Hispanics Must Stop Saying “Take Me For Granted’ to the Democratic Party
As the Democratic convention is about to begin in Denver I thought I would look to see how many Hispanics have been given a chance to speak at the podium. With 102 listed speakers one might expect that at least 10 % of the speakers would be Hispanic. Well the schedule currently lists only 8 speakers in almost insignificant space filling positions on the convention docket. About 3 speakers appear to be giving just introductions. No South Texas Hispanic Congressman is listed as been given that all important podium time at the convention.
When I was in elementary school in McAllen, Texas in the 1960’s the Hispanic professionals of the Rio Grande Valley were courted by the state-wide Democratic party to insure that the “Mexicans” would do the right thing. I will never forget being in the hall way in my house, hidden, listening to a couple of gentleman from Austin asking my father, a local physician who immigrated from Mexico, to make sure that the “Pachucos” would not give any trouble in the upcoming mayoral election. For decades the Rio Grande Valley was like a dog on a leash to the state wide Democratic party. Local prominent Hispanics would get to ask for a few agenda items and in return where expected to march exactly with the Democratic party.
Hispanics are still a dog on a leash to the national Democratic party. We turned out record numbers for the most experienced Democratic candidate who had a proven record of service to the Hispanic community. We were told that candidate would be seriously considered for the Vice-Presidential nomination but now discover that it was really a sham. In reality it was another lie to make sure that Hispanics would not cause any trouble. After all, we are going to vote Democratic anyway so who cares what we think.
I am not saying the Republican party is necessarily the answer, but clearly we have to break the Patron y Campesino relationship we have with the national Democratic party. We have to demand from them action now on the issues that affect us not just talk. They have been the majority party in the Congress with a President who was sympathetic to immigration, yet nothing has happened. We must stop allowing the media to call us racists if we question voting for Obama. Legalized discrimination and hate crimes against Hispanics are on the rise yet they have done nothing. Our faith tells us that life begins at conception yet the party wants millions more to die in abortions. Ray Martinez, the prominent mayor of a Colorado city, was conceived from rape and is asking Hispanics to examine their family values in their votes.
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