The Latino vote

[D-mack01grad]

I'm not sure if this topic has been discussed in other threads but:

Why does the media continue to harp on "the Latino vote" as being monolythic? It amazes me how "out of touch" some media types truly are to proclaim or imply that Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, Venezuelans, Cubans, Dominicans, Nicaraguans (and other Central Americans) etc. ALL think alike? Sure imigration is important to this segment primarily because they represent a "non preferred" group when it comes to acquiring citizenship. Immigration is a concern for EVERYONE coming from a "non preferred" country...not just Latin ones.

Their values, experiences, needs are all unique to their respective communities and it's a shame that there are so many misguided assumptions. Immigration is one of a handfull of items that is common amongst those groups. Outside of that, socio economic status IMO plays a much larger role with regards to how a person belonging to one of these groups vote.

Count me as one who is fed up with the race baiting that's been going on in the media and with certain campaigns.

 

[SomeMildLanguage]

Identity politics, generally, is antithetical to a society that values individual liberty.

 

[lonestar12]

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[D-mack01grad]

I guess the point I'm trying to make is that we as Americans have MUCH more in common than people realize and I am absolutely frustrated with this divide and conquer political system we live in.

*Do Dems not believe in God?
*Are republicans the only ones that value family?
*Is "conservative" code word for racist? Does it only apply to social issues? Fiscal issues? Foreign issues?
*Does liberal mean you hate puppies and Jesus like Bob Stoops?

I do a lot of traveling for my job and it's funny how when I was in undergrad, the 40 acres had issues that divided the campus, but when we went to Dallas in Oct... it was one united front. Or when I'm NY and run into other Texans, they have instant rapport. Or when I travel internationally, the fact that you're American makes you my long lost pal.

Why is this?

 

[danthehorn]

The Latino vote has put Clinton over the top in several states because in some cases it has voted 4 to 1 for Clinton. In California hispanics voted 2 to 1 for Clinton.

This is a fact! It is not the media.

I am Hispanic and will support Obama in the primary. While talking to my hispanic friends most are voting for Clinton. Some have decided based on having all the information but some others for reasons that make you go hmmmm?

- Don't know Obama. Change could be a bad thing.
- I like what Bill did when he was in office and I think he will have a lot of say in decisions.
- Obama is probably going to be assasinated.

 

[zzzz]

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[D-mack01grad]

zzzz,

"Shared experiences". That the term that I was looking for.

Maybe I'm a dreamer, but I am hoping/wishing/praying that maybe, just maybe our political system will work towards expanding our countries "common ground" and get away from this divisiveness.

The "black vote", "white vote", "latin vote"... This stuff bothers me to no end. And when I keep hearing "change" from the different candidates Republican and Democrats alike, a break from divisive policies and politics is what I hope they are referring to.

 

[Seattle Husker]

Believe it or not, we are not all alike and have different "hot button" issues that drive our voting patterns. Latinos vote vastly differently than Blacks who vote vastly differently than Whites. Of course, you can break up those groups into much smaller voting blocks. I'm currently reading Microtrends by Mark Penn, Hillary's Chief Strategist. He actually breaks Latinos into two categories: Catholic Latinos (75%) and Protestant Latinos (25%). The latter votes more like the Christian right focusing on family values.

Since Mark Penn is Hillary's Chief Strategist the book is an interesting view into her campaign.

 

[D-mack01grad]

I can actually see how that would have some merit...

 

[blueglasshorse]

Am I the only one who thinks danthehorn's last line is at least, in very poor taste... at most, asking for a knock on the door from secret service???

 

[AverageHorn]

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[Roger35]

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[blueglasshorse]

Maybe. But to me it sounds to me like the church ladies who say "have you heard about so-and-so? We need to pray for her cheating husband." It's a clever way to gossip b/c they wrap it up in a cloak of concern. It still propels the story again and again and again unnecessarily. Just my opinion.

 

[Seattle Husker]

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