Promises Broken, Latino Voters Split On Election Day Strategy

[theHandpuppet]

As much as I sympathize and even agree with many of the issues raised, not voting is, IMHO, a dangerous and wrong-headed strategy.

Think Progress
Promises Broken, Latino Voters Split On Election Day Strategy
by Alice Ollstein
October 2, 2014

PHOENIX, ARIZONA—Sandra Bernal plans to boycott the upcoming midterm election.

“It’s a peaceful way of protesting,” she told ThinkProgress in Spanish, “It’s saying, ‘We’re here and we’re tired of so many broken promises.’”

Bernal, a US citizen from Mexico who has lived in Phoenix for nearly 20 years and raised three children on her own, said her views on politics were shaken to the core by two recent events: the arrest of her undocumented sister, and President Obama’s decision to delay a planned executive order to stop some deportations. She said the mostly-Democratic Congressional Hispanic Caucus’s decision to go along with the President’s new deadline for action alienated her even further.

“I think they’re doing nothing more than dragging this out, giving us false hope so that we keep voting for the Democratic Party,” she said. “They’re using us like puppets, thinking we’ll go along with their game. Unfortunately, many Latino groups are working right now to get out the vote. But I think it would be better for us as a community, as a people, to boycott, to not vote. Then they’ll learn that without the Hispanic vote, they’re not getting anywhere.” ....

MORE at http://thinkprogress.org/election/2014/10/02/3574434/latino-voters-struggle-for-a-unified-response-at-the-ballot-box/

[BlueMTexpat]

1. If Latinos do not vote for

Dem candidates, they can be sure that any GOP'ers who end up representing them will not have Latino interests at heart. Not. At. All.

We never seem to learn from our past mistakes.

It is true that Prez O may not have delivered on everything he hoped to do. But given the constant obstructionism he has faced from the GOP (as well as from some members of his own party) for the past six years, it is amazing what he has managed to accomplish.

It's long past bout time that people - including non-DINO Dem candidates - made this VERY, VERY clear!

But even DINO candidates can never be as bad as Tea Party GOP'ers. That is a fact.

Short of revolution, which looks unlikely in these United States, voting is the only way to effect change. And, looking to the future, encouraging and nurturing good non-DINO candidates for office at ALL levels is the best long-term strategy.

[Le Taz Hot]

2. Well, SOME never learn from their past mistakes.

Like taking entire voting blocs for granted for example. This time it's Hispanics. Will the Establishment Democrats EVER learn?

[BlueMTexpat]

7. There is such a thing as cutting off your

own nose to spite your face.

Not voting for Dem candidates, especially in this election, is exactly that.

But for those who wish to stay on their high horses about "being taken for granted" - whatever "bloc" they happen to believe that they represent - and who don't vote for Dems, well, if the GOP does remain in power, I hope they will take cold comfort from the part that they played in that.

As an expat, I have other options. The overwhelming majority of my fellow Americans are not so fortunate, which is why I always vote, contribute, make telephone calls, whatever - anything to do what I can, even when I am not physically present.

As an expat who has also proudly given a lot of years of service to my country - although never in the military - I have never been an "Establishment Democrat." But I have over the years seen too many good Dems be casualties of our circular firing squad, with similar rationales being given. We never seem to learn.

[Le Taz Hot]

8. These are people who have had

friends/family members deported or about to be deported. President Obama has deported more than George W. Bush ever thought of deporting. The Dream Acct was supposed to address deportations but the Dream Act is on hold. Again. Meanwhile more of their family and friends are being deported. The Democrats have actually treated them WORSE than the previous administration. Pardon them if they don't jump on the Party bandwagon and wave pom poms for people who are likely to continue to marginalize them.

You're wrapped in partisan politics and don't see that the problem lies with the current version of "Democrats," not the voter blocs you all are so quick to dismiss.

[BlueMTexpat]

9. Can you provide some actual statistics

about the assertions that you are making? Some links from reputable sources ... ??? And can you put them in context?

You have admirable passion. But you are angry at the wrong people.

So long as you remain so, things will never improve for you because you will always focus on the "enemies" that the MIC wants you to see, rather than the real ones.

[Le Taz Hot]

11. It's easily obtainable.

"Obama Deportation Toll Could Pass 2 Million at Current Rates."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/31/obama-deportation_n_2594012.html

There were more. Feel free to do your own search.

You kind of went off the rails after that ("enemies?" "MIC?&quot . The topic was the possibility of Hispanics sitting this one out. I offered my perspective.

[BlueMTexpat]

12. If you really believe that I

was "off the rails" to mention MIC, you really have not been paying attention ... for at least the past 30+ years.

Every bit of info/opinion designed to divide and disrupt Dems in an election year plays right into their hands.

[strawberries]

15. statistics can be misleading

The artical speaks volumes.

[theHandpuppet]

14. This has been one of my greatest disappointments in this administration

I just can't envision any progress at all on these issues because we're moving into political season again and you know how that goes -- the predictable round of vagaries regarding controversial issues. I don't think abstaining from voting is the answer but don't know what is.

The Republicans may seize upon this in ways most wouldn't expect -- floating the name of Jeb Bush in the Prez pool is a strategic move. He's known to support immigration reform and would snatch the issue and at least some voters considered part of the "base" away from the Democrats.

[Le Taz Hot]

17. The really sad thing is that

there are a couple of Congressional seats that could have been turned here. I seriously doubt if that is going to happen now if those threats are carried out and I've no reason to believe they won't be.

Sadly, voter turnout for Hispanics is traditionally low in the Central San Joaquin Valley. I can only partially understand why that is but things like this just exacerbate the problem.

[Fred Sanders]

3. So Latinos will vote against the guy who wants what they want, but is being blocked from doing it,

for one of the clown train guys that genuinely do not give a fuck about them?

I am amused and bemused, confused, but I refuse to renew this reused propaganda refuse.

[Le Taz Hot]

4. Well, condescention aside,

and I can't address what Latinos will do in other areas but in my area of the sandbox many have declared to me that they're staying home because they feel like they have no representation. And they're right, of course. But keep condescending to them because that outta win 'em over.

[Fred Sanders]

5. If you agree with voters staying at home, condescending I will be.

[Le Taz Hot]

6. By all means, carry on. n/t

[BlueMTexpat]

10. I certainly concur with you

but there are obviously those here who don't.

Sadly, they focus on the wrong "enemy."

[mfcorey1]

13. If republicans dominate the senate and the house, they will never get

Last edited Mon Oct 6, 2014, 04:06 PM - Edit history (1)

what they want and there will be a reversal of the things that Obama did and tried to do. Sometimes we are our own worst enemy.

[madokie]

16. Personally I don't want us to become dependent on any ethnic group

rather on a well informed served population. Dems can you hear me?

[ChisolmTrailDem]

18. They can either vote for Democrats or they will allow rethugs to wipe their feet on them. nt