The Latino vote

On the Revolution of Ideas!

A few years ago the Latino vote was not so important, and many politicians in Washington did not pay much attention to the Latino community simply because it did not amount to much come Election Day. Today we see a different scenario. The Latino vote is now a key community in electing the new President for the 2012-2016 periods. What has surprised me is the constant neglect from all candidates including the President regarding Latino issues. The main issue for the Latino community has been the immigration reform. This reform is very important since many Latinos have family members who live in the dark and have been living in America for 10-15 years and have not been able to become legal aliens. 

Both parties have neglected the Latino community simply by promising they will push the immigration reform and then, once in office, all the Latino community sees is an increase in deportations and no reform. It is clear it is a matter of race. Some have said that is necessary to have legal immigrants, but no one has come up with a solution, since many have sold the lie to the general public that the immigrants are the ones to blame for the economic crisis. Many continue to say that immigrants, especially Latino immigrants, are the ones who take jobs from Americans. The reality is that Latinos don’t take jobs from Americans; Latino immigrants only take the jobs that many Americans won’t do. Many Farmers have seen their business fall due to the fact that many Latino immigrants have left America scared that they will be caught by Homeland security Officers, and there are no Americans willing to do the jobs these immigrants were doing. It’s definitely a matter of coming up with a real solution, which will not only  provide Billions in revenue to the government, but will legalize all the illegal immigrants. This would give way to a system that works in favor of all communities. The ironic thing is that this issue involves many communities aside from the Latino, but somehow Latinos are pointed as the problem when in reality they are only part of it. I definitely see Latinos as part of the solution, not the problem.

The Latino leader ship has to play hard ball and be clear that it will not allow Washington to get away with more policies that only attack the community. It is necessary to push for the immigration reform, and the way to get it pushed is by voting for the right candidate. It is clear; at least from what I have seen on the republican debates, that none of these candidates is looking for the Latino vote. All  you see from these candidates is hate and policies that do not benefit a community that has been part of building America just as many other communities who came here in the 20á 30’and 30’s and before. I ask myself; Is it because these immigrants are not white that we see these policies? Is it because they are Latinos? The reality is that Latinos have contributed as much as many other communities in building America. It is necessary that come Election Day the Latino community takes a stand endorsing the candidate that finally pushes for policies that benefit this community, and all immigrants no matter what their ethnic background is.

Latinos must come together because it is clear that their vote will have a decisive call come next November 2012. It is time people understand that Latinos are a part of America, and that they deserve better. Washington must know that this time promising they will try to push this reform will not cut it; this time the promise must become a compromise to finally put an end to illegal immigration. The dream act and other legislation must be a part of the agenda in the presidential debate and Latinos must be heard.  I have no doubt The Latino Vote will decide this Presidential election, and so far no one on both parties has approached this community in a serious way. In my opinion, the candidate who can promise and comprise to the reforms the Latino Community and America needs will win the election.

Cristhian Mancera Mejia

Director

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