How to make an Angry White Male’s head explode
I’m already on record as arguing that the GOP (what’s left of it) can not become an “anti-immigrant” party. To that end, I’ve decided that I’m not going to argue with my friends on the right about immigration (legal or illegal), other that to point to polls, trends, demographics, and then (as gently as possible) tell them that they have no choice but to win at least a plurality to the Republican Party.
All arguing will accomplish is to delay the inevitable. The GOP will either follow the angry white male, and become a regional party that eventually dies, or it will become an open and welcoming party, persuading immigrants of all stripes that their natural home is in the culturally conservative and economically viable Republican Party. (look at Prop 8 results if you think we can’t win these folks over)
To that end, I commend to you the article below.
How to get Hispanics into the GOP
Republicans are finally worried that their failure to attract Hispanic voters in this year’s election spells trouble – perhaps for decades. But they’re not sure what to do about it. Moderates in the party are pushing for more efforts at “inclusion,” which usually means elevating a few Hispanics to symbolic but visible positions in national, state and local politics. But with no Cabinet positions to hand out and so few prominent Hispanic-elected officials to promote within their ranks, Republicans clearly won’t gain much leverage with this strategy.
Some conservative Republicans, on the other hand, are either in denial or think they can control the problem by limiting the growth in the Hispanic immigrant population. (Just ask the 14 out of 16 hard-line, anti-immigration Republicans who lost their seats this time around to pro-comprehensive reform Democrats how well this worked at the polls.)
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Still other Republicans hope that the party’s message of self-reliance, low taxes, defense of life and support for traditional marriage will win over entrepreneurial and religious Hispanics. But while I think these positions have tremendous appeal and are the bedrock on which to build support in the Hispanic community, they’re not enough.
Republicans who fail to see the future aren’t going to be part of it.
Here’s a radical suggestion – but one that wouldn’t compromise Republican or conservative principles. Why doesn’t the Republican Party launch an aggressive Welcome to America Campaign? The idea would be to set up a network of volunteers to reach out to Hispanic immigrants, and especially their American-born children, to teach English, American history and civics. Estimates are that four in 10 Hispanic voters in this year’s election were naturalized citizens – and 75 percent of them cast their votes for President-elect Barack Obama.
But what if those new Americans had been helped to become U.S. citizens by local volunteers from the Federation of Republican Women, the Republican Men’s Club or the local Republican central committee? What if Republican volunteers approached employers in their area and offered to set up English classes during lunch breaks or after work for immigrant workers, or distributed DVDs and videos with language and civics instruction? This type of volunteerism has been ceded to Democrat-leaning groups over the years. Is it any wonder that when these new citizens register to vote, their instinct is to support the party that they’ve come to know firsthand?
Why would any group of people vote for a party that didn’t court them? Bush got 44% of the Hispanic vote, McCain got 30%. Do the math. Smell the coffee. Light a candle and stop cursing the darkness!
Tags: Amnesty, Immigration, Immigration reform, the Hispanic vote, winning the future
November 22nd, 2008 at 5:19 pm
I do not carry a harsh line when it comes to illegal immigration with the exception of the initial breaking of the law, that those who are here have not been checked for communicable diseases, and I take issues with people taking services when they don’t contribute to the pot(no matter who they are). We need to know who is here and why.
The problems that all Americans face when it comes to Hispanics, is this ever crying call for diversity and the celebration of ones own heritage. These new calls once occurred spontaneously while everyone was busy working and striving for the American Dream. The Irish, the Italians, the Germans and so on, willingly contributed to the melting pot and dreamed of being American. If the Hispanics were left to their own devices like all assimilating cultures before them, they would soon be accepted for their contributions to the naturally diverse American culture.
I suggest that Republicans openly discuss these ideas and bring the Hispanics in by letting them know Republicans support everyone who seeks limited government, personal responsibility, and liberty. In order to court them we need to let them know we respect their immigration to the United States. We also have to prove our ideas on education, health care, and the economy benefit all and open the doors to freedom and prosperity. No matter where you come from, the majority of any group has pride.
I have been invited to a “Diversity Committee” at my local high school and I will discuss these thoughts with them. Hispanic enrollment has been increasing each year at our school, as this has occurred we have failed to meet AYP. I will be discussing my ideas on how to help these kids assimilate into the school and understand their value as students; as well as their impact on the overall success of the school.
November 22nd, 2008 at 6:09 pm
McCain supported the Shamnesty Bill and look how well he was rewarded.
I think that the same people who come here legally and illegally do not hesitate to parasite on our social services — who offers more social services than Democrats? They vote their own best interests — voting either legally or fraudulently.
November 22nd, 2008 at 6:54 pm
If McCain was left to his own devices and was himself he would probably be President.
Who offers more services than Democrats? Charities all around the world give to people in need. Most immigrants come here with a plan to succeed, not to sponge. Many of our doctors come from other countries, contribute to humanity, and help make up the best medical service in the world.
If people continue to view people in stereotypes and refuse to see the bigger picture, the GOP is doomed. If you can’t compromise you will accomplish nothing.
November 22nd, 2008 at 7:34 pm
Margaret,
Regardless of whether you are right or wrong, or whether we should or shouldn’t have done the amnesty in 1986 (St. Reagan’s policy, BTW), or…or…or…
The facts, as far as the future is concerned, are irrefutable. The GOP will DIE if it continues down the road of becoming an anti-immigration party.
If you want to discuss the best way to ameliorate the issues, or make the system more rational, I’m right there with you.
For my part, the best way to deal with the issues is paint the Democrats as the “Balkanization” side of the immigration issue, while the Republicans and Conservatives can become the “Assimilation/Americanization” side of the issue.
That strategy allows us to;
1. Get a better border control
2. Gain the support of rational conservatives (as opposed to the angry, aging wing of the party)
3. Sell the best aspects of our culture along with appealing to the work ethic that comes with MOST immigrants (legal or illegal)
When conservatives act and legislate out of anger and fear, we lose. When we optimistically promote the best policies of individual freedom and initiative, we win. We don’t need 60-70% of the Hispanic, Polish or Asian vote. We only need to keep it above 45%. We do that, and we win elections as far as the eye can see.
November 23rd, 2008 at 6:47 am
Bruno,
I agree with you that Conservatives must take over the Republican party. The current immigration situation is a lost cause; these folks, if eligible, need to be given the opportunity to become citizens.
At this time, the border needs to be strictly enforced. The reality of the situation is that there will be no such enforcement. The Obama crew will not lift a finger to curb immigration.
Bruno, do you believe that the number of illegals trying to enter this country from this time forward are greater or less in number?
If I was an illegal I know I’d sure as heck try to enter now because the Tabula Rasa will be sure to grant amnesty.
So, the whole issue of immigration will not be addressed in any depth during this upcoming presidency.
The Tabula Rasa will not discuss it, and the press will not cover it except for the day when amnesty is signed into law.
Those entering the country illegally will be joining unions. Thus, the permanent inclusion into the democratic pit of despair.
John Wooden said it best: “If you don’t have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it over?”
November 23rd, 2008 at 6:46 pm
Babinich,
When did conservatives lose their optimism?
Here is a question for everyone reading this post.
Is America an idea, or is it a place?
It’s partially rhetorical, but the answer will tell you which side of the immigration debate you will fall on.
If you take the first few lines of the Decl. of Ind. seriously, then that idea is NOT merely for those lucky enough to become Americans and then close the door. Those lines are to be taken seriously for everyone.
If we believe in that idea, then we should want it exported, and we should want to import people to it. We should be manufacturing Americans everywhere, and exporting their ideology into every nook and cranny of the globe.
If you think we can keep that idea to ourselves, and select who gets in and out of the PLACE called America, then you really want America to be France-on-steroids.
As for the economic issues, if immigration over burdens our welfare state, cool beans. Let’s keep the immigrants, and toss the welfare state.
November 23rd, 2008 at 8:12 pm
“Is America an idea, or is it a place?”
It is a state of being.
“If we believe in that idea, then we should want it exported,”
not via a Wilsonian model but I want it (freedom) exported.
“and we should want to import people to it.”
No fight with you on this as long as the people being imported into our system are God fearing, law abiding, & family centric citizens.
“As for the economic issues, if immigration over burdens our welfare state, cool beans. Let’s keep the immigrants, and toss the welfare state.”
Let’s rid ourselves of the welfare state. Easier said then done especially with the Democrats handing out goodies to the masses.
Bruno,
As fellow conservatives I think you’d agree with me that we are in for tough times. Let us also not forget that in these tough times there is opportunity.
November 24th, 2008 at 8:35 am
“No fight with you on this as long as the people being imported into our system are God fearing, law abiding, & family centric citizens.”
This would be ideal, but not possible. It never was. We are living in the best of times. Some people make decisions that we may disagree with morally, but I love this country for that very reason.