Targetting the 2016 Latino Vote: Do's and Don'ts

The 2016 Presidential Election is just around the corner. The party that understands the following about Latino Voters may win our votes:

DO Understand:
Latinos in America are a Variety of people. Don't view us as "Mexxkins" or "Foreigners."
We are Brown, Red, Yellow, Black and White.
We are Rich, Middle Class and Poor.
We are young, middle aged and old.
We are educated, whether through formal schooling, home schooling or the school of life.

The vast majority of us speak / understand English and Spanish.
The vast majority of us are Christian and we believe in God.
The vast majority of us love our Families and are family focused.
The vast majority of us are Spiritual in Nature and feel close to our Earth and our Surroundings.
The vast majority of us are Native to the Americas. We are an indigenous people. AND we have lived in the U.S. for centuries. We LOVE the U.S.
The vast majority of us support: Universal Healthcare, Women's Rights, a Healthy Economy, Jobs, Low Gas Prices, Social Security/Medicare, low taxes, raising the minimum wage. We support our Troops. We support honest/fair Policing. We oppose: Deportations, Arpaio tactics/arrests, Racial Profiling and all forms of Discrimination.
The vast majority of us are U.S. Citizens and we VOTE, particularly in Presidential Elections.
The vast majority of us are hard working and NOT on WELFARE!
The vast majority of us love and marry other ethnicities. We have blended families and our blended families ...(wait for it) .... VOTE the way we do!

DON'T:
Don't stereotype us. Don't think we are all DUMB MEXXKINS.
Don't think we all "just came here yesterday" and "we are all illegal."
Don't make your TV/Print Ads only in Spanish, sending us messages you think we will like, which is opposite of what your TV/Print Ads say in English.
Don't have one website for your Tea Party types and another website targeting Latinos.
Don't think we are stupid. We can speak/understand both languages and we see your hypocrisy when you do this.
Don't think we only watch Univision and Spanish Language TV.
Don't think we don't understand or utilize technology. We have PCs, Laptops, iPads, etc. We use Social Media: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest, and more.

So to Summarize:
If you want the Latino Vote, share your written Policies on your websites and in TV/Print Ads. Be Honest. Say the same thing to Latinos as you say to the Tea Party. Tell the Truth!!
AND
If you are duplicitous, be very Aware that Bloggers like me will do our research and publish the facts on our Social Media outlets and you will NOT get our Votes!!

Latinos need to Plan NOW to Vote in the 2014 mid term Elections.

We need Immigration Reform. The 11M here -- most who have been here for decades -- since they were children, should be allowed to become Legal Citizens.
Most Americans agree.
Democrats agree.
Most Republicans do not.
Republican's version of Immigration Reform is to close the Border and make the 11M leave the country. They do not consider the cost of rounding up 11M people, incarcerating them - in prisons for months/years and providing travel for them to leave the country.
Additionally, most Republicans want to militarize the border with an electrified fence.
The most extreme (Rep Steve King) call Latinos animals.
We Latinos will NEVER vote for these Republicans.

There are a few Republicans that disagree and do support Immigration Reform. Governor Chris Christie told Latino Voters in his state that he agrees. That's why Latinos, in large numbers, voted for him. Let's hope he keeps his word.

I don't believe Congress will pass Immigration Reform in 2014. I don't believe Immigration Reform will pass until Democrats are the majority in both the Senate and the House. The only way this is possible is if Latinos vote in the 2014 mid term elections.

We need a grass roots campaign to get out the Vote!

ROMNEY REGRETS DISRESPECTING LATINOS

Romney campaign chief Matt Rhoades said the Romney Campaign regrets the campaign’s hard stance on immigration and all of their negative rhetoric against Latinos, saying it was done mainly to counter the perceived ‘threat’ of primary challenger Governor Rick Perry of Texas.

Advice to President Obama on Winning the Hispanic Vote in 2012

Many pundits are attempting to push the topic that President Obama is losing the Hispanic vote because he has not fulfilled his promise on getting Comprehensive Immigration Reform (CIR) passed. While it is true that many leading CIR advocates are upset that CIR has not progressed, it is difficult to fathom Hispanics voting Republican, especially since many 2012 potential Republican candidates are blindly following Tea Party / Restrictionist extremists and supporting racial profiling bills like sb1070, English Only bills and bills to change Birthright Citizenship -- all bills targetted against Latinos. I don't think these Republicans have a hope of obtaining the large majority of the Hispanic vote. Some Republicans have attempted to recruit Hispanics. These recruiters say Latinos have many of the same values as Republicans. These values include: Christianity and Traditional Families (aka ANTI Gay and ANTI Women's rights). These well-funded groups (funded by the likes of the Koch brothers and Fox News), have deep pockets. They've even funded websites like "Fox News Latino." One glance at the Latino Fox News website reveals their true agenda: Push Republican HINO (Hispanic in Name Only) politicians. One good example is Marco Rubio. Expect to see him on the front page of Fox News Latino on a daily basis. He is their poster boy. This two faced HINO was against sb1070 before his political backers encouraged him to switch sides -- now he is FOR this racial profiling bill. He is also AGAINST CIR, even though he is a Cuban! Continue reading Latino Fox News, this "Roger Ailes" rag, and see their phony attempt to sway Latinos by referencing Church, ANTI-Mexico rhetoric and attacks against popular Latino politicians who are Democrats. The very thought of this website's attempt to brainwash Voting eligible Latinos makes my skin crawl! There are some "so-called" Latino groups that are saying they are Republican Latinos, including groups like "Somos Republicanos." These groups are having a difficult time for two reasons: 1. They do not carry much favor among most Latinos, particularly our younger voters, primarily due to their ANTI-Gay, ANTI-Women's Rights support. 2. They do not carry much favor among many Republicans themselves because, regardless of anything else, "Somos" groups DO support Comprehensive Immigration Reform (CIR) and are AGAINST racial profiling bills like sb1070 and against the rhetoric of extremist politicians like Virgil Peck - the Hate-Filled state rep. who recommended shooting Latinos like "feral pigs." I've read many Restrictionist and Conservative blogs/websites that refer to them as RINOs (Republicans in Name Only) and talk very negatively about them. While I agree with their support of CIR, I think they are dangerous. At least some of the members of these "Somos" type groups are wannabees. They wannabee accepted by their Rich Donors. Many have money themselves. Some are old time politicians with deep pockets. Some have done long-term work for Republicans. Some helped George Bush into power, with long time friendships with Bush's Brain. Some easily give in on key political issues like CIR, like sb1070 and who knows what else. Go to their website. See them arm in arm with the likes of John McCain, Rick Perry and others. These "Somos" types groups are dangerous because they may be able to convince a few Latinos to vote for Republicans who have very ANTI Latino agendas. President Obama, we True American Latinos support you, however, we need something to motivate our base. I personally recognize the change in your method of deportations. You have stopped the deplorable workplace ICE raids and instead moved to target and prosecute abusive employers. You have targetted criminals and gangs versus workers. You have partnered with Mexico in border security and targetting the drug cartels, increasing the number of drug arrests and reducing the flow of weapons back into Mexico. It's a start and clearly there is a long way to go. I recognize that in the Republicans' mountain of "NO's" it has been difficult in getting any version of CIR passed. Given all of this, there are steps you can take to improve the relationship with Latinos and help you with the Latino Vote. Recommendations: 1. Pass the Dream Act now. You can gain support from some Republican members. Find a way to do it and do it this year. If there is a way to do this without a Congressional Vote, do it. One way to get this passed is to explain the process to the voters. The last time you attempted to pass it during the lame duck session didn't work because Republicans were allowed to LIE about what was in the bill. There is NO Free Tuition and there is NO "Amnesty" in the bill! If they attempt to LIE about this again, call them out on it! "THEY LIE!" 2. Ease the Backlog in the Immigration Courts. You don't need Congressional approval on this. Just do it! Find a way! We all know that 40% of the 12M are Visa Overstays. By removing the backlog, you will help that 40% on their way to Legal status. 3. Have Eric Holder move forward on the Arpaio/Arizona case. Have the DOJ release their findings. There is clear corruption in Arizona. Reveal your findings. America needs to know the truth! Lastly, once you are re-elected, if that day comes, PASS CIR the very 1st year. Do it. Just Do It. YES, YOU CAN! Why? Because we ALL know, it is the Right Thing To Do! YES YOU CAN!

Bill Richardson CLEARED of any wrongdoing in Pay-to-Play Probe.

After a Federal Grand Jury investigation, NM Governor Bill Richardson and his staff were CLEARED of any wrongdoing!
AP Reports:
SANTA FE, N.M. — New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson and former high-ranking members of his administration won't be criminally charged in a yearlong federal investigation into pay-to-play allegations involving one of the Democratic governor's large political donors, someone familiar with the case said. The decision not to pursue indictments was made by top Justice Department officials, according to a person familiar with the investigation, who asked not to be identified because federal officials had not disclosed results of the probe.

"It's over. There's nothing. It was killed in Washington," the person told The Associated Press. A federal grand jury began an investigation in 2008 into a possible pay-to-play scheme in which lucrative work on state bond deals went to a Richardson donor. The federal probe derailed Richardson's appointment as commerce secretary in President Barack Obama's administration.

Richardson withdrew his nomination in January, saying the investigation would have delayed his confirmation although he said expected to be cleared. Richardson and members of his staff traveled to Cuba this week for a trade mission. Richardson spokesman Gilbert Gallegos didn't immediately respond to e-mail messages seeking confirmation that no charges were expected from the federal investigation.

RNC Chairman Candidates' Debate Proves the RNC will Never Win a Presidential Campaign Again!

On Monday, the RNC hosted an RNC Chairman Candidates' Debate on C-Span. The candidates include: Katon Dawson, Ken Blackwell (African American), Saul Anuzis, Chip Saltzman (Magical Negro CD), Mike Duncan (old school RNC & current RNC Chair) and Michael Steele (African American). One of these six contenders will be chosen by the 168-member Republican National Committee at the end of this month.

For those of you with no doze who wish to see this 90 minute snoozefest, you can see the CSPAN video here.

I watched it. It was obvious. The Republicans are still scratching their heads wondering why they lost the 2008 Presidential election. None of them said anything new that will stir up the future vote.

Many of these RNC leaders are in a state of denial. They do not want to change. They do not want to understand why they lost the minority vote. They do not want to understand that unless they change their ways, they will never win a Presidential election again. They continue to stand by their mantra, "Our party stands for Family Values and Lower Taxes. We just had BAD Public Relations. We just need to communicate our message better. If we keep to our Core Values, the Voters, including minorities, will come." It is clear, the RNC is stuck in the 1980's, the Reagan Years.

As I wrote in November, Republicans did not receive the Latino Vote because they did not listen to our issues nor include Latinos in their agenda. In fact, during the "debate" the RNC Chairman candidates refused to touch one of the most sensitive and important issues facing us today, Immigration Reform. It was the elephant in the room. Wes Vernon from RenewAmerica.us agrees. In his recent column he said:

Picking up the pieces from the 2008 election is going to be an uphill climb as it is. Add to that an issue deemed so delicate that not one of the six candidates for Republican National Chairman dares utter a meaningful word about it during a 90-minute debate...

(Until) the dicey question came from Mario Lopez, President of the conservative Hispanic Leadership Fund (HLF). Mr. Lopez was not being adversarial or trying to lay a trap for the would-be RNC chairman... His group favors a lot of things conservatives favor: lower taxes, entrepreneurship, and education reform, etc.

Lopez phrased the question and its preface this way: "In roughly 30 years, the United States will be a majority minority country, 50,000 Hispanics turn 18 every month, and by 2050, one in three Americans will of Hispanic descent. After significant gains with Hispanic voters — for example, President Bush 40 to 44 percent of the Hispanic vote in 2004 — harsh rhetoric from some Republicans (ANTIs) and the general lack of a real sustained commitment were large factors in dropping the GOP share of the Hispanic vote to 31% in 2008 and 27% in 2006. Given the demographic changes facing the country, do you agree with the notion that the Republican Party cannot be a governing majority ever again without expanding the base by bringing more Hispanics and other minorities into its ranks? If so, how do you plan to integrate these efforts into all aspects of party operations?"

What was not said: Notice that in his question, Mr. Lopez did not mention the "too hot to handle" issue at the bottom line of his political concerns: illegal immigration. But then, not one of the answers delivered by the six RNC chairman-hopefuls mentioned that issue either...

Ever since then (the failed Comprehensive Immigration Reform bill), politicians in both parties have been treading on eggs over the issue...

In their responses, the candidates touched on several (other) issues on which Hispanic voters are in sync with the values of millions of other Americans and the conservative ethos: school choice, abortion, sanctity of the individual, limited government, "families empowered by choice in health care," safe streets, a good job for their children, etc....but still not a word about the underlying issue — again, illegal immigration (Comprehensive Immigration Reform).

Note: At this point Vernon goes on the typical rant against CIR without offering any recommendations for CIR or increasing the Latino or Minority Vote. I will leave it to viewers if they choose to read his rant or not. I guess he couldn't help himself. Then he utters the RNC's deathnell if they take his advice: " failing to include the issue of illegal immigration in polling questions sent to grassroots Republicans, possibly because of a belief that the answers would expose the unpopularity of the Bush administration's "open borders" policies — another sad chapter in the stupid party's longstanding death wish. That kind of pussyfooting or evasion of the issue will not do. The next RNC chairman should understand there is too much at stake."

In the end, it was Michael Steele who provided one of the most significant and telling responses of the "debate". In response to Mario Lopez's question he said, "Until we (including RNC State Chairmen) get outside of our comfort zones, put in face time (to NAACP and other minority organizations), then we won’t have to worry about a Hispanic face coming up and asking these questions." Well, he was two-thirds right. Not only do they need to get out of their comfort zones and put in face time, but they also have to have Hispanic faces not only asking questions, but being integral members of the RNC Leadership Team.

The RNC Apologizes and A Fable Explaining Why the Magic Negro CD Is Offensive!

The RNC has apologized. The RNC chairman, Robert Duncan, admonished and chastised one of his potential successors, Chip Saltsman, for giving members a CD featuring a song called Barack the Magic Negro. Duncan said, "The 2008 election was a wake-up call for Republicans to reach out and bring more people into our party. I am shocked and appalled that anyone would think this is appropriate, as it clearly does not move us in the right direction." Perhaps Duncan "gets" why the CD is offensive. I know Saltsman does not. He thinks the CD was funny. In my previous post about this subject, many of the Republican and good-ole boy commenters DID NOT GET IT either. They ALSO thought the CD and the reference were Funny!
I was inspired to pen this FABLE to help them understand why the CD is offensive, why the delivery of the CD by a leader of the RNC to other RNC members will turn off many voters and why Limbaugh, who considers himself a Conservative spokesperson, is a poor representative for the RNC.
But again, I wonder if those who think the CD was harmless and funny will understand the Fable? We will see.
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The FABLE of the GOB
Long, long ago in a land far, far away, lived a group of colorful people led by men who called themselves the Good Ole Boys or GOB for short. The GOB always married perky, pretty, "real women." What most people didn’t know for sure was the GOB quickly made their "real women" wives disappear and replaced them with perky, pretty robots who did their every bidding.
The Real People were always suspicious of the GOB and their robotic wives. Even though they suspected the GOB´s deviltry, the Real People had very little say since the GOB was in charge of their government.
Through the decades, the GOB controlled the movies and the media. Often, the starring role in many of their movies was one of their Stepford Wives. In the movies, they were not only pretty and perky, they had magical powers which, with a twitch of the nose, provided magical perks for their GOB husbands who were always the heroes of the movies.
Over the years, the Real People including the Real Women (RW) grew in numbers. Soon there were several RW in government and in films, although they were still outnumbered and led by the GOB. Occasionally, an RW would speak out her own views. One renowned RW Movie Director, Penny Lee, spoke out in an interview. She said, “In my neighborhood, we look up to real women, smart women, women with hearts and guts enough to stand up for themselves, not bow down to the GOBs.” Then she lamented, “The Magic Stepford Wife does not help RWs. They offer an image that promotes a step and fetch-it mentality, a safe image for the GOBs."
Finally, as the country advanced, a Real Woman, Jennifer Grandhome, was nominated for President. In the early months of her campaign, she was not well known. All anyone could see was, she was a pretty, perky woman who spoke, some felt, scriptedly, to the crowds attending her rallies. One RW Journalist, Kitty Cure-it, opined, “Although I don´t know her, I see she is pretty and perky and well scripted. I hope she is not a Magic Stepford Wife!”
As candidate Grandhome continued her campaign, the public learned more about her and found she was an extremely intelligent, charismatic, well qualified, "Real Woman" candidate. As the crowds grew, the statistics illustrated the country´s support for her. She became the candidate that could win.
The GOB was in a frenzy. Their loudest media bully, Rutt Limpbutt, pounded and attacked Grandhome in every way possible! Limpbutt, a cigar chomping, overweight blowhard was a GOB media attack dog. He yowled, howled, twisted and spun his attacks. He latched on to the Magic Stepford Wife reference by Journalist Cure-it. Limpbutt had his soundman create a CD with a man mimicking the voice of Betty Freewomen chanting:
“Jennifer the Stepford Wife lives in D.C...cause she´s perky but not authentically.”
Rutt and his Soundman attacked and attacked Grandhome and published the CD on his website, promoting it endlessly, planning on ending Grandhome´s campaign!! Real People tried to tell Rutt his plan was not working but Rutt did not listen. He never did.
Finally, election day came. The RWs and all of the Real People came to realize Jennifer Grandhome was not only a Real Woman, but the most qualified candidate that could change the nation! Therefore she received the most votes and won the Presidential election.
The GOB was out of power at last! It was clear Rutt and the GOB were in a real rut. Real Women and the Real People no longer listened to Rutt or the GOB. The REAL PEOPLE did not like the GOB attack tactics! They wanted a Change!!
The GOB mourned their loss and they scratched their heads wondering why they lost. Several GOB leaders grunted, “Perhaps we have to change and LISTEN to the REAL PEOPLE and welcome them to our party!” The rest just oinked and shrugged their shoulders.
Rutt Limpbutt didn´t change. He continued his rants against the new President. He continued the promotion of the CD on his website.
One GOB candidate, Salty Chip, sent the vile CD to all of his comrades at the GOB with the note, “I look forward to working together in the New Year, Please enjoy the enclosed CD by my friend Soundman from the Rutt Limpbutt Show.” Salty did not understand how offensive this CD was to Real Women and to the Real People.
Once the Real People got wind of Salty´s gift to the GOB, they were angry and proclaimed to the GOB, “if you don’t refute Salty´s message, we will never vote for you again!” The next day, the Chairman of the GOB, aghast by the response of the REAL PEOPLE, announced, “This election was a wake-up call for the GOB to reach out and bring more people into our party. I am shocked and appalled that anyone would think this is appropriate, as it clearly does not move us in the right direction."
Salty still did not get it. He responded to the GOB Chairman´s announcement, “It was a Joke!” Salty did not understand the RWs found out about the years of terror and death their RW wives experienced and how reprehensible the Stepford Robot replacements were to all Real Women! The RWs had every right to question and oppose their existence. The vile CD making a joke of the Magic Stepford Wives was certainly nothing for Limpbutt or the GOB to joke about!
LimpButt did not get it either. He continued to yowl, howl, twist and spin his attacks against President Grandhome.
Meanwhile, the Real Women and the Real People of the country simply turned off Limpbutt´s radio show. And most important of all, Real Women never married anyone from the GOB again.