I am from the Chicago suburban area. I grew up within the operations of the Dem Machine of Chicago, and in reality now, Cook County. As a Republican operative since 1982, I have seen the Dems pick off pockets of previous GOP strongholds in suburban Cook County and the collar counties, precinct by precinct. The problem has been that GOP leaders never even see it coming. They always seem to want to cling to an "old boys network" and never look to fresh blood, new ideas, or new constituencies.
What we saw happen November 4, 2008 was the culmination of a campaign that took Karl Rove's model of 2000 and 2004 and add Chicago style machine politics. This election was not won during the months preceding the Presidential campaigns. The campaign started year prior when Obama sent his ACORN (and affiliated) troops to places like Missouri to elect Claire McCaskill and Virginia's Fairfax (Asian) and Prince Williams (Hispanic) counties to insure the defeat of George Allen as Senator.
Since 2004, they have been micro-targeting precincts, wards, and counties. Their targeted bases? Constituencies ignored by the GOP (see Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico and other Red Turned Blue states).
Sorry for the rant, but I am not happy about current GOP operations.
There are constituencies out there ripe for the GOP to court and win over. George Bush did it in 2000 and 2004. Unless we learn from our mistakes, we will follow the slide started in 2006.
Paul
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Told You So
I told you Hispanics were not Obamanation Kool-Aid drinkers. The bonds are already severing (a mere 26 days post the Messiah's election).
Question is...can you operatives, do you operatives, have the sense to drive the wedge deeper and widen the crack in the armor?
Latinos unhappy with Obama picks
By: Gebe Martinez Gebe Martinez – Sun Nov 30, 12:04 pm ET
Obama promised hope and change, and Hispanics hoped for the usual two Latinos in the Cabinet. And heck, why not three or four? Now that would be a change.
But at this early stage in the appointments process, there is a trickle of disappointment running through the Latino community.
First, the most prominent Hispanic leader, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, lost the plum secretary of state assignment to New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton. Last spring, Richardson angered the Clintonistas by backing Obama over Clinton during the heated Democratic Primary contest, only to now see her being offered the top diplomatic post.
“There’s nobody more prepared and experienced” for the job than Richardson, said Arturo Vargas, executive director of the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials. Richardson was energy secretary and ambassador to the United Nations during the Clinton administration, and he helped free hostages in North Korea, Iraq and Cuba.
Full Story
Question is...can you operatives, do you operatives, have the sense to drive the wedge deeper and widen the crack in the armor?
Latinos unhappy with Obama picks
By: Gebe Martinez Gebe Martinez – Sun Nov 30, 12:04 pm ET
Obama promised hope and change, and Hispanics hoped for the usual two Latinos in the Cabinet. And heck, why not three or four? Now that would be a change.
But at this early stage in the appointments process, there is a trickle of disappointment running through the Latino community.
First, the most prominent Hispanic leader, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, lost the plum secretary of state assignment to New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton. Last spring, Richardson angered the Clintonistas by backing Obama over Clinton during the heated Democratic Primary contest, only to now see her being offered the top diplomatic post.
“There’s nobody more prepared and experienced” for the job than Richardson, said Arturo Vargas, executive director of the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials. Richardson was energy secretary and ambassador to the United Nations during the Clinton administration, and he helped free hostages in North Korea, Iraq and Cuba.
Full Story
A Message to GOP Leaders
Lessons Learned
This was a year where Murphy’s Law went against the Republican party nationwide. Whatever could go wrong, went wrong. With a financial meltdown occurring a month before the general election, Ronald Reagan would have had a tough time winning. That being said, the Republican party has to take the proverbial “time out” and engage in some introspection. For the GOP’s long term survival, it has to recognize mistakes made and capitalize on opportunities staring it in the face.
Part 1:
I. The GOP has to repave the inroads Bush made into the Hispanic Constituency in 2000 and 2004.
A careful read of an article written by Clint Bolick for the Hoover Institute in 2007 will lead one to conclude it was eerily prophetic. In that article he begged the question: “Should Republicans court Hispanic voters? Only if they want to survive.” What he predicted came to roost in 2008. (Listen to Latinos http://www.hoover.org/publications/digest/10678346.html).
Ken Mehlman made a similar pitch in 2007, noting that Republican candidates that followed George Bush’s lead in reaching out to Hispanics fared well. He noted “Smart Republicans who have listened to, and offered solutions to, concerns of Hispanic-Americans have done even better: Sixty percent for former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, 44 percent for former New York Gov. George E. Pataki and 46 percent for former Colorado Gov. Bill Owens in 2002. Even in the tough year of 2006, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger collected 40 percent of the Hispanic vote, while Florida Gov. Charlie Crist pulled in 49 percent and Arizona Sen. John Kyl won 41 percent.”. http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0507/3777.html
What actually occurred since 2004, was a rapid erosion of the Republican brand amongst the Hispanic constituency due in large part to the debate over immigration. What GOP leaders do not realize is that in November 2008, Hispanics knew a lot more about Jim Sensenbrenner and Tom Tancredo than they did about John McCain. While not always the lead topic on ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC, it was on Univision that has a far larger audience. Republicans further hurt their image when all GOP candidates balked at appearing at a Univision sponsored primary debate. Univision had to cancel the event. In contrast, all Democratic candidates except for one appeared as scheduled. Adam J. Segal, who heads the Hispanic Voter Project at Johns Hopkins University, commented on the absence of outreach by stating “"This [political environment] gives Democrats a huge advantage …they are likely to draw far more Hispanic votes than in 2004 and would gain at least a half-million vote advantage.." . http://edition.cnn.com/2007/US/09/28/hispanic.vote/
Segal’s estimates were far below the reality of November 2008. The nonpartisan National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials estimates that between 9.6 million and 11 million Hispanics voted in the election, compared to a U.S. Census estimate of 7.6 million in 2004. Latinos comprised 9 percent of all voters this year, compared to 7 percent in 2004, according to Associated Press exit polls. This surge of voters was nowhere more pronounced than in key battleground states. In Florida, where President Bush won 56 percent of the Latino vote in 2004, Obama earned 57 percent of the Hispanic vote to McCain's 42 percent. Obama won three-fourths of Latino votes in Nevada, and nearly 7 in 10 favored him in New Mexico, where he would have lost without them.In Colorado, Hispanics supported Obama at nearly the same rate as Democrat John Kerry in 2004 - about 6 in 10 - but they made up 13 percent of the electorate this year, compared to an estimated 8 percent four years ago. http://www.thenewstribune.com/tacoma/24hour/politics/story/533338.html In 2006, Hispanic represented 1.6% of the voting eligible population in Ohio, a state Obama carried by slightly more than 205,000 votes.
A recent article posted on the NDN blog (successor organization to the New Democratic Network) should provide fair warning to all current Republican elected officials and the future of the GOP wherein it states “If These Trends Continue, the National Map Will Continue to Get Harder for Republicans – Of the eight states which flipped from Bush 2004 to Obama 2008, four were heavily Latino states. Just as Pete Wilson’s taking on Hispanics in the 1990s contributed to the transformation of California, home of Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan, from a swing to the bluest of blue states, the demonization of Hispanics by the national GOP is turning very critical battleground states much more blue. ……What should be most ominous to the GOP is what happened in these 4 states heavily contested by the Democrats. In this election, the center-left coalition went after the Hispanic vote as never before. It dramatically increased turnout in the southwestern states, and saw an historic shift of the enormous Florida Hispanic vote from Republican to Democrat. Similar investments in future years in states like Arizona and Texas could very well make these states – home to George W. Bush and John McCain – as blue as New Mexico and Colorado are today. http://ndnblog.org/node/3209
II. Hispanics Are Not the Only Group the GOP Should Be Targeting
Asians are the second fastest growing minority behind Hispanics. And while they may not at first glance be seen as a political titan, all one has to do is look back at the 2006 Senate race in Virginia, when they helped Democrat James Webb defeat incumbent rising GOP star George Allen by .3% of the vote. http://www.aaldef.org/docs/AALDEF2006ExitPollReportMay2007.pdf
Obama won Virginia by slightly over 232,000 votes. Asian voters account for over 160,000 votes in Virginia. In California, Asians make up over 12% of the total vote. Yet once again the GOP dropped the ball by snubbing another constituency. As reported by A Korean member of the Republican Party said, “We have never asked anything of the party, and we do not even have an Asian-American aide.” He expressed his worry over the lack of any real connection between the McCain camp and the Korean-American community. On the Democratic side, Obama recently appointed a Korean aide in charge of public relations. http://www.indypressny.org/article.php3?ArticleID=4187
The Republicans also snubbed the Asian community when failing to recognize, or deliberately ignoring, a new organization known as the 80-20 Initiative. During the Democratic primaries, Hillary was the only one to woo the Asian vote and extend an outreach to 80-20. She won Democratic primaries within the Asian constituency by an almost equal ratio. During the general election, Obama extended the same olive branch and likely pulled in equivalent vote ratios. http://www.80-20initiative.net/
The key issue amongst Asian Americans seem to parallel those of Hispanic Americans. the issues most important to the Asian American community are immigration, family reunification, and language barriers that affect access to things like social services and capital for small businesses. While most discussions on immigration hinge around debates over the Mexican border, deportation of immigrants who have been living in the U.S. -- sometimes for nearly their entire lives -- also splits Asian American families. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/natasha-chen/the-asian-american-minori_b_103190.html
III. Unless the Grand Old Party expands its base, it will go the way of the dinosaurs. As pointed out by Ken Mehlman, “Hispanic-Americans tend to be conservative. Last year, pollster David Winston asked registered voters to rate themselves on a 1 to 9 scale from very liberal to very conservative. He found that, overall, the country was center-right and Hispanic-Americans viewed themselves slightly to the right of the country as a whole.
Hispanic outreach is not only natural for the GOP, it is crucial. The Hispanic community is the fastest growing segment of our country, and it is huge. Univision is the channel where more Americans get their evening news than any other. In Nebraska, one out of every eight people under 35 is Hispanic.” http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0507/3777.html
The GOP’s targeted base is dwindling fast while the fastest growing bases escape their grasps. As noted by Mike Thomas of the Orlando Sentinel, the future of the GOP depends on recruitment of the Hispanic (and I argue, the Asian) voters. http://www.orlandosentinel.com/orl-miket0608nov06,0,6631332.column
IV. There is a Silver Lining in the Clouds
Contrary to what the NDN pundits may portray as a running freight train that will surge through the South and Western states, turning each from Red to Blue, I do not see this as an inevitable outcome.
1. The vast majority of the constituencies they relied on to turn Colorado, Florida, Nevada, New Mexico, and Virginia Blue, were constituencies that overwhelmingly supported Hillary Clinton in the Democratic primaries. They were not buying Barry’s message. http://www.usaelectionpolls.com/2008/exit-polls/race-ethnicity.html
2. In 1979, President Ronald Reagan said, "Hispanics are Republicans, they just don't know it yet." Yet, while I see every “conservative” Republican hearkening back to Ronald Reagan in self-comparison (BTW, no offense, that was a generation ago), they are often the same scribes that descend on the line of NO AMNESTY, something that Ronald Reagan had the common sense to champion. Where the Republicans fail, is following up on Reagan’s attempt to make Hispanics come to a realization that by ideology they ARE Republicans/Conservatives. Coming from an urban area with a sizeable Hispanic population and voting bloc (Chicago), I can tell you that the vast majority of Hispanics do not connect Reagan with amnesty, the vehicle that allowed them to pursue and live the American dream. This is not a fault of their own, but ours. We as GOP need to insure we educate voters, one by one if we have to, if we are to survive as a party. This is particularly true today when it seems all media operates on an agenda other than reporting truth in a fair and impartial manner. Asian constituencies would likely identify more with GOP ideology as they are not only highly entrepreneurial, but also highly self-disciplined, upwardly mobile, and seek the American dream without government assistance or interference. In fact, most escape societies that are Communist, Socialist, or invaded by radical Muslims.
3. The 2008 general election might have provided us some harsh lessons, but it also provides us some new opportunities to forge alliances on some issues of mutual benefit and comparative ideology. The Roman Catholic Church launched one of the most aggressive campaigns on the Right To Life issue than I have noticed in all of my adult life. http://www.usccb.org/faithfulcitizenship/FCStatement.pdf CatholicVote.Com also launched some of the most compelling media prior to the 2008 general election in both English and Spanish. http://www.catholicvote.com/
These faith based initiatives should be viewed as a new opportunity to forge an alliance to keep the campaign(s) alive beyond the campaign.
4. The grumbling has already started. While listening to a Spanish language radio station over the weekend, the commentators already started criticizing Obama. The gist of the criticism was that in the early days after his election, he never once mentioned immigration as an issue high on his immediate agenda (although the Guantanamo detainees were). This is likely a sentiment felt throughout Hispanic and Asian constituencies that are particularly focused on this issue. What this means for the GOP is that it has to be the party that takes the lead and offer a solution. Whatever the ultimate stance might be, get it out of the way early. Just bring in key players into the dialogue (i.e. business, faith-based institutions, ethnic community leaders, etc). The GOP’s failure to do so since 2004 has had obvious repercussions in 2006 and 2008. Leave it on the backburner and it will haunt our chances of regaining lost ground in 2010 and 2012. Perhaps even far beyond that.
5. Seek to connect with those constituencies that feel they have been ignored or taken for granted. There are pockets in many precincts, townships, counties, and congressional districts. The methods of doing so are FAR easier than one might think or forsee (contact me for further discussion on that subject as I prefer not to disseminate it here). These are the same pockets that have been identified and picked off by the Democrats as they turn Red sates Blue.
In summation, this is not meant to be a criticism of the GOP. As I stated in the start, given all that went against the party this election cycle, we fared far better than I might have expected. At the same time, it is hard to ignore how easily we lost North Carolina and Virginia on short out routes while attempting to play a prevent defense guarding Colorado, Florida, Nevada, and New Mexico to an unknown and unvetted commodity. It is hard to ignore that we did not learn from the lessons of 2006, wherein we began to have state assemblymen and senators, state and county secretarys/clerks (those that control the voting process), congressmen, governors, and senators picked off by Democratic snipers.
This was a year where Murphy’s Law went against the Republican party nationwide. Whatever could go wrong, went wrong. With a financial meltdown occurring a month before the general election, Ronald Reagan would have had a tough time winning. That being said, the Republican party has to take the proverbial “time out” and engage in some introspection. For the GOP’s long term survival, it has to recognize mistakes made and capitalize on opportunities staring it in the face.
Part 1:
I. The GOP has to repave the inroads Bush made into the Hispanic Constituency in 2000 and 2004.
A careful read of an article written by Clint Bolick for the Hoover Institute in 2007 will lead one to conclude it was eerily prophetic. In that article he begged the question: “Should Republicans court Hispanic voters? Only if they want to survive.” What he predicted came to roost in 2008. (Listen to Latinos http://www.hoover.org/publications/digest/10678346.html).
Ken Mehlman made a similar pitch in 2007, noting that Republican candidates that followed George Bush’s lead in reaching out to Hispanics fared well. He noted “Smart Republicans who have listened to, and offered solutions to, concerns of Hispanic-Americans have done even better: Sixty percent for former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, 44 percent for former New York Gov. George E. Pataki and 46 percent for former Colorado Gov. Bill Owens in 2002. Even in the tough year of 2006, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger collected 40 percent of the Hispanic vote, while Florida Gov. Charlie Crist pulled in 49 percent and Arizona Sen. John Kyl won 41 percent.”. http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0507/3777.html
What actually occurred since 2004, was a rapid erosion of the Republican brand amongst the Hispanic constituency due in large part to the debate over immigration. What GOP leaders do not realize is that in November 2008, Hispanics knew a lot more about Jim Sensenbrenner and Tom Tancredo than they did about John McCain. While not always the lead topic on ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC, it was on Univision that has a far larger audience. Republicans further hurt their image when all GOP candidates balked at appearing at a Univision sponsored primary debate. Univision had to cancel the event. In contrast, all Democratic candidates except for one appeared as scheduled. Adam J. Segal, who heads the Hispanic Voter Project at Johns Hopkins University, commented on the absence of outreach by stating “"This [political environment] gives Democrats a huge advantage …they are likely to draw far more Hispanic votes than in 2004 and would gain at least a half-million vote advantage.." . http://edition.cnn.com/2007/US/09/28/hispanic.vote/
Segal’s estimates were far below the reality of November 2008. The nonpartisan National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials estimates that between 9.6 million and 11 million Hispanics voted in the election, compared to a U.S. Census estimate of 7.6 million in 2004. Latinos comprised 9 percent of all voters this year, compared to 7 percent in 2004, according to Associated Press exit polls. This surge of voters was nowhere more pronounced than in key battleground states. In Florida, where President Bush won 56 percent of the Latino vote in 2004, Obama earned 57 percent of the Hispanic vote to McCain's 42 percent. Obama won three-fourths of Latino votes in Nevada, and nearly 7 in 10 favored him in New Mexico, where he would have lost without them.In Colorado, Hispanics supported Obama at nearly the same rate as Democrat John Kerry in 2004 - about 6 in 10 - but they made up 13 percent of the electorate this year, compared to an estimated 8 percent four years ago. http://www.thenewstribune.com/tacoma/24hour/politics/story/533338.html In 2006, Hispanic represented 1.6% of the voting eligible population in Ohio, a state Obama carried by slightly more than 205,000 votes.
A recent article posted on the NDN blog (successor organization to the New Democratic Network) should provide fair warning to all current Republican elected officials and the future of the GOP wherein it states “If These Trends Continue, the National Map Will Continue to Get Harder for Republicans – Of the eight states which flipped from Bush 2004 to Obama 2008, four were heavily Latino states. Just as Pete Wilson’s taking on Hispanics in the 1990s contributed to the transformation of California, home of Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan, from a swing to the bluest of blue states, the demonization of Hispanics by the national GOP is turning very critical battleground states much more blue. ……What should be most ominous to the GOP is what happened in these 4 states heavily contested by the Democrats. In this election, the center-left coalition went after the Hispanic vote as never before. It dramatically increased turnout in the southwestern states, and saw an historic shift of the enormous Florida Hispanic vote from Republican to Democrat. Similar investments in future years in states like Arizona and Texas could very well make these states – home to George W. Bush and John McCain – as blue as New Mexico and Colorado are today. http://ndnblog.org/node/3209
II. Hispanics Are Not the Only Group the GOP Should Be Targeting
Asians are the second fastest growing minority behind Hispanics. And while they may not at first glance be seen as a political titan, all one has to do is look back at the 2006 Senate race in Virginia, when they helped Democrat James Webb defeat incumbent rising GOP star George Allen by .3% of the vote. http://www.aaldef.org/docs/AALDEF2006ExitPollReportMay2007.pdf
Obama won Virginia by slightly over 232,000 votes. Asian voters account for over 160,000 votes in Virginia. In California, Asians make up over 12% of the total vote. Yet once again the GOP dropped the ball by snubbing another constituency. As reported by A Korean member of the Republican Party said, “We have never asked anything of the party, and we do not even have an Asian-American aide.” He expressed his worry over the lack of any real connection between the McCain camp and the Korean-American community. On the Democratic side, Obama recently appointed a Korean aide in charge of public relations. http://www.indypressny.org/article.php3?ArticleID=4187
The Republicans also snubbed the Asian community when failing to recognize, or deliberately ignoring, a new organization known as the 80-20 Initiative. During the Democratic primaries, Hillary was the only one to woo the Asian vote and extend an outreach to 80-20. She won Democratic primaries within the Asian constituency by an almost equal ratio. During the general election, Obama extended the same olive branch and likely pulled in equivalent vote ratios. http://www.80-20initiative.net/
The key issue amongst Asian Americans seem to parallel those of Hispanic Americans. the issues most important to the Asian American community are immigration, family reunification, and language barriers that affect access to things like social services and capital for small businesses. While most discussions on immigration hinge around debates over the Mexican border, deportation of immigrants who have been living in the U.S. -- sometimes for nearly their entire lives -- also splits Asian American families. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/natasha-chen/the-asian-american-minori_b_103190.html
III. Unless the Grand Old Party expands its base, it will go the way of the dinosaurs. As pointed out by Ken Mehlman, “Hispanic-Americans tend to be conservative. Last year, pollster David Winston asked registered voters to rate themselves on a 1 to 9 scale from very liberal to very conservative. He found that, overall, the country was center-right and Hispanic-Americans viewed themselves slightly to the right of the country as a whole.
Hispanic outreach is not only natural for the GOP, it is crucial. The Hispanic community is the fastest growing segment of our country, and it is huge. Univision is the channel where more Americans get their evening news than any other. In Nebraska, one out of every eight people under 35 is Hispanic.” http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0507/3777.html
The GOP’s targeted base is dwindling fast while the fastest growing bases escape their grasps. As noted by Mike Thomas of the Orlando Sentinel, the future of the GOP depends on recruitment of the Hispanic (and I argue, the Asian) voters. http://www.orlandosentinel.com/orl-miket0608nov06,0,6631332.column
IV. There is a Silver Lining in the Clouds
Contrary to what the NDN pundits may portray as a running freight train that will surge through the South and Western states, turning each from Red to Blue, I do not see this as an inevitable outcome.
1. The vast majority of the constituencies they relied on to turn Colorado, Florida, Nevada, New Mexico, and Virginia Blue, were constituencies that overwhelmingly supported Hillary Clinton in the Democratic primaries. They were not buying Barry’s message. http://www.usaelectionpolls.com/2008/exit-polls/race-ethnicity.html
2. In 1979, President Ronald Reagan said, "Hispanics are Republicans, they just don't know it yet." Yet, while I see every “conservative” Republican hearkening back to Ronald Reagan in self-comparison (BTW, no offense, that was a generation ago), they are often the same scribes that descend on the line of NO AMNESTY, something that Ronald Reagan had the common sense to champion. Where the Republicans fail, is following up on Reagan’s attempt to make Hispanics come to a realization that by ideology they ARE Republicans/Conservatives. Coming from an urban area with a sizeable Hispanic population and voting bloc (Chicago), I can tell you that the vast majority of Hispanics do not connect Reagan with amnesty, the vehicle that allowed them to pursue and live the American dream. This is not a fault of their own, but ours. We as GOP need to insure we educate voters, one by one if we have to, if we are to survive as a party. This is particularly true today when it seems all media operates on an agenda other than reporting truth in a fair and impartial manner. Asian constituencies would likely identify more with GOP ideology as they are not only highly entrepreneurial, but also highly self-disciplined, upwardly mobile, and seek the American dream without government assistance or interference. In fact, most escape societies that are Communist, Socialist, or invaded by radical Muslims.
3. The 2008 general election might have provided us some harsh lessons, but it also provides us some new opportunities to forge alliances on some issues of mutual benefit and comparative ideology. The Roman Catholic Church launched one of the most aggressive campaigns on the Right To Life issue than I have noticed in all of my adult life. http://www.usccb.org/faithfulcitizenship/FCStatement.pdf CatholicVote.Com also launched some of the most compelling media prior to the 2008 general election in both English and Spanish. http://www.catholicvote.com/
These faith based initiatives should be viewed as a new opportunity to forge an alliance to keep the campaign(s) alive beyond the campaign.
4. The grumbling has already started. While listening to a Spanish language radio station over the weekend, the commentators already started criticizing Obama. The gist of the criticism was that in the early days after his election, he never once mentioned immigration as an issue high on his immediate agenda (although the Guantanamo detainees were). This is likely a sentiment felt throughout Hispanic and Asian constituencies that are particularly focused on this issue. What this means for the GOP is that it has to be the party that takes the lead and offer a solution. Whatever the ultimate stance might be, get it out of the way early. Just bring in key players into the dialogue (i.e. business, faith-based institutions, ethnic community leaders, etc). The GOP’s failure to do so since 2004 has had obvious repercussions in 2006 and 2008. Leave it on the backburner and it will haunt our chances of regaining lost ground in 2010 and 2012. Perhaps even far beyond that.
5. Seek to connect with those constituencies that feel they have been ignored or taken for granted. There are pockets in many precincts, townships, counties, and congressional districts. The methods of doing so are FAR easier than one might think or forsee (contact me for further discussion on that subject as I prefer not to disseminate it here). These are the same pockets that have been identified and picked off by the Democrats as they turn Red sates Blue.
In summation, this is not meant to be a criticism of the GOP. As I stated in the start, given all that went against the party this election cycle, we fared far better than I might have expected. At the same time, it is hard to ignore how easily we lost North Carolina and Virginia on short out routes while attempting to play a prevent defense guarding Colorado, Florida, Nevada, and New Mexico to an unknown and unvetted commodity. It is hard to ignore that we did not learn from the lessons of 2006, wherein we began to have state assemblymen and senators, state and county secretarys/clerks (those that control the voting process), congressmen, governors, and senators picked off by Democratic snipers.
Friday, November 28, 2008
A Thanksgiving Tip...No Politics
For those of you that enjoy the game of golf, take some sage advice from an old dog. You do not need to buy the latest $400 driver every year. Consider clones, especially if u live on a student budget.
I have played with alot of the best...Mizuno, Nike, Ping, TaylorMade..yet, the best irons I have ever owned were a clone set of Nike Slingshots (for consistency) and a clone set of Nike Blades (for control/draw/fade/playability). There are a few good companies out there that provide very good clubs at a fraction of the price.
Contact me for more info.
Paul Fuentes
I have played with alot of the best...Mizuno, Nike, Ping, TaylorMade..yet, the best irons I have ever owned were a clone set of Nike Slingshots (for consistency) and a clone set of Nike Blades (for control/draw/fade/playability). There are a few good companies out there that provide very good clubs at a fraction of the price.
Contact me for more info.
Paul Fuentes
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Getting Back to the Subject At Hand
We need a campaign of outreach. We had/have fair warning:
As to the Hispanic Vote: Part I
Should Republicans court Hispanic voters? Only if they want to survive. By Clint Bolick.
The bitter debate over immigration has damaged the Republican Party’s effort to expand its base, particularly among Hispanic voters. The Republican share of the Hispanic vote grew in 2004 to about 40 percent nationally— only to decline precipitously to about 30 percent in the disastrous 2006 congressional elections.
Full Story
Conservative Republican Values and the American Hispanic Mind
By Alberto Acereda
A large segment of the American Hispanic community has historically shared conservative Republican values, even though today many of them vote Democrat. In fact, a close look at US history demonstrates that Hispanics have traditionally been closer to conservative Republican values than to those of the Democrat Party.
The GOP needs to establish a clear agenda to reach and mobilize these millions of American Hispanics who are not getting the conservative Republican message. Their presence in the party and their vote is critical and it is still today a swing vote up for grabs. Democrats should not assume that American Hispanics are part of their base. But Republicans should understand the need to act quickly.
Full Story
Hispanic outreach crucial to GOP
By: Ken Mehlman
May 1, 2007 05:06 PM EST
In 1980, as he was preparing to run for president, Ronald Reagan asked Lionel Sosa, an advertising executive from San Antonio, to lead his outreach to the Hispanic community. Reagan told Sosa his job would be easy: "Latinos are Republican. They just don't know it yet."
On this, as in so many other areas, Reagan was a man who saw the future. In 1984, he made history, receiving 32 percent of the Hispanic vote. President George W. Bush achieved similar results in 2000, and in 2004 won a record 44 percent of the Hispanic vote.
Full Story
As to the Hispanic Vote: Part I
Should Republicans court Hispanic voters? Only if they want to survive. By Clint Bolick.
The bitter debate over immigration has damaged the Republican Party’s effort to expand its base, particularly among Hispanic voters. The Republican share of the Hispanic vote grew in 2004 to about 40 percent nationally— only to decline precipitously to about 30 percent in the disastrous 2006 congressional elections.
Full Story
Conservative Republican Values and the American Hispanic Mind
By Alberto Acereda
A large segment of the American Hispanic community has historically shared conservative Republican values, even though today many of them vote Democrat. In fact, a close look at US history demonstrates that Hispanics have traditionally been closer to conservative Republican values than to those of the Democrat Party.
The GOP needs to establish a clear agenda to reach and mobilize these millions of American Hispanics who are not getting the conservative Republican message. Their presence in the party and their vote is critical and it is still today a swing vote up for grabs. Democrats should not assume that American Hispanics are part of their base. But Republicans should understand the need to act quickly.
Full Story
Hispanic outreach crucial to GOP
By: Ken Mehlman
May 1, 2007 05:06 PM EST
In 1980, as he was preparing to run for president, Ronald Reagan asked Lionel Sosa, an advertising executive from San Antonio, to lead his outreach to the Hispanic community. Reagan told Sosa his job would be easy: "Latinos are Republican. They just don't know it yet."
On this, as in so many other areas, Reagan was a man who saw the future. In 1984, he made history, receiving 32 percent of the Hispanic vote. President George W. Bush achieved similar results in 2000, and in 2004 won a record 44 percent of the Hispanic vote.
Full Story
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
From My Friends At Offstumped
War on Mumbai exposes India’s Soft Underbelly
Posted: 26 Nov 2008 03:19 PM CST
At the time of writing this post 2:30am IST, the War on Mumbai continues unabated.
It is unclear when it will be over and if it will be over anytime soon and at what cost.
More than 80 killed, hundreds injured, ATS Chief Hemant Karkare has fallen but more importantly confidence in the Indian State has been shattered.
For years now laments by this blog and many others have fallen on deaf ears of the Manmohan Singh Sonia Gandhi lead UPA dispensation.
In a brazen act of shamelessness and crass opportunism the Prime Minister had the audacity to put up the pretense of acting against terror and even when he did so he did not “order it” he did not make a decisive announcement of taking executive action.
Instead he reminded us of the spineless wimp that he is with merely making a “suggestion”.
Full Story
Posted: 26 Nov 2008 03:19 PM CST
At the time of writing this post 2:30am IST, the War on Mumbai continues unabated.
It is unclear when it will be over and if it will be over anytime soon and at what cost.
More than 80 killed, hundreds injured, ATS Chief Hemant Karkare has fallen but more importantly confidence in the Indian State has been shattered.
For years now laments by this blog and many others have fallen on deaf ears of the Manmohan Singh Sonia Gandhi lead UPA dispensation.
In a brazen act of shamelessness and crass opportunism the Prime Minister had the audacity to put up the pretense of acting against terror and even when he did so he did not “order it” he did not make a decisive announcement of taking executive action.
Instead he reminded us of the spineless wimp that he is with merely making a “suggestion”.
Full Story
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
THE RESULTS: Post-Election 2008 Asian-Pacific American Round-up
Seems the "Premise" laid out below is not supported by actual election results.
Post-Election 2008 Asian-Pacific American Round-up
Capsules debriefing the elections from throughout the Asian-Pacific American community
Asian American Village Staff
The jury is still out on exactly how and in what numbers Asian Americans voted on Tuesday, but while number-crunching is underway the first, most "official" figure being reported is based on CNN/AP/Edison national exit poll data, finding that Asian Americans gave 68% of their three-party vote to Barack Obama, with the 35% going to John McCain, and 3% going to "Other" or else refusing to reply. This is broad-stroke projecting, and was based on a sample in which Asian Americans constituted only 2% of respondents. Overall, the "by race" tally (for the presidential race alone) looks like this:
· White (74% of respondents) - 43% Obama, 55% McCain, 2% Other
· African-American (13%) - 95% Obama, 4% McCain, 1% Other
· Latino (9%) - 67% Obama, 31% McCain, 2% Other
· Asian (2%) - 62% Obama, 35% McCain, 3% Other
· Other Race (3%) - 66% Obama, 31% McCain, 3% Other
This finding -- if it holds upon further and finer examination -- indicates that the Asian American vote has maintained a leftward trend ever since a majority collectively backed George HW Bush against Bill Clinton in 1992.
Full Story
Post-Election 2008 Asian-Pacific American Round-up
Capsules debriefing the elections from throughout the Asian-Pacific American community
Asian American Village Staff
The jury is still out on exactly how and in what numbers Asian Americans voted on Tuesday, but while number-crunching is underway the first, most "official" figure being reported is based on CNN/AP/Edison national exit poll data, finding that Asian Americans gave 68% of their three-party vote to Barack Obama, with the 35% going to John McCain, and 3% going to "Other" or else refusing to reply. This is broad-stroke projecting, and was based on a sample in which Asian Americans constituted only 2% of respondents. Overall, the "by race" tally (for the presidential race alone) looks like this:
· White (74% of respondents) - 43% Obama, 55% McCain, 2% Other
· African-American (13%) - 95% Obama, 4% McCain, 1% Other
· Latino (9%) - 67% Obama, 31% McCain, 2% Other
· Asian (2%) - 62% Obama, 35% McCain, 3% Other
· Other Race (3%) - 66% Obama, 31% McCain, 3% Other
This finding -- if it holds upon further and finer examination -- indicates that the Asian American vote has maintained a leftward trend ever since a majority collectively backed George HW Bush against Bill Clinton in 1992.
Full Story
THE PREMISE: "Asian American Christians: Why we tend to be conservative."
That is the title of the following article written by the a fellow blogger (I added a link to his blog under "Politics"). Although the title represented my 'gut" sentiments at the outset of starting this blog, other research which I shall post hereinafter would seem to refute the premise.
Asian American Christians: Why we tend to be conservative
AsianWeek. By: Bruce Reyes-Chow, May 18, 2008.
Most Asian American Christians are conservative. Ding, ding, ding — generalization warning. I know it is dangerous to make such blatant statements, but, as one who has been engaged in the Asian American Christian community over the past 20 years, I do think this is the reality.
When there were protests here in San Francisco against same-sex marriages a few years ago, there was a huge representation of mostly Chinese American Christians. Some people were surprised, while others wondered what took them so long.
We could spend time arguing about definitions, generational trends, or my blatant disregard for many liberal Asian American Christians, but let’s not delude ourselves. If you were to visit random Asian American churches in San Francisco or any other city, you would go far and few between as you seek out those of a more progressive flavor.
Full Story
Asian American Christians: Why we tend to be conservative
AsianWeek. By: Bruce Reyes-Chow, May 18, 2008.
Most Asian American Christians are conservative. Ding, ding, ding — generalization warning. I know it is dangerous to make such blatant statements, but, as one who has been engaged in the Asian American Christian community over the past 20 years, I do think this is the reality.
When there were protests here in San Francisco against same-sex marriages a few years ago, there was a huge representation of mostly Chinese American Christians. Some people were surprised, while others wondered what took them so long.
We could spend time arguing about definitions, generational trends, or my blatant disregard for many liberal Asian American Christians, but let’s not delude ourselves. If you were to visit random Asian American churches in San Francisco or any other city, you would go far and few between as you seek out those of a more progressive flavor.
Full Story
Friday, November 21, 2008
Does Affirmative Action Result In Reverse Discrimination Against Asians?
While the the Presidency was the main focus of voters throughout the United States, two affirmative action issues on the ballot in Colorado and Nebraska seemed to have significant importance for Asian-Americans. The According to Asian American Politics, affirmative action policies implemented by colleges and universities actually result in reverse discrimination against Asian students.
In support of its position, Asian American Politics cites several studies including
"Is There An Asian Ceiling?" By Russell Nieli
Several years ago a Korean-American student in one of my politics classes at Princeton described the reaction of his Asian classmates in the California private school he attended when the college acceptance and rejection letters arrived in the mail the spring of their senior year. A female Black student, he explained, had applied to more than half a dozen of the most prestigious colleges and universities in the nation and got accepted to all of them, deciding eventually to enroll at Stanford.
This Korean student's story was in the back of my mind as I read the newspaper accounts about the racial discrimination complaint lodged not long ago with the Department of Education against Princeton University by Jian Li, the Chinese-American student at Yale who had a perfect 2400 (i.e. three 800s) on the newer version of the SAT.
Full Story
In support of its position, Asian American Politics cites several studies including
"Is There An Asian Ceiling?" By Russell Nieli
Several years ago a Korean-American student in one of my politics classes at Princeton described the reaction of his Asian classmates in the California private school he attended when the college acceptance and rejection letters arrived in the mail the spring of their senior year. A female Black student, he explained, had applied to more than half a dozen of the most prestigious colleges and universities in the nation and got accepted to all of them, deciding eventually to enroll at Stanford.
This Korean student's story was in the back of my mind as I read the newspaper accounts about the racial discrimination complaint lodged not long ago with the Department of Education against Princeton University by Jian Li, the Chinese-American student at Yale who had a perfect 2400 (i.e. three 800s) on the newer version of the SAT.
Full Story
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Are we now a "BLUE" country???
2004 Map By County
2008 Map By CountyFrom the looks of the above, it does not appear so. The importance of viewing election results in terms of smaller districts is an undervalued tool. Just looking at states does not show where elections were lost, and where the work begins.
For those of you who felt despair after November 4, 2008, stop pouting and identify a blue county where you can make a difference. If you do not know how, just ask.
Nuff Said,
Paul Fuentes
South Koreans Name New York City and L.A. as Holiday Destinations
Korea Times, news report, Posted: Nov 18, 2008 Review it on NewsTrust
SAN FRANCISCO – The Big Apple and the City of Angels were selected as two U.S. cities that will soon benefit from South Korean tourists and the Visa Waiver Program, reported the Korea Times. In a survey of 1,506 South Koreans conducted by a research institution and a tour company, 44.9 percent of the respondents chose New York City as their destination of choice. Los Angeles was chosen by 27.3 percent as the top pick. Other cities they wish to visit are Las Vegas, Honolulu, Hawaii, San Francisco, and Washington D.C. Starting Nov. 17, South Koreans can travel to the United States for up to 90 days without a visa. Korean news media has reported that about 1 million Koreans visit the United States every year, and this figure will increase two to threefold by the year 2016, resulting in more than $3 billion in annual spending by tourists.
SAN FRANCISCO – The Big Apple and the City of Angels were selected as two U.S. cities that will soon benefit from South Korean tourists and the Visa Waiver Program, reported the Korea Times. In a survey of 1,506 South Koreans conducted by a research institution and a tour company, 44.9 percent of the respondents chose New York City as their destination of choice. Los Angeles was chosen by 27.3 percent as the top pick. Other cities they wish to visit are Las Vegas, Honolulu, Hawaii, San Francisco, and Washington D.C. Starting Nov. 17, South Koreans can travel to the United States for up to 90 days without a visa. Korean news media has reported that about 1 million Koreans visit the United States every year, and this figure will increase two to threefold by the year 2016, resulting in more than $3 billion in annual spending by tourists.
Fewer Mexicans Leaving Homeland
Henry Romero / Reuters
Emigration down sharply; ailing U.S. economy, tighter border cited
Associated Pressupdated 6:17 p.m. CT, Thurs., Nov. 20, 2008
MEXICO CITY - Mexican emigration has dropped 42 percent over the last two years, a government study released Thursday showed, confirming that America has become less appealing amid an economic downturn and stepped-up raids against illegal migrants.
About eight of every 1,000 Mexicans emigrated between February and May of this year, according to the survey conducted by the National Statistics and Geography Institute. That's a 42 percent drop from the same period in 2006.
In all of 2007, an estimated 814,000 Mexicans emigrated, compared to 1.2 million in 2006. The figure — which was reached through household surveys — includes all Mexicans who left the country, and did not break down legal and illegal migration.
Full Story
So long, Emil. Hello reform in Senate?
By Eric Zorn, Chicago Tribune
The tale of Christine Radogno and Her Fruitless Motion best illustrates why this is such an important week in our state Capitol.
Cast your mind back to May 24 of last year. On that day, Radogno, a Republican state senator from suburban Lemont and the deputy minority leader in the chamber, filed a motion asking for a vote of the full Senate on a proposal to move an ethics bill out of the rules committee, where it had been languishing for about a month, and onto the floor.
Rules can be a legislative Roach Motel. Bills check in, but they don't check out without the OK of the Senate president. To pry a bill out of a committee requires a vote of three-fifths of the Senate: 36 members.
But Radogno had that level of support and more. The bill, an attempt to ban businesses with fat state contracts from funding the campaigns of officeholders who give them those contracts, was very popular in both parties.
The tale of Christine Radogno and Her Fruitless Motion best illustrates why this is such an important week in our state Capitol.
Cast your mind back to May 24 of last year. On that day, Radogno, a Republican state senator from suburban Lemont and the deputy minority leader in the chamber, filed a motion asking for a vote of the full Senate on a proposal to move an ethics bill out of the rules committee, where it had been languishing for about a month, and onto the floor.
Rules can be a legislative Roach Motel. Bills check in, but they don't check out without the OK of the Senate president. To pry a bill out of a committee requires a vote of three-fifths of the Senate: 36 members.
But Radogno had that level of support and more. The bill, an attempt to ban businesses with fat state contracts from funding the campaigns of officeholders who give them those contracts, was very popular in both parties.
Karl Rove Says Republicans Must Regain the Minority Vote
Karl Rove, the architect of the Bush’s winning campaigns stated in a Newsweek article that the GOP needs to reach out to Asians, Blacks, and Hispanics.
“Republicans must regain ground among critical voting groups. Voters ages 18–29 voted Democratic by a 2-to-1 margin. A market-oriented "green" agenda that's true to our principles would help win them back. Hispanics dropped from 44 percent Republican in 2004 to 31 percent in 2008. The GOP won't be a majority party if it cedes the young or Hispanics to Democrats. Republicans must find a way to support secure borders, a guest-worker program and comprehensive immigration reform that strengthens citizenship, grows our economy and keeps America a welcoming nation. An anti-Hispanic attitude is suicidal. As the party of Lincoln, Republicans have a moral obligation to make our case to Hispanics, blacks and Asian-Americans who share our values. Whether we see gains in 2010 depends on it.
Winning requires addition, not subtraction. While the GOP's strength is in the suburbs, exurbs and small towns, it cannot surrender urban America, especially if it wants to win states such as Pennsylvania, Michigan and Ohio and regain strength in New England.”
Full Story
Hispanic Republicans Assess Their Party's Failure in 2008
Nov. 19, 2008
Richard Kaplan--HispanicBusiness.com
Over and over again, Republican Hispanic leaders emphasized the negative impact of Republican rhetoric around immigration issues. Nonpartisan surveys too revealed that Hispanic voters were overwhelming concerned about the issue of immigration. Bendixen and Associates, a Miami-based marketing research company that often addressee Hispanic issues, polled voters just prior to the national election. Its numbers reveal that 51 percent of U.S.-born Hispanics thought the issue of immigration was "very important," while an additional 40 percent thought it was "somewhat important."
Full Story
Richard Kaplan--HispanicBusiness.com
Over and over again, Republican Hispanic leaders emphasized the negative impact of Republican rhetoric around immigration issues. Nonpartisan surveys too revealed that Hispanic voters were overwhelming concerned about the issue of immigration. Bendixen and Associates, a Miami-based marketing research company that often addressee Hispanic issues, polled voters just prior to the national election. Its numbers reveal that 51 percent of U.S.-born Hispanics thought the issue of immigration was "very important," while an additional 40 percent thought it was "somewhat important."
Full Story
A Switch to Republican Camp for Indians
An article by Ishani Duttagupta, writer for the The Economic Times (India) describes how some key Indian fundraisers for previous Democratic candidates decided to back the GOP.
“ Even for Indian Americans the McCain campaign is putting much more on the table in terms of a pro-business attitude and tax breaks. Besides, the Republicans have a far more liberal attitude towards the outsourcing debate than the Democrats,’ says Deven Verma who was till recently a Democratic fund raiser and supporter.
Mr Deven Verma had a big fund-raiser for the Democrats too and had raised over $250,000 for Democratic presidential candidate Senator John Kerry’s campaign. As the founding general partner of Edgewood and earlier Redwood Ventures, he has invested in over 80 companies.
‘I was a trustee for the Kerry campaign and had supported the Clintons on various issues. I was also a strong Democratic fund-raiser. But some of the policy statements by the Obama campaign have set me thinking. Now I feel that the Republicans will be much better for both India and Indian American businesses. As a result, I am now focused on fund raising for Senator McCain,’ he says.
Full Story
“ Even for Indian Americans the McCain campaign is putting much more on the table in terms of a pro-business attitude and tax breaks. Besides, the Republicans have a far more liberal attitude towards the outsourcing debate than the Democrats,’ says Deven Verma who was till recently a Democratic fund raiser and supporter.
Mr Deven Verma had a big fund-raiser for the Democrats too and had raised over $250,000 for Democratic presidential candidate Senator John Kerry’s campaign. As the founding general partner of Edgewood and earlier Redwood Ventures, he has invested in over 80 companies.
‘I was a trustee for the Kerry campaign and had supported the Clintons on various issues. I was also a strong Democratic fund-raiser. But some of the policy statements by the Obama campaign have set me thinking. Now I feel that the Republicans will be much better for both India and Indian American businesses. As a result, I am now focused on fund raising for Senator McCain,’ he says.
Full Story
Asians Shading Blue?
The Asian American vote was once split, but now it could be moving decisively to the Democratic Party
> By Mira Jang , KoreAm Journal October, 2008
“Asian Americans are the fastest growing segment of the electorate. According to Bendixen, their numbers doubled to 4 percent over the past two presidential election cycles. And while they comprise only 5 percent of the U.S. population, the majority live in three politically powerful states — California, New York and Texas — and in Hawaii. Some swing states, such as Florida and Virginia, also have sizeable Asian populations, and they are a group, along with Latinos, that will continue to grow at the fastest rates, according to Census projections.”
Full Story
> By Mira Jang , KoreAm Journal October, 2008
“Asian Americans are the fastest growing segment of the electorate. According to Bendixen, their numbers doubled to 4 percent over the past two presidential election cycles. And while they comprise only 5 percent of the U.S. population, the majority live in three politically powerful states — California, New York and Texas — and in Hawaii. Some swing states, such as Florida and Virginia, also have sizeable Asian populations, and they are a group, along with Latinos, that will continue to grow at the fastest rates, according to Census projections.”
Full Story
Indians on Hunger Strike to Avoid Deportation
New America Media , Commentary, Arnoldo Garcia
Indian guest workers who say they were trafficked to the post-Katrina Gulf Coast have launched a hunger strike to stay in the United States. Arnoldo Garcia is director of the Immigrant Justice and Rights Program at the National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights. Immigration Matters regularly features the views of the nation's leading immigrant rights advocates.
Full
Story
Indian guest workers who say they were trafficked to the post-Katrina Gulf Coast have launched a hunger strike to stay in the United States. Arnoldo Garcia is director of the Immigrant Justice and Rights Program at the National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights. Immigration Matters regularly features the views of the nation's leading immigrant rights advocates.
Full
Story
Mexicans and Koreans Unite in Los Angeles On Immigration Reform
An article by Kenneth Kim written for the New American Media describes a unified call for immigration reform by the Korean and Mexican communities.
”With the candidates focusing on the ailing economy, the Iraq war and health care, many immigrants fear that the new administration would be less likely to come up with a proposal any time soon to overhaul the immigration laws.
“If we don’t start mobilizing now, legalization will not happen soon,” said Jean Carlo Araya, a 26-year-old cook.
Like those who marched the streets of U.S. cities in 2006 to demand immigration reform, the majority of those participating in the hunger strike is Latino. But they have the strong support of other ethnic communities, faith-based groups and labor unions. The Korean American Resources Center in Los Angeles, for example, informed local Korean-language media about the hunger strike."
Full Story
Lessons From India
By Daniel Bennett
Increasing educational opportunities is a hot topic this election season. Most Americans would agree that the youth of this country need an education to improve their job skills and prospects for the future, although there is considerable debate as to the approach that should be taken. One side would argue that we need to increase spending to make college accessible to a larger proportion of the population. Another argument, similar to the one made by the likes of Charles Murray, would be to focus on providing career and vocational training for a larger share of the population.
The debate over the path to a more prosperous future for all will likely continue to no avail for some time. In the meantime, the U.S. could learn a lesson or two from abroad. Take India for example, a country that was highly impoverished not long ago, but has since emerged has one of the hot spots for high tech jobs and manufacturing. Pundits will argue that India is siphoning American and western jobs by way of an unfair advantage of cheap labor and a lack of environmental standards.
Full Story
Increasing educational opportunities is a hot topic this election season. Most Americans would agree that the youth of this country need an education to improve their job skills and prospects for the future, although there is considerable debate as to the approach that should be taken. One side would argue that we need to increase spending to make college accessible to a larger proportion of the population. Another argument, similar to the one made by the likes of Charles Murray, would be to focus on providing career and vocational training for a larger share of the population.
The debate over the path to a more prosperous future for all will likely continue to no avail for some time. In the meantime, the U.S. could learn a lesson or two from abroad. Take India for example, a country that was highly impoverished not long ago, but has since emerged has one of the hot spots for high tech jobs and manufacturing. Pundits will argue that India is siphoning American and western jobs by way of an unfair advantage of cheap labor and a lack of environmental standards.
Full Story
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
The Sleeping Giant in American Politics
Major Study Examines Why Asian America Is Virtually Unheard
By DEANNA LEE
EDITOR’S NOTE—A duPont-Columbia Award winner with eight Emmys, Deanna Lee is a veteran international journalist. A former Nightline and ABC World News producer, Ms. Lee is the Asia Society’s communications veep.
Look at Asian Americans today, says Paul Ong, “and what you’re seeing is the awakening of the new sleeping giant in politics. The question is, how fast are we going to become a meaningful force?”
Ong is the principal investigator of “The State of Asian America: Trajectory of Civic and Political Engagement,” just released by the LEAP Asian Pacific American Public Policy Institute. Ten investigations and analyses by a multidisciplinary team of Asian American scholars and community leaders delve into what, for many Asian Americans, is a central question and frustration: why our voices “are virtually unheard in the ongoing civic and political discussions.”
Full Story
Lessons from Korea
by Daniel Bennett
I've aware of the emphasis that Asian culture places on children receiving a good education and have heard some amazing stories of the amount of preparation that students do for exams, but I read an article in the Wall Street Journal on the commute to the office this morning that made me raise an eyebrow and question the attitude towards education in America.
In Korea, apparently the entire country all but shuts down on the national college entrance exam day. Korean society goes to great lengths to ensure that students are provided the fairest and optimal test-taking conditions, engaging in customs that are intended to reduce noise pollution and traffic.
Full Story
I've aware of the emphasis that Asian culture places on children receiving a good education and have heard some amazing stories of the amount of preparation that students do for exams, but I read an article in the Wall Street Journal on the commute to the office this morning that made me raise an eyebrow and question the attitude towards education in America.
In Korea, apparently the entire country all but shuts down on the national college entrance exam day. Korean society goes to great lengths to ensure that students are provided the fairest and optimal test-taking conditions, engaging in customs that are intended to reduce noise pollution and traffic.
Full Story
Mr M's Remedy on Illegal Border Crossings and Guest Workers Program
NOT MY VIEWS..but we have to recognize the oppositions formations and game plan.
NOT I have been thinking hard on the illegal immigration issue for a while, trying to envision a good compromise to rampant illegal border crossing, and the availability of cheap labor. The situation is becoming a powder keg for both sides, those that want to stem the flow of illegals, and those that want an open border and mass immigration of illegals to support their liberal agendas, be eligible for fraudulent voting, and to support their taking over Calif. for succeeding back to Mexico. We need a system that can stem the flow, allow NO voting, provide a source of cheap labor and allow the Mexican people an avenue to better their lives through hard work and America dollars.
Full Story
NOT I have been thinking hard on the illegal immigration issue for a while, trying to envision a good compromise to rampant illegal border crossing, and the availability of cheap labor. The situation is becoming a powder keg for both sides, those that want to stem the flow of illegals, and those that want an open border and mass immigration of illegals to support their liberal agendas, be eligible for fraudulent voting, and to support their taking over Calif. for succeeding back to Mexico. We need a system that can stem the flow, allow NO voting, provide a source of cheap labor and allow the Mexican people an avenue to better their lives through hard work and America dollars.
Full Story
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
We need to come together.
Let me introduce myself. My name is Paul Fuentes. I am not a politician, nor work for one. I am not running for office. I do not work for the Republican party, but I do support it. I believe in the following ideology(ies):
1. Small/Limited government. Government is a notoriously inefficient provider of services. For every tax dollar collected to cure a social ill, only pennies on that dollar are ever spent on the cure. The rest goes to feed the self-perpetuating bureaucracies.
2. Limited Entitlements. Everybody needs some assistance at some time, for some time. But the model that has been in existence since the 1960s has only served to create subsequent generations of communities that live off entitlements. They create a disincentive to participate in the work force, and have severely damaged the family unit.
3. Protection of Human Life. That is a concept not above my pay-grade. Our society was founded on Jude0-Christian values, and we must protect and enforce those values, particularly those that cannot protect themselves.
4. Balanced and Fair Immigration Policies. I will be the first to agree that we must seal our borders for reasons of national security. However, we must address the issue of immigration in a fair manner. We need to honestly assess those areas of the labor market that need immigrant labor in order to operate, such as farming. We also need to look at immigration policies in terms of how they effect or prevent the reunification of families.
5. Biculturalism is a GOOD Thing Not a Bad Thing. What is wrong with Asians, Hispanics, Indians and any other ethnic group maintaining proficient use of their native language and the ability to enjoy the fruits and traditions of two different cultures.
6. Foster and Promote Small Business. Combined, they are this nation's greatest source of employment.
Having said that, I am creating this blog to open a dialogue with other minority groups in the hopes that we can build some alliances. Although I am Mexican-American, I notice that other minority groups share some characteristics and hols similar values.
1. We are everywhere. We are no longer concentrated in urban enclaves, but are scattered throughout urban and exurban America.
2. We have a high rate of entrepreneurship and create many small businesses.
3. We are highly religious and attend church services regularly.
4. Outside of the urban enclaves, we are small minorities with no voice and no political power.
However, if we built alliances along the characteristics and values we have in common, we could build powerful coalitions and influence politics, policies, and government beyond our numbers in isolation.
Paul
1. Small/Limited government. Government is a notoriously inefficient provider of services. For every tax dollar collected to cure a social ill, only pennies on that dollar are ever spent on the cure. The rest goes to feed the self-perpetuating bureaucracies.
2. Limited Entitlements. Everybody needs some assistance at some time, for some time. But the model that has been in existence since the 1960s has only served to create subsequent generations of communities that live off entitlements. They create a disincentive to participate in the work force, and have severely damaged the family unit.
3. Protection of Human Life. That is a concept not above my pay-grade. Our society was founded on Jude0-Christian values, and we must protect and enforce those values, particularly those that cannot protect themselves.
4. Balanced and Fair Immigration Policies. I will be the first to agree that we must seal our borders for reasons of national security. However, we must address the issue of immigration in a fair manner. We need to honestly assess those areas of the labor market that need immigrant labor in order to operate, such as farming. We also need to look at immigration policies in terms of how they effect or prevent the reunification of families.
5. Biculturalism is a GOOD Thing Not a Bad Thing. What is wrong with Asians, Hispanics, Indians and any other ethnic group maintaining proficient use of their native language and the ability to enjoy the fruits and traditions of two different cultures.
6. Foster and Promote Small Business. Combined, they are this nation's greatest source of employment.
Having said that, I am creating this blog to open a dialogue with other minority groups in the hopes that we can build some alliances. Although I am Mexican-American, I notice that other minority groups share some characteristics and hols similar values.
1. We are everywhere. We are no longer concentrated in urban enclaves, but are scattered throughout urban and exurban America.
2. We have a high rate of entrepreneurship and create many small businesses.
3. We are highly religious and attend church services regularly.
4. Outside of the urban enclaves, we are small minorities with no voice and no political power.
However, if we built alliances along the characteristics and values we have in common, we could build powerful coalitions and influence politics, policies, and government beyond our numbers in isolation.
Paul
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