Will the Rep. Tom Tancredo (in photo) wing of the Republican Party erase the gains that President Bush made with Hispanic voters in 2004? Some think that the drastic positions against illegal immigrants being taken by some Republicans will cost the party key Hispanic votes — votes that have the potential to change outcomes in some swing states. This Salon.com article notes:
“Tamar Jacoby, an immigration expert at the right-of-center Manhattan Institute who favors giving illegal immigrants a chance at citizenship, said that Republicans should be worried about the political effect of inflammatory rhetoric targeting Hispanics. ‘It takes decades to build a reputation and you lose it in a day,’ she said. ‘If this doesn’t scare some Republicans to ask, “What side of history am I on,” then they are not paying attention.’ ”
Posted by Melissa Cooley
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21 Comments
“Republican” and “paying attention” do not belong in the same sentence…especially in Kansas.
Well the minutemen say they will build the southern barrier, so I am sending them the money instead of the politicians. Of course, the Feds would have the fence built if the contract was given to Halliburton.
In the past several weeks I have watched the debate rage on about our country’s immigration policy. I have also been privy to several email “chain letters” that stink of xenophobia and barely concealed racism. Living in a nation with a long history of immigration, I am occasioned to wonder why the only time I hear anything said about illegal immigration it has to do with people who supposedly only originate south of our borders. I find it thoroughly disgusting when I receive emails that support idiotic arguments against illegal immigration by speaking only of Mexico and ignoring the real problem.
The reality is this – the illegal immigration problem in this country is a direct result of the fact that there are no stiff penalties for those who hire illegal immigrants. I am also of the opinion that this is yet another wedge issue drudged up by the right-wing to get their party faithful out to vote. In 2004 it was God, guns, and gays. Now they have moved up a couple of letters in the alphabet and have decided to make immigration the wedge issue for this upcoming election season. I have no problem with this. It is the reality of the arena of politics, but if it’s going to be an issue this election season, let us at least get to the heart of the matter – after a short detour…
I grew up in Las Vegas, Nevada, and because of the diversity of the population I had the privilege of interacting with people of all races and backgrounds. There is little doubt in my mind that some of my Hispanic friends had parents who had come here illegally. Even though I had a sense of this growing up it did not change my opinion of them. I was told on more than one occasion that they had come here to improve things for their families. Not once did I ever hear anyone say, “I’m here to collect free welfare,” or any of the other myriad excuses that some would have you believe.
The Hispanic-Americans I have known are amongst the finest, most hard working, honest, and noble people I have ever known – regardless of the legality of their being here or not. Those same people had familial ties that I remain envious of to this very day. They made it in Las Vegas despite the high cost of living by sticking together and working hard. Some of the finest soldiers and leaders that I served with in the Army were Hispanic, and I am glad to have had them as my comrades-in-arms.
“Remember, remember always that all of us,and you and I especially, are descended from immigrants and revolutionaries.”Franklin D. Roosevelt
As Congress debates an overhaul of the nation’s immigration laws, several economists and news media pundits have sounded the alarm, contending that illegal immigrants are causing harm to Americans in the competition for jobs, says the New York Times.Yet a more careful examination of the economic data suggests that the argument is overstated. There is scant evidence that illegal immigrants have caused any significant damage to the wages of American workers, explains the Times:· Studies estimating that immigration has resulted in reduced wages for high school dropouts do not consider other economic forces such as the fact that certain businesses would not exist in the United States without cheap immigrant labor.· Over the last quarter-century, the number of people without any college education, including high school dropouts, has fallen sharply; this has reduced the pool of workers who are most vulnerable to competition from illegal immigrants.· In a study published last year that compared cities that have lots of less educated immigrants with cities that have very few, David Card, an economist at the University of California, Berkeley, found no wage differences that could be attributed to the presence of immigrants.Even economists striving hardest to find evidence of immigration’s effect on domestic workers are finding that, at most, the surge of illegal immigrants probably had only a small impact on wages of the least-educated Americans — an effect that was likely swamped by all the other things that hit the economy, from the revolution in technology to the erosion of the minimum wage’s buying power.
you don’t have to be an expert on population trends to know that Hispanics are now residing by the hundreds of thousands in the Carolinas, Arkansas, Nevada, Manhattan, Georgia, Chicago and Wisconsin. We are no longer concentrated solely in the Southwestern states. Los Angeles continues to be an important hub of Latino social, cultural and political activity, second only to Mexico City. However, Chicago, with more than one million Latinos, is in second place and the Dallas Metroplex is a close third.
I continue to hear immigrant bashing of the worst kind. Editorials spew out ugly stereotypes, letters to the editor offer thinly disguised racial diatribes, and talk show hosts continue to malign the integrity and work ethic of Latino immigrants on a daily basis. As I write this, an increasing number of our elected officials persist in distorting the truth about the plight of Mexico and the millions of immigrants coming to this nation from the south.
This ignorance and distorted truth is leading some elected officials to support building walls along the U.S. border with Mexico reminiscent of the Berlin era and spending millions more for border enforcement in an effort to stem the tide of immigration from Mexico to the United States. These same elected officials, many with Irish, Italian, Scandinavian, and German surnames, are only a few generations removed from ancestors who immigrated to the United States themselves seeking a better life. Yet their memory of history is very short and they fail to see the similarities between today’s immigration from Latin America and the immigration that brought their ancestors here. Why is this?
Over the past 20 years, the United States has increased spending on border enforcement more than at any other time in our nation’s history. Fences in southern California and Texas, high tech equipment, and ever growing numbers of border enforcement personnel have cost American taxpayers billions over the past two decades. Yet the leading experts all agree that these expenditures have done nothing to curtail immigration from Mexico to the United States. In fact, the only documented effect has been to make the journey to the United States more dangerous and as a result thousands of migrants have died crossing the border in recent years. Is this what our nation wants—a fence that will force many migrants toward more dangerous avenues of entry and even more deaths? What kind of message do these desert deaths send to the rest of the world about the value our nation places on human life?
Contrary to assumption, study after study has demonstrated that Mexican immigration to the United States is a huge financial boon to our country and far outweighs the amount of public benefits that migrants are eligible to receive. The combined value of the labor performed by Mexican migrants along with the taxes they pay—including sales taxes, income taxes, and more—and the stimulus effect on our economy dwarfs the minimal amount that we spend on emergency medical care and public education for this hardworking population. It is one thing to pretend to forget or simply ignore the hardworking people who pick our food, make our clothes, build our homes, care for our children and our elderly, serve us at restaurants and hotels, and perform countless other essential but low-paying jobs. But is quite another to advocate for shortsighted policies that are so clearly against our own self-interest solely to make the lives of these immigrants even more difficult.
In fact, Mexican immigrants pay far more in taxes than they receive in public benefits. For example, every year undocumented immigrants pay billions of dollars of taxes into Social Security that they have no hope of ever receiving back because of their undocumented status. These payments have helped push the insolvency date of Social Security far into the future.
Undocumented immigrants pay federal, state and local taxes on income, gasoline, clothing, and other retail purchases. Some economists have estimated that the undocumented population pumps $500 billion into our economy every year and pays more than $90 billion in taxes, yet receives only about $43 billion in public benefits. It is clear, even considering taxes alone and not the far greater value of their labor, that undocumented immigrants more than pay for themselves and in fact, help to sustain a system that even their most vocal critics say is vital in America.
Yet the myths and half-truths continue unabated on most editorial pages, fueled by immigrant bashing radio and TV pundits. Are these opinions based on ignorance or racism—or both? Even more damning is the hypocrisy displayed by these individuals who themselves benefits from the services and contributions made possible by the labor of undocumented immigrants. Whether they are having work done on their house, eating a salad, enjoying a meal at a restaurant, or dropping off their children at daycare, chances are they are benefiting from the labor of undocumented immigrants. Their comfort is being provided courtesy of immigrants who endanger their lives to travel thousands of miles, through harsh terrain, leaving their families and loved ones behind, to work the hardest jobs in America for little pay. And how do we thank them for their hard work? By constantly complaining about their illegal status and passing harsh immigration bills. It is not the way that one would expect a nation of immigrants and faith to react. But then, for all our greatness, America has always revealed contradictions when it comes to race and ethnic relations.
I wonder what U.S. citizens would do if this part of our labor force were actually deterred by the fences, workplace raids, and other anti-immigrant policies that Congress is considering. Does the anti-immigrant crowd actually expect that unemployed Americans will step forward and accept those low-pay, long-hour, back-breaking jobs that offer no benefits, no overtime, and no vacations? Aren’t they concerned that many of these jobs will be sent oversees because businesses here can no longer compete? Aren’t they worried about triggering a drawn-out recession as our economy adjusts to the loss of 10 to 12 million productive workers and consumers? Will Congress pass the necessary tax increases to make up for the lost tax revenue from these workers and shore up Social Security whose insolvency will be much closer at hand? Will anyone stop to wonder why the heck we did this to ourselves when all we had to do was to provide for a legal avenue for these workers to come here in the first place?
There is a much better path for us to take—one that benefits U.S. citizens just as much as it will benefit the 10 to 12 million undocumented immigrants working here. LULAC and some of our elected officials like Republican Senator John McCain and Democratic Senator Ted Kennedy support the following immigration principles:
We should reunite families instead of dividing them.
We should allow undocumented workers the opportunity to become full and legal contributing members of our society, without fear of retribution and deportation.
We should create a program for immigrants to work in this country legally and allow them, over a period of time, to become permanent legal residents.
We should begin assisting Mexico and other Latin American countries through loans, grants and other strategic initiatives to economically jump-start key geographic areas that send large numbers of immigrants to this country.
Following these principles will improve the lives of millions of hard working immigrant families here in the United States whose labor we rely on every day. It will also make our own lives better and safer as we bring this workforce out of the shadows and allow our law enforcement personnel to concentrate on terrorists and drug runners.
These principles are clearly the right actions for our country to take, but for them to become law, we must overcome the “wall of hate” that the anti-immigrant crowd has been building around our collective moral consciousness. Do the inalienable rights put forth by our Founding Fathers and exemplified by the Statue of Liberty still hold sway in this land of the free? Are hard-working immigrants who want nothing more than to contribute to our country and have a chance at the American dream still welcome to our shores? Or has the misguided message of hate overcome our American values of liberty, hard-work and toleration? This new year, millions of immigrant families across our country are hoping that the better angels of our nature prevail over those who would stoke old prejudices against the least fortunate among us. It is my earnest prayer that we come together in forging that American dream and not yield to those who to limit it.
Only in the Eagle could the R’s take a position 73% of Kansans support according to the Eagle’s own reporting only to then have the Eagle warn of the “backlash.” Keep trying Eagle, it’s cute. Sad, but cute.
Joe–73 percent of Kansans don’t vote.
When you’re talking about splitting up families like the Republicans are, that tends to motivate you to go out and vote.
The Repukes had made real progress in courting Hispanic voters, the largest and fastest growing minority in the US, what with their tendentious “opposition” to abortion and their strong military response to threats.
This set them back to square one and worse.
But that’s what Repukes do–they’re dividers, not uniters. They pit the Christians against the non-Christian (see “war on Christmas), the straights against the gays (”protect marriage amendment”), the free-enterprisers against the environmentalists (”clear skies amendment”), the fearful against the brave (”PATRIOT Act”), the investor class against the middle class (Social security “reform”).
That’s how a minority manages to eke out elections against a majority.
LeftHook, dont forget the last point… when all else fails, how do you spell releif?
D-I-E-B-O-L-D!
OK, keep working in politics with the idea that 73% of the people don’t really count. Please :-)
Speaking of polls and majorities:
http://www.surveyusa.com/50State2006/06041850StatePOTUSState.html
Looks like President Bush has the northern Rockies wrapped up. Plus Nebraska. ;)
“According to figures from state polls published this week by SurveyUSA, Bush has an approval rating above 50 percent in just four states — Utah, Idaho, Wyoming and Nebraska. His disapproval rating is 60 percent or higher in such key battlegrounds as Virginia, Florida, Minnesota, Missouri, Colorado, New Mexico, Iowa, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New Jersey.”
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/04/20/AR2006042001351.html
And even fux news says his overall approval rating is only 33%.
But please, keep thinking that 67% of the people dont count.
From the article:
“”I don’t think they see much chance of accomplishing anything this year,” said this Republican strategist, who preferred not to be quoted by name. “The bulk of their agenda, let’s say, has been put on hold.”
Wanna bet their eventual election strategy will devolve into “dont let the democrats take control. Nothing will get done while they just try to investigate the preznit.”
Just like nothing is getting done now while they try to NOT investigate the president? (thank you pat roberts, bush’s senator)
Coming soon to a venue near you, Swift Boat II, the sequel. I mean, they dont have any real successes to support them, just dirty attacks on anyone who dares to oppose them.
Hee hee. I love the smell of fear in an election year. Almost as much as nathan loves the smell of napalm in the morning.
Yeah, you know you’re in trouble as a neoconservative when your core is leaking those whose conscience has finally kicked in, leaving a drying riverbed comprised of moral relativists. That they’re disguised as Christian Coaltion types can’t be helpful.
” a drying riverbed comprised of moral relativists. That they’re disguised as Christian Coaltion types can’t be helpful.”
You know it cant be helpful that the founder of the christian coalition, one mr. ralph reed, is on the hot seat for his oh so christian dealings with jack abramoff.
In fact, that “drying riverbed comprised of moral relativists” may have lots more of jack’s stink than we imagined. Cant wait.
The Democrat position on this issue has already caused my resignation from that party.
If Republicans are couragous enough to do the right thing for America instead of greedy business interests, I would have to consider voting for them. FOr me personally there is no more important issue.
Oh and what would buisiness do if the illegals disappeared? They would be FORCED to pay a better wage and provide benefits.
Now the stockholders and CEOs might have to take a hit to make up the difference. But that would be a GOOD thing.
solocarlos67@hotmail.com,
If you must post your pro beaner lies, nonsense and bullshit then at least do so under ONE single screen name! Thanks choto!
Viva La Raza Blanco!!!
JoeB–
And the 65 percent of Americans who disapprove of GW?
Why do you ignore that?
Since Senator Sam Brownback has proven his dedication and loyalty, I believe he should run for President – of Mexico!
“Oh and what would buisiness do if the illegals disappeared? They would be FORCED to pay a better wage and provide benefits.”
You really believe that, JR?One word: outsourcing. And let’s not forget we live in a “right-to-exploit” state!
Strong unions and collective bargaining are ultimately the only cure for that one, my friend.
I also find it incredible that this issue–of all things, and considering everything you’ve posted on the blog–would be the deciding one for you. I’m hugely wary of the Democrats for many reasons, not the least because they’re funded by many of the same business interests as the Repubs, but I wouldn’t reject them on immigration policy alone(particularly since, like the Repubs, they’re all over the map on this one).
Jhon Smith,
Quite a stirring speech. However, we are a country of LAWS. And people who come here illegally have no right to be in this country. Also, I would like to say that the recent IMMIGRATION controversy is aimed at ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS, not ALL HISPANICS. I would emphasize this point and hope the dichotomy between illegal aliens and Hispanic Americans is crystal clear to you dumbass Eagle editors. Not all Hispanics are Mexicans, not all Hispanics came here illegaly, you dumb f*cks.