All Media, Left And Right - Wrong About The Hispanic Vote

It's no surprise to me when the MSM pontificates about the Hispanic vote and tries to explain the immigration policies of this administration. But I was expecting more clarity in conservative publications. There were two articles in last month's Newsmax magazine that continue the myth of the Hispanic vote: Jim Meyers wrote in "Arizona's Illegals War Roils Country," that "Rep. Luis Guitierrez, D-Ill alluded to the fact that 68 percent of Hispanic voters backed Obama in 2008." The article also showed pie charts detailing the percentages of the Hispanic vote in previous presidential elections.

I'm always puzzled by the way the media can determine who votes for whom when we still supposedly have a secret ballot. What are they basing those percentages on - exit polling? Addresses? How about voter fraud?

The second article in Newsmax was billed as a voice from the younger generation - a young 19-year-old, Andrew Mack entitled: GOP Can Win Over Hispanic Voters. He writes: "Hispanics represent a significant vote for Republicans if the GOP can woo them. In 2004, George W. Bush showed this could happen when he won 44 percent of their vote... in 2008, Latinos moved back to the Democrat side."

Mack suggests that while many Hispanics are conservative, "the thorny issue of immigration has been driving a wedge."

On Fox News' Special Report on July 28th, Fred Barnes of the Weekly Standard also displayed a misguided opinion of the issue. He regarded the GOP position as a paradox, that the "Republicans need to pay attention to. They may get good poll numbers on immigration and stronger enforcement on immigration but it's never helped them in the elections."

Mr. Barnes claims that candidates running on a strong immigration enforcement stand never win. He said, "What is the rising voting group? It's Hispanics and they react very poorly to what Republicans have said on this issue. Republicans need to be enormously careful or they'll alienate this very important voting bloc."

Hold on there, Fred. Who are we talking about when we say voting bloc? Immigrants from any country are constitutionally ineligible to vote unless they are naturalized, although some Democrats want to do away with that provision here in New York City. Former City Councilman Bill Perkins tried to pass a resolution allowing legal immigrants the right to vote. He insisted that since they paid taxes they should have a right to choose their representatives. I pointed out in my 2005 New York Sun column (Only Citizens Have the Right To Vote ) that these individuals get benefits for their taxes, for example, police, sanitation, etc.

Obviously political rhetoric about immigration is designed to curry favor with the Hispanic community but the ones most likely to agree with the left are those who are not eligible to vote. Consider the fact that the demonized Arizona immigration bill is overwhelmingly approved by Arizonans and Arizona has a heavy Hispanic population.

Here's the truth that many are ignoring except for talk radio host Mark Levin and RedEye's Greg Gutfeld. Hispanics born here, like myself, and naturalized immigrants are against illegal immigrants and the idea of amnesty.

Joanna Marzullo is Hispanic and the President of NYICE (New Yorkers for Immigration Control and Enforcement) which holds counter protest rallies against those opposing the Arizona legislation. Pamela Hall, one of the original organizers of the Stop the Madrassa Coalition videotaped Marzullo at a recent counter-protest rally that of course was never reported in the MSM.

My daughter's friend from El Salvador spent twelve years getting approved for citizenship. My son's Panamanian friend is still awaiting the process after many years. The idea that citizens here illegally will get a fast run for the gold ahead of him and others is unconscionable. Doesn't everybody loathe those who cut a waiting line? What they all agree on is that the border must be secured.

The factual numbers of Hispanics voting for Democrats will only be exposed when they are forced to prove their eligibility at the polls. Democrats depend on voter fraud and are unlikely to support any legislation stipulating proof of voting eligibility.

At least, columnist George Will is recognizing the truth of Hispanic conservatism. In a recent column, he highlighted the success of Puerto Rican Governor Luis Fortuno who commented on the popular assumption that all Hispanics vote for Democrats: "Fortuno disagrees, noting that while Republicans on the mainland were losing in 2008, he was elected in the island's biggest landslide in 44 years. The party he leads won more than two-thirds of the seats in both houses of the legislature, and three-fifths of the mayorships, including that of San Juan."

Fortuno, who calls himself a "values candidate" and goes to Catholic services almost every day, says Puerto Ricans are culturally conservative - 78 percent are pro-life, 91 percent oppose same-sex marriage, 30 percent of the 85 percent who are Christian are evangelicals.

A majority supports his agenda, which includes tax and spending cuts, trimming 16,000 from public payrolls to begin eliminating the deficit that was 45% the size of the budget."

By the way, all Puerto Ricans are American citizens and are not to be confused with Central American immigrants. Just because Hispanics share a common heritage and language, they are not monolithic and the sooner the MSM recognizes this, the sooner they'll have to report accurate voting data.

The New York Times recently ran a report that the Mexican government has sent representatives to Staten Island to help assist victims of crime here. According to the article:

"Mexico's consul general, Rúben Beltrán, sent a representative on Monday to set up a neighborhood office and directly assist the Mexican population. The representative drives around in a car emblazoned with the phone number for a 24-hour, toll-free hot line and a message in Spanish that begins, "Mexicans, know your rights."

I live in Staten Island and know that this a sheer propaganda move by a foreign power interfering with our state government. The District Attorney of Staten Island, Dan Donovan, who is currently running for New York State Attorney General, has bent over backwards to assist Mexican crime victims here. He's held numerous community meetings to ensure that all citizens, regardless of status receive justice. There is no need in this borough for Hispanics to reach out to Mexico other than to facilitate more distorted news coverage and bad press for those opposing illegal immigration.

What the New York Times will not report are the crimes committed by Mexican illegals or anything unsavory that may deflect from portraying them as victims. Sam Whigham is a black man who was attacked on Staten Island by Mexican ruffians who called him and his friends the "n" word and shouted, "Get the "N******." Nor will the media check the police reports of the rapes and murders committed by Mexican gangs. The New York Daily News reported back in 2005 about the growing Mexican mafia in Staten Island. But don't expect the mainstream media to do their due diligence as journalists. It's simply not on their agenda.

Alicia Colon resides in New York City and can be reached at aliciav.colon@gmail.com and at www.aliciacolon.com.