Motivation is different from intent. Criminal laws proscribe act + intent (actus reus and mens rea). Hate crimes, in fact, are thought control measures.
Why should there be enhanced punishment for the act of purposefully punching a member of a protected class because one does not like that class for whatever reason? Clearly, it is an attempt to alter and punish one's personal beliefs - thought control.
When one, without justification, purposefully (intent) punches (act) another then a crime has been committed. In effect, the additional punishment of the motivation (hate) is entirely separate from the two basic elements of the crime.
It is not hard to fathom that we too may one day find ourselves at the bottom of the slippery slope that some European nations now occupy.