How to win back the Latino vote in South Florida.
It took the Republicans decades to make this happen for them, and we can cut their time if we think this out carefully.
First, the Republicans had control of the radio stations for decades. They blasted their propaganda effectively. Now that Democrats have purchased a major radio station that covers South Florida, we have an opportunity to counter with a offensive.
The damage we need to undue: The Republicans have painted Democrats as socialists, which is a known-threat to Latin Americans. I said it many times that Latinos need to be convinced that American social programs are not the same thing as the socialism they are familiar with. If they understood the difference, they would understand how they are voting against their own interests when they vote for Republicans.
We can start by convincing them that the social programs Democrats support benefit them, and Republicans want to end those beneficial programs. This is a key strategy because it is the whole game. You start by understanding what is going on in Latin America. Latinos are accustom to a country that is entirely different than what they're facing in America. In Latin America their standard of living and quality of life is on an entirely different plain. Sure, it's great if you're in the top 5%. The well-off can hold onto their wealth because labor is dirt cheap, arguably exploitation. Putting that aside, it's a perk of a culture where even a few dollars are enough to keep a poor family afloat.
For the majority of Latinos living in Latin America, they live and/or survive based on an entire way of life. The quality of life for the very poor is bearable in Latin America, because it's still possible to live off the land. More so than in the U.S. There is also a barter system that exists that helps for those that have little income. Another advantage is that in Latin America, they aren't as sold on conspicuous consumption. They aren't as hung-up on pricey brand names as Americans. The influx of foreign imports makes it possible for them to own electronics at very reasonable costs. And there is a brisk second-hand trade of merchandise.
When they move to the U.S., they are dealing with a much different economic circumstance. Everything is more expensive. Even the very rich have learned to hire undocumented immigrants in order to hold onto their wealth. Not all do it, but these illegal transactions are common. If the State were to crack down on these arrangements, it would financially harm both the wealthy and the workers. Though, ironically, that's exactly what is happening when the Republicans go on their anti-immigration crusades. They deplete the pool of cheap labor. If there was a major disconnect with Latinos from South Florida, it was this one. If anything mystified me, it was their support for anti-immigration, because I know how it would cut into their way of life. But, no one talks about it. It's like a well-kept secret so it didn't become an issue the Democrats could use for messaging. I'm not even sure how you would introduce such a topic. But, at this point, everything should be put under the microscope.
What is pertinent is that the economic situation is an urgent matter for too many who move to the U.S. and you would think that this factor would make them agreeable to Democratic supported programs, especially when the same programs are available in their own countries -- even those that are not under socialist control. An obvious example is HEALTH PROGRAMS. I think every Latin American country gives their citizens access to some form of health program. This is not viewed as socialism in these countries. Why should they be viewed as socialism here? Social Security is another program that they have in Latin America. In fact, in Panama, if an older person comes up to get their government check and there's a line, it's just customary to allow the anciento or ancienita to jump the line and get served right away. It's issues like this one that can be addressed through the radio programs.
But we have so much more to offer. A living minimum wage for example.
I am confident that if these truths were repeated using the radio stations, we will prevail over time. Especially when we allow let them to use the airwaves to find out more about their fears. Like how do they logistically believe that their style of socialism can take hold in this country, because, seriously, I don't see that happening. It would require a military take-over or insurrections and that's not something you see coming from the Democratic party. It's coming from the Republican party.
Lastly, find a Democratic leaning candidate with roots in the Latino culture. Someone with cross-over appeal. That would be a winner.
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