldn't support him.

[colorado tanker]

LOL! I'm with you, FRiend!

I'd have a hard time living in South Florida, not because of the people, but because I'm so thoroughly acclimated to a cool and dry climate!

[Clemenza]

When I lived down there I had to wear a suit to work. As soon as I stepped outside, my clothing stuck to my body. Don’t get me started on the tropical storms that seemed to happen every afternoon in the summer.

[dragnet2]

Ask Henry Bonilla of Texas, who was the only Mexican Hispanic elected as a republican and served for many tears. The white republican voters in his district just stopped voting for him and his seat is now held by a dem.

No doubt he didn't do squat to end the millions of illegals entering Texas, and the Texans had a belly full. Him being replaced by a dem is probably indistinguishable.

There are generally good reasons why people lose their jobs.

[MBB1984]

Please stop blaming white Republicans for the actions of democrats. Bonilla lost because of the redistricting mess where his district was redrawn by the Supreme and other federal court favorable to the rats. And, Bonilla was unable to obtain a job at OAS because the democrats had control of the Senate and refused to act.

[Haddit]

I can understand Tancredo’s problem with some legal immigrants.

In FY 2007 we issued 3,763,469 B-1/B-2 visas, 320,544 F1, F2 and F3 Visas, 376,182 J1, J2 Visas.

According to a 2006 Pew Hispanic Center study,1 nearly half of the 12 million-plus illegal aliens in America arrived legally with temporary, non-immigrant visas. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) estimates that a “substantial” percentage of America’s illegal population is made up of visa overstays — their estimates range from 27 to 57 percent.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1991781/posts

[TADSLOS]

Hispanics should be reminded that they left countries like Mexico, Cuba, and Honduras, where excessive and oppressive governments limit growth and opportunity, to come to a country where opportunity exists. Why would they want to kill the goose laying those eggs of opportunity by supporting the same kinds of ideas about government that they left behind?

22+ million of them also came here ILLEGALLY. I also don't see a groundswell of outraged American citizens with hispanic heritage forcing them to leave either. Blood, cash under the table payroll tax dodges and la familia chain migration is thicker than the law, apparently.

[AuntB]

What has happened to the FR polls? I'd like to see how McCain is fairing these days and see if he's above the single digits he always has been.

[Ben Ficklin]

No, white republicans in San Antonio didn't turn out to vote for Bonilla, while brown republicans in Maverick county voted against him.

The point I made is true now and will be true in the future.

Attempts by McCain to court the Hispanic vote will be undermined by people like you.

[Ben Ficklin]

I'm aware of the stat showing that only half of the illegals sneak across the border and half overstay their visa.

Considering those stats, why are we going to spend all that money to try to stop only half of the illegals.

[Haddit]

Spend what money? Just enforce the existing laws. Mandate voter I.D. and throw people like Villaragosa in jail for planning the overthrow of our country.

[Ben Ficklin]

Or, elect Hunter to prez.

What happened with that?

[MBB1984]

I will support McCain’s attempts to reach out to voters of all ethnic groups on conservative principles. I will do my best to undermine his efforts to pander to any specific ethnic group.

[Ben Ficklin]

That has the ring of the Boy Scout Pledge.