California: Poll: Bush winning over Latino voters

The Sacramento Bee ^ | August 21, 2002 | Muriel Dobbin -- Bee Washington Bureau

[RLK]

So what country did you come from?

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Country? What solar system or galaxy?

[Amerigomag]

However, it seems that a lot of you don't see the distinction ... between Amercians of Hispanic descent and illegal immigrants

The distinction in California is statistically insignificant. In California, since 1947, the vast majority of Amercians of Hispanic descent are the children of illegal aliens.

[raybbr]

I think you have grossly underestimated the ability of Hispanics, even Mexican-Americans, to assimilate.

Do you call forcing bi-lingual forms, education and welfare for illegal aliens assimilating? Just think of how much more we would grow as a nation if they truly did assimilate.

[BOBTHENAILER]

don't let anybody else know that

Now that was a discreet acknowledgement of your post, no?

[watcher1]

LOL, you are right!

[RLK]

That must be why Mexico has been so successful...

[BOBTHENAILER]

That must be why Mexico has been so successful...

They have a slightly different political system and an enormously different economic system. I wonder how successful you would be down there?

[watcher1]

They have a slightly different political system and an enormously different economic system.

So you're saying they're stupid

[BOBTHENAILER]

Not in the least, I'm responding to the comments of RLK.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Whee.

Hang in there!

Excellent comments -- Common Tator!

[watcher1]

Spain itself also happens to be the only spanish speaking country with an economy.

Not true

Peru and Colombia are known for their drug production

El Salvador exports most of the prostitutes in Central America

I could go on and on.

[BOBTHENAILER]

This is getting fun in the wee hours of EST.

[RLK]

I wouldn't go down there. Neither do I want what's down there up here.

[hchutch]

What do we do? Mass deportations?

Don't get me wrong, I have no trouble with kicking out those who have committed crimes, or those who are sponging off welfare. Heck, kick out the fringe people who want to create Aztlan.

My brother and I recently talked a bit about this matter. He served a Spanish-speaking mission for our church - two years in Las Vegas, Nevada (and other parts of that state). He came across a lot of Hispanics - both legal immigrants and illegal immigrants.

None of those he met were the Aztlan types or criminals. If anything, these folks were busting their butts to make a life for themselves here, working hard. I don't know what your experiences have been, but the ones my brother related to me pretty much are 180 degress from what you folks say is the case. It's pretty much caused me to re-think a lot of my stands on the issue. I think Bush is doing the right thing - or the best thing possible under the circumstances.

But a lot of the ones who are here from Mexico don't buy into this Aztlan crap. A lot of them ARE doing the jobs that nobody else will do.

Quite frankly, I'd be willing to cut off immigration from the Arab world. You want to work on beefing up the Border Patrol, punishing employers who have hired illegal immigrants? You want to keep immigrants from sponging welfare? I have no problem with that. But a lot of the Hispanic immigrants here are NOT the problem, including a lot of people who entered illegally. I also want to see English made the OFFICIAL language of the USA.

Kick out the ones who have committed crimes, who are smuggling drugs, or who are true believers in Aztlan. I have no problem with that. But lt the folks who are working hard go legit, and do so without bumping those who have waited to come into this country. Combine it with a reform of immigration laws that will allow more of those to come into the country, provided they are proficient in English, stay off welfare, and have a job.

And before you go any further - some of the immogration reform proposals that I have seen proposed here probably would have kept Michelle Malkin's parents from immigrating here.

I was born in the USA. I've got a pretty big mix of European descent (mostly Scottish, but there may be others in there as well). My ancestors also happened fled religious intolerance and persecution that occured in this country.

Rant all you want. I think Bush is pushing for the best solution we can possibly achieve - and one that will strongly enhance our movement. FreeRepublic is calling for "the EFFECTIVE control over illegal immigration and smuggling" (emphasis added).

I'm not buying the fear of the Tancredo-Buchanan crowd. My brother's experience (and I would trust him with my life) pretty much puts the fear of Aztlan and all that aside. We can come up with a solution that is best for all of those who are involved.

[Texasforever]

Latinos must not read FR. That is a good thing. :)

Yep.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

I am out here and have good Hispanic friends and they are hardworking!

[hchutch]

See my Post #55.

I'd trust my brother with my life, and from what he told me about his experience working with a lot of the Hispanics in Las Vegas, the folks who say the Hispanic vote could go our way big time could be correct.

My only fear is that the rhetoric of the Tancredo-Buchanan crowd will drive them into the Left's plantation.

[RLK]

I'm not buying the fear of the Tancredo-Buchanan crowd...

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I suspect you don't perceive or have a fear of anything until it's too late and it hits you in the rear end. Even then you live in such pleasant denial that you refuse to see or admit what happened.

[watcher1]

a Spanish-speaking mission for our church ( in the USA)

You just don't get it do you?