Assessing Latino political paradox

Mercury News ^ | 8/15/03 | Joe Rodriguez - Opinion

[NormsRevenge]

Another political poll arrived the other day to remind us that Latinos are walking contradictions. Thank you, very much.

The New York Times and CBS poll said Latinos back big government and President George W. Bush, who is famously in favor of little government. It said Latinos want more government services and lower taxes. But tax cuts mean service cuts.

[Buckwheats]

They're just bi-political; they want it both ways.

[Reeses]

Recent immigrants are pro-big government as that is in their financial self-interest. 2nd and 3rd generations grow increasingly conservative as they increase in wealth, again because it is in their financial self-interest. The length of time in this country is a much more telling demographic than country of origin. Democrats need open borders to keep their relevancy. They also need poor people to stay poor. Democrats construct welfare programs that are designed to punish hard work.

[Paradox]

As a "Latino", I hate these "latino" surveys and studies, really, I do. I honestly dont want ANYBODY thinking of me that way, I'm just an American. When I fill out applications, I check on "mixed race", because thats kind of what I am, heck, aren't most of us? I am a first genaration American too. It didn't take me long to convert to conservativism. I just hate these racial/ethnic surveys..

[gedeon3]

I am on the same boat as you. I hate this crap of beign called 'latino'. I am an American and proud of it. I am also a first generation and nowhere near being a socialist. I consider myself a right wing man and make no apologies about it. I raised my children loving this country and willing to die for it; as I would also.

[Buckwheats]

I feel a book coming on here (or, at least, a chapter) but, I don't have time right now. However, the tentative title is "Why The Elite Don't Want A Large, Critical Thinking, Ambitious And (Least Of All) Armed Middle Class".

[Buckwheats]

More power to ya!

[Caipirabob]

The only difference that the label "Latino" has made in my life is that when I was single it increased the odds of me asking if you had a sister...

[gedeon3]

As a matter of fact, I do have a divorced sister; but then again, you are now married.

[hispanarepublicana]

Latinos are walking contradictions. Thank you, very much. The New York Times and CBS poll said Latinos back big government and President George W. Bush, who is famously in favor of little government. It said Latinos want more government services and lower taxes. But tax cuts mean service cuts.

I don't think I am a walking contradiction, but I then I might be. I just want more beer but a flatter stomach, more barbecue but thinner thighs, more fulfilling work but more vacation time, more Cheetos but clean fingers, a bigger SUV but better gas mileage, dyed hair that looks "natural," cotton clothing that doesn't need ironing, fresh fruits and veggies that won't spoil, and a huge yard with beautiful but slow-growing grass. Oh yeah, and I want my Mr. HR to be caring and sensitive but manly and I want him to open doors for me but allow me to assert my independence.

[NormsRevenge]

I normally don't post any columns like this from the Merc folks or Mr. Rodriguez, but I'm glad I posted this one. It is good to see some of you sharing your feelings and I Thank You for that.

[FITZ]

Part of the problem with these kinds of polls is it assumes all latinos think the same, no matter if they came from New Mexico ----had ancestors here 300 years ago, are middle class Cuban-Americans, dirt poor Guatemalan Indians, and so on. The welfare rates along the border will indicate how many of the newcomers are going to vote.

[usadave]

He voted for California's Proposition 187 to end services for illegal immigrants, a ballot measure many Latinos saw as racist.

The Latinos who viewed Proposition 187 as being racist are themselves the true racists.

[Caipirabob]

Yep, married and happy...and if I wasn't my wife thinks Colombian neckties are "funny". Sorta gives you a clear perspective on the importance of a strong marriage - lol!

We really try to keep the kids up on both languages and a third for my own kicks. One day my son came into the kitchen (he was four at the time) and asked for milk as we were just waking up. I was till half asleep and he asked for milk twice. The second time I said "What, son?" He looked up in disgust and said "LECHE! LECHE!" pointing at the fridge. I got the point...

[glory]

``Latinos like Bush because he talks to them in plain language,'' he said. ``But dang, he's just as disastrous as the other Republicans. It's his tax cuts. They have the long term prospect of impacting important services and programs that are near and dear to Latinos, of bringing Latinos to their knees.''

He Montes, let me rewrite this for you.
People like Montes are disastrous. It's their entitlement attitude and support of higher taxes. That attitude has the long term prospect of impacting important priorities that are near and dear to MY FAMILY, of bringing anglos and blacks to their knees. Sorry Montes, we refuse to allow you to bring us to our knees for programs YOUR PEOPLE should be supporting if they want them. I refuse to support my health insurance and then have an amount equivalent to that taken out to support your family members too! "your people" want healthcare, they pay for it--they want an education, they pay for it--they want transportation, they pay for it. The only thing I'm willing to give immigrants is a class in how to speak english fluently and what is expected of them as Americans(how to assimilate and behave). We lived in Arizona and it's nuts how so many immigrants to this country behave as if they live on dirt roads in Mexico still, letting chickens live in their 1/3 of an acre backyard and letting toddlers run around on the street to play in filthy puddles of water by gutters.

[glory]

I agree with you, I do think it has to do with open borders and new immigrants. Only problem I have with it, is even the "new conservatives" a couple of generations out still often vote demoncrat because it's what their parents did. There are so many wonderful Americans in this country of Hispanic heritage. My godmother happens to be an American of Mexican heritage. It's a shame that the racists(Bustamante) and welfare backers are the one's that get the most attention.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Thanks Norm!

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[John Jorsett]

The New York Times and CBS poll said Latinos back big government and President George W. Bush, who is famously in favor of little government.

BRAAAAP! I'm sorry, but that is incorrect. You are not eligible for Final Jeopardy. Bush is a "big government conservative," as Fred Barnes noted in today's Wall Street Journal (subscription required).

[warchild9]

"Latinos", to the media, means Mexicans and Puerto Ricans. They'd prefer to ignore groups like my in-laws and their "community", Cubans--Republicans to the bone. Without them, W would be playing golf in Texas and Al Gore would be stiffly mumbling his way from crisis to crisis on our television screens.

[FITZ]

And any of them that belong to La Raza groups are by definition racists.