Latinos say their votes could tip 40 congressional races

[bobbyw24]

By William Douglas | McClatchy Newspapers

WASHINGTON — Failing to overhaul the nation's immigration system, currently a backburner issue for Congress and President Barack Obama, could play a pivotal role in key mid-term election races in November, according to a new study on Latino voting patterns.

The report by America's Voice, which supports comprehensive new immigration policies, says that revising the laws is the defining issue for Latino voters. The report says that progress — or the lack thereof — in revamping immigration laws and regulations could affect as many as 40 congressional races in areas with sizeable Latino populations, including the re-election bids of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., and Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., just two years ago his party's presidential candidate.

"Immigration reform is a litmus test in the Latino community," Eliseo Medina, the president of the Service Employees International Union, said during a conference call about the study. "To us, this is a policy issue, but it is also an issue about respect."

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/254/story/84011.html

[silverhandorder]

Well then that is not racist at all...:mad:

[nobody's_hero]

I'd like to know what "comprehensive new immigration policies" consist of.

[bobbyw24]

I'd like to know what "comprehensive new immigration policies" consist of.

Code language for AMNESTY

[MelissaWV]

Well then that is not racist at all...:mad:

It's a means of being divisive. "The Latino Community" is not solidly behind this kind of immigration reform, or amnesty, or whatever else. There are a large number of Hispanics who are 100% legal, and resent what the influx of illegals and all the special interest crap that's arisen around it. There are a large number of Hispanics who do not see immigration as an issue of "respect," but instead see it the same way that threads on this board do (an issue of borders, welfare, freedom to hire, etc.).

Stories like this are meant to paint some kind of "Hispanic solidarity" picture, when in fact that's much akin to trying to paint one of "white solidarity" a couple of hundred years ago in this country. If you went back to that time period, you'd find "Irish need not apply," and you'd find discrimination against various groups that have now melted into "white" on the census form. Cubans, Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, Dominicans, Costa Ricans, Venezuelans... there are differences in culture, and moreover there are differences within those groups depending on how long someone's lived in the mainland USA, or whether they speak English as a primary or secondary (or tertiary) language. Most importantly, there are differences because there are human beings involved.

[bobbyw24]

It's a means of being divisive. "The Latino Community" is not solidly behind this kind of immigration reform, or amnesty, or whatever else. There are a large number of Hispanics who are 100% legal, and resent what the influx of illegals and all the special interest crap that's arisen around it. There are a large number of Hispanics who do not see immigration as an issue of "respect,"

Good point. Some people lose sight of this

[silverhandorder]

The only people I am pissed at are the journalists writing this and the spokesman they interviewed.

[Son of Liberty 2]

"Immigration reform is a litmus test in the Latino community," Eliseo Medina, the president of the Service Employees International Union, said during a conference call about the study. "To us, this is a policy issue, but it is also an issue about respect."
Eliseo Medina does a very good job of representing the interests of the Democratic Party and Latinos.

[SelfTaught]

I wonder what kind of legislation will be proposed so these congressmen can keep their seats.

Amnesty my ass.

I don't give a goddamn how poor mexico is and how desperate these people are. If they want to improve their standard of living, they need to have a revolution in Mexico. We have our own revolution to deal with.

[KAYA]

By William Douglas | McClatchy Newspapers

WASHINGTON — Failing to overhaul the nation's immigration system, currently a backburner issue for Congress and President Barack Obama, could play a pivotal role in key mid-term election races in November, according to a new study on Latino voting patterns.

The report by America's Voice, which supports comprehensive new immigration policies, says that revising the laws is the defining issue for Latino voters. The report says that progress — or the lack thereof — in revamping immigration laws and regulations could affect as many as 40 congressional races in areas with sizeable Latino populations, including the re-election bids of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., and Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., just two years ago his party's presidential candidate.

"Immigration reform is a litmus test in the Latino community," Eliseo Medina, the president of the Service Employees International Union, said during a conference call about the study. "To us, this is a policy issue, but it is also an issue about respect."

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/254/story/84011.html

SEIU, nough said.

[dannno]

I don't give a goddamn how poor mexico is and how desperate these people are. If they want to improve their standard of living, they need to have a revolution in Mexico. We have our own revolution to deal with.

They DID have an armed revolution, and the Mexican Military, backed by the US military destroyed them. It wasn't in the news. Are you surprised?? This was back around 1994 after NAFTA passed and destroyed their Constitution. We forced them to destroy their Constitution. The effect was that millions of people were kicked off land that they owned and the poverty rate in Mexico doubled. This was all due to actions by OUR government. So don't blame Mexicans, they are just part of our empire that our tax dollars support.

If you lived in Mexico and your land was stolen that your ancestors had worked on for generations, you would not likely have had any other opportunity but to move to the US. You would have seen that it was in fact encouraged by our country and so you would have come despite that it is "illegal" or whatever. Then hopefully your Mexican self and your current American self would meet and you could see how you aren't that much different after all. It would be a beautiful thing.

[Lord Xar]

They DID have an armed revolution, and the Mexican Military, backed by the US military destroyed them. It wasn't in the news. Are you surprised?? This was back around 1994 after NAFTA passed and destroyed their Constitution. We forced them to destroy their Constitution. The effect was that millions of people were kicked off land that they owned and the poverty rate in Mexico doubled. This was all due to actions by OUR government. So don't blame Mexicans, they are just part of our empire that our tax dollars support.

If you lived in Mexico and your land was stolen that your ancestors had worked on for generations, you would not likely have had any other opportunity but to move to the US. You would have seen that it was in fact encouraged by our country and so you would have come despite that it is "illegal" or whatever. Then hopefully your Mexican self and your current American self would meet and you could see how you aren't that much different after all. It would be a beautiful thing.

Danno, did you get a mail-order bride from Mexico? Just curious.

Danno, "Our" Government made deals/concessions with "Their Government". Right/Wrong. Whatever. What about THEIR government. They had to ratify treaties too, right?

Should we allow 10's of millions of iraq's/afghani's to immigrate here to American because "OUR" government is over there bombing?

Alot of americans lost their jobs too, because of NAFTA. I don't hear you sobbing over them?

You divest ALL responsible in the breaking of the laws because of NAFTA? C'mon. You are being very dishonest. I am still waiting on this "illegal immigrant" encampement location in Los Angeles you seem to always bring up in your defense of illegal immigration. I expect Melissa to come in here shortly. Where one goes, the other follows. Curious, isn't it?

[dannno]

Danno, "Our" Government made deals/concessions with "Their Government". Right/Wrong. Whatever. What about THEIR government. They had to ratify treaties too, right?

Thanks for taking the time to understand EMPIRES.

Fail.

Sorry you can't comprehend the fact the Mexico doesn't have sovereignty and they are essentially under our control by the same elites who control our government. They had NO CHOICE on NAFTA, just like we didn't have any choice. The difference is that we bare more responsibility because we are where home base is being run out of.

[dannno]

Should we allow 10's of millions of iraq's/afghani's to immigrate here to American because "OUR" government is over there bombing?

No, we should leave, immediately. They can't walk here so I don't think it will be an issue. I'm not saying we should bring Mexicans here, but shit, if I were Mexican I would have come to the US illegally as well. And so would you, you just don't know it.




Alot of americans lost their jobs too, because of NAFTA. I don't hear you sobbing over them?

Ya, I'm against NAFTA. That's why my older brother is unemployed and gets help from my parents, because dey tookeerrr joooerrrbs!! It's terrible, he has kids to support and everything.. but he keeps getting jobs when he can and is doing ok. I wish things were better for everybody, that's why I advocate freedom.




You divest ALL responsible in the breaking of the laws because of NAFTA? C'mon. You are being very dishonest.

I'm just saying that is what I would do for self survival. I break federal laws every day, in fact I'm smoking cannabis right now, doctor's orders. I have no problems with breaking unjust laws. If we were leaving them alone, we'd have no reason not to protect our borders.. and we should protect our borders.. but we failed and they came in and got jobs. Nothing wrong with that, especially considering the circumstances we put them in.




I am still waiting on this "illegal immigrant" encampement location in Los Angeles you seem to always bring up in your defense of illegal immigration.

It wasn't in LA, it was in north San Diego County.

http://articles.latimes.com/1988-11-26/local/me-201_1_migrant-camp


I expect Melissa to come in here shortly. Where one goes, the other follows. Curious, isn't it?

Are you serious?? That makes me :) I like Melissa.

[The Patriot]

SEIU, nough said.

Unions aren't interested in keeping up wages for their members, they are more interested in getting more members who can pay them dues and fill their coffers(whether they be legal or illegal)

[MelissaWV]

Danno, did you get a mail-order bride from Mexico? Just curious.

Danno, "Our" Government made deals/concessions with "Their Government". Right/Wrong. Whatever. What about THEIR government. They had to ratify treaties too, right?

Should we allow 10's of millions of iraq's/afghani's to immigrate here to American because "OUR" government is over there bombing?

Alot of americans lost their jobs too, because of NAFTA. I don't hear you sobbing over them?

You divest ALL responsible in the breaking of the laws because of NAFTA? C'mon. You are being very dishonest. I am still waiting on this "illegal immigrant" encampement location in Los Angeles you seem to always bring up in your defense of illegal immigration. I expect Melissa to come in here shortly. Where one goes, the other follows. Curious, isn't it?

I was the fifth post in the thread. Your reading comprehension never fails to astonish.

[Lord Xar]

I was the fifth post in the thread. Your reading comprehension never fails to astonish.

Why thank you.

Everywhere Danno posts, you posts - or vice versa. I admit, I am not crawling the threads with "illegal immigrant" in them like you both, so I am not sure who's the top/bottom in your relationship.

[dannno]

I am not sure who's the top/bottom in your relationship.

She's usually on top in my 'magination :)

[RM918]

Somehow I doubt these guys wanting 'comprehensive immigration reform' want open borders anywhere except in the south.

[MelissaWV]

Why thank you.

Everywhere Danno posts, you posts - or vice versa. I admit, I am not crawling the threads with "illegal immigrant" in them like you both, so I am not sure who's the top/bottom in your relationship.

It just could not be that we both post frequently, and that this post was towards the top of "New Posts" for awhile :rolleyes:

This thread, by the way, did not say "illegals" until I posted it. The original post was about "Latino votes," whatever the hell that is supposed to be, and talked about "immigration reform." To be fair, it does talk about "illegals" once you go to the article. I didn't do that when I posted. I was responding directly to a post about how the article was racist. The fact remains that articles like the one in the OP, and the organizations mentioned therein, are far more about fanning the flames of ignorance than putting forth some sort of powerful, united front. It's bunk.

If you'd like to believe I'm a one-issue troll, I suppose you will, and there's no stopping that... no matter how willfully ignorant of you it may be.

Have a stellar day. :)

[BlackTerrel]

How come people get pissed when the Mexicans do it but not about the Irish?

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/44/2008/09/22/mccain_bemoans_fate_of_undocum.html


SCRANTON, Pa. -- An issue that has been largely missing from the English-language presidential debate recently -- immigration reform -- made a brief return here this morning when Republican John McCain addressed a largely Irish-American crowd.

McCain said there were "50,000 Irish men and women in this country illegally who want to become citizens'' and that "we have to give them a path to citizenship."

McCain was a leader of the failed effort in Congress last year to overhaul the nation's immigration policies, and told the audience that it was an example of his willingness to take on controversial issues despite the political costs -- a point McCain has been making of late in ads playing on Spanish-language radio stations in key states, but by and large eschewed before non-Hispanic audiences.

"It didn't make me the most popular member of my own party and it almost cost me the nomination of my party," McCain said.

McCain said it also showed he had a willingness to reach across the aisle to form common ground -- he specifically mentioned Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.), a hero in the Irish community -- which he said Democratic rival Barack Obama did not possess.

[The Patriot]

How come people get pissed when the Mexicans do it but not about the Irish?

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/44/2008/09/22/mccain_bemoans_fate_of_undocum.html
How many illegal Mexican immigrants do we have again?

How about this as a deal, we will keep the 50,000 Illegal Irish people. We will send back 9,950,000 illegal Mexicans and keep 50,000 illegal Mexicans.

[MelissaWV]

How come people get pissed when the Mexicans do it but not about the Irish?


People will gravitate towards the example with the most dramatic impact. There are a lot of illegals from various countries here in the US. In some areas, there are way more of that group than there are Mexicans, but overall the US has a problem with Mexican illegals than with any other group.

Having said that, the OP is about the "Latino vote," and attempting to make that seem like some cohesive thing. I can't really convey how silly that is. The only thing that would come close is if we had a global election tomorrow, for someone to say there's a cohesive "black vote," and that darker skinned people in Somalia, Nigeria, Australia, the USA, Trinindad, and Haiti would all vote precisely the same because they're part of some roughly-constructed "group."

[sofia]

How come people get pissed when the Mexicans do it but not about the Irish?

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/44/2008/09/22/mccain_bemoans_fate_of_undocum.html

cuz Europeans arent clogging up our prisons and welfare rolls

[silverhandorder]

As long as we have welfare state we have vested interest in keeping out the poor Mexicans. Sorry that is reality. When we have a free country let as many of them in as you want.

But honestly can anyone see a white organization advocate that? Whites can tip every single race in the country. However it would be patently supremacist and false to talk about like they can do that. There is no one group of whites. So why does the article's author get away with this?

[BlackTerrel]

cuz Europeans arent clogging up our prisons and welfare rolls

Neither are Mexicans. They do the job the "Europeans" don't want to do.

[BlackTerrel]

People will gravitate towards the example with the most dramatic impact. There are a lot of illegals from various countries here in the US. In some areas, there are way more of that group than there are Mexicans, but overall the US has a problem with Mexican illegals than with any other group.

Depends what you define as a problem. Here in California I see Mexicans doing all the jobs that native born Americans don't want to do. That's a good thing.

[dannno]

Neither are Mexicans. They do the job the "Europeans" don't want to do.

Ya honestly CA agriculture grew exponentially with the amount of cheap labor that was coming up when I was growing up. They weren't living very well back then, either.. Mostly they were giving us cheap food and flowers.

The welfare is bad, and that side has gotten worse because many are now dependent, but that's not their fault for taking it, it's our fault for giving it.

[Dieseler]

cuz Europeans arent clogging up our prisons and welfare rolls

They don't march proudly with the flag of the country they run like bitches to get here from either.
I know I'm being Nationalistic, right?
WTF are they doing?
Actions like this are a huge factor in the propagation of hate.

[Brian4Liberty]

"Immigration reform is a litmus test in the Latino community," Eliseo Medina, the president of the Service Employees International Union, said during a conference call about the study. "To us, this is a policy issue, but it is also an issue about respect."


Sorry Eliseo, you don't speak for any community, other than the government/union mafia you are a member of...

[cindy25]

Latinos should be a natural Libertarian constituency; they come from cultures/countries where government provides nothing, tax evasion is rampant, and they want to work.

[silverhandorder]

Latinos should be a natural Libertarian constituency; they come from cultures/countries where government provides nothing, tax evasion is rampant, and they want to work.

Exactly same goes for Russians. Yet they gravitate for the most part to authority. I think it more in part of recognizing that they can exploit the government for what it's worth.

[MelissaWV]

Latinos should be a natural Libertarian constituency; they come from cultures/countries where government provides nothing, tax evasion is rampant, and they want to work.

Define "they" in any meaningful way that makes the rest of your post remotely relevant?

* * *

I think a number of people in this thread have decided there's no distinction worth making between "Latino" and "Mexican." I can't help thinking that's what the Government's been trying to make happen for years.

[TheEvilDetector]

If US lost its self-respect (shredding its consitutional safeguards at a dizzying pace amongst an ocean of hypocritical and double standard policies), no chance for outsiders to have any.

If USA is to remain a nation it has to have a working border, otherwise why bother with the pretense of visas, checkpoints, just reassign all the border guards to other duties.....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nation
"A nation is a territory or country as political entity or a grouping of people who share real or imagined common history, culture, language or ethnic origin, often possessing or seeking its own government"

[YumYum]

Eliseo Medina, the president of the Service Employees International Union, said during a conference call about the study. "To us, this is a policy issue, but it is also an issue about respect."

Valid point. Undocumented and documented Hispanics are treated with less respect than other minorities in this country.

[MelissaWV]

Valid point. Undocumented and documented Hispanics are treated with less respect than other minorities in this country.

Other than the occasional person who says something stupid, or follows me around giving me the suspicious once, twice, thrice over, I've not really found it to be a problem. Prejudice is always going to exist, and unless it's really interfering with my life in some way, it's easy to get around it.

"Respect" will become more of an issue as groups "organize" and make it more of an "us versus them" issue. There is no "us." These things just serve to make a lot of people assume there's an "us" and narrow their definitions of what constitutes "Hispanic," adding to it the prejudiced, silly, lazy notions they pick up along the way. It's so counterproductive that it'd be hilarious if it weren't getting more and more serious.

I actually have a shirt that says "I'm not Mexican" :) There are times where it's required to clear up the ambiguity. People at one of my old jobs kept asking me if I had a "family recipe" for tacos, or if my family wore those big sombreros, or if I was "born here," and how I "speak English so good." Again, it's harmless ignorance at that point, and easily corrected. What it's evolved into is "why don't you go back to where you came from, if you're gonna speak Spanish?" and "papers please" and "oh GREAT... another one of THEM taking OUR jobs!" It's sporadic, but with a select group of people pushing "immigration reform" in this way, it's more and more common. It's symptomatic of where we're headed as a nation, if this keeps up.

[BlackTerrel]

They don't march proudly with the flag of the country they run like bitches to get here from either.
I know I'm being Nationalistic, right?
WTF are they doing?
Actions like this are a huge factor in the propagation of hate.

Bull. How about the Irish with their St. Patrick's Day Parade or the Italians that wear "Italian pride" t-shirts everywhere they go.

How come people like you and Sofia only get mad when the Mexicans do it?

[Brian4Liberty]

Bull. How about the Irish with their St. Patrick's Day Parade or the Italians that wear "Italian pride" t-shirts everywhere they go.

How come people like you and Sofia only get mad when the Mexicans do it?

Mardi Gras, Cinco de Mayo, St. Patricks Day, any excuse for a party! ;)

[The Patriot]

Bull. How about the Irish with their St. Patrick's Day Parade or the Italians that wear "Italian pride" t-shirts everywhere they go.

How come people like you and Sofia only get mad when the Mexicans do it?
I wear an Italian Pride T Shirt. However, when people where Irish Pride and ITalian Pride T-Shirts, we aren't saying that America is part of Ireland or part of Italy. I have no problem with Mexican-Americans having pride in their heritage, they should. However, when some of them push for amnesty, wave mexican flags, and claim California is part of Mexico I get offended. Those people are interested in assimilating, they more so want to impose and take over.

[MelissaWV]

I wear an Italian Pride T Shirt. However, when people where Irish Pride and ITalian Pride T-Shirts, we aren't saying that America is part of Ireland or part of Italy. I have no problem with Mexican-Americans having pride in their heritage, they should. However, when some of them push for amnesty, wave mexican flags, and claim California is part of Mexico I get offended. Those people are interested in assimilating, they more so want to impose and take over.

I see a lot of foreign flags on US soil flown by citizens. I don't think the flag-waving is really the problem. It is, as you say, the attitude.

[HenryAlan]

Balkinization, its coming and the sooner people accept this the better. 90% blacks voted for Obama. Now the Hispanics are voting as a monolithic to pass there agenda. Similar to APIAC. I doubt whites will wake up until they become "minorities" in 2040...

[The Patriot]

Balkinzation, its coming and the sooner people accept this the better. 90% blacks voted for Obama. Now the Hispanics are voting as a monolithic to pass there agenda. Similar to APIAC. I doubt whites will wake up until they become "minorities" in 2040...

Hardly. "Hispanics" aren't one monolithic block, ethnically or politically, so to assume they will vote as such is absurd. Cubans are much more conservative and are mostly of Spanish descent while Mexicans are a locked in democratic block and of mixed heritage.

[Met Income]

This isn't a Latino problem, it's a voting/government problem.

[Met Income]

Someone should be able to employ or rent to anyone they want to. If you have a problem with the theft that is the welfare state, take it up with the government.