LatinaLista.net -- If one thing is clear from a new report released today by America's Voice entitled The Power of the Latino Vote in America: They Tipped Elections in 2008; Where Will They Be in 2010? it's that no political party should underestimate the power of the Latino vote.

According to the study, from 2000 to 2008, Latino voter registration grew 54% and turnout grew by 64%. There is documentation that it was with the help of Latino voters that Obama won the election.

In battleground states such as Colorado, Florida, New Mexico, and Nevada, 2008's increased Latino turnout and the Latino electorate's break towards Democrats were major factors in Barack Obama's victories and in Democratic House and Senate pick-ups:

In Florida, for example, Latino voters grew by 403,000, or 49%, compared to 2004, and backed Obama by a 57-42% margin after having backed Bush by a 56-44% margin in 2004.

The study points to the fact that in precincts across the country Latino voters are poised to be the swing voters many candidates will need to land in office.

Though the study shows that Latino voters trend Democratic, there's no guarantee that it will remain so, especially if the Democratic party fails to honor campaign promises made to the Latino community.

The amount of Latino support boils down to three things:

1. The level of engagement the candidate has with their local Latino community.
2. The level of engagement the state party has with local Latino communities.
3. The language of that engagement.

Continue reading "New study on Latino voters shows the key to reaching many Latinos lies in the language of engagement" »

Filed 8 de Febrero, 2010 | Permalink | View Blog Reactions | Comments (1)

It's being reported that the Tea Party Movement has created a new political organization, Ensuring Liberty Corporation, whose mission will be to endorse, support and elect conservative candidates.

The announcement came with an official platform that could help define what the multi-faceted tea party movement stands for and expects from the candidates it supports. The group's leaders plan to support candidates who stand for a set of "First Principles."

Those principles are: fiscal responsibility, lower taxes, less government, states' rights and national security.

Well, the Tea Party people aren't the only ones to have created a list of "principles."

The National Latino Congreso (NLC), which held their fourth international gathering last week in El Paso, came up with a list of endorsements and plans of actions they feel are necessary to help progress issues important to the Latino community.

Thanks to Domingo Garcia, the following is a compilation of some of the more noteworthy resolutions adopted at this year's NLC. All 54 resolutions amendments approved by the delegates, they can all be viewed at the organization's web site.

Approximately 1,000 leaders and activists attended the 4th National Latino Congreso (NLC) in El Paso at the Camino Real during Jan 29-31. The NLC hosted delegations from over 100 organizations and elected officials for the three day convention on politics and policy.

The delegates, observers, speakers, and guests came from eleven states (Texas, California, New Mexico, Arizona, Washington, Mississippi, Virginia, Illinois, Virginia, New York, New Jersey, Washington, DC), as well as Mexico and Venezuela. Over 250 organizations, elected officials and prominent individuals endorsed the Latino Congreso, representing millions of Latino leaders and activists.

Immigrant Justice

NLC endorses CIR ASAP, Dream Act, AgJobs, and Proud Act, four paramount immigrant justice bills and urges immediate enactment by Congress and the President.

NLC announces plans for first ever Immigrant Justice Report Card to grade Congress and the White House on immigration policy.

NLC announces plans for Immigrant Justice Accountability Project in the event that no immigrant justice bills are passed in 2010 including formation of a 527 and a PAC. IJAP will hold legislative incumbents accountability for their inaction during 2010 elections.

Continue reading "National Latino Congreso adopts resolutions to propel immigration issue and other concerns of Latinos forward" »

Filed 5 de Febrero, 2010 | Permalink | View Blog Reactions | Comments (0)

LatinaLista.net

After ten years, tomorrow should have been the day of reckoning at the Supreme Court for a group of Hispanic farmers who filed a lawsuit against the USDA for systematically denying them needed loans and credits to sustain their farms, while granting those same loans to white farmers.

Though the Supreme Court ruled last month that they would not hear their case, they did schedule tomorrow to be the day to decide if the farmers could still argue their case as a group or have to go one-by-one against the courts. Now, a source tells Latina Lista that the review has been pushed back to February 12 due to bad weather arriving tomorrow on the East Coast.

Yet, for a group of people who have waited ten years, another week isn't going to make a difference, especially since their meeting with the Supreme Court doesn't bring closure to their case, but only prolongs it further.

Over the last ten years, some of the farmers have died, had strokes or been so heartbroken over losing their family farms due to this admitted discrimination by the USDA that family members are quickly losing faith in this administration and Latino leadership.

The few reporters who have picked up this story and interviewed the farmers seem to be asked the same questions by these farmers and their families: Why is it OK to treat us like this?

Continue reading "Unsettled case of Hispanic farmers underscores lack of DC Latino leadership and concern from Obama" »

Filed 4 de Febrero, 2010 | Permalink | View Blog Reactions | Comments (1)

Chances are you haven't heard about Samuel Bonilla. Hopefully, that will change on February 25. That's the day Bonilla gets his day in court in Dodge City, Kansas to prove his innocence in a town, known historically as the gateway to the Wild West, and currently as a town with a lousy track record for how they treat Latino defendants.

For the past 20 years, Bonilla, a successful business owner of a martial arts studio and legal resident immigrant has called Dodge City, Kansas home. Dodge City, with a population of 26,101, according to 2006 US Census estimates, is home to a substantial Latino population. In fact, Latinos are the largest minority in the city, constituting 43% of the population.

The reason why so many Latinos have traveled to the area is to work in the beef packing industry. Yet, according to local Latino community leaders, there is strong anti-Hispanic sentiment by some of the city's population.

It's a town, according to one Latina Lista source, "where there are no Latinos on the county board or city commission, and only one (the first) on the school board - in a district with a Latino enrollment of nearly 80%."

It's a place if an undocumented Latino is caught walking home from a bar, he is arrested for "pedestrian under the influence," since he can't be picked up for driving without a license. And it's a place where some of the "white" locals like to play a game they call "Border Patrol" where they use their truck to intimidate Latino pedestrians.

Unluckily for Bonilla, two men decided to play this game as they saw Bonilla and his son and nephew jogging along the Arkansas river bottom last Labor Day. Being a former bounty hunter, Bonilla carries with him a 22 pistol, which is legal under Kansas' open carry law.

It was this gun that Bonilla contends saved the lives of his son, nephew and himself as these men, Steven Holt and Tanner Brunson, revved up the engine of their four-wheeler and chased down Bonilla and his son and nephew. Bonilla and the boys jumped out of the way. The truck backed up and the men jumped out and quickly walked over to Bonilla.

Bonilla drew his weapon, told the boys to stand behind him and warned Holt and Brunson to stop or he would shoot. The men didn't stop and just as they were within reach to grab Bonilla's gun, Bonilla fired shots hitting both men.

Bonilla told the boys to run and he did too as soon as one man fell to the ground and the other staggered back and fell against the truck. One of the men, Steven Holt, died. The other lived. Both of these men had extensive criminal records, along with one of the men, Tanner Brunson, believed to be affiliated with the Aryan Brotherhood.

Bonilla turned himself into authorities after the incident and was questioned and released only to be arrested a few days later on second-degree murder charges. By all accounts, he could have posted on his $100,000 bond and been released -- it's reported he has the support and belief of the local Latino business community -- but a local bail bondsman, Rebecca Escalante, told Daily Globe reporter Claire O'Brien that she would have posted Bonilla's bond if it weren't for the fact that she had been warned by several people that if Bonilla was released his life would be in danger.

So, Bonilla sits in the Ford County jail hoping above hope that he will be found innocent of the charges.

Yet, that's not the end of the story.

Continue reading "Dodge City, Kansas Latino on trial for murder claims self-defense against hate crime called "Border Patrol"" »

Filed 3 de Febrero, 2010 | Permalink | View Blog Reactions | Comments (6)

A lot has been written this week on this site and others about how Latinos have become disillusioned with the Democratic Party. It's gotten to the point that the old strategies of engagement just aren't working.

In yesterday's post, I laid out the guidelines, if you will, of how Democrats, and most importantly, this President can reconnect with Latino voters.

Today, I got an e-mail reminder (felt more like a ruler on the knuckles) from the Democratic Policy Committee of just how much Democrats have done for the Latino constituency.

Latino Presidential Debate Watch Party (Photo: BarackObamadotcom on Flickr)

Titled Democratic Accomplishments in the 111th Congress: Honoring the Latino Community's Call for Change , the fact sheet entailed all that Democrats have done in going to bat for Latino concerns:

Jumpstart job creation for Latinos struggling with high unemployment rates (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act);    

Secure the continuation of critical safety-net programs for Latino families (Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act);

Stabilize the housing market by preventing foreclosures and improving access to home loans for Latinos (Helping Families Save Their Homes Act and Worker, Homeowership and Business Assistance Act);

Secure health care for millions of additional children (Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act);

Provide authority to the FDA to regulate the manufacture, marketing and sale of tobacco (Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act);

Help make college more affordable (Consolidated Appropriations Act); and

Protect Latinos from unfair and abusive credit card industry practices (Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act).

And while the passage of each of these actions is notable and should be applauded, the mere insertion of the word "Latino" in several of the headings, not to mention the entire listing under "Honoring the Latino Community's Call...", creates the impression that Latinos should feel obligated to feel grateful for what the Democrats have done on their behalf.

Yet, in all honesty, none of these actions is Latino-specific.

Continue reading "Message to Democrats: Don't obligate Latinos to feel grateful for just doing your job" »

Filed 2 de Febrero, 2010 | Permalink | View Blog Reactions | Comments (9)

Last week, I wrote a commentary about being left unimpressed, unmotivated and uninterested in setting up any neighborhood watch parties to watch the President's State of the Union address.

It's not that I'm on the GOP bandwagon to derail Obama at any cost, it's just that I'm not sure what the point is anymore in rallying my friends, neighbors or readers to heighten the pitch for someone who has so much on his plate that he thinks leaking the fact that he would be "talking" about immigration reform in his State of the Union address would suffice for actually addressing the issue with any real substance.

I'm not alone. Other parts of the country have also registered Latino voters as feeling less than enthusiastic in helping his popularity poll numbers.

Some Latina Lista readers, who aren't in favor of immigration reform, have accused this site and others pressing Obama to really address immigration reform, as being self-centered to the detriment of everyone else in the country.

Yet, what they fail to understand is that the Latino vote was mobilized and materialized and helped this administration gain office under the promise that this president and his party would do something other than raid, arrest and deport immigrants, whose only crimes are working and living in the U.S. without the proper authorization.

Everyone understands that immigration reform is as complex, volatile and controversial as healthcare reform. Yet there were little things the President could have authorized in the interim that would not only have shown Latino voters that he meant to keep his promise but would have re-energized Latino voters in ways that an unsolicited email to form watch parties just can't accomplish.

Continue reading "How the Democratic Party can re-energize Latino voters" »

Filed 1 de Febrero, 2010 | Permalink | View Blog Reactions | Comments (12)

By Margaret Aguirre

Margaret Aguirre is the Director of Global Communications for the 26-year-old, California-based International Medical Corps (IMC). IMC goes anywhere in the world it's needed to save lives and improve the quality of life through health interventions performed by volunteer doctors and nurses.

Ever since January 12, 2010 when the 7.0 earthquake devastated Haiti and rocked the conscience of the world, IMC has been at Ground Zero in Haiti delivering urgent medical services, training local medical students and laying the foundation for the second part of their mission: "From relief to self-reliance."

IMC's mission, unlike other relief agencies that treat the injured and then leave, stays for the long haul and helps to rehabilitate devastated health care systems. IMC volunteers teach life-saving skills to the local people so they can become self-reliant while it assures that the new level of care continues for those impacted by tragedy.

Margaret Aguirre has been in Haiti since January 13, along with IMC's volunteers. A week ago, IMC sent an urgent plea to Latina Lista that they were in need of more donations to keep their doctors and nurses supplied with everything they needed to provide quality care for the Haitian injured.

In the following post, special to Latina Lista, Aguirre outlines what she has seen so far in Haiti, what IMC has accomplished and how great is still the need.

Five-year-old Megine was in her home with her mother, Marie, when the earthquake hit. Before they could escape, their home collapsed around them, trapping them in the rubble.

Marie was soon rescued, but no one could find Megine. She was taken to the General Hospital in downtown Port-au-Prince where she received care from International Medical Corps. "I was sick to my stomach the entire time," says Marie, who feared her daughter was dead.

Two days later, Megine was found alive beneath the scraps of her house.

Her mother and father brought Megine to the General Hospital where Marie had received care just days earlier. "I was so happy to see my daughter alive," says Marie.

Her hand was badly damaged and, sadly, need to be amputated. But she made it through surgery, united with her parents, and is alive to share her story.

Megine is just one of the thousands of people in Haiti who have been helped by International Medical Corps since the devastating 7.0 earthquake that hit Haiti on January 12.

Marie stays by her daughter Megine's side as she is cared by IMC volunteers.

International Medical Corps' Emergency Response Team was on the ground in Port-Au-Prince 23 hours after the earthquake, providing critical medical care and assistance to survivors.

Most of the city's hospitals were either destroyed or unusable; many local doctors and medical workers were either missing or searching for their own family members. Our team began working out of the General Hospital (Hopital De'l Universite d'etat d'Haiti), a 700-bed hospital that is barely functioning, where we still are today.

Continue reading " Guest Voz: Spread the word, Haiti still needs help " »

Filed 29 de Enero, 2010 | Permalink | View Blog Reactions | Comments (0)

As Latina Lista noted before Obama's State of the Union address, it had been leaked that Obama would mention immigration reform in his speech. "Mention" was the right word since he said nothing new, nothing hopeful, pretty much nada.

The message from Obama was perfectly clear in what he didn't say -- that immigration reform is still on his and his party's radar.

That was confirmed today during a morning press conference when both Sen. Reid and Sen. Schumer responded to a question about whether or not Sen. Schumer was going to introduce an immigration reform bill before March.

Sen. Reid jumped in and reiterated the Democratic Party's commitment to the issue but that he's learned his lesson about setting deadlines and that his party will pass when they can.

Sen. Schumer and former CNN host Lou Dobbs.

Sen. Schumer was more forthcoming in his answer, maybe a little too much. In addition to echoing Reid's statement and saying that they really want this immigration bill to be a bipartisan effort and so are still looking for two Republicans to sponsor the bill with two Democrats, he dropped a bombshell:

We're meeting with all different kinds of groups trying to get everybody together to come out for one bill. In fact, yesterday I met with Lou Dobbs, who, as many of you know, is changing his views on immigration.

The idea that Democrats think Dobbs can help them get an immigration reform bill passed just boggles the mind and shatters the hope that Democrats actually get the issue.

Continue reading "Sen. Schumer's talk with Lou Dobbs on immigration reform does little to inspire hope among Latinos" »

Filed 28 de Enero, 2010 | Permalink | View Blog Reactions | Comments (17)

Madame Speaker, Vice President Biden, Members of Congress, distinguished guests, and fellow Americans:

Our Constitution declares that from time to time, the President shall give to Congress information about the state of our union. For two hundred and twenty years, our leaders have fulfilled this duty. They have done so during periods of prosperity and tranquility. And they have done so in the midst of war and depression; at moments of great strife and great struggle.

It's tempting to look back on these moments and assume that our progress was inevitable - that America was always destined to succeed. But when the Union was turned back at Bull Run and the Allies first landed at Omaha Beach, victory was very much in doubt. When the market crashed on Black Tuesday and civil rights marchers were beaten on Bloody Sunday, the future was anything but certain. These were times that tested the courage of our convictions, and the strength of our union. And despite all our divisions and disagreements; our hesitations and our fears; America prevailed because we chose to move forward as one nation, and one people.

Again, we are tested. And again, we must answer history's call.

One year ago, I took office amid two wars, an economy rocked by severe recession, a financial system on the verge of collapse, and a government deeply in debt. Experts from across the political spectrum warned that if we did not act, we might face a second depression. So we acted - immediately and aggressively. And one year later, the worst of the storm has passed.

But the devastation remains. One in ten Americans still cannot find work. Many businesses have shuttered. Home values have declined. Small towns and rural communities have been hit especially hard. For those who had already known poverty, life has become that much harder.

This recession has also compounded the burdens that America's families have been dealing with for decades - the burden of working harder and longer for less; of being unable to save enough to retire or help kids with college.

So I know the anxieties that are out there right now. They're not new. These struggles are the reason I ran for President. These struggles are what I've witnessed for years in places like Elkhart, Indiana and Galesburg, Illinois. I hear about them in the letters that I read each night. The toughest to read are those written by children - asking why they have to move from their home, or when their mom or dad will be able to go back to work.

Continue reading "President Obama's State of the Union Address" »

Filed 27 de Enero, 2010 | Permalink | View Blog Reactions | Comments (5)

In reading all the headlines regarding Obama's first State of the Union address, it's easy to see that everyone has their own idea of what Obama should talk about.

While some of the topics he will cover have been leaked to the press, like banning the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy for gays and lesbians serving in the military or a domestic spending freeze or even a new bio-terrorism response, only one other topic has been teased -- meaning it was said that Obama would mention it in his speech but not given a clue as to what he will say.

The topic is immigration.

Can't really blame the White House for teasing the topic. It probably has more to do with prepping opponents of illegal immigration and steering off any shouts of "You lie" than trying to dangle the proverbial carrot in front of Latinos anxious for any kind of clue to the White House's timetable on immigration reform.

Yet, it's hoped Obama's mention of immigration reform in his State of the Union is more than just another tease or wishful thinking on his part.

It's time Obama takes the same kind of action that saw thousands of new and young Latino voters go to the polls and stand up for their convictions.

It's only right to know what Obama's convictions are regarding immigration reform.

Filed 27 de Enero, 2010 | Permalink | View Blog Reactions | Comments (20)

One of the most well-documented cases of ongoing discrimination against minorities at the federal level has to do with the case of Hispanic farmers being denied access to farm-credit programs run by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Continue reading "USDA Sec. Vilsack would rather help Afghan farmers than Hispanic farmers here at home" »

Filed 26 de Enero, 2010 | Permalink | View Blog Reactions | Comments (3)

The news that the White House had brought back David Plouffe, Obama's former campaign manager, and the one person largely credited for getting Obama the presidency, had me wondering just what was he going to do to help Obama regain political traction.

"He (David Plouffe) brings value added to our operation as we look forward, in terms of strategy and tactics," senior adviser David Axelrod said on ABC's This Week.

Part of that value was how Plouffe was able to organize Internet-driven grass-roots campaigns and how he reached out to young adults like no one had ever done before.

David Plouffe,Obama's former presidential campaign manager

It seems he's reverting to that tried-and-true, and now tired, strategy.

In my Inbox this morning, I received an e-mail sent out by The Democratic Party on behalf of Plouffe. It was like deja-vu from the presidential campaign. It was an appeal to get a watch party together with friends, families and neighbors for the President's State of the Union address.

The e-mail began:

On Wednesday evening, President Obama will deliver his first State of the Union address. It comes at a critical moment.

We must regroup, refocus, and re-engage on the vital work ahead. So let's watch it together at a State of the Union Watch Party in your neighborhood.

Yet, this e-mail to mobilize a Neighborhood Watch Party just didn't instill in me the same kind of excitement that similar requests made during the presidential campaign did.

I don't think I'm alone.

If the Massachusetts win by Republican candidate Brown is any indication, chances are there are a lot less "inspired" voters than what turned out for the 2008 presidential election.

In fact, these "uninspired" voters are projected to be the 2010 election drop-off voters and according to an excellent analysis by Women's Voices, Women Vote, the Democrats may have a steeper uphill battle to climb than just bringing back David Plouffe.

Continue reading "Democrats can't use the tactics of 2008 to reach out to Latino voters in 2010" »

Filed 25 de Enero, 2010 | Permalink | View Blog Reactions | Comments (18)