← Autodidact Archive · Original Dissent · EDUMAKATEDMOFO
Thread ID: 19049 | Posts: 5 | Started: 2005-07-08
2005-07-08 20:08 | User Profile
[I]More flushable chunks from syndicated columnist, Miguel Perez[/I].
LATINO BABY BOOMERS SHALL OVERCOME POLITICAL BARRIERS
For those who fear foreigners -- particularly those frightened by the rapid growth of the U.S. Hispanic population -- the news is still good.
Although Latinos accounted for half of the U.S. population growth between the elections of 2000 and 2004, a new study says they represented only one-tenth of the new votes cast last November.
It means that population numbers don't necessarily translate into political power.
"The Hispanic population is more and more visible across the country, and its growth is increasingly controversial in some places," the study notes. "But its political presence is far smaller by comparison."
We have known that all along, especially since we know that a huge number of Latinos are ineligible to vote -- either because they are too young or because they have yet to become American citizens.
What we didn't know is that for Latinos and their political aspirations, things have actually been getting worse.
The study, by the Pew Hispanic Center, found that "this gap between the very substantial growth of the Hispanic population and much more modest growth in Hispanic electoral clout has been developing for a generation but has widened in recent years." It also notes that the gap is "likely to continue growing given current trends."
This means that proportionally, in relation to their growing population, Latinos have been losing political power. It's great news for the xenophobes.
Those immigrant-bashing lawmakers who have been rewinding the civil rights clock -- and reversing the gains made by minorities in the last few decades -- must feel a sense of accomplishment. By holding the line on several fronts -- from redistricting to the way the Census counts minorities -- they have been able to keep Latinos from getting their fair share of political representation.
This is why right-wing extremists are so adamantly opposed to giving any sort of amnesty to the 11 million illegal immigrants who keep our economy vibrant. They claim that it is because they are hung up on the word "illegal."
"What part of illegal don't you understand?" they ask me in angry letters. But they must know that it is practically impossible to deport 11 million people. Many of them are realistic enough to know -- although they will never acknowledge it -- that we need these immigrants here.
They are opposed to putting these immigrants on a track toward legalization because they want to prevent, or at least delay, the inevitable political empowerment of the nation's 41 million -- and counting -- Latinos. As long as they can keep immigrants from becoming voters, they feel they can stall what they see as an "alien invasion" from "taking over" the country.
But for how long?
Even if they continue to ignore the illegal immigrant population -- which is neither invading nor trying to "take over" -- there is another segment of the Latino population -- those who are now too young to vote -- that is destined to change the American political landscape.
It is not likely to happen in the next four years. But bank on it, it's going to happen. There is a Latino baby boom heading our way.
The Pew study, based on data from the Census Bureau and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, found that of the 5.7 million Latinos added to the U.S. population between the last two presidential elections, about a third (1.9 million) were illegal immigrants and another third (1.7 million) were too young to vote.
The study notes that although 80 percent of the Latino under-18 population will still be too young to vote in the next presidential election, "most are native-born U.S. citizens and hence will eventually become eligible voters. And, when they do, they will join the electorate at a rapid rate."
It means that for Latinos and other immigrants in this country, it's only a matter of time. Better days are coming. It means that two or three election cycles from now, the political maneuvers of those who try to keep Latinos from power will eventually be overwhelmed by sheer numbers -- of voters, which is what really counts.
All the immigrant-bashers are doing is buying some time before the inevitable -- which is not "an invasion," a "takeover" or any such xenophobic fantasy. The inevitable is equality, justice, adequate Latino representation at all levels of government, and a community with an equal voice in American society.
It's nothing to fear, and no one can stop it.
To find out more about Miguel Perez, and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate web page at [url]www.creators.com[/url].
2005-07-08 21:55 | User Profile
Siiiiii amigo mi Aztlan me goode, oll gringos by by, mi neew boos en towne.
I hate to say this but the guy is right, little by little their vote will influence the whores who play the part of leaders of this country and as usual for a vote they will kiss anyones azz.
California as far as I am concern is gone.
2005-07-09 06:12 | User Profile
[QUOTE=Ponce]Siiiiii amigo mi Aztlan me goode, oll gringos by by, mi neew boos en towne.
I hate to say this but the guy is right, little by little their vote will influence the whores who play the part of leaders of this country and as usual for a vote they will kiss anyones azz.
California as far as I am concern is gone.[/QUOTE] Sad but I think you're right. Someone once said when California sneezes the rest of the country catches cold.
I think it's funny though that everyone is like wow look at all the hispanics, but they don't get involved politically. Hello they are mostly illegal!!! Oh yeah that's right if you can get a drivers liscense you can vote.:wacko:
2005-07-16 03:35 | User Profile
[QUOTE=BlueBonnet]Sad but I think you're right. Someone once said when California sneezes the rest of the country catches cold.
I think it's funny though that everyone is like wow look at all the hispanics, but they don't get involved politically. Hello they are mostly illegal!!! Oh yeah that's right if you can get a drivers liscense you can vote.:wacko:[/QUOTE]
Illegals vote even without a driver's license. Any document they need they can counterfeit.
2005-07-22 08:55 | User Profile
This Miguel Perez sounds like a good libertarian. No wonder he makes me sick.