Texas's political future

[TrailDust]

Okay, before I get started let me clearly state that the intent of this thread has nothing to do with racism. Rather, I am citing Latinos as a voting block just as I would if the voting block in question were Jews, Brits, people aged 18-20, or Martians. That said, Latinos overwhelmingly vote Democrat, and it is the rapid increase in their numbers into Texas that has me worried about the state's future. I seriously wonder if, as a growing voting block, they will change the state to another California in 15 or 20 years. Here are two relevant articles that discuss this issue:


Latino Numbers Soar in Texas - WSJ.com

Latinos Join the Electoral Land Grab - WSJ.com


Some salient excerpts:

In Texas, Latinos accuse Republicans, who control both houses of the state legislature and the governorship, of illegally redrawing the lines to protect Republican incumbents. In Illinois, Republicans are preparing a lawsuit making a similar charge against Democrats, who control the state legislature and the executive branch, and prominent Hispanic groups aren't sure which side to take. In California, Hispanics are unhappy with a 14-member bipartisan commission responsible for redrawing the districts. They argue that the panel has paid too much attention to county and city borders and not enough to creating the new Hispanic-majority districts they say their populations surge warrants.

Texas' overall gain of four congressional seats, from 32 to 36, was largely the result of Hispanic population growth, so Ms. Perales was expecting to pick up possibly three new majority-Latino districts: one in south-central Texas, one in the Dallas/Fort-Worth area, and one in the Houston area.

 

[Texasjack]

... Latinos overwhelmingly vote Democrat, ...

That's exactly the reason Obama won't shut down the border.

Our political problem is not south of the border; it's here. Our kids are being indoctrinated in school that socialism is good, that all of our problems are solved with more government, that capitalism is bad, that the planet is being destroyed by industry, that the Founding Fathers were racist, evil white oppressors, that multiculturalism is wonderful and that religion is OK except for Christianity, which causes war. Our problem is with our elected representatives that are too busy cutting deals to stand up for what is right. Our problem is with our own voters who don't think they can make changes. Our problem lies with all those people who think they are OWED a living and healthcare and housing.

I'm shocked at how the USA has been trashed in just the last couple of decades, and at the exponential rate of destruction in the past 2 years. I'm equally shocked at how few people really take this seriously.

On the night that rat bastard Obama was elected, I called my son and apologized for what my generation has left for him. I guess I'm one of the very, very few that think about the future we leave for our children and grandchildren. It's very frustrating.

By the time this becomes a Spanish-only country, the economy will probably be the same as Mexico's anyway.

No use in you losing any sleep over it. The vast majority of people are more interested in when American Idol starts back up or what Charlie Sheen has babbled about today.

 

[ghostscout]

That's exactly the reason Obama won't shut down the border.

Our political problem is not south of the border; it's here. Our kids are being indoctrinated in school that socialism is good, that all of our problems are solved with more government, that capitalism is bad, that the planet is being destroyed by industry, that the Founding Fathers were racist, evil white oppressors, that multiculturalism is wonderful and that religion is OK except for Christianity, which causes war. Our problem is with our elected representatives that are too busy cutting deals to stand up for what is right. Our problem is with our own voters who don't think they can make changes. Our problem lies with all those people who think they are OWED a living and healthcare and housing.

I'm shocked at how the USA has been trashed in just the last couple of decades, and at the exponential rate of destruction in the past 2 years. I'm equally shocked at how few people really take this seriously.

On the night that rat bastard Obama was elected, I called my son and apologized for what my generation has left for him. I guess I'm one of the very, very few that think about the future we leave for our children and grandchildren. It's very frustrating.

By the time this becomes a Spanish-only country, the economy will probably be the same as Mexico's anyway.

No use in you losing any sleep over it. The vast majority of people are more interested in when American Idol starts back up or what Charlie Sheen has babbled about today.

Couldnt have said it better myself.

 

[texas skeeter]

I seriously wonder if, as a growing voting block, they will change the state to another California in 15 or 20 years.

Oh but they've done SOOOOOOO well with Mexico and the way its run and prospered!!!!

 

[TrailDust]

Our political problem is not south of the border; it's here. Our kids are being indoctrinated in school that socialism is good, that all of our problems are solved with more government, that capitalism is bad, that the planet is being destroyed by industry, that the Founding Fathers were racist, evil white oppressors, that multiculturalism is wonderful and that religion is OK except for Christianity, which causes war. Our problem is with our elected representatives that are too busy cutting deals to stand up for what is right. Our problem is with our own voters who don't think they can make changes. Our problem lies with all those people who think they are OWED a living and healthcare and housing.

Bravo! Like ghostscout said, I couldn't have said it better myself!


No use in you losing any sleep over it. The vast majority of people are more interested in when American Idol starts back up or what Charlie Sheen has babbled about today.

I do lose sleep over it, because if Texas goes the way of California what do we have left in this country? Also, I'd add that I feel your frustration in that way too many Americans (including lots of conservatives) don't really give much of a crap anymore about anything. It's beyond sad.

-

 

[Charlie]

I can't even comment without offending somebody, somewhere.

 

[shortround]

When Latinos re-discover the invention of self-reliance, hard work, and embrace their innate sense of decency and Catholic family values, we will have turned the corner.

I've never known a Latino or Latina to turn down an opportunity to thrive.

Only the Democrats want to hold them back, keep them dependent on hand-outs, and keep them on the farm.

I have yet to meet a Latino engaged in the business of America who supports illegal immigration.

Conservatives must embrace a growing demographic that is more conservative than most would believe.

Be well.

 

[TrailDust]

Conservatives must embrace a growing demographic that is more conservative than most would believe.

And conservatives need to step up their game when communicating with Latinos. The Democrats are so effective at getting their own warped, bastardized message out they have a majority of Latinos in their camp thinking Republicans/conservatives only want to ship them back to Mexico or Central America and don't care about them. If conservatives don't pull their heads out of their collective asses they'll never get the Latino vote.

 

[Thegomezclan]

I think the biggest problem is that people just don't think of themselves as 100% Americans, there either Mexican-American or African-American or whatever-american. I hate that when I apply for a job and they ask what race you are they don't have a space for American.

 

[lalonguecarabine]

I think the biggest problem is that people just don't think of themselves as 100% Americans, there either Mexican-American or African-American or whatever-american.

Indeed!

I hate that when I apply for a job and they ask what race you are they don't have a space for American.

That REALLY bothers the hell out of me too!
My skin is brown, but my ancestors have been here since before there were flags being flown here! My facial features are distinctly Native American, despite my Spanish last name. That is the case for MOST people here that call themselves mexican-american, latino, or some other bullshit.
I have a newsflash for them all! Nobody in Spain looks like us! We have Spanish last names the same way that Black people have English ones! We owe NO allegiance to any Spanish or Mexican culture, language or traditions! Embrace the nation you're in right now and enjoy being free! ...DUMBASSES!!!

Okay, rant off. Somebody else can have the damn soapbox.

 

[TrailDust]

I think the biggest problem is that people just don't think of themselves as 100% Americans, there either Mexican-American or African-American or whatever-american. I hate that when I apply for a job and they ask what race you are they don't have a space for American.

Thing of it is I feel both ways about it: On the one hand becoming simply an American and totally assimilating into the culture is great, but on the other I can empathize with any new resident to this country wanting to retain their ethnic/cultural identity. I guess where I'm going with this is if people want to assimilate completely then excellent, but if they want to set themselves apart like, say, the Chinese do in a number of Chinatowns throughout America I'm good with that too. All I ask from any foreigner is to learn English and be required to speak it and write it in any "official" circumstance (ie., attending public schools, voting, obtaining a driver's license, etc.), follow the laws in their state, county, or local community, and make no demands that other Americans change to suite their sensibilities. I hope my thought process there made sense.

As for being identified by race on forms, I agree that unless it's for official identification purposes and/or for medical purposes, there's no need to identify by race.

Thanks for the time on the soapbox.

 

[Thegomezclan]

I see your point traildust, but I have a real good friend of mine that is third generation American and he tells me stories that when his grandfather arrived to this wonderful country of ours that he forbid his family from speaking their native language because he said that they where in America and they needed to speak english.

 

[Bithabus]

Indeed!

My skin is brown, but my ancestors have been here since before there were flags being flown here! My facial features are distinctly Native American, despite my Spanish last name. That is the case for MOST people here that call themselves mexican-american, latino, or some other bullshit.
I have a newsflash for them all! Nobody in Spain looks like us! We have Spanish last names the same way that Black people have English ones! We owe NO allegiance to any Spanish or Mexican culture, language or traditions! Embrace the nation you're in right now and enjoy being free! ...DUMBASSES!!!

Okay, rant off. Somebody else can have the damn soapbox.

Great point. Lots of "Latino" people in the US are so proud of the Spanish language (and insist on speaking it in public), yet they seem to have no idea it is the language of their conquerors.

 

[Texan2]

My rural county has a hispanic majority. In 2010 for the first time the county voted overwhelmingly for Republicans. Latinos help GWB win the gov. mansion and the White House.
I think hispanics will drift right in the coming years.

 

[shortround]

Well said.

 

[lalonguecarabine]

Great point. Lots of "Latino" people in the US are so proud of the Spanish language (and insist on speaking it in public), yet they seem to have no idea it is the language of their conquerors.

A point that I "attempt" to drive home again and again! Some people get so entrenched in an ideal (whether it has any basis in fact or not), that no amount of logic or reason will ever dissuade them from it!

 

[TrailDust]

In a slightly ironic twist, a friend of mine sent me an e-mail today that contained the material quoted below. It has a few points I strongly agree with, like the requirement to speak English. I'm all for speaking your native language at home or even in public, but when it comes to communicating in any official form like reading voting material then speaking English is a must. Anyway, here's what was sent to me:

Missouri's approach to the problem of illegal immigration appears to be more advanced, sophisticated, strict and effective than anything to date in Arizona.
The "Show Me" state has once again shown us how it should be done.

In 2007, Missouri placed on the ballot a proposed constitutional amendment designating English as the official language of Missouri . In November, 2008, nearly 90% voted in favor! Thus, English became the official language for ALL governmental activity in Missouri . No individual has the right to demand government services in a language OTHER than English.

In 2008, a measure was passed that required the Missouri Highway Patrol and other law enforcement officials to verify the immigration status of any person arrested, and inform federal authorities if the person is found to be in Missouri illegally. Missouri law enforcement offices receive specific training with respect to enforcement of federal immigration laws.

In Missouri , illegal immigrants do NOT have access to taxpayers benefits such as food stamps and health care through Missouri HealthNET.
In 2009, a measure was passed that ensures Missouri 's public institutions of higher education do NOT award financial aid to individuals who are illegally in the United States.

In Missouri , all post-secondary institutions of higher education to annually certify to the Missouri Dept. of Higher Education that they have NOT knowingly awarded financial aid to students who are unlawfully present in the United States.

Missouri has made it clear that illegal immigrants are NOT welcome in the state and they will certainly NOT receive public benefits at the expense of Missouri taxpayers.

Taken from: "The Ozarks Sentinel" Editorial - Nita Jane Ayres, May 13, 2010.

Missouri Ahead of the Game in Dealing with Illegal Immigrants