Comments on: No Such Thing As The Sleeping Giant http://latinopoliticsblog.com/2009/12/12/no-such-thing-as-the-sleeping-giant/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=no-such-thing-as-the-sleeping-giant Where La Raza comes to discuss its leaders, where you can learn about issues in Latino politics. Sat, 31 Jul 2010 00:15:45 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: LA Times Columnist Steve Lopez Chimes in on the City of Bell (or shall we call it Smell?) http://latinopoliticsblog.com/2009/12/12/no-such-thing-as-the-sleeping-giant/comment-page-1/#comment-102363 LA Times Columnist Steve Lopez Chimes in on the City of Bell (or shall we call it Smell?) Wed, 21 Jul 2010 04:48:58 +0000 http://latinopoliticsblog.com/?p=998#comment-102363 [...] have heard “sleeping giant” analogies in Latino politics for years, with every election cycle there is some pundit [...] [...] have heard “sleeping giant” analogies in Latino politics for years, with every election cycle there is some pundit [...]

]]> By: David Molina http://latinopoliticsblog.com/2009/12/12/no-such-thing-as-the-sleeping-giant/comment-page-1/#comment-62487 David Molina Wed, 16 Dec 2009 02:38:40 +0000 http://latinopoliticsblog.com/?p=998#comment-62487 Rayfeo: I agree with your point on diversity by regions which causes heavy disagreement on unity for national legislation. I think people in general are very territorial and guard what is theirs, there are egos, etc. Good point! On definition of Latino as either documented or documented, not sure. Certainly, there's some pride (1st, 2nd, 3rd and maybe, maybe 4th generation) on American's referring themselves as Latino. It's a good point though and something for us to look at. Gabriela: Lupita is very popular inside the Washington County Dems and even statewide in the party. As I wrote above, her election to the DNC, is testament that Latina/os above all are engaged and not sleeping. Her fluency in Spanish is perfect and she's an inspiration to many Latina/os on many levels. Watch for her! Rayfeo: I agree with your point on diversity by regions which causes heavy disagreement on unity for national legislation. I think people in general are very territorial and guard what is theirs, there are egos, etc. Good point!

On definition of Latino as either documented or documented, not sure. Certainly, there’s some pride (1st, 2nd, 3rd and maybe, maybe 4th generation) on American’s referring themselves as Latino. It’s a good point though and something for us to look at.

Gabriela: Lupita is very popular inside the Washington County Dems and even statewide in the party. As I wrote above, her election to the DNC, is testament that Latina/os above all are engaged and not sleeping. Her fluency in Spanish is perfect and she’s an inspiration to many Latina/os on many levels. Watch for her!

]]> By: Gabriela http://latinopoliticsblog.com/2009/12/12/no-such-thing-as-the-sleeping-giant/comment-page-1/#comment-62440 Gabriela Tue, 15 Dec 2009 16:42:46 +0000 http://latinopoliticsblog.com/?p=998#comment-62440 Watch Lupita Maurer!. She has my vote for anything she runs for! Watch Lupita Maurer!. She has my vote for anything she runs for!

]]> By: David Molina http://latinopoliticsblog.com/2009/12/12/no-such-thing-as-the-sleeping-giant/comment-page-1/#comment-62274 David Molina Mon, 14 Dec 2009 03:52:14 +0000 http://latinopoliticsblog.com/?p=998#comment-62274 1. Licenses: Failure to test, issue and monitor the state's residents who drive puts everyone on the road at risk. Forget that they are undocumented, the very policy puts your family and my family at risk. This impacts our insurance premiums, etc., and no one benefits (except perhaps the insurance companies). 2. Labor: Everyone pays their taxes. Employers, that are doing what they're supposed to be doing, collect taxes which is routed back to state and federal government. The only one that benefits here is the government. I think, to some extent, the government and corporations benefits from the continuation of such labor immigration policies. In a capitalist system, I don't believe the system wants individuals to make more than minimum wage as this directly impacts profits. 3. Root Cause: Lack of a border isn't the cause of increased immigration, but our country's (as well as world financial institutions) economic & trade policies abroad that erodes countries ability to produce, compete and trade with each other, i.e. Mexico's peso devaluation in '94 as a result of NAFTA, collapse of Argentina's economic system. 4. Latino Diversity: True. Not only are we are as diverse as can be, but we're very nationalist & regionalist (I'm NOT Cuban, I'm Mexican, or I'm not chilango., SOY Sinaloanse, etc.). This directly impacts unity on a broader scale, something unattained say by Africans-Americans (mostly an American south). Secondly, generational differences greatly impact the continuation of values (family, religion, etc) and machismo hinders common ground. I would hope we don't cast the vote on the most popular, as done in many parts of the world, but by whoever will deliver the greatest results and our collective interests. Lastly, our cynicism as a whole, not just by our parents and grandparents experiences in their mother country, to an extent is passed onto our kids which directly impacts current elections. The complexities, velocity and diversity of news we receive on a daily basis adds to the challenge of understanding what is real and what is not, which politicians on both sides of the aisle exploit on a population that is for the most part far from college educated. 1. Licenses: Failure to test, issue and monitor the state’s residents who drive puts everyone on the road at risk. Forget that they are undocumented, the very policy puts your family and my family at risk. This impacts our insurance premiums, etc., and no one benefits (except perhaps the insurance companies).
2. Labor: Everyone pays their taxes. Employers, that are doing what they’re supposed to be doing, collect taxes which is routed back to state and federal government. The only one that benefits here is the government. I think, to some extent, the government and corporations benefits from the continuation of such labor immigration policies. In a capitalist system, I don’t believe the system wants individuals to make more than minimum wage as this directly impacts profits.
3. Root Cause: Lack of a border isn’t the cause of increased immigration, but our country’s (as well as world financial institutions) economic & trade policies abroad that erodes countries ability to produce, compete and trade with each other, i.e. Mexico’s peso devaluation in ’94 as a result of NAFTA, collapse of Argentina’s economic system.
4. Latino Diversity: True. Not only are we are as diverse as can be, but we’re very nationalist & regionalist (I’m NOT Cuban, I’m Mexican, or I’m not chilango., SOY Sinaloanse, etc.). This directly impacts unity on a broader scale, something unattained say by Africans-Americans (mostly an American south). Secondly, generational differences greatly impact the continuation of values (family, religion, etc) and machismo hinders common ground.

I would hope we don’t cast the vote on the most popular, as done in many parts of the world, but by whoever will deliver the greatest results and our collective interests. Lastly, our cynicism as a whole, not just by our parents and grandparents experiences in their mother country, to an extent is passed onto our kids which directly impacts current elections. The complexities, velocity and diversity of news we receive on a daily basis adds to the challenge of understanding what is real and what is not, which politicians on both sides of the aisle exploit on a population that is for the most part far from college educated.

]]> By: Reyfeo http://latinopoliticsblog.com/2009/12/12/no-such-thing-as-the-sleeping-giant/comment-page-1/#comment-62264 Reyfeo Mon, 14 Dec 2009 02:36:49 +0000 http://latinopoliticsblog.com/?p=998#comment-62264 My point was that its harder to get the Latino base in this country to move togther as one, like Black Americans, becuase of our diversity...but you are also correct, at this point, 'its the economy stupid'. My point was that its harder to get the Latino base in this country to move togther as one, like Black Americans, becuase of our diversity…but you are also correct, at this point, ‘its the economy stupid’.

]]> By: Anna http://latinopoliticsblog.com/2009/12/12/no-such-thing-as-the-sleeping-giant/comment-page-1/#comment-62256 Anna Mon, 14 Dec 2009 00:38:28 +0000 http://latinopoliticsblog.com/?p=998#comment-62256 Re: "I continue to argue here on this website is they are ignorant of the policies these Dem are trying to push such as Abortion, Gay Marriage etc–things most Latinos don’t agree with but still some how get duped into voting for." Nobody is being duped. People aren't buying the BS the racist Republican Party is selling. I don't know why you think most Latinos are going base their votes on wedge issues like abortion and anti-gay bigotry, rather than on real issues like the economy, education, healthcare, etc. Get a clue. Re: “I continue to argue here on this website is they are ignorant of the policies these Dem are trying to push such as Abortion, Gay Marriage etc–things most Latinos don’t agree with but still some how get duped into voting for.”

Nobody is being duped. People aren’t buying the BS the racist Republican Party is selling. I don’t know why you think most Latinos are going base their votes on wedge issues like abortion and anti-gay bigotry, rather than on real issues like the economy, education, healthcare, etc. Get a clue.

]]> By: Reyfeo http://latinopoliticsblog.com/2009/12/12/no-such-thing-as-the-sleeping-giant/comment-page-1/#comment-62222 Reyfeo Sun, 13 Dec 2009 15:22:40 +0000 http://latinopoliticsblog.com/?p=998#comment-62222 The problem with Latinos is our diversity mostly based by regions of the US...for instance in Florida, Cuban-Americans tend to lean right, supporting Republican ideas (but then they all they have to do is set "foot on US soil" to get legal status). Floridians Latinos have voted mostly Republican up until recently that tendency has shifted proven they are not a consistent vote. Take California Latinos, they tend to historically be left leaning (Dems), but as I continue to argue here on this website is they are ignorant of the policies these Dem are trying to push such as Abortion, Gay Marriage etc--things most Latinos don't agree with but still some how get duped into voting for. Then you have the upper Northern States like Illinois and Oregon. Mostly left leaning but not always on the same footing as to what they agree with. Add to the mix that for many in these blogs/conversations/debates “Latino” is defined as anyone of “illegal” and “legal” status and you can see how we will never agree to anything. Lastly, I tend to believe Latino leadership is elected on popularity more than substance (take Villar and the Sanchez sisters…all talk and no concrete action—WHY would Californians and or self respecting Latinos vote for idiots like this I will never know.) and so putting on all the large voting Latino blocs (from the different States as I have done for now) together is depressing and mostly confusing...add to that Latino leadership that is disconnected with its voting blocs, because they are often voted mainly on persona/characteristics (not so much character) and you have yourself a "confused sleeping giant", better left to stay asleep as it tends to wake up and vote wrongly—can you say NObama? I am sure Latinos did not sigh up for anything he is doing (well except maybe Californians who have lost their way…). The problem with Latinos is our diversity mostly based by regions of the US…for instance in Florida, Cuban-Americans tend to lean right, supporting Republican ideas (but then they all they have to do is set “foot on US soil” to get legal status). Floridians Latinos have voted mostly Republican up until recently that tendency has shifted proven they are not a consistent vote.

Take California Latinos, they tend to historically be left leaning (Dems), but as I continue to argue here on this website is they are ignorant of the policies these Dem are trying to push such as Abortion, Gay Marriage etc–things most Latinos don’t agree with but still some how get duped into voting for.

Then you have the upper Northern States like Illinois and Oregon. Mostly left leaning but not always on the same footing as to what they agree with.

Add to the mix that for many in these blogs/conversations/debates “Latino” is defined as anyone of “illegal” and “legal” status and you can see how we will never agree to anything.

Lastly, I tend to believe Latino leadership is elected on popularity more than substance (take Villar and the Sanchez sisters…all talk and no concrete action—WHY would Californians and or self respecting Latinos vote for idiots like this I will never know.) and so putting on all the large voting Latino blocs (from the different States as I have done for now) together is depressing and mostly confusing…add to that Latino leadership that is disconnected with its voting blocs, because they are often voted mainly on persona/characteristics (not so much character) and you have yourself a “confused sleeping giant”, better left to stay asleep as it tends to wake up and vote wrongly—can you say NObama? I am sure Latinos did not sigh up for anything he is doing (well except maybe Californians who have lost their way…).

]]> By: WhatThe.. http://latinopoliticsblog.com/2009/12/12/no-such-thing-as-the-sleeping-giant/comment-page-1/#comment-62185 WhatThe.. Sun, 13 Dec 2009 06:26:14 +0000 http://latinopoliticsblog.com/?p=998#comment-62185 If they are undocumented they are in the country illegally. Driving is a privilege, and not a right, only given to residents of that state. If they are paying IRS taxes, they are usually doing it two way through a false SS; that would be ID theft and a felony, or using an IRS ITIN issued number. But the IRS has not done their job of scrutinizing millions of W-2 forms with names that don't match a SS number. Minimum wage, well if their illegal they are going to be abused and taken advantage of. This is America's slave labor. Without addressing the border situation we will continue to have an influx of illegal immigration into the USA. Possibly, the border situation will not be addressed due the need for cheap labor. Even, if we allow many of the undocumented to be US citizens with labor rights, Americans will continue to prefer undocumented. If they are undocumented they are in the country illegally. Driving is a privilege, and not a right, only given to residents of that state. If they are paying IRS taxes, they are usually doing it two way through a false SS; that would be ID theft and a felony, or using an IRS ITIN issued number. But the IRS has not done their job of scrutinizing millions of W-2 forms with names that don’t match a SS number. Minimum wage, well if their illegal they are going to be abused and taken advantage of. This is America’s slave labor. Without addressing the border situation we will continue to have an influx of illegal immigration into the USA. Possibly, the border situation will not be addressed due the need for cheap labor. Even, if we allow many of the undocumented to be US citizens with labor rights, Americans will continue to prefer undocumented.

]]> By: David Molina http://latinopoliticsblog.com/2009/12/12/no-such-thing-as-the-sleeping-giant/comment-page-1/#comment-62175 David Molina Sun, 13 Dec 2009 02:36:43 +0000 http://latinopoliticsblog.com/?p=998#comment-62175 What we demanded was someone who'd be honest with us, work their ass off and give everyone an equal shot. Undocumented immigrants continue to get rounded up at their nearby grocery store and Oregon denies them driving privileges, even though this group makes minimum wage and pays their taxes. Yes, we have Latinos elected and appointed from local to national posts, but until we have Latina and Latino public servants worthy of our respect at every level fighting on behalf of every American, we have zero. What we demanded was someone who’d be honest with us, work their ass off and give everyone an equal shot. Undocumented immigrants continue to get rounded up at their nearby grocery store and Oregon denies them driving privileges, even though this group makes minimum wage and pays their taxes.

Yes, we have Latinos elected and appointed from local to national posts, but until we have Latina and Latino public servants worthy of our respect at every level fighting on behalf of every American, we have zero.

]]> By: Anna http://latinopoliticsblog.com/2009/12/12/no-such-thing-as-the-sleeping-giant/comment-page-1/#comment-62172 Anna Sun, 13 Dec 2009 02:29:14 +0000 http://latinopoliticsblog.com/?p=998#comment-62172 Re: "In the 2008 U.S. Presidential election, New Mexico Governor Richardson, ran but ultimately conceded and put his weight behind Barack Obama, who ultimately won the presidency." Obama would not have won without our large turnout, but we didn't demand anything in return for our vote, and we haven't gotten anything either. Yes, we are a large voting bloc, but having that power doesn't mean anything unless you know how to use it. In that respect, we have a long way to go. Re: “In the 2008 U.S. Presidential election, New Mexico Governor Richardson, ran but ultimately conceded and put his weight behind Barack Obama, who ultimately won the presidency.”

Obama would not have won without our large turnout, but we didn’t demand anything in return for our vote, and we haven’t gotten anything either. Yes, we are a large voting bloc, but having that power doesn’t mean anything unless you know how to use it. In that respect, we have a long way to go.

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